Poison

The hall is filled with chatter.

"The Lion is an issue, don't you think Linx?" Rick asked.

"Are you doubting me, the plan goes as planned. Just know, treat any fight like it's a fight to the death, the lions are out for blood. The assassin boy Vex was meant to kill Walter, the worst thing is no one here will know they've been poisoned until days after the match. An easy workaround to the no killing rule. This is no longer a game and the Judge knows that, hence him knocking out vex. It's time we show them what we truly got, if we're lucky we can scare off some of the competition. Jewy you must save your skill we need you against the lion, jackal show them who's boss, take the first round. Halk, your take the second, and Wolf you will finish it off. I have someone to talk to, but I know I can place my trust in you guys. As we cant let them get used to any of us we must swap for the next rounds, if I'm not here Pheap and Fox will take the round after that with Jewy. And for some reason I don't return after that just know I'm dead and there is no point in searching for me. Jewy as vice captain I leave my position to you."

"But…" Halk started.

"No buts, I hate to break a promise, but I refuse to lie on this. The reaper's knocking, and I must answer."

"Captain, let me go with you." Rick suggested.

"NO! all of you will just slow me down. Put trust in me, I'm Lord Lynx, commander of our back street gang. Even if this has felt like a dream, in some ways I would consider you all like family."

"You're not dying until we get a rematch, I vow that no one will beat me until you get back." Pheap vowed.

"What are you fools doing, this murdering bastard does not deserve your simplify." Halk protested.

"Lynx, I have barely known you but, but I ask of one…" Badger stuttered. "Thing, give me, me ba, back, the key."

Lynx pulled out a satchel and handed it to Badger.

"You can take this and save that old grandmother of yours, however if you're not here when I come back, I will personally kill the old crone myself."

Badger held the bag to his chest, his eyes filling with tears.

A voice came over the loudspeaker. 

"Please return to the hall."

"That was fast."

The groups funneled into the hall leaving lynx behind.

The judge is still there standing in the middle of the stage in his fancy suit.

"Let the second bracket begin. Now will the Rhine mercenary company come up, as well as Izaca industries."

The groups walk up to the stage and as of Lynx's command Jackal went up to first. Hooping in well the judge began to talk again.

"Send up your first combatants."

From the other side came Kane.

"What? Where did my girlfriend go? Oh well I suppose it's best not to get distracted."

"Announce yourselves."

"As of before, I'm the legend of the north, Kane."

With sign language Jackal signaled his name, and a quote " The coward is the bravest man, so tell me how brave are you?"

Kane snickers, his hands moving, "If you're scared of wolves, don't go in the woods."