Chapter 20: 6.3 Time Skip

  Red jerks awake, startling those around her. Her left eye is bruised, swollen, and bloodshot. A familiar face quickly leans towards her. “Easy, girl,” he says, placing his hands on her shoulders and trying to keep her from fighting against the restraints.

  Her gaze is wild, and she tries to resist before recognizing Emeric. Her expression shifts from fighting to confusion as she looks around to see her previous locker room. She glances from Emeric to a medic with glowing hands, then back again.

  “What happened,” she asks, disoriented.

  “You were eliminated,” Emeric says with an apologetic expression.

  Red’s brows furrow as she tries to remember. “Big Rick…he got the drop on me somehow?”

  He smiles and shakes his head. “I am happy to say that Big Rick did not have much impact on the fight since he was the first to be thrown from the arena.”

  “Who hit me and from where?” She blinks, then looks towards the swollen side of her face. “And what the hell did they hit me with?”

  He chuckles. “It was a white-haired boy, and he attacked you with a yo-yo.”

  Red blinks absently at him and then settles back onto the table to stare up at the ceiling. “Really? …that was Killua out there?”

  Emeric nods. “Yes, I believe that was his name. He didn’t stick around for questions though.”

  Red chuckles and shakes her head. “Actually, I can’t even be mad about that. But why was he here of all places?”

  “This tournament is known for its unique encounters, so it draws fighters from all over.”

  Red looks back to the medic as glowing hands move up towards her head. He is wearing gloves and a face mask even though he isn’t actually touching her.

  “It is healing magic,” Emeric says. “You are lucky that you did not suffer any permanent damage, as this magic only hastens natural healing. It cannot fix what the body cannot repair.”

  She maintains her distant stare at the ceiling as her injuries continue to rewind. The swelling goes down, and the veins retreat from her eye. The medic gives her a pat on the shoulder. “Alright,” he says. “You should be good to go.”

  Emeric helps the medic undo the straps, allowing Red to finally sit up. She turns on her butt, the blue-leather padding squeaking as she moves to hang her legs over the table’s side.

  The medic waves as he leaves, pulling the door closed behind him. Emeric begins looking her over, squeezing her arms and shoulders, then looking around to her back.

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  “I’m fine, Em,” Red complains. “Stop being a mother hen.”He sighs. “Well, I see no physical injuries. These fights tend to knock wires loose, but, I hope, maybe it knocked some of yours back together again.”

  She smiles. “Love you too, Em.”

  Emeric smiles easily. “Do you plan to come back for any more matches?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know yet. Do they have any team-based matches planned?”

  “Hard to say. They do schedule these things, but they do not publicize them unless it is for promotion.”

  “I’ll just check back later then. I have some friends that I might bring along for a match.”

  “Friends?” he asks, looking shocked. “What madness is this you speak of? No, I cannot believe it is true.”

  “Hey! I’ve got plenty of friends, I’ll have you know.”

  “Oh, and do they know of their friendship with you? Maybe it is a friendship against their will—like a hostage situation?”

  “Bye, Em.” Red stands, waving dramatically.

  Emeric chuckles and reaches forward to grip her shoulders. “You be careful out there, girl.”

  Red nods. “I will. You take care too.”

  He makes his way to the door, opens it and looks back to offer a two-finger salute from his brow before pulling the door closed behind him.

  Red quickly switches out her gear, returning the shorts to the bench. She reaches for the place her scarf was secured at her ribs and finds it already untied. She pulls at the wound material, loosening it. Her cloak goes on, and she reaches back to clasp her scabbard to a ring between her shoulders.

  She opens a new portal and steps through.

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