Mr. Toruga had dashed down the stairs as fast as he could, watching an unconscious Riba get carried away to the infirmary.
"DORON MOVES ON TO THE NEXT ROUND!" Ms. Bayora shouted, the crowd cheered.
'Riba...' Mr. Toruga thought, running faster to his student's aid. He dashed down the hall, catching up with the medics who carried him.
"What's going on? Is he going to be alright?" He sputtered, trying to get a glance at Riba.
"He's got massive injuries. Bone fractures and breaks. Muscle tears. He needs medical attention now." Said one of them, pushing the door open and laying the poor boy down.
"Get a healer! One of the Warriors here must know a healing technique!" Mr. Toruga shouted at them.
One nodded and ran off, while the other stayed to do his best with Riba.
"Mr. Toruga you can't stay here. We can't have any distractions. We'll call for you when we're finished."
"But-"
The door slammed.
~o~
"That's another village destroyed..."
"Well done master~ At this rate, you'll find him in no time!~"
"Good. I'll destroy every village I pass. I already know that he's in Runeswick. But destroying villages on the way gives me pleasure."
"How evil~"
~o~
"Holy shit..." Korra gasped as she processed what she had just seen.
"Yeah...Holy shit indeed.." Gareth replied.
Korra whipped her head over and scowled.
"I wasn't talking to you loser."
Gareth frowned and looked away.
"That Riba. He's your buddy right?"
"Yeah. Since as long as I can remember."
"Was he always able to do stuff like that..?"
"Well...no. I hate to say it but he was practically useless when it came to Warrior stuff."
"Hmm..."
"Speaking of which, I need to go see if he's ok. He better not be dead." Gareth jolted up and dashed down the stairs, disappearing down the hall to the infirmary.
Ms. Bayora walked out from the hall and raised her hand for silence, for the entire crowd was chattering anxiously. They were not to be blamed, they were all talking about the incredible battle they had just witnessed. For some, that might be the most powerful fight they'd see in their boring lives.
"SILENCE!" She called.
There were hushes among the crowd, until complete eerie silence.
"Due to recent events, we'll be going on a temporary break. In a couple of minutes, we will continue the second round."
There was a sudden explosion of "boo" ing. Clearly, this was not what the people wanted to hear. They were impatient and wanted to see the next match, but that wouldn't be happening just yet. Ms. Bayora sighed and walked back down the dark hall, leaving the arena empty.
~o~
Riba was awakened by the sound of silence. He was alone in an infirmary bed, all the others were empty and neat. He exclaimed in pain as he tried to sit up, and plopped back down.
"W-Where...?" He muttered weakly, looking around.
His arm was imprisoned by a white, poofy cast, a sling attached to it went around his neck to keep his arm supported. All his other bruises and cuts were bandaged. Once he was fully awake, he felt the lingering pain and exhaustion caused by his efforts. He couldn't remember what happened. Did he win? He was left to his thoughts in the silence, until the door burst open like a bean-pod. Four people entered, all shouting. One was a nurse, the other three were Ms. Bayora, Mr. Toruga, and Gareth. All were shouting incoherently, but it was clear who they were coming in to see.
"Y-You can't be here! He needs rest!" The nurse whimpered through the booming shouts of the others.
"Riba, are you ok?" shouted Mr. Toruga
"That was insane! I didn't know you could do that!" Gareth followed.
"I should've ended the match before it went that far...I'm sorry Riba.." Ms. Bayora sighed.
"Guys, guys. It's ok. I'm fine.." Riba assured them in a whisper.
"But your arm.." Ms. Bayora protested.
"I-Its fine.." Then he suddenly remembered, "Oh! Who won?"
"You um...Your last ditch effort with that punch was a failure. Doron blocked it and electrocuted you until you passed out."
"I-I..."
"...lost. Yes. I'm truly sorry.."
Riba stared at her, bewildered, then turned to Mr. Toruga. He nodded sorrowfully. By the look in Riba's eyes, he was devastated. Internally weeping for he was too afraid to cry visibly.
"You did your best man.. You should be happy you can do what you did. Even I can't do that.." Gareth butt in, attempting to raise his spirits.
He and Ms. Bayora left, while Mr. Toruga stayed.
"Mr. Toruga...I couldn't do it.."
"Riba.." Mr. Toruga's eyes widened in concern.
"I tried so hard...you were counting on me... all that training was for nothing... you shouldn't have believed in me..."
He held up his hand for silence.
"It wasn't for nothing. You were amazing out there. Do you think you could have done that a couple of weeks ago?"
Riba shook his head.
"You may not have won, but just know I'm proud of you." He said with a smile.
Riba couldn't believe what he was seeing. Mr. Toruga stretched his lips into an actual smile.
"Let me know when you're ready to go watch the rest ok?" He said and sat down on the chair beside the bed.
Riba did end up feeling better, physically, not mentally. The fact that he had lost was too much to bear. He wasn't able to keep his vow. Eventually, he was mobile again and hobbled his way into the arena and back to his seat. Korra was struggling to block Doron's electricity with her stone barriers. The beams slashed through like they were pieces of parchment, and she was defeated in no time. He wasn't acting as angry as usual. If anything he seemed sad...
"How's it going Gareth?" Riba asked.
"Doron beat me, and he just beat her too.." Gareth sighed, rubbing his arm.
"Hmm..." Riba continued to eye Doron.
He wasn't messing around anymore, he was going forward with full seriousness.
The Warrior Tests had soon ended, and Doron had triumphed over all. He didn't look happy, he looked disappointed, and sorrowfully took his medal and left. Riba sighed, feeling the sad emptiness inside him grow like a virus...