Chapter 102 - Weight of Lives

Theodore, Gonzalez, and the paramedics ran into the infirmary, Xavier sitting up abruptly from the sudden appearance of the men. Jason followed closely after, waving a hand to Xavier.

Jason: Hey, we got a pretty serious case here and-

Xavier: I understand, leave him to me. Place him on that table there! You over there, set up the x-ray, I need to be notified of his condition right away.

Theodore and Gonzalez stepped back, the paramedics and Xavier moving around the room quickly. Xavier places on a pair of gloves and a mask, pushing up his glasses before bringing down a light and camera from the ceiling, several clicks being heard. Another paramedic waited by a machine before quickly handing over papers to Xavier. Xavier sat down on his chair before sliding back, placing it on a board before turning on a light, looking at the pictures intensely.

Xavier: Another tough job like this, huh…

Xavier turned his attention to the other paramedics, snapping his fingers.

Xavier: Get him hooked up immediately! We don't have a moment to waste!

Xavier immediately turned back to Theodore and Gonzalez.

Xavier: It seems like his condition is quite dire… Several fractures and potentially even a pierced lung. This may take days… But I'll get it done, I promise you that.

Xavier turned away from them before focusing on Abraham again. Theodore closed his eyes as Gonzalez turned away. Carrie walked into the room, looking at Xavier before raising an eyebrow.

Carrie: So… what makes you capable of taking care of him?

It was almost as if he didn't hear her, Xavier's focus was entirely on Abraham, slowly removing the helmet and preparing the camera for more photos.

Jason: He isn't going to hear you, he's like that. But he's one of the 26 Doctrines that has a major focus on medical studies. And he has something that may save Abraham's life.

The mysterious group known as the 26 Doctrines: an elite group of scientists, each that excel in their own field of science. It is said that each Doctrine is worth more than a hundred scientists in their own field. And within the walls of the Eclipse Grand Tournament, there lay three doctors. Doctor A, the one that refuses to share her name, is the doctor that works mainly with the fighter Quintin Planck. While her desire to help others is unknown, her field focuses more on the creation and development of cybernetics. Even if she desired to help, her field would not do much for the likes of Abraham. The next doctor, Doctor B, is known as Bodin. His field is not known, but he also shares focus in the medical field with Xavier. However, his assistance seems to stay purely to that of the Arachna. His reasons for doing so remain a mystery, but he has not assisted in any medical work for any fighter outside of the Arachna. The final doctor, Doctor X, is Xavier Patch. If the people closest to him or that have been under his care had to describe him, the word they would use to describe him is "kind." Having mastered bone soldering in his pursuit to further his medical knowledge, his skillset and willingness to help others made him the best and only candidate at this time to assist the dying Abraham.

Carrie: 26 Doctrines? I have no idea who they are, but if he can help before any of our forces can get here, that's fine by me.

Jason: Trust me, you probably won't be able to get Xavier away from Abraham once he's started. He'll do everything in his power to save Abraham's life.

Theodore turned around, heading towards the door. He placed a hand on the doorframe before coming to a halt.

Theodore: So I can rely on your friend to save Abraham's life, correct?

Jason: Without a doubt. I mean, despite our conversation here, he hasn't faltered a moment. And he won't for hours. I can promise you that he won't leave this room for any reason. I think I might even need to bring him food so he doesn't starve himself.

Theodore: I understand. I'll leave Abraham in his care, then. If it wasn't for his critical condition, I would have simply waited for my own team to arrive.

Jason: I've read up all about how advanced the Imperium's medical care is. I can promise you this; Xavier is going to patch up Abraham better than any of those doctors can.

Theodore: I'll have to wait to see that myself. But I must thank you for helping him so quickly.

Jason: I can't exactly allow another death to happen. I wouldn't have been able to stop Alexander's death even if I tried, but I can at least help stop this one. I do have one request though. Just the one that you'll pay us back eventually for this.

Theodore: I think I easily have the money for that.

Jason: Nah, it doesn't need to be money. We can work out details in the future, but for now, let's wait for Abraham's safe recovery.

Carrie clapped her hands together, raising them above her head as she clenched her eyes closed.

Carrie: To any entity out there, please let Abraham come out safely! He still owes me mon- I mean he's like a brother to me!

Jason: Nice.

Gonzalez walked out of the room, stopping when he heard Theodore's call.

Theodore: I wish you the best of luck, Gonzalez.

Gonzalez nodded, heading down the hall, making several turns before coming to a halt when he heard another set of voices as he stood meters away from the ring entrance.

Remy: Gonzalez!

Angel: Thank god we found you. None of you came back to the infirmary, so we needed to see where you went.

Mike: Where is everyone?

Gonzalez: We took him to a specialist that'll take care of him. On another note, Angel, Mike. I'm surprised to see you two standing. Mike, you took a piercing attack and Angel, you took plenty of damage.

Angel: We ain't as weak as you may think we are.

Mike: I can still feel it in my organs, but I can't let a bit of pain stop me. Plus the impact wasn't enough to fully put me down.

Gonzalez: I'm glad to see both of you are back on your feet. You would never let the Imperium down by wallowing in defeat.

Mike: Well… You say that, but Angel was crying to Remy and the nurse when he woke up realizing he lost.

Angel: H-Hey! Shut up!

An obvious look of embarrassment shot over Angel's face. His head and hand were visibly bandaged up. And he was likely just as bandaged up underneath his hospital gown. Remy quickly let out a scream that made everyone stare at him. He placed both hands at the sides of his head before pointing at Gonzalez.

Remy: I-I almost forgot! But Gonzalez, you need to be careful out there! That guy you're going to fight… H-He's a monster! Oh god oh god oh god… I don't want to see you die!

Gonzalez placed a hand on Remy's shoulder, Remy trying to gauge Gonzalez's look, but gave a confused look to the blindfold.

Gonzalez: There isn't anything to worry about. I've dealt with worse before. And anyway, there is no way I can lose this fight. Because I need to take care of Joseph in the second round.

Remy: T-T-That's right! You'd never lose!

Mike: Except the times he has.

???: What are you three doing outside of the infirmary?! Get back here!

A female nurse came running up to the boys. She had long black hair with a pixelated icon for a hairpin. She wore a white nurse outfit with black thigh highs and a garter belt. A name tag on her chest read "Eve."

Eve: I never said you were allowed to go out! O-Oh! Hello Gonzalez.

Gonzalez: Sup, Eve. They were just asking about Abraham. They were about to head back, right?

Remy: Y-Yup!

Mike: I like the bed more than standing anyway.

Angel: Do we have any more of the hospital orange juice? Those taste better for some reason.

The three boys walked back with Eve to the infirmary, Gonzalez putting on a slight smile before looking back down the hall.

Gonzalez: Looks like it's finally my turn…

…

Indica walked back to the room which held Gary. In his hand was a plate of cheese, different types scattered all around. He wore a smile on his face before it shifted to that of confusion. The guards outside of the room were gone and the door was left slightly ajar.

Indica: What on earth…

He moved closer, peering through the door before feeling something touch the side of his face. He moved his face away from the doorframe to notice a crimson liquid. He opened the door fully, his eyes opening wide as he stared inside. Gary stood in the middle of the bloody room, his clothing entirely clean despite the red that painted the walls and the mangled corpses of the guards around him. The only things red on him were his bloody hands. He reached behind him, into the broken glass that was clearly several inches thick, and grabbed a white handkerchief that rested in the open hole. He cleaned his hands before walking over to Indica, grabbing one piece of cheese off the plate and placing it in his mouth. He chewed slowly before gulping, his face in utter bliss.

Gary: Your choice in cheese is always top tier, dear Indica. I wonder if the guards would have loved it too. It may have made the pain on their faces that much greater. But it's too late for that now.

A silent alarm had been set off, several more guards appearing behind Indica with guns aimed at Gary. Indica quickly raised an arm.

Indica: Don't kill him. Place that collar and chain around his neck and those handcuffs around his arms. We're bringing him to the ring.

Gary: Already? I hardly got to enjoy my cheese… Save it for my victory, will you? Oh, and I love the smile on your face right now. It's quite fitting of you.

Indica hadn't noticed it, but his wide eyes were matched by an even wider smile. The guards filed into the room, chaining up Gary as per Indica's request. Indica stepped out of the way, the guards walking Gary out and towards the ring.

Indica's thoughts: This proves it! He will be the one to bring me victory!!

Indica placed the plate of cheese on the table, looking down at the mangled corpses of the guards.

Indica: It was a shame, but it was a worthy sacrifice.

…

Zachary stood in the middle of the ring, bringing the mic up to his mouth as he pumped his fist in the air.

Zachary: ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END… BUT WE'RE GOING TO END THIS FIRST ROUND WITH AN AMAZING FIGHT! AND I PROMISE YOU THIS MATCH WON'T DISAPPOINT! SO LET'S GET READY FOR THE LAST MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND!!

The audience erupted into a roar. Thong, Li, and Hugo all had seats among the audience to watch the match.

Thong: Man, I really wish I could've had a closer seat. Watching Gonzalez's match against Spencer tells me this is going to be amazing!

Li: That's for certain. His opponent on the other hand…

Hugo: SHOW US BLOODSHED!!!

Thong: Hugo!

Li: He got over Alexander real quick.

Hugo: Alewho?

Zachary: ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE THE FIRST MAN TO THE RING! HIS NAME IS EASILY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR! HIS MATCHES HAVE EASILY BROUGHT IN THE LARGEST AUDIENCES AND IT'S NO SURPRISE WHY! HE'S CONSIDERED THE HERO OF THE VIRTUS IMPERIUM BY MANY AND HIS BLINDFOLD HAS EVEN MADE BUSINESSMEN WANT TO START WEARING THEM IN VIEWING! HE'S ONE WE ALL WANT TO SEE FIGHT, SO LET'S NOT KEEP YOU WAITING! STANDING IN AT 182 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING IN AT 86 KILOGRAMS… COMING IN WITH 120 WINS AND ONLY 2 LOSSES… PLEASE GIVE A LOUD WELCOME TO "THE HYENA" GONZALEZ MUERTOJOS!!!

The audience's cheers became louder than before. Walking in from the darkness is Gonazlez, the strands at the back of his blindfold were long, seemingly blowing in the wind. His arms were wrapped tightly, matching nicely with his red shorts. Gonzalez walked up to Zachary, nodding at him before facing down his opponent's side.

Zachary: AND THIS MAN'S OPPONENT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A MONSTER… HE'S KNOWN AS ONE OF AMERICA'S WORST MASS MURDERS! SADLY, HIS NUMBER OF VICTIMS IS EASILY IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS! COMING FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL AND A PRISON CELL, HE'S HERE TO ADD MORE PEOPLE TO HIS KILL COUNT! WILL HE ADD GONZALEZ TO THAT COUNT OR WILL THIS BEAST FINALLY BE PUT DOWN? STANDING IN AT 188 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING IN AT 80 KILOGRAMS… ENTERING IN WITH 21 WINS AND NO LOSSES! HERE COMES "THE MAN OF NIGHTMARES" GARY GOUDA!

The audience immediately changed their demeanor. Their cheers had changed into violent boos. The stark difference between Gonzalez's and Gary's perceptions to the masses was as clear as night and day.

Man: You killed my cousin, asshole!

Woman: Die in a ditch!

In his hallway, a trail of bodies remained, blood painting the halls. Gonzalez placed a hand out in front of Zachary. The audience immediately shut up as a trail of blood splattered into the ring. Zachary jumped back, looking into the hall, noticing the lights in the ceiling had turned a crimson red. From the darkness, he could swear he saw the most sinister smile he'd ever seen. Gonzalez frowned, sensing the bodies of several guards in that hallway. Walking out of the entrance was Gary, not a single drop of blood on his pure white suit. Gonzalez had his focus entirely on Gary.

Gonzalez: Step away, Zach. And don't have the referee get close to us.

Gary: How rude, dear Gonzalez. I only kill those I deem as in my way. The referee and Zachary have been nothing but kind to me. It is a real shame that you must be my opponent, as I won't be able to be merciful to you.

Gonzalez: So this is the psychopath of America.

Gary's face was entirely calm, his demeanor seemed like that of a confident businessman. He walked towards Gonazalez, his arms up in the air.

Gary: Let's have a great deathmatch.

Gonzalez: Gladly.

The curtains had finally opened on the final match of the first round.