Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)

Chapter Thirty-Five: Raphael Flores

Everyone is gathered in the training room surrounding the ring, inside Blade is chained to a post and his three opponents stand on a side of the ring with Bear at the front. I can't take my eyes off of Mika, he's taken his shirt off to reveal his toned body and colourful tattoos, his face is emotionless and harsh and his fists clench and unclench as he waits for his turn.

I can assume that Blade chose him because he thinks that he spends his time behind the desk but a man with a body like that puts work into it. He's been here since he was fifteen, training with Breaker and Hunter, maybe even some help from Reign. He is a good fighter and he is pissed off.

Hunter is stood with Marielle who looks ready to drool at his feet. Hunter has also removed his shirt but he doesn't have as many tattoos as Mika, still just as toned but he is more lean and stands straighter - the military having broken him in. He has leather gloves on and Marielle hangs off his arm salivating.

Rubble still has his shirt on with his arms crossed looking mighty unamused. He doesn't really have a personal stake in this so he just wants to fight and then go and get wasted like he does every other day. It's become his hobby and his tolerance is unbelievably high.

"We are here for the Trials of Three, the traitor Blade has had his road name revoked and will now be known as Elliott. His first opponent is Rubble, if he defeats him he will only have to face the second fighter but if he loses he will have to face both. Rubble, do you accept the Trial?"

"Aye, Prez."

"Step up and unchain the traitor." Rubble does as demanded and Elliot lashes out almost instantly but Rubble is faster. Ducking under the hit and driving one into his stomach. Elliot never trained with any of ours, he's a legacy so didn't think he had to worry. Rubble has been practicing for years, he doesn't stand a fucking chance.

As suspected, the fight ends with Rubble as the victor and Blade spitting blood out on the mat. "Hunter, you were selected as the second fighter, do you accept the Trial?"

"Aye, Prez."

"Step up." Hunter enters the ring and waits for Elliot to attack first. Hunter is always a defensive fighter, whenever we've had altercations with people he has always made sure that we shore up our defense with mines and radars and boring shit like that but he has saved us over and over again.

I don't really see him fight hand to hand, he likes using weapons - mainly guns - to protect himself but we all know that he can handle himself. He is ex-military after all. Elliot obviously underestimates him from the cocky smirk on his face and relaxed posture but Hunter doesn't blink nor flinch at any of the intimidation tactics, just rests against the ropes and waits.

Elliot launches himself across the ring and Hunter swings his torso low and his leg up to swipe him out of the air to hit the ground with a loud huff. It takes a good minute or two before he manages to get himself up to continue in the fight. Hunter then punches him in the nose hard enough to break it.

Elliot shouts in anger and lashes out, failing seconds later as his hit doesn't land. Hunter having ducked under it and walked to the otherside of the ring while Elliot fumbles to catch himself. Nobody speaks, during this time everyone is silent because it's a Trial not a sparring session.

Elliot goes to punch again and Hunter snaps his wrist easily, the bone pierces his skin as his scream carries throughout the room. I can see Mika getting irritated, he wants in on the action because Elliot's actions got me tortured and as my Rider, he should be the one avenging me not the others.

Finally that round ends with Elliot on the floor bleeding and Hunter dropping out of the ring to be embraced by his wife. "Romeo, you were selected as the final opponent, do you accept the Trial."

"Aye, Prez."

"Step up." Romeo climbs into the ring and the vicious smirk on his face has me raring to go. He better wrap this up because I want to taste him. It's been awhile and a man has needs. Well I have a need for him and him only and he is not helping by looking sexy as fuck staring down a traitor ready to beat his brains out.

"You know he paid me well to rat out your little boy toy." He's trying to agitate Mika because he should be easier to predict but Mika isn't known for his temper. He just raises his eyebrow in response, stepping closer to glare down at the puny little bastard.

"You betrayed your family for money." Mika lands the first hit, knocking him on his skinny ass immediately. Yum. Elliot stumbles back up after a heavy kick to his stomach and lashes out again. What I've noticed is that Elliot doesn't understand the need for defense and will keep going for hits that aren't going to land, leaving openings for his opponent to attack.

Mika breaks his other wrist and brings his heel down to shatter his kneecap as Blade cries out in pain, Mika just glares and punches him in the mouth. "I hope the money was worth it."

"It was, watching your boy toy get beaten was pretty cathartic." Blade spits out more blood and even a tooth which makes me wince.

Disgusting.

"He is not my boy toy," kick to the sternum, "he is my Rider," fingers crushed under his boot, "and you will die for your betrayal." Oh my God, this needs to hurry up so I can jump him. His husky growl and his protectiveness for me just have me raring to go but no. I've gotta burn this douchebag's back first.

Life sucks.

Mika steps out of the ring to me and I fight the urge to kiss him and slam him up against the wall behind me to give everyone here a good show. "Don't tempt me." He whispers and I shiver, now I really want to tempt him.

I want to lick every single part of him and I'm salivating at the thought. I lick my lips and move to step closer, just to feel his warmth against my skin, feel him press against my chest, something. But Bear calls us to line up in order of who has been here the longest to who's been here the shortest, with Prez at the end.

Gears is at the front because he was here when the chapter was built and Bear is last because the final bond should be severed by the President before the Enforcer - or in this case, enforcers - kill the traitor.

I'm close to the middle and Mika is quite close to the front.

For the next hour all we can hear is Blade - sorry, Elliott - screaming and the smell of burning flesh surrounds us. It smells vile and my stomach rolls, I've never seen such a vicious ceremony in my life.

I step up and take the poker from Hunter and press it to Elliott's skin, watching as he writhes to try and escape the pain. Just what I was doing a few weeks ago when I was strung high and beaten bloody.

The rest continue until Bear sears the final brand. "Your connection to the Riders of Apollo has been severed. Enforcers," Saviour and Reign flank him with blades in their hands, "kill the traitor."

They move in sync and each drive their blade through him. Silence rings throughout the room to mourn the death of a member before the body is collected and carried out.

We all punch our patches and shout for Apollo facing our Prez and our Queen with pride and respect.

Well now that the formality is over... I grab Mika's hand and we're gone.