Pain was a natural perception. In truth, Sevatar knew very well that most animals were nowhere near as sensitive to pain as humans were, and the same went for most xenos. That meant such sensitive pain nerves were, in fact, a kind of self-preservation mechanism, meant to make a person understand certain things.
Like this, for instance.
Another heavy punch slammed straight into his face. Sevatar toppled backward to the floor, and his pain nerves told him, You should stop now. His opponent, meanwhile, halted on the other side of the ring and did not approach, waiting for him to get back up so they could continue the fight.
Cheers rose from below the ring, mixed with plenty of vicious curses. Sevatar's hearing had been ruined twelve seconds earlier by a strike his opponent had been carefully setting up for some time. Now he could only make out a faint blur of sound, but he did not need to hear clearly.
Of course he knew how they would be cursing him.
+He wants to kill you, Jago!+
The Astropath's voice sounded desperately anxious, with even the faintest hint of tears in it.
+I know.+
+Then why aren't you fighting back?+
+I am fighting back.+
+But—+
+—Shh, shh, I know, I know what you want to say, Otani. Yes, he can kill me, but I cannot kill him, child. This fight isn't fair, but I accept it.+
Sevatar shook his head and barely managed to brace both hands against the floor, pushing himself up. A sharp, bitter ache came from the bridge of his nose. Blood had already run down to his chin, its warmth bringing a tingling numbness.
Ah, that's not a good sign, he thought. Still, this was the first time he had ever been beaten like this in