I run a hand over my face, wanting to blame my dehydration for whatever the hell is wrong with me.
I’ve never been so affected by a single girl, and it’s absurd, absolutely annoying. But then I grin, remembering her heartbeat hammering beneath my fingers, her breath catching every time I touch her, her eyes drinking in every smile and dimple she supposedly hates.
The feeling of absolute annoyance for being so affected by someone is most definitely mutual, though I’m sure she’d deny it with a dagger to my throat.
So very vicious, that one.
Something glints in the light of the sinking sun, catching my eye.
There, hanging from a branch to my right is a sheathed sword, its silver handle winking in the light as I step towards it. It only takes me a moment to climb up and untie the belt from the branch before hopping down from the tree.
There’s likely weapons and other items hidden all over the Whispers for us to use.
Easier to draw blood that way. Easier to make things interesting.
I sling the belt and sheath low on my waist before drawing the sword to chop through the thick foliage.
Almost there.
The ground is covered in shadows, and I now have a rabbit that needs to be cooked along with a stomach that needs to be fed. I’d come across a single throwing star lodged deep into the bark of a tree and used it on the unsuspecting rabbit now tied to my belt.
I pause, hearing it before seeing it.
Gurgling, glorious water. Then a small, shallow creek emerged from the trees, running water skipping over the rocks that occupy it. I hesitate, eyes scanning the seemingly peaceful place.
All was clear—for the time being.
I creep to the edge of the creek, sinking to my knees before it and darting a look over my shoulder every few seconds, not wanting to leave my back exposed. I splash the cool water on my face, letting it drip down my skin and bare chest.
The bubbling brook flows from a small pool a few dozen feet away, the water clean, crisp, and cool.
Man-made.
And fresh. The work of Hydros, no doubt, allowing us this small favor of fresh water. I thank the Plague that the water is so clean, so purified, that it saves me the trouble of having to boil it somehow.
I’m scouring the area for kindling and firewood when I nearly smack my head on something hanging from the tree above, hidden in shadows. Canteens. Two of them, swinging in the evening breeze.
I find myself thanking the Plague once again.
Whittling two sticks together is about as fun as it sounds, but with years of practice and patience, I soon have a fire crackling before me. And though skinning a rabbit with a longsword is as difficult as it is damn annoying, it’s soon roasting over the flames.
And then—
A trickle of power tingles through my body, igniting my nerves and sending a familiar chill down my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, feeling that power, that strength, flood my body.
Someone’s coming. And I know who.
A twig snaps to my left. Then another.
I don’t remember when I stood up, but I’m now dancing on the balls of my feet, unable to help that familiar itch for a fight and looking forward to that dance of dominance and destruction. Fighting is my favorite waltz, and I know the steps by heart.
Braxton barrels through the line of trees, eyes wild when they land on mine. He saw the smoke from my fire and figured he’d ambush whoever had lit it. But unlucky for him, I felt him coming before I even heard him sprinting through the forest.
I see him hesitate as if he’s debating turning back around rather than risking a fight with me. But the uncertainty flickers from his face as he begins slowly striding towards closer. He steps into the ring of firelight, his silhouette large and lumbering.
“Hello, Brax. Nice of you to stop by.”
He tips his head towards me in that same way he always has. “Evening, Kai.”
The Brawny has never been one for talking, instead choosing to patiently observe before uttering a word, making both him and Sadie oddly similar. We slowly begin to circle each other in silence, sizing one another up.
“So, I’m assuming you’re here for my band and not a friendly chat,” I sigh, taking a step towards him.
“Your assumption would be correct.” He tosses a glance at my cooking rabbit. “If you offer it to me, I’ll leave and let you get back to your meal. There’s no need for this to get messy.”
I don’t see any weapons on him, so I refrain from reaching for mine. We’ve known each other since we were boys, and I’d like to keep knowing him if I can help it. “You and I both know I can’t let you have my band, Brax.”
Because it’s my mission to win these Trials.
I think I see him nod in the growing darkness before he is suddenly charging at me. I drop low and use his momentum to throw him over my shoulder, hearing him hit the ground with a heavy thud.
I’ve trained with Braxton for years. He’s predictable, but that doesn’t make him any less powerful. He’s back on his feet in a flash, fists raised and ready to knock my teeth out.
And then calculated chaos ensues.
Fists fly, heads bob, feet weave. A dance. A brutal, bloody, beautiful dance. We are currently equals in ability, seeing that I’ve let his power escape from my veins and flood to the surface. My blows are brutal and swift in the flickering firelight.
His fist connects with my jaw, nearly breaking it, causing hot blood to pool in my mouth. I stagger back as he steps behind me and he wraps his massive arm around my throat in a chokehold. I can feel his hesitance before my head snaps back, skull meeting his nose with a sickening crunch. Now he’s staggering, blood streaming from his nose and into his mouth.
I use the split second to pepper him with swift blows that he can barely block. He recovers quickly, jabbing at my ribs with a powerful fist. I duck under his next swing and land a blow to his jaw.
It’s a vicious cycle. I hit him. He hits me back. To his credit, I’m impressed. I’ve never seen him so focused, so determined. This is the best fight I’ve had with him to date. It’s a shame I’ll have to put an end to it.
A dark hand comes flying straight at my face. I easily take a step back, my heels connecting with something, as heat warms everything from the back of my legs to the nape of my neck.
The fire.
He’s cornered me against the fire.
Clever.
I bob under a fist intended for my nose and bury my own deep into his stomach. He grunts, doubling over but grabs my arm in one swift movement. Then he twists, pulling both my arm behind my back and my chest towards the fire. Pain laces up to my shoulder as the flames glow in front of me.
Maybe I should have tried harder.
He kicks in the back of my knees, hard, before the even harder ground sends a jolt up my legs when I collide with it. The flames are close to me now, nearly licking my bare chest.
“Just let me cut off the band, Kai,” Braxton says from above me, sounding like a plea. It’s good to know that he doesn’t exactly like the idea of burning me alive. “This can all be over.” His voice is deep, but I catch the slight quiver in it. He’s caught off guard, shocked that he has me hovering over the flames like the now burnt rabbit beside me.
I was sloppy and tired, a fool who underestimated him, but now he has the future Enforcer at his mercy. “This is the best fight we’ve ever had, Brax. I’m impressed, truly,” I pant, the heat of the fire drawing beads of sweat down my face. “But you’re going to have to burn me before I let you have my band.”