XXI
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that Sarah hadn't attacked me yet. That was… surprising. I'd been fully prepared to lose an arm taking her down if she tried anything.
I sat up, stretching out the stiffness in my limbs, and let my gaze fall on her. Sarah Halim, a vision of both danger and allure, stood a short distance away, her presence impossible to ignore. She had curly dark hair that framed her face beneath a veil, and her attire was reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian dancer—albeit with a modern, provocative twist.
A loosely wrapped scarf hung around her hips, its gauzy fabric teasing the form beneath. Her top, deep purple silk adorned with golden accents, clung to her curves and left a sliver of her toned belly exposed. Golden rings, bracelets, and a circlet across her brow added to the mystique, accentuating the warm tones of her chocolate-brown skin. Her blue-gray eyes, the only part of her face visible above the veil, shimmered with intent, an aura of quiet power surrounding her like a second skin.
Soft bells chimed with every movement she made, a delicate sound that belied the strength I knew she possessed. She was a member of the Undead Troupe, after all. Dangerous, unpredictable, and yet, undeniably useful. I'd kept her identity to myself. Selena didn't need to know who she really was—at least, not yet.
Still, her presence here intrigued me.
I inclined my head slightly, placing my hand on my chest in an old, formal gesture. Her eyes widened for a brief moment, a flicker of recognition breaking through her carefully composed mask. Then, just as quickly, her expression hardened, her gaze sharpening as I rose from the bow.
"It is an honor, truly," I said, my tone light but laced with subtle meaning. "A lady of your standing gracing us with her presence—"
She cut me off with a dismissive wave, irritation flashing in her eyes. "A commoner," she corrected, her voice cool and detached. "There's no need for unnecessary pleasantries. My status is nothing in this world; I'm just another face, another aspiring member of this… Association." The word dripped with disdain, as though it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "If that's what you wish to believe," I said, letting a playful note slip into my voice. "But we both know you're far from 'just another face.' The Undead Troupe chose you for a reason, didn't they?"
Her eyes narrowed, and I caught a flicker of annoyance—or perhaps resignation. She must have realized just how much I knew about her. The Troupe went to great lengths to obscure their members' identities, which meant she hadn't expected me to recognize her.
"The Troupe," she murmured, her gaze sliding away from mine. "We all have our parts to play, I suppose."
"And what role are you playing now, exactly?" I asked, feigning casual curiosity.
Her eyes snapped back to mine, dark and unyielding. "I'd tell you," she said, stepping closer, the faint aura around her growing more tangible, "but then you'd be in deeper than you're prepared to go." The bells at her waist jingled softly, and her voice took on a teasing lilt. "You are cute, by the way."
A warning, cloaked in flirtation. Classic Troupe behavior. But her attempt to deflect only confirmed a few things for me.
First, my mention of the Troupe had caught her off guard. Their secrecy was paramount, which meant they were still operating in the shadows, likely recruiting and expanding.
Second, she was here to recruit me.
And third—perhaps most revealing—the Troupe was no longer aligned with the Elsewhere Cult. If they were, Sarah wouldn't be trying to charm me; she'd have resorted to blackmail or worse.
Her next words proved my theory. "What do you think about joining the Troupe, handsome?"
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. "You're wasting your time. And you can stop the flirting. I told you—I'm already married."
Her gaze shifted to Selena, who had been lingering just out of earshot, watching us with a mix of curiosity and unease. Sarah's eyes narrowed slightly, and a knowing smile spread across her lips.
Selena, catching the look, turned bright red. "I'm not—" she stammered, her voice pitching higher. "I mean, I'm not his wife! Not the one he's talking about, anyway!"
Her flustered reaction only seemed to amuse Sarah further. "Not the one he's talking about, hmm?" she mused, glancing between us. "Well, it seems I'm late to the party on more than one front."
I sighed…
"Stop causing misunderstandings for me, Selena…"
The announcer's voice crackled back to life, booming overhead. "Hope you folks are well-rested, because the next stage is gonna be a doozy. Welcome to the Third Stage—the Dealer Stage!"
The walls around us began to rumble, crumbling in a cascade of dust and stone. As they fell away, they revealed that we were in a larger, enclosed arena, far grander and more imposing than where we'd been moments ago. It reminded me all too much of the elimination round, with high steel and concrete walls.
Other contenders emerged from their own boxes scattered across the arena floor, each one looking as disoriented as we were. Some wore expressions of grim determination, others just barely concealed the flicker of fear in their eyes. This stage had a new intensity to it, something more daunting and visceral…
The announcer's disembodied voice echoed around the arena, giving the impression it came from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Let's play a game I call Conquer the Territory! A hundred circles have been laid and hidden out across the floor, and they will shut down every five minutes. But worry not, for more will spawn in another five minutes," the voice explained, each word dripping with the thrill of a challenge. "If a team of five manages to stay within one of these circles for a full five minutes, they'll advance to the next stage! Be reminded, I will be playing this game too…"
I scanned the arena floor, my eyes locking onto the faintly glowing circles scattered across the expanse. Some were close to us, others sprawled further away, but every single one pulsed like a countdown, marking where safety—and progress—awaited.
The announcer continued, excitement creeping into their voice. "Teams, you'll need coordination, balance, and some sharp strategy if you hope to hold your ground. There are no freebies here. And for those without a team… well, you're at a disadvantage, but remember, five's the magic number."
Sarah arched an eyebrow at me, clearly entertained by the setup. "Hope you have some friends in mind, handsome. That five-minute clock won't go easy on stragglers."
I cast a glance at Selena, then at the swarm of contenders moving into defensive stances around us, assessing their own teammates. "Wouldn't have shown up without one or two," I replied, giving a half-smile to throw her off guard. But the truth was, this was going to be a problem. Five was a lot more than the two of us.
The announcer's voice returned, sharper now, full of energy. "In the count of ten—prepare yourselves! Make your alliances if you haven't already. Time waits for no one!"
I felt my pulse quicken. We'd have seconds to find a group and claim a circle, seconds to make alliances in a place where loyalty was as fickle as luck.
Nine.
I spotted a couple of contenders nearby who looked equally on edge but potentially willing.
Eight.
"Think you're ready to play team, Sarah?" I asked, keeping my voice steady but feeling the tension rise.
She gave a sly grin, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm nothing but adaptable."
Seven.
I turned to Selena, giving her a quick nod. "Stay close."
Six.
The arena began to feel smaller as contenders sized each other up, forming quick partnerships and staking their claim over circles in every corner.
Five.
A circle pulsed nearby, just a few feet away—empty, unclaimed, and within reach. I pointed to it, giving Sarah and Selena a look that said I wasn't waiting.
We reached the circle just as the countdown hit zero, managing to dodge and weave through the frenzied crowd of hunters. I brushed against as many of them as I could, feeling the slight tingle as I made the necessary physical contact for my power. Then, with a steadying breath, I activated my Soul Link. Our auras linked seamlessly, their frequencies aligning and harmonizing until a series of near-identical aura signatures rippled across the battlefield, each an echo of the other, almost impossible to distinguish.
Sarah snapped her finger cymbals together, their sharp metallic chime slicing through the noise of the crowd. In an instant, a barrier of wind and sound swirled around us, creating a shimmering veil that muffled outside noise and distorted the air. It would ward off any blunt attacks and prevent others from slipping into our circle without a fight.
Beside me, Selena clapped her hands in a focused, ritualistic rhythm—three sharp claps, resonating through the air. As she finished, I noticed a faint shimmer settling over us like a veil. She gave a quick nod, her eyes alight with satisfaction.
"We're invisible—and forgettable," she said with a sly smile, her voice soft but confident. "Anyone looking in our direction won't be able to pinpoint us. We might as well be shadows."
"Impressive work," I replied, surveying our cloaked space.
We were layered with defenses now: my aura replication to throw off trackers, Sarah's barrier to block any physical entry, and Selena's cloaking spell to keep us hidden in plain sight. We'd made ourselves the perfect mirage.
I could see some of the other contenders darting glances in our direction, their confusion clear as their eyes skated over our circle, then moved on, unable to lock onto us. The beauty of Selena's spell was that it didn't make us entirely invisible; it simply nudged anyone's mind who looked at us to keep moving, to look elsewhere, as if they'd forgotten what they were seeking in the first place.
We got lucky big time…
The countdown timer began its slow, grinding five-minute descent. An aura projection appeared over our heads. I could feel the tension mounting as other contenders scrambled to hold their circles against encroaching enemies. Shouts, clashes, and bursts of energy flared across the arena, but we remained untouched, undisturbed within our protective cocoon.
Sarah glanced over at me. "So any ideas what's next?"
I shifted my weight slightly, the glow of our circle pulsing faintly beneath us. Around the arena, chaos raged as contenders clashed, some fighting tooth and nail to secure their spots while others roamed in search of easier prey.
"We have two choices as of this moment," I began, keeping my voice calm and measured. "We invite two more players into our circle, or we hold down the fort as it is. Picking the first option bolsters our strength, gives us more numbers to fend off attacks. But the second allows us to maximize our stealth and avoid drawing attention."
Selena, standing just to my right, didn't hesitate. "I'd rather we keep this up. More isn't necessarily better. The three of us are enough as long as we stay alert. If someone tries to attack, we neutralize them from a distance. If our stealth gets broken, that's when we consider increasing our numbers. Most contenders here came solo anyway, so we can't expect much teamwork from them."
I nodded in agreement. "Fair point. Fewer people means fewer risks."
Sarah's lips curved into a small, teasing smile beneath her veil. "How about the range? I don't mean to be a critic, but ranged-type abilities are rather rare. What's the plan if we need to fend off attackers before they get too close?"
Selena crossed her arms, her expression cool but confident. "I have guns with me."
I arched a brow. "Guns were banned in this exam, Selena."
She smirked, shrugging. "Not exactly. I have a water gun that can be reloaded with acid."
Sarah chuckled, her bells jingling softly as she adjusted the scarf around her hips. "Creative, but still technically a gun. What about you, Reynard? Got any tricks for long-range fights?"
I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head. "Nothing that wouldn't give away our position. Besides, I'd rather not risk disqualification because of a technicality."
Sarah raised her hands in mock surrender, her smile widening. "Fair enough. I'm a Caster, so I can pick off threats from a distance, but it would be nice to have more ranged options. Just in case."
"We'll manage," I said, scanning the arena again. The chaos hadn't subsided; if anything, it was intensifying. Contenders were becoming more desperate, some forming alliances while others broke down into infighting. A few circles had already dimmed, their occupants forced out or eliminated.
Selena glanced at me, her voice quieter now. "What's the plan if someone does find us?"
"Neutralize quickly, efficiently, and without breaking the stealth," I replied. "We've got three minutes left to hold this circle. Let's not complicate things."
Sarah nodded, her bells chiming faintly as she shifted her stance. "Sounds like a plan. I'll keep an eye on the perimeter."
Selena and I exchanged a quick look, her expression firm but calm. She clapped her hands softly, refreshing the shimmering veil around us. It flickered for a moment before settling into place, cloaking us from view and subtly nudging away any prying eyes.
The tension in the air was palpable now. The countdown in my head ticked away, each second dragging longer than the last. I could feel the ripple of auras brushing against ours as other contenders moved closer, their movements erratic and charged with nervous energy.
I caught a flicker of motion to our left—a group of three heading toward our circle. They were cautious, their eyes scanning the ground for unclaimed spots. One of them, a wiry man with glowing hands, paused for a moment, his gaze lingering in our direction.
"Selena," I murmured, keeping my voice low. "We've got company."
She didn't respond, but her hands moved quickly, weaving another layer of protection over our circle. Sarah raised her fingers, the faint hum of energy building around her as she prepared a spell.
The wiry man took a step closer, his glowing hands illuminating the faint shimmer of our barrier. His eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring in his expression.
Before he could take another step, Sarah snapped her finger cymbals together, the sharp chime slicing through the air. A burst of sound and wind erupted around us, forcing the man and his teammates to stumble back, their footing unsteady.
"Keep moving," Sarah called out, her tone laced with warning. "This circle's taken."
The man hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between us and his companions. But the shimmering barrier and the force of Sarah's spell were enough to dissuade him. With a muttered curse, he gestured for his team to retreat, and they moved on in search of easier prey.
I let out a slow breath, my shoulders relaxing slightly. "Good work."
Sarah smirked, lowering her hands.
Selena gave a small nod, her focus still on maintaining the veil. "Two minutes left. Let's stay sharp."
The countdown continued, the arena around us growing louder with the sounds of battle. But within our circle, we remained steady, a fortress of stealth and strategy.
We were almost there.
~021