I collapsed onto the cold marble floor of the library, gasping for breath. The familiar scent of aged paper and ink clawed at my lungs, sharp and unforgiving, a jarring reminder that I was no longer in the sulfur-choked cavern. My head swirled, a maelstrom of disbelief, anger, and a gnawing, bitter ache I couldn’t name.

Rod had a girlfriend? No. Rod was cheating on me. The words slammed into me like a blow to the gut, leaving me breathless. How could this be real? How could he be real? My chest tightened as though the weight of the truth was trying to crush the air from my lungs. Every nerve in my body screamed for clarity, for something that made this unbearable revelation make sense. But there was no sense. Only betrayal.

"No." My voice was barely a whisper at first, trembling with disbelief as my fingers pressed against the icy marble beneath me. "No, no, no. This isn’t—" My breath hitched, and the words fractured as I slammed my fists against the floor. "It can’t be real!"

The anger rose like a firestorm, consuming the cracks in my composure. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t let them fall. I wouldn’t let them fall. Not for him. Not for this.

[Well, well, well. Someone’s clearly taking this revelation with grace,] Malice drawled, his voice slick with mockery. [Who needs therapy when you’ve got a plot twist like that? The writers this season are really upping their game. The next floor’s drama is going to be chef’s kiss.]

“Shut up!” I screamed, jerking my head toward the floating crystal. My voice cracked under the force of the words, sharp and raw. “You don’t get to mock me! Not now, Malice!”

[Touchy, touchy. You might want to save that energy for the actual fight. Just saying,] he replied, the flicker of his light almost gleeful. [But hey, I’m here if you need a shoulder to cry on. Metaphorically, of course.]

“Shut up!” I repeated, louder this time, but the fury burned hotter than my voice. My hands trembled as I hauled myself to my feet, my legs weak, yet vibrating with adrenaline. "Rod’s here? He’s cheating on me? What the hell does that have to do with me?" My voice pitched higher, breaking on the last word. "Why—" The question caught in my throat, as if finishing it would split me open.

Because I already knew.

He wasn’t just here. He hadn’t just betrayed me. He’d forgotten me. The realization hit like a dagger to the ribs, sharp and merciless.

I swallowed hard, my nails digging into my palms. The ache in my chest swelled, threatening to drown me, but I forced it back, stoking the fire instead. If this was how it was going to be, then so be it. I would burn before I let myself break. "What did you mean about drama on the next floor?"

[Oh, you don’t know?] Malice’s light pulsed mischievously. [Decisions, decisions.]

I narrowed my eyes, the simmering anger threatening to spill over. “Stop with the cryptic nonsense, Malice. If you know something, say it. Now.”

The crystal paused, as if savoring the moment. [Well, let’s just say the 'Tournament of the Gods' is about to commence. But don’t get too excited—it's less of a tournament and more like someone mashed up a battle royale with a murder mystery.]

"A what now?" My words were laced with venom, but the flood of information was too surreal to process all at once. The muscles in my jaw tightened as I took a slow, deliberate breath, forcing myself to stay focused.

[Picture gods and mortals in a cutthroat game—alliances, betrayals, shifting arenas. You’d love it,] Malice continued, its glow brightening as it spun in the air.

“And what does that have to do with me?” I growled, my tone low and dangerous.

[Everything,] Malice replied smoothly. [You’re quite the celebrity now, Jamie. Stopping Chancydia—or at least thwarting them—has put you on the radar of some very powerful beings.]

I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached. My fingers tightened around the golden page until my knuckles turned white. “I didn’t defeat Chancydia,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “I barely escaped. Don’t you dare twist this into some kind of victory.”

[Details, details. The point is, you’ve got something they want,] Malice replied, unfazed by my outburst. Its light intensified as it circled above my head. [And they’re not the only ones interested.]

My chest heaved as I tried to steady my breathing, but the knot of anger and fear tightened in my stomach. “Why are you telling me this? Why now? What’s your angle?”

Malice’s light pulsed rhythmically, as if mimicking a chuckle. [Maybe I’m feeling generous. Or maybe I just like watching you fail spectacularly. Either way, get ready for the next level of hell, princess.]

I pointed the golden page at it, the dim glow barely illuminating the shadows in the room. “You think this is funny? That this is some kind of entertainment for you? People are dying, Malice! I almost died!” My voice cracked, raw and sharp. “So if you’re done playing games, help me. Or shut up.”

Malice spun lazily, unfazed by the venom in my tone. [Oh, Jamie, you’re such a delight when you’re mad. But fine. Here’s your takeaway: You’ve got something everyone wants, and now they’re coming for you. I’d prepare myself if I were you.]

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to steady. My mind swirled with possibilities. Rod was here, and now this tournament? My knuckles ached from clutching the golden page so tightly, but I wasn’t letting it go. No, there wasn’t time to dwell on what I didn’t know. I had to focus on what I could control—and figure out why this page, and apparently I, were suddenly so important.

"If they’re coming for me, then fine," I said, my voice calmer now but no less firm. “I’ll deal with it. But I’ll need answers—and you’re going to help me.”

Malice spun in a slow circle, its glow flickering brighter for a moment. [Oh, Jamie. You’ve got no idea how much fun this is going to be for me.]

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The floor beneath me gave a faint, ominous tremor, and I stiffened, every nerve on edge.

“What now?” I demanded, glancing around the dim library.

Malice’s voice turned mockingly cheerful. [Oh, you’ll see. Prepare yourself.]

“For what?”

Before Malice could answer, the tremor deepened into a low, guttural rumble that seemed to crawl up from the library’s very foundation. The ground shook violently, throwing me off balance as books tumbled from their shelves in a cascade of chaos. Dust rained down from the vaulted ceiling, choking the air.

[For him, of course,] Malice sneered, its glow flaring as if feeding on the chaos. [The one you’ve been dying to meet.]

The shaking stopped abruptly, plunging the library into an eerie, suffocating silence. My pulse thundered in my ears as I looked around, searching for the source. And then, before I could take another breath, he was there.

Malikap.

No longer a shadow, he loomed over me, his towering form blotting out the weak light. His massive, tree-like arms twitched hungrily toward the ceiling, their gnarled branches jagged and sharp, as if they might tear the structure apart. His grotesque face twisted into something almost human, and the sound—God, the sound—of two swords grinding together filled the air as his mouth opened.

{Jamie,} Malikap’s voice rumbled, deep and guttural, vibrating through my very bones. {Good.}

I froze. The air thickened, pressing down on my chest. His molten, amber eyes locked onto mine, boring into me as if he could peel back every layer of my soul. This wasn’t just a creature—it was destruction incarnate, a force that devoured everything in its path.

{Come,} he commanded, his voice a thunderclap that made the ground tremble again. {We have much to prepare. You think you can survive this? You won’t last a second without bending to my will.}

My legs trembled as I stumbled back, the golden page clutched tightly in my sweaty palm. "Prepare for what?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely audible against his overwhelming presence.

Malikap’s mouth twisted into a grotesque grin, his jagged teeth glinting like shards of broken glass. {For your annihilation. The gods may be playing their games, but I am not here for their amusement. I will consume this world, and you, Jamie, are my tool.}

[Oh, this is good,] Malice chimed in, practically vibrating with delight. [You’re so screwed, Jamie. Might as well lie down now and save yourself the trouble. Maybe cry a little—go on, make it entertaining.]

“Shut up, Malice!” I snapped, my voice cracking as I turned to glare at the crystal. Its constant mocking made my skin crawl, but this was serious. Malikap wasn’t just an obstacle—I could feel the malevolence radiating from him. This was evil in its purest form.

Malikap’s long fingers, sharp and jagged like twisted branches, extended toward me. His grin widened, his voice carrying the weight of doom. {You are mine, Jamie. Resist, and I will break you.}

I backed away, every instinct screaming to run, but where could I go? The walls of the library seemed to close in, and Malikap’s towering figure blocked every escape.

[Yeah, go ahead. Run,] Malice taunted. [Like that’s gonna work. You can’t outrun tree-giant over here. Honestly, I’m just here for the show.]

Malikap’s voice sliced through the noise, low and menacing. {There is no escape. You will serve me, or you will perish in ways you cannot even fathom.}

Before I could react, his massive hand shot forward, his jagged fingers wrapping around my throat like iron bars. He lifted me off the ground as though I weighed nothing, and the world tilted.

I gasped, struggling to breathe, my fingers clawing uselessly at his grip. Pain exploded in my neck, radiating through my chest. My vision blurred, darkening at the edges as the air grew cold, oppressive, and thick with the scent of decay.

[Oh, this is too good,] Malice chimed, his voice dripping with glee. [Look at you, choking on your own fear. Classic Jamie.]

Malikap’s grotesque face was inches from mine, his breath hot and rancid, searing my skin like an open flame. {You will bend,} he whispered, his voice curling around me like a death sentence. {Or I will crush you here and now.}

My lungs screamed for air, panic flooding my veins like poison. My vision swam, and I could feel the strength leaving my body. But somewhere deep inside, a spark of defiance flared. I forced the words out, each one scraping against my throat like broken glass. “I... won’t... serve you.”

Malikap’s eyes narrowed, molten amber glowing brighter for a brief moment. I thought I saw a flicker of amusement, twisted and cruel. {Foolish child.} He released me suddenly, and I crumpled to the floor, coughing and gasping for air.

Above me, Malikap straightened with deliberate slowness, his gnarled fingers flexing as if savoring his dominance. {We will see how long your defiance lasts.}

Malice hovered overhead, his glow flickering with delight. [Oh, she thinks she’s got a spine. This is gonna be great. You’re toast, Jamie. Toast! I give you, what, two more minutes? Maybe three if you don't start crying.]

“Shut up, Malice!” I wheezed, my voice raw as I glared at him. My chest heaved with the effort of each breath, but I refused to let Malikap see me break.

Malikap’s glowing energy bore down on me; if he'd had eyes, they'd be unblinking and pitiless. {You will learn, Jamie. You will either bend to me willingly, or I will break you in ways that make death seem merciful.}

I stared up at him, trembling but resolute. This wasn’t just a test. This was survival. Malikap was the embodiment of everything I feared, but I couldn’t—wouldn’t—give in. Not to him.

[Oh, please,] Malice said, his tone mocking and sweet. [Just give in already. At least make it funny, will you?]

The floor felt cold beneath my knees as I stared downward, my body trembling not just from fear, but from the weight of what I was about to do.

It was then I understood. Malice was putting on a show. The mocking, the glee—it wasn’t just for Malikap’s benefit; it was for mine, too. He was acting tougher, meaner than he had to, so Malikap would think he was still the same old reliable jerk he’d always been. But he wasn’t. Malice had been changing—bit by bit with every floor and room we conquered.

And now, he was giving me a chance.

I swallowed hard, my voice shaking as I forced the words out. "I yield," I said, lowering my head and casting my eyes downward. "I yield."

Malikap let out a rumbling sound, one that sent vibrations through the floor and up into my chest. It almost sounded... satisfied.

{It is wise to acquiesce to my power, Jamie,} he said, his massive form leaning closer. His shadow enveloped me, heavy and suffocating, like the promise of oblivion. {Until you leave the safety of the first four floors, there is very little to be done. Very little that can stand in the way of my forces.}

Malice hovered just above my head, unusually quiet for once. His light flickered faintly, not with mockery, but with something I could almost call... patience. He was waiting, trusting me to sell the illusion.

I gritted my teeth and stayed still, hoping it would be enough.

{It is time you learn the true history behind your bloodline,} Malikap continued, his voice dripping with grim satisfaction.