A gust of wind, sharp as a razor cut off the spearman’s arm. I looked at the origin. It’s her. It’s the witch. The spearman winced like never before, and he fell to the ground. Blood was pouring out of his arm. I guess maybe I can give him some tips on one-armed living.

* [That was unnecessary.].

I’m serious. It’s not as bad as it seems.

Witch: Hey! Stand up.

I felt an icy stare poking through my head.

- I can’t. I have a hole in my abdomen.

Witch: Don’t play dumb with me. Stand up and tell me what do THEY want with you.

Aggressive. I like it.

- I am not talking until I hear what’s your name and who you are.

* [Smooth. Keep going like that and she might kill you.]

She touched the base of her neck as if she was startled a bit. I was wrong. She cracked her neck and stood me up. I saw a vein pulsing on top of her head. Then BAM slapped straight across the face.

Witch: I am Cybele. What do they want from you and how many Gold Tokens do you have?

She added a different question. I am most definitely going to be used.

- I tricked the Serpents into making a huge mistake.

I shouldn’t tell her about the murder thing hm? There’s no need for me to tell her. I don’t know her after all. Right?

* [Don’t look at me. I am just flying here. Looking at this beautiful sand.]

You are not helping. Anyway…

Cybele: What does that mean?

- You didn’t even ask for my name Cybele.

I can feel it coming. Another vein started pulsing. Yeah… BAM another slap.

- Nevermind, I am Duke. Also, could you lay me down, I am bleeding after all.

Cybele: Not until you tell me what do you know about the Serpents.

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- I have some unfinished business with their second in command, Svarog the Blacksmith.

She looked at me with warm curiosity. I don’t feel attacked anymore. It’s a familiar feeling It’s like I am meeting a new friend for the first time. Her eyes settled down, and her body relaxed. The tense atmosphere is gone.

Cybele: All right. I believe you.

She dropped me right down. There was something about her. I couldn’t explain it right away. This somewhat eerie feeling… Why did she save me? She doesn’t know who I am. There was no reason for her to save me. Am I forgetting something?

* [DUKE! TURN AROUND!]

I quickly turn my head, just to see the spearman rushing toward Cybele. I look for my sword but to no avail. He is in full throttle. Running with his shattered knee and one arm, it was a desperate attempt on her life.

CYBE…

I didn’t even get the chance to yell. He threw his spear at her back. It’s heading straight to her heart. If it hits it’s game over. She’ll die. I can’t think of a way to change the trajectory…

/Thunk/

It… I can’t believe it. Thank you, Captain.

* [No problem, kid.]

He flew to the side of the spear and Cybele turned around and dodged it in just the nick of time. Will she use her power again? I lift myself somehow off the floor and just as I look at them… she dashes in and sticks a dagger in his neck. A small silver dagger, almost like a throwing knife, is lodged in this guy’s neck. He falls dead onto the floor, screaming in terror as blood pours out of his mouth. She… She killed him.

-Are you ok?

Cybele: Yes, thank your parrot for saving me.

She knew that Captain saved her. She is quick. But… she is a murderer. Is she evil or did she kill him because he was a Serpent? Will she kill more if I let her go now? I don’t know her but I can’t go away from her. God damn it. I have to keep her close. I guess I’ll tell her.

-They put a hit out for you.

Cybele: The Serpents?

- Yes.

Cybele: That might explain all the people attacking me and looking for me.

- Don’t know about that, but what did you do to them?

Cybele: It doesn’t concern you.

- Could you at least wait out the first round here with me? Until the King’s Room opens.

Cybele: Why would I do that? You are injured. You would just be a burden.

Damn okay. You could’ve at least offered to help… Bitch.

- That’s why I need your help Cybele. Plus it’s only 11 minutes left. I need you. You can help me patch up and we can go beat the King together.

Cybele: But what do I get out of it?

Not cool. You get my respect.

* [Worthless.]

- Gold Token from me and if we beat the King, you keep that Gold Token as well.

* [Why are you giving her the Gold Tokens? You worked your ass off for them and we are not even close to our goal.]

I don’t know. I just have a feeling that I need to do whatever it takes to keep her here. She might not even need the Gold Tokens…

Cybele: Deal.

Mhm, mhm. I don’t know why I was shocked. Like at all. After all, I have no clue who this woman is. I must’ve looked at her funnily because she… she smiled. It was such a welcoming smile. I felt like I dropped a heavy armor off my body. I felt… at peace. You are an interesting girl Cybele. Let’s see where this goes.

* […]

- So… will you help me with the bleeding?

Cybele: Here, here… I have some medicine for that.

As she’s reaching into her little purse, I see that she has 4 silver rings and a gold ring on her index finger. But that’s not all. Only her index finger has green nail polish. It stood out.

- What’s with the rings and the finger?

She just looked at me, stopped what she was doing, and made a hand pistol.

/Pew pew/

Ah, I get it now. That’s her power. Two air bullets flew right by my ear. Is there a limit to how fast it can fly, and how much air it can manipulate? A lot of questions, but I don’t want to intrude. It seems she can evolve it though. I am excited to see what happens with that.

She handed me two pills, some kind of gel, and a huge bandage. I patched myself up and Captain landed on my shoulder. The three of us went near the King’s door and sat there. I’ve never been here, so I am a little nervous about what’s inside.

* [The arena is split into two parts, the free for all and the King’s room. I can’t fly over to see it because it has a roof.]

Don’t mind Captain, it’s more exciting this way.

…

We sat down and waited for time to pass. We sat… in silence. Nobody said anything. We were just looking at the chaos in front of us and recovering our energy. But it’s time now. Only ten seconds remaining.

…

…

Here it is.

‘TIME’S UP!’

‘THE QUEEN’S ROOM IS OPENING! PREPARE YOURSELVES OR LEAVE!’

Queen?

‘QUEEN OF THE BOARD IS - LILY MOSS’

What’s with all these women today?