abel [https://imgur.com/gfZpXk6.png]

The city was bright. The buildings glowed with artificial light. Blue light poured out from the barrier standing close to them. But beyond that barrier, through the glowing forcefield, the landscape was dark with late dusk. While nearby trees and brush were discernible, tall lights along the railroad were the only things visible in the distance.

Abel had tried to watch closely, to notice any changes, but his friends had, rightfully so, demanded answers. He had explained as best he could everything which had transpired within the Hypogeum and after the final battle as he spoke to Sky Sight. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he had seen a flicker of movement.

He turned, squinting through the blue, to the darkness beyond. An object was moving. A light? It was approaching them through the air, perhaps a helicopter. Excitement and fear coursed through him in equal shares as seconds passed and he waited. As the light came closer, close enough that it’s speed and shape both became apparent, the oblong thing shooting towards them could only be a plane.

Or a missile.

It hit the barrier high above them. Flames exploded out, lighting the night sky, but the barrier prevented shrapnel and smoke from entering. The shockwave came moments later, a loud blast that nearly knocked Abel off his feet. Sarah let out a cry as she was tossed to the pavement, Lyssa quickly at her side to help get her righted.

“Was that a missile?” Abel asked aloud. “They’re attacking us?”

In the distance, another light became clear, racing towards the blue wall. He messed up his eyes, desperate to catch sight of its origin, but it was too dark.

“Abel!” Lyssa said, her voice now far off. He turned to see the two girls backing away. “Get back. Don’t just stand there!”

Abel obeyed, moving to catch up with them. A few moments later, Another flash of light lit the darkness above them. Another wave quivered the air around them, pushed them further from the barrier.

“Why are they attacking us?” Abel asked.

“They aren’t. They’re probably trying to break through the barrier,” Lyssa said with trepidation, “and we’re standing in the worst possible spot.”

“You think they can break through it?” Sarah asked with a trill voice. She put a hand on Abel’s arm, then on Lyssa’s. “Is this finally over?”

“Maybe,” Lyssa responded. They both had stopped backing away from the wall and instead stood transfixed, eyes looking up as a third rocket trailed across the night sky. It exploded. The wall faltered from blue to white at the point of impact, but only for a split second. It stood, solid and resolute, unbroken.

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“But they’re trying,” Sarah said, “That means they know we’re in here. They’re trying to get us out.”

“They are,” Lyssa agreed. She looked at Abel, noting his silence, and the look on his face. “Abel?”

“Sky Sight told me ‘no one is coming to help those within the city’ remember?” He turned his face to watch the next light flying towards them. “But that there were people coming. And they would arrive at 8:36 P.M.”

The city was silent as the next rocket hit. The blast sent their clothing and hair tumbling about like a strong wind. None of them understood what was happening. Lyssa had said that three minds were better than one, and yet together they still stood dumbfounded.

“Why would they attack us?” Sarah asked. “That doesn’t make sense. We’re stuck in here. What other reason would they have for doing something like this?”

Abel shook his head, going through what little information he knew. They were trapped. The people outside the city weren’t here to help them. They were shooting missiles. They were trying to bring down the wall trapping them within the city.

It makes no sense. He closed his eyes, trying to think the situation through. When he opened them a heartbeat later, a little girl was standing between him and the two girls several paces away.

“Liar Lyssa?” she asked. The back of her blond head tilted quizzically. “What are you doing all the way out here?”

The next rocket hit. Her long hair fluttered high into the air, her white dress twirling and ricocheting. Zero spun around, eyes alive and taking in the flames outside the wall. “Eh? What’s that?” She turned to Abel and her excitement doubled. “Hey, you’re the person that won!” She stepped up to him, looking up into his face with wide eyes. “Champion of the Arena? What’s that? Is it any good?”

Abel worked moisture into his mouth. Where the hell had she come from? The girl had given him chills the first time he had seen her, and now, her hollow eyes and whispering mouth made him freeze up. In his peripheral vision, he could see Lyssa’s hands shaking, clenched into fists.

She was the one who could switch Kara and Bara. At least that’s what they thought.

Facing the barrier, Abel pointed a finger. “We’re a bit busy.”

“What’s happening?”

“We’re not sure.”

“Then how are you busy?”

Her eyes didn’t leave him. He turned to face her once more, afraid to look away for too long with her mouth moving, whispering under her breath as she was. Standing beside her, despite her diminutive size and bright smile, he could see her confidence. He had been in enough sparring matches to know when someone was confident. This girl had the confidence of a predator.

“We’re trying to figure out who is attacking.”

“Attacking?” Zero turned her head for a moment, watching as one of the rockets hit the barrier, the wind from the explosion blowing through them once again. She gave a shrug. “They won’t make it in. Doesn’t matter. What is Champion of the Arena?”

“It’s-”

“Don’t answer that brat,” Lyssa said, walking to stand at his side, face red-hot as she looked down at the girl. “Not until she switches my Karma.”

The girl smiled back at her. “But Bara suits you better.”

Lyssa let out a long breath, squatting down so she could look at her evenly in the eyes. She seemed ready to lunge out. “You don’t have any of your protectors like you did in the arena, honey. If I have to hold you down and force you to switch me back, I will.”

Zero continued smiling. Then she turned to Sarah. “Is that your friend, Lyssa?”

“Yes,” she answered after a few measured moments.

“Queen’s Light.”