In one fluid motion, she unsheathed her sword, steel flashing silver in the dusty light. The monster snarled, shaking off the pain, eyes locking onto her with renewed fury. Its enormous head lowered, tongue flicking out, tasting her defiance.
She circled it, slow and deliberate, her blade held low as her boots crunched through the debris-strewn arena. The Zarythian mirrored her, its neck undulating in perfect tempo, coils sliding with deceptive grace.
Every step was a test — hers and the beast’s — both waiting for the other to flinch.
“She’s baiting it,” Callum said, his voice laced with pride.
“She’s not baiting it.” I narrowed my gaze, my eyes fixed on her. “She’s challenging it.”
The Zarythian struck again, quicker this time, a blur of emerald and obsidian. Cadence spun to the side, her sword arcing up in a tight line. Steel kissed scale, and a spray of black ichor misted the air. The serpent screeched, rearing back in fury, blood sizzling as it hit the ground.
“She got it,” Callum said, releasing a strained breath.
Not deep, but it was something.
Cadence didn’t stop. She moved fast, dodging and weaving as the monster lashed out. The tide hadn’t turned yet, but she’d found her rhythm. The seconds seemed to slow as the Zarythian struck again, its massive head lashing forward with sickening speed.
This time, Cadence wasn’t fast enough.
Fangs like curved daggers sank into her shoulder, slicing through flesh and muscle. The serpent’s momentum tore her from the ground, snapping her sideways with ease.
She let out a strangled cry, raw and visceral.
Her sword flew from her grip, clattering uselessly across the arena. Blood blossomed on her tunic in a violent splash of crimson. It soaked the fabric, spilling over her ribs and dripping down her side in rivulets.
“Cadence!” My voice was ragged and full of something feral.
Shadows burst from my palms, wild and unrestrained, answering the surge of anger that ripped through me. I felt them coil and lash, feeding off the primal fear that squeezed my gut.
The Zarythian lifted its head, shaking her like prey caught in its jaws.
But she didn’t scream.
Instead, she clenched her teeth, her face paling, but her eyes were alive and burning.
She wasn’t down yet.
The Zarythian released her, but instead of scrambling away, she rolled toward it. With her uninjured arm, she snatched up her sword. She dragged herself beneath its head as it prepared to deliver the killing blow.
Cadence wrapped her arms around the thick column of the creature’s neck, letting it lift her with its movement. Using the weight of her own body, she swung herself upward.
The Zarythian thrashed, but she held fast. She slammed her boots into its slick scales as she hauled herself onto its back. Her breath was ragged, and blood continued to gush from her wounded shoulder. Still, she was relentless.
With a scream that was equal parts rage and agony, she drew her blade high and drove it straight into the crown of the Zarythian’s skull. She buried her sword deep into the creature’sbrain, and it spasmed violently. A terrible screech rent the air as it flailed and writhed in anguish.
Cadence held on tight, teeth bared in a soundless cry, riding it out as the monster convulsed beneath her. A final shudder ran through its body, and then its fight drained away.
The enormous serpent collapsed, crashing to the ground with enough force to shake the arena. She slid off its back and dropped to one knee, panting heavily with blood staining her lips.
Silence fell around the stadium; the crowd was too stunned to even breathe.
“Holy shit,” Callum said, his mouth hanging open as he gaped at his sister.
My heart hammered in my throat as I stared down at her.
She’d done it. She’d fucking done it.
Then the entire crowd exploded.
