“Get up,” Rui ordered. She’d knocked his sword out of his hand and tripped him up with a well-aimed poke at the ankles. “I thought you were captain of the fencing team.”
“Vice captain,” Yiran said, “and we both know this isn’t fencing.”
“Then you should know there’s only one solution to this—stop fencing.”
Yiran rose to his feet and retrieved his sword. Sweat dripped down his back, and his shirt stuck uncomfortably to his skin. As he lifted it to wipe his face and chest, he caught Rui glancing briefly at his bare torso.
Yiran grinned. “On second thought, I think I’ll do this shirtless.” He slipped his top off and tossed it in the corner. A round of wolf whistles came from the audience.
Rui rolled her eyes. “A Revenant’s not going to ogle at your abs.”
“Good thing I’m not fighting a Revenant today.”
“Trying to distract me because you can’t think of a better way to beat me? That’s pathetic.”
“So you admit youaredistracted?”
Her smile turned dangerously sweet. “Let’s find out.”
Rui advanced. Something had changed—her footwork twisted rapidly, and her attacks became even more unpredictable.
She was no longer holding back.
Yiran struggled to fend her off. He was getting hit too often, losing his footing and falling over himself like a useless fool. He was embarrassing himself in front of the people he wanted to impress.
There’s only one solution to this—stop fencing.
That was the point, wasn’t it? This was afight. A brawl. No rules, no etiquette. A Revenant wouldn’t give him the courtesy to catch his balance or breath. But before he could think of his next move, Rui came for him.
Yiran dodged her fist, but her leg swung out of nowhere, catching the back of his knees. He lost his weapon and went down on the sand on all fours. Once again, Rui’s blade was at his throat.
“We’re done,” she said, lips curling in satisfaction.
Yiran glared up at her. “Not yet. One more round.”
“The outcome isn’t going to change, but if you insist.”
“I do insist.”
Rui shrugged. “Suit yourself. On your feet then.”
As Yiran grabbed his sword, someone yelled, “Now for the fun part!”
Mai.He recognized her voice. What the heck was she doing?
Rui frowned, looking equally confused. “What fun part?”
The arena changed into solid ground and concrete walls. The lights dimmed. Nausea churned in Yiran’s stomach. He’d been moving so fast the switch hit him hard. He squinted at the shining orb above him. What was the moon doing there?
In front of him, grimy metal containers were stacked on top of each other to form a kind of pattern. A warehouse? No—a maze. Either he hadto solve it, or he had to chase something and catch it.Or maybe something’s chasing me.
He shook his head to clear it. “Rui?”
She was nowhere to be seen.
A silvery trail appeared above one of the containers like glitter scattered across the air, hovering in an unnatural manner. Another trail appeared. Then another. Yiran smelled something. A flowery scent. Not roses, not chrysanthemums. Something more cloying and mixed with the stench of decay. What was that sound? It was almost like a baby’s cry. The small hairs on Yiran’s arms and neck stood. Something skittered behind him. He spun around. Nothing but containers and darkness.
It’s just a simulation. This isn’t real, it’s not real.Pressing his back flat against a container, he took a few deep breaths to steady himself. But fear had already sunk its talons in him.
