I step onto one of the wooden bridges, holding the rope handrail tight in case it gives way beneath me. My fingers come away greasy. The rope’s coated with something. So long as it doesn’t slow me down…
I move swiftly across, scale the surface of the next boulder, then find the edge where the weapon fell. A shower of pebbles gives way beneath my foot as I try to look over.
Then a hiss and a loud roar and a burst of heat so intense it sends me stumbling back. A curtain of orange flame licks the edge of the rock.
A flamethrower.
They actually gave him a flamethrower.
The Sun God has his fire.
This is too well-planned. And no sponsor willing to take credit for it? There’s only one man who would have done such a thing.
My eyes move irresistibly to the Emperor, who leans forward, grinning. He’s all alone in his booth, Julius nowhere to be seen now. He looks revoltingly pleased with himself.
Another burst of flame shoots up, the other side of the rock now, and I center myself on the plateau. He can’t get me unless he climbs. I’m safe for now. But what am I supposed to fight with?
I edge closer to the precipice, careful to check I’m not casting a visible shadow. He’s there, finger on the trigger. A burst of fire comes for me, but at the same moment, I hurl the quartz down at him.
It’s a risky move. If I kill him with it, I’m playing next week. Then I really might have to fight Robin. But my aim must have been true. The crowd is cheering, the flame hasn’t reached me, and I can hear Jason’s shouts of anger.
I bolt, making for the wooden bridge, back the way I came. Yes, it’s safer on the rock, but I can’t kill the fucker up here.
Yet even as I run across the wooden planks, the heat of the flamethrower catches me, slicing into my legs. The bridge bursts into roaring flames around me. I dive onto the next rock just in time as it explodes into an inferno.
Scorching wind washes over me as my shoulder slams hard into the rough surface, my cheek catching a jagged edge. The explosion rips more excitement from the audience, more cheering, chanting.
The bridge must have been treated with something. They all must have been.
Then the speaker: “Another weapon drop! What could it be this time?” I stare off into the distance, waiting, praying it’s not another gift for him.
“Another anonymous sponsor!” the announcer shouts. “It’s as if the gods themselves are choosing their winners today.”
The thought of it makes me look again at the Emperor. His face has turned dark, furious, a contrast to the near blankness of Julius, back by his side, who only watches the package drift over the stadium like it’s a bird.
The noise of the drone buzzes closer, closer, then the package slams down at my feet.
A crossbow.
I barely have time to register what it is before an explosion blasts to my left, and I drop to the ground, pulling my cape over me for some small protection. But I know he’ll be on the move again, heading for that last bridge, cutting me off on top of this rock.
I snatch up the crossbow and quiver of arrows and sprint, praying the bridge can take my weight.
I don’t even look down, try to spot him, but I sense him there, rounding the corner just as I make it across.
The next explosion propels me forward, then I find the next bridge, the next rock, then grapple my way down to the ground. The crossbow is enormous, more art than weapon. The arrows that slam into my side with every precarious step down the rock are bronze-colored, sporting tips that look sharp but not nearly damaging enough.
My feet smack down on the ground, and I prepare an arrow.
Another bridge bursts into flame nearby. With any luck, he thinks I’m still up there.
I’m at a severe disadvantage. If it were a fight without weapons, I could beat him easily. But when he’s got fire and I haven’t…
A still-burning length of rope lands at my feet. My first instinct takes me, and I push the tip of my arrow through, hoping it will hold.
The crowd loves it, and it worries me that they’ve alerted him with their applause that I have some trick up my sleeve. So I move fast, rounding the edge of the boulder, searching for him.
He could be anywhere.
