"We do," he agrees. "We should go down together. Try to watch one another's backs. Don't engage with anyone unless we have to," he recites as if he's been thinking of the plan for a while.
We rise to our feet and both pull out our weapons, readying ourselves for what's to come. I can tell from his expression that he holds as much distaste for this as I do, which makes him the perfect partner to go down there with.
"And hope for the best," I add. That's the main thing we're going to be trying. I just don't see any kind of alternative.
"Yes, and that. Are you ready?"
"Will saying no make a difference?" I quip.
He flashes me a tight-lipped smile. "You know it won't."
"Then I'm ready."
We turn to make our way down the hill, going steadily so we can draw out the next eight minutes. The less time we spend out in front of the building, the better.
Cobalt goes around the corner first, then stumbles back as a sword slices through the place he was before. I jump forward, determined to protect him despite knowing what it'll do to my points.
I call on my Arts the way he taught me, making Moonslinger hum into life. The flow of magic between me and the weapon feels so much better this way, as if we're working as one.
Right now, that could make all the difference.
I block the sword as it comes towards Cobalt again, taking the wielder by surprise. I don't look them in the eye, or do anything else to put a face to the attacker, that'll only make what I have to do harder.
I swing Moonslinger around, pushing more of the Arts through it. I'm sure there are more refined ways of doing what I'm trying to, but for now, this will achieve my goal.
I thrust it towards the man and let the power go. I close my eyes as he slumps to the ground, no longer able to attack either of us.
My breathing is fast and furious as I glance up at the timer.
Three minutes. And we're not in front of the building.
"We need to go." I reach out for Cobalt's hand, but he's still stunned.
"You saved me."
"And you saved me, now we're even," I point out. "But we can talk about that later. Come on."
I pull him along behind me as I rush into the area in front of the holding building. A few of the contestants are still fighting, but most of them seem to be fixated on the timer counting down to zero.
I'm dreading what happens when it gets there.
Chapter Fifteen
"Thank you for your participation in the Dragon Duels. You must now put down all weapons," the voice announces.
Cobalt and I exchange a glance, but do as instructed, and drop Moonslinger to the ground. I'm almost sad to see it go.
I glance around to see everyone else doing the same. It's only then that I notice everyone has at least one weapon. I don't know if it's because they all picked them, or if they managed to get a weapon off someone who did. I haven't seen many discarded ones around, so have to assume that they come in and pick them all up when the Duels are over. They must not think that the first-aid or food supplies cause the same kind of problem.
"What happens now?" I whisper to Cobalt.
"I have no idea, this bit is never shown."
Great. We're going in completely blind. That's just what I want when it comes to a deadly competition. For all I know, they're going to set a dragon on us now and we're all sitting ducks.
I eye up Moonslinger, wondering how long it would take me to pick it up and use it against an attacking dragon. Probably longer than I'd have, especially if there's more than one released.
It's probably best not to think about it.
"Please proceed to the open doors. One contestant must enter at once for debriefing."
Four doors on the outside of the building open up. Likely the same ones that they let us out of in the first place.
In complete contrast to the random attacks of before, the contestants all start lining up to go through the doors.
"I'm nervous," I admit.
"Me too. I have no idea how we've done points-wise."
"That is making it worse." I try and do a quick count of the people left standing, but too many people are moving around and disappearing into the building. "Do you think they realise there are more people than there should be?"
"I don't think so," Cobalt responds.
We move forward in the line.
"Most people are probably thinking about the fact they've survived and nothing else."
"That's true. If you hadn't told me what you did, then I'd be one of them." A shiver runs down my spine at the thought.
"But you'd still have killed a dragon. You'll be fine, Raine."
"I hope you are too," I whisper. "I don't want to go on to the next bit without you." I'm not sure what makes me say it. Maybe the fact we're not going to be together for whatever is coming in a moment. But I need him to know that he's had a good impact on my life and I appreciate it.
"The same back to you. We make a good team."
"We do," I agree.
Before we can say anything else, it's our turn at the door. As much as I don't want to leave Cobalt behind, I know I have to.
"I'll see you on the other side, I'm sure of it," he promises.
I nod and smile at him even though I'm not really feeling it.
I slip through the door and into one of the pristine rooms the facility seems to be comprised of. There's an empty podium standing in the middle, clearly meaning I should go and stand by it.
Nerves flutter in my stomach. I wish there was another person in the room besides me, it would make
