Dead.He’s dead. Finally…
For several seconds I remain over him, chest heaving, every muscle trembling from the effort of pushing myself past what should have been my limit.
Then his body begins to dissolve.
Ash peels away from him in drifting ribbons, and through it I see the soul energy—far more than I’ve ever seen before. Dense, luminous clusters of white light gather in the air, brighter than any I have absorbed thus far.
Is it because he was at the edge of level three?
I sharpen my focus and pull the particles of energy toward me.
They resist harder this time, drawn upward by the realm’s invisible pull, but I focus and wrench several free. They drift toward me in glowing arcs and sink into my chest, my shoulders, my throat.
The energy crashes through me like lightning, making my entire body vibrate.
The strain in my muscles eases. My battered ribs ache less. My breathing deepens as the power settles into the channels I have spent weeks forging through meditation.
The quality of it is different. I can immediately feel the effects as all my injuries mend within seconds.
Nykander v’Kyro wins. You are awarded eight points.
Getting to my feet, I look around, my gaze immediately searching for Moe. But just as I spot her, the world starts spinning.
The arena begins to collapse around me, the ruined courtyard folding inward as reality tears itself apart once again.
When I open my eyes again, we’re back to the obelisk.
Moe rushes toward me, her eyes wide as she takes in my torn clothing and the crusted blood on my skin.
“You look awful,” she says with a shake of her head.
“He almost killed me,” I answer honestly.
“I was worried,” she admits. “But I knew you’d win.”
“Really?” I raise a brow. “How?”
“I trust you.” She shrugs. “I know you can do anything you put your mind to.”
My chest puffs with pleasure as I give her a smile.
“That’s a very nice compliment. Thank you.”
“And it’s not as if it’sthatbad if we die. At least we’re together, no?”
“What?” I burst out before I realize she’s joking. She slaps my shoulder playfully as and she hooks her arm through my elbow.
“Look!” She points to the obelisk. “Progress.”
There, flashing in bright colors, my new status appears.
Nykander v’Kyro. Level Unassigned. +8 Ascension Points. Total points: 106
But it doesn’t stop there. Another message appears right underneath.
Congratulations! You are the fastest participant to reach one hundred points!
“What?” Moe gasps.
