It didn’t take long for the chaos to begin.
In the distance, among the maze of stone barricades, a muffled chorus of shouts rang out, the sharpclangof steel against steel.
And then came the cloud of magic.
It was stifling, suffocating. A nauseating scent that made Wren’s stomach recoil.
It was an overwhelming mixture. Like smoke rising from charred remains. Like the iron scent of blood. But there was a warmer base layer too, something oddly comforting, like the smell of rainfall in the woods, like damp earth and moss.
Shadow magic.
“We’re moving forward,” said Quinn, appearing in front of Wren. “Okay?”
Wren nodded and wedged herself between Quinn and Arthur.
They pushed their way into the maze of stone barricades. As they pressed forward, sweat prickled at Wren’s brow, her palms itching for her magic, desperate for a way to properly defend herself.
“Where are we going?” she asked warily.
Quinn didn’t bother glancing back as she spoke. “To get theflag.”
“That’s it?” Wren hissed. “That’s your big plan?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember asking for your opinion,” Quinn sneered.
“We already have a designated group guarding our own flag,” whispered Arthur. “Our main objective is to push forward. To get as close to our opponents’ flag as possible.”
“But shouldn’t we have a strategy?” Wren asked. “Some sort of plan if shit hits the fan?”
Quinn twirled the scythes in her hands and a burst of flames erupted from the blades.
“Iamthe plan.”
“Look.” Arthur leaned in closer to Wren. “The faster we get that flag, the faster we can get the hell out of this—” He stopped short. Quinn too stood frozen, shoulders rigid as she stared at something up ahead.
Wren nearly crashed into her, taken aback by the sudden pause. “What is it? Why did we stop?”
And that was when she saw what had caught their attention.
Three figures stood in front of them, blocking their path…and all three were from Onyx Unit.
The fight broke out instantly.
Quinn slid forward, flames bursting from her scythes, and swung at the attacker closest to her. Before Wren could evenattempt to join in, Arthur snatched her backward, throwing her away from the chaos, and charged into battle.
It all happened too fast.
Quinn stumbled out of view, a violent frenzy of steel and magic, disappearing deeper within the cavern as she chased after her opponent. Arthur was caught in his own battle—holding back his attacker with a swirling mass of shadows, gritting his teeth as the partition between them wavered.
But there was still one more fighter from Onyx Unit.
The boy had sharp green eyes, which were currently zeroed in on Wren. When he blinked, shadows swirled behind them, a wicked grin revealing white teeth. He licked his lips in anticipation, head cocked.
“Must be my lucky day.”
Arthur’s eyes flitted toward Wren. He said nothing, but the message was clear.
Run.
