Page 113 of The Only Way Out Is Up

“Other than to my lifespan?” I mutter. But my fingertips are tingling, already anticipating the feel of the sigil in my hand. I sigh. “I guess we’re not making progress otherwise…”

I feel the tug on my spirit, and the sigils activate.

REPEL, linked to STRONG, FAST, and EXPLODE. A specialized sigwork built into the underside of Star’s shield that shoves anything in close proximity away, very hard and very fast, specifically negating the force of a BIND.

We’d tested it as best we could, but I didn’t know exactly what sigwork Niami used in Bitey’s paws. The results are even more spectacular than I’d imagined.

The blast radiates out as a visible blue-green shock wave, a translucent expanding bubble that pries Bitey’s paws off Star, then picks the huge tiger up and hurls it backward hard enough that its impact cracks the nearest wall. An instant later I feel the wave of wind wash past us, and Niami throws her arm over her eyes against flying dust. At the center of it all, untouched, sits Star. His shield emits wild ringing tones like a distorted bell.

He moves before anybody else can react. Bitey is on its back, all four legs in the air, clearly not a position it was ever designed to occupy—unlike a real cat, it’s not flexible enough to easily right itself. Star lands on its belly, anchoring himself with four legs while the other four prepare to lance down into the tiger’s underside, seeking the knot of sigils at its core.

Beside me, Niami screams, a high keening sound. “Don’t!”

Star, stop!

[Query?!]

Because I understand. All Bitey’s complicated mannerisms—what a sentimental person might call its personality—are bound up in the geometry of its core. If Star tears that to shreds—

“Yield.” I grab Niami by the shoulder and turn her toward me. Her eyes are thick with tears. “Yield now.” Bitey is starting to recover; in another second Star will have no choice.

“Y-yield,” she says, as understanding dawns in her eyes. She raises her shaky voice to carry to the judge’s stand. “I yield!” And then she subvocalizes a command to the tiger, who instantly goes still.

“Niami has yielded,” Alzimyth snaps, his amplified voice buzzing and harsh. I look up to find him on his feet, standing at the edge of the platform as though to get as close to the action as possible. “Taj and Star are the victors.”

Without another word he turns and stalks away, like he’s discovered urgent business elsewhere. Hisham is left alone, gaping like a fish, as the sound of the crowd reaches new heights.

Once again I’m nearly knocked off my feet; this time Niami is hugging me, and she’s a lot bigger than Ky.

“Thank you,” she says. “Thank you thank you thank you. I don’t know what you did, but thank you for not hurting her.”

Her, I note. I endure the embrace for a few moments, holding my arms out uncertainly.

“I know you spent a long time on her core,” I say quietly. “It’s a work of art. I wouldn’t want to wreck it.”

“It’s stupid.” Niami sniffles. “I know she’s just a construct, I made her. But…”

“I get it. Sometimes I feel like Star hears every word I say.”

Niami nods miserably, then pulls back. Her face is wet with tears. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

“What?”

“You’re going to have to beat Quech for me.” She sniffs again. “Because fuck if we’re letting that bastard win. And you have to promise to at least send me a letter from Above.”

THIRTY-FIVE

One more night.

Sometimes it seems like a thousand years have passed since I broke into Ky’s house and found her with Pader. But it also feels like no time at all, certainly not enough to completely upend my entire life. Two months ago I was fighting with Somi and worrying how I was going to pay off Rekas and the Clawmarks. Now I’m one fight away from winning the Ascent and more money than even Uncle Claw can dream of. A safe place for me and my family.

Not to mention a ticket Above. Not that I plan to take it. But it’s nice to dream.

Ky and I barely talk after my fight with Niami. Star and I retreat to the workshop, where I repair the damage he took from Bitey’s claws and recheck every sigil and centimeter of wire. Star himself tells me this isn’t necessary, but I can’t help myself.

One more fight, against a lunatic who’s happy to crush the opposing master’s skull instead of attacking his runic. Entop had the right idea, though. All I’ve got to do is run away from him; he’s big, but I can be quicker. Entop’s problem was that he still had to pay enough attention to the fight to direct his runic, but I can rely on Star to use his own judgment and concentrate entirely on not getting squashed.

It’ll work. I can do this.