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A guttural howl shreds through the numb haze clouding my mind. I blink into the blinding light, until my surroundings sharpen with startling clarity.

Walls rise on either side of me, trapping me within a pit of sand and crumbling structures as a roaring crowd watches from their heights. But instinct warns me it was not their cries that pulled me back to awareness.

The Games. I’m in the arena.

Another roar sounds. This one menacing and feral, and it snaps my body into motion before my mind fully catches up. My boots dig into the sand as I sprint toward the nearest structure to take cover. I slide to my knees behind a boulder, glancing down as something firm grazes against my leg. A long blade, half buried.

Gripping the hilt, I peer around the rock, scanning the unfolding chaos. The seven other champions are scattered throughout the arena; some appear disoriented and frantic, and others are already facing off with the creatures now stalking the sands.

Terror sinks claws into me, and my eyes widen.

Chimera.

One beast pounces, its razor-filled maw snapping inches from a woman who dives out of reach. Nearby, another man struggles, both hands clutching the handle of a long spear as he braces against the monstrous strength of a chimera pressing forward. The muscles beneath his bronze skin ripple with strain, and desperation warps his expression.

It’s Tasos—the other champion from the Sorrows.

And he’s losing ground fast.

I push up to my feet and sprint toward him. A collapsed stone column looms ahead, fractured into uneven tiers, a natural staircase snaking far enough upward to give me height. Sand kicks up around me as I leap onto the first step and climb.

The chimera pins Tasos precariously against a chunk of rock, the spear bowing under the beast’s weight. Its tail whips, narrowly missing him as it lashes in frustration.

His shoulders buckle, his knees nearly giving way.

My boots pound against the crumbling stone. I reach the top step and launch myself forward, my body soaring through the air in an arc above the creature. For one breathless second, I’m weightless.

I land hard on its back, the force driving my knee into the spiked ridge along its spine. The chimera screeches, its feline head whipping upward as its serpent-head tail writhes toward me. I bring my blade down with everything I have. The steel plunges deep into the chimera’s neck, through fur and sinew, until I meet the resistance of bone.

Its deafening scream nearly buckles my resolve, but I rip the blade free and strike again. Putrid, black blood spurts over my hands and arms, scalding where it touches. The chimera shudders violently beneath me, but it doesn’t fall.

Something slams hard against my ribs, coiling around my waist. I tighten my grip on my weapon as I’m yanked backward and hurled through. The world tilts as I crash into the sand, the impact knocking my breath from my lungs. Black spots crowd my vision as I roll onto my side, gasping.

The chimera turns to face me, its eyes burning like hot coals and blood oozing from its wounded neck. Its snake tail thrashes once more before curling with lethal intent. It lumbers toward me, snarling when it staggers slightly.

“Gods, you fuckers are hideous.”

Before it can close the distance, a gust of wind tears through the arena. Sand sprays in its wake, and the chimera stumbles to the side. Tasos lunges from its shadow, driving his spear deep into the side of the creature’s chest.

The chimera jerks with the strike, its lion head snapping upward in shock, then collapses. It lets out one final, shuddering breath before it goes still.

“Still alive?” he rasps out, extending a hand as he reaches my side. His tightly braided hair glistens with sand and sweat, and his expression is tight but resolute. I take his hand, my body groaning in protest as he hauls me to my feet.

“For now,” I mutter.

He nods, his knuckles white where they grip the haft of his spear.

“We won’t last unless we work together,” I shout as the wind gusts.

“Agreed. What’s your name?”

I hesitate, my gaze sweeping over the arena. “Nyssa.”

“I’m Tasos.”

I dip my chin, but any response I might have had is cut off by a cry.

To our left, a tall woman with auburn hair hacks at a chimera with a curved blade. Her strikes are fierce but wild, and the scorpion tail of the beast darts toward her, forcing her to stumble back.