Preparing for battle was done in silence. The team was put into the same room, with only a small cubicle for anyone who wanted privacy while changing. They didn't have the time to all use it. Thus, the boys simply began to strip where they stood.

Ash nodded to the cubicle, offering it to Skyler who stood clutching her bundle of clothes. The shy girl gave her a thankful smile before scurrying in.

"Fifteen minutes!" a voice warned.

Ash turned her back to the guys and began to strip to her underwear. Everyone was too busy rushing about to care.

Slipping into her chosen attire, the girl couldn't help but admire once more how comfortable it was. To the belts crossing at her waist, she had added a few daggers. Three more hung from the clasp going around her thigh.

Armor wise, the uniforms themselves were both shock absorbing and not easy to penetrate. However, the contestants still added their own gear.

Daxon had gone for armor which covered his non-dominant shoulder and arm, to be used in defense. He'd left his main wielding arm free, opting for less weight so he could use his weapon if given the chance. His shins also had a layer of armor. The rest, he'd left up to the defense of the clothes he wore. Though one would question at the lack of protection in the most vital areas, these young warriors only picked to cover the spots they were less confident defending.

Adios clasped bracers on his arms. He wore a cape with a hood. From practice, Ash knew the cape and hood acted in place of armor. They hardened exceptionally upon contact, letting the wearer not worry about having to wear additional armor.

Tobias only focused on his arms. He had some light plating going from his wrists to elbows, no more, no less. However, Ash was well aware of the hidden blades beneath both. The boy held identical rings in each hand. Other than a small area to grip, they were composed of a curved, deadly, sharp blade.

Tobias had a shiver-inducing grin on his face as he examined the weapons. Even the eyes of his snake tattoo gleamed from his shiny head.

"Remember," Daxon spoke as he finished tightening armor and reached for the scythe next to him. "We work as a team."

"Yeah, yeah." Tobias waved it off, the round blades disappearing behind his back where they seemed to magically stay.

Adonis fidgeted with his bow, not meeting any eyes.

Skyler stepped out from the booth.

Both her shoulders were protected as well as his arms. It wasn't full armor, covering only the outside part. She'd also added armor over her shins, following the long boots up to her knees. Her platinum blond hair sat in a high ponytail, but a loose strand fell to frame her porcelain face.

She was even paler than usual; the nervousness clearly written in her eyes. It was replaced by surprise when she realized Ash had already changed.

The latter simply shot her a nod. Her own addition to the battle suit she had chosen was some light armor for her forearms. It was there for close-range blocking, that was it. She hadn't bothered with more. Not knowing her opponent, she didn't want to add additional weight by guessing where she needed reinforcing.

Living on the edge? Callous asked.

Ash's lips curled in response as she leaned against the wall. Her hair hung loose as she couldn't be bothered with it. Was it recommended for battle? Probably not. Ash simply saw it as motivation to keep her opponents from getting close enough to make it a problem.

Her eyes roamed over her teammates.

Both Skyler and Adonis looked like they were ready to throw up. Tobias still had that creepy smile on his face while Daxon was lost in thought. Ash was aware that her team seemed to be heavily relying on weapons. She still hadn't seen Skyler's war ax, as for abilities beyond weapons, she would just have to wait and see if her team delivered when the time came.

We don't need them, Callous told her.

Never underestimate your opponent, Ash reminded calmly. There could very well be other contractors in the game.

They won't reveal themselves so early on, Callous replied confidently.

Ash didn't argue.

A door opened and a man sauntered in. "Team N18, I'm here to take you to the arena." Not waiting for a reply, he turned and headed out the door.

Holding his scythe in one hand, Daxon was the first to follow.

"Finally," Tobias breathed as he jumped to his feet and hurried after.

Adonis visibly swallowed before falling into line.

Ash straightened, she turned to glance at Skyler. The latter was rooted to the spot.

"Want a tip?" Ash asked her.

Skyler blinked, as though coming out from a stupor. She turned to Ash, eyes wide.

"The only way out is through," Ash spoke calmly. "Take a breath. Breathe in."

Skyler did as Ash said.

"Dive. And before you know it," Ash cracked a smile, "you'll surface on the other side."

The other girl visibly relaxed.

Offering no more, Ash walked after the others, not bothering to look if Skyler followed.

Now, why do I think those words sound familiar? Callous teased.

Because it was one of those rare moments where your advice was actually useful, Ash replied as her first months with Callous flashed through her mind. The only memories of her life were from after she formed a contract with him – that and a certain someone's eyes.

Not one to reminisce on the past when the imminent future was currently more important, she caught up with the others. When Skyler joined, the team moved as one. They entered a large corridor with a massive door at the end. Above it, a timer was counting down. It was currently at eighty-eight.

Another man, holding a clipboard, waited at the end.

"I hope you remember the rules," he spoke as the group approached, ticking something off.

Daxon nodded, Tobias simply scratched his head in boredom, and Ash didn't react. Skyler looked a little less pale while Adonis' eyes bulged – he resembled a goldfish gasping for air.

Tobias peered at him. "You're not going to be dead weight, are you?"

Adonis' eyes darted to him.

"Because you know what happens to dead weight." Tobias showed his teeth as with a chilling smile he drew a thumb across his neck.

"Ignore him," Daxon spoke gruffly, eyes on the timer. "Everyone just deliver on your part. Just like in practice."

Ash glanced at Skyler from under her lashes. She freezes as soon as she has the upper hand, Mason's warning rang in her mind.

Our team is riddled with holes, Callous warned.

Then let's hope others step up to fill them. Ash glanced at Daxon.

The door swung open and the group was blasted by a gust of humid air as well as thunderous cheering.

" –opponents, team N18!" the end of the announcement boomed.

"Go on!" the man with the clipboard waved.

Tobias didn't need further encouragement. Daxon followed, but not before firmly placing a hand on Adonis' back to push him along. Skyler took a deep breath and Ash trailed behind her.

The moment they stepped in the arena, the door behind them closed.

The cheering crowd was audible, but not visible. To the contestants, it was as though they had simply come upon a beautiful meadow. Grass gently waved in the wind below them and a few yellow flowers added a heugh of color.

The team stood on a raised hill, staring across a bare meadow A good distance away, the figures of the other group were visible on a similar hill.

The cheering died as it was blocked from the contestants by a barrier, the only thing left behind was a giant hovering screen which portrayed another countdown.

"Seems kind of...plain," Tobias spoke. "I have to say, I'm a little disappointed." His face didn't show it, but his tone did.

The humid air didn't match the scenario, and it was already making beads of sweat appear on more than one forehead.

Ash looked around. There wasn't a tree in sight. In fact, other than endless open field and grass, the only difference was where their flag was situated.

The red cloth fluttered from the wind produced by the small whirlpool in the middle of which the flag magically hovered. The pool was large enough so that the treasure couldn't just be plucked by standing at the edge.

"No cover," Skyler noted.

Daxon nodded. He patted Adonis on the shoulder. "Looks like we'll need you to do that for us."

The latter looked far from being in the condition to do so.

Ignoring this, Daxon turned to the group. "Formation C should be our starting point. We go offensive right from the start." His grip tightened on the scythe. "Let's finish this as soon as possible."

No one argued.

"Nine," a voice boomed the countdown as it went down to single digits.

Though the contestants couldn't hear it, they were well aware that the crowd was most likely chanting along.

"Alright, time to show how you made it to Dragon Bane." Tobias shot an obvious glare at Skyler and Adonis. "Don't you dare freeze out there."

Adonis nodded while Skyler didn't reply, her eyes glued to the other team.

"Five!"

Ash tipped her head back to glance at the blue sky with billowing white clouds. It looked so real.

"One!"

Daxon and Tobias charged.

Adonis pulled the bow from his back and an arrow of light crackled as it formed. Ash easily caught up to Skyler who followed the boys in the lead. The other team moved faster.

The sky crackled as an arrow of light shot overhead. The other team parted, and the arrow landed between them. It crackled a second more before exploding, much like a miniature bomb. The shockwave was deflected and briefly lit the otherwise invisible barrier someone had set up. Another arrow followed the first. It was deflected again.

Neither group backed down, going for a head-on confrontation.

The gap closed when a girl from the other end put on the brakes and slammed her palm on the ground.

"Below!" Tobias warned.

A crack formed and the ground underneath shook.

Tobias and Daxon evaded as a hole formed. Ash grabbed a tottering Skyler's arm and hauled her along as she jumped further than a normal person. It looked effortless as she nimbly landed in a safe area.

The team was now split.

Daxon already pulled forth his scythe and was in a full-on confrontation with a guy who wielded what looked like a double-sided pitchfork. Tobias slipped past and lashed at the girl who'd made the ground shake. She immediately jumped out of his reach and slammed her palm again. Her attempt never succeeded as Tobias closed the gap between them in the blink of an eye. She countered his onslaught with the armor on her arms, fearlessly using her fists to fight the knives.

As the hair on her arms stood, Ash evaded. The attack was invisible, and so to onlookers, it was as if she'd just jumped to the side for no reason. However, she could feel the invisible wind blades coming her way.

Skyler got ready to face her own opponent, but she was passed by the other two who made their way to Adonis. The boy was trying to aim in such a way that he didn't hit his own team. Noting the approaching danger, he immediately targeted it. His arrows were useless against the barrier.

Understanding the danger, Skyler turned to chase down the two approaching Adonis.

No help? Callous asked lazily as he stirred.

It's not critical, Ash replied as she dodged another attack and contemplated how to get to her opponent.

They'll get the flag with ease, Callous warned, The boy is no match. The girl won't catch up.

I wouldn't underestimate them, Ash replied.

Sure enough, behind her, Skyler sped up exponentially. The girl moved so fast that the grass trailed in a part behind her, sending wind through it in the moments after she passed.

Concentrating on her own opponent, Ash found a gap and attacked the guy sending the wind blades her way. She launched herself forward, attacking him at a ferocious pace. He raised his hands at the last moment, sending out a strong gust of wind.

Not fighting it, Ash let it carry her backward. She gracefully flipped before landing on her feet like a cat.

Just take him out, Callous seemed less than impressed.

To the side, Daxon was pushing his opponent back.

Formation C, Ash reminded. Her eyes briefly caught Tobias' as they came to a silent agreement.

Behind them, Skyler had overtaken the would-be thieves right before they could reach a wide-eyed Adonis. She whirled to face them while moving her hands behind her back. With a yell, she swung down. The air around her shook as a large war hammer, almost as large as herself, appeared from thin air. The young woman smashed it down with surprising strength.

The ground shook and the attackers faltered in their steps as they were thrown off balance by the unexpected attack. Adonis fitted his next arrow and shot it at the off-balanced pair.

A good distance away, Ash sprinted toward her attacker. He raised his arms, ready to defend again. At the same moment, Tobias slipped past his own opponent, streaking toward the hill at the other end.

Ash launched herself. She twisted midair, avoiding the gust of wind. To her opponent's surprise, she went right over him, joining Tobias in the sprint for the flag.

As the others recovered, the race was on.