"Those flames of yours are really useful, you know, even outside of fighting." Currently the three of them were taking turns drinking the water. After straining out the dirt with Sunny's shadow by leaving extremely tiny holes in it, they used Nephis's flames to purify the water with heat. After letting it cool down, they simply sat down and enjoyed the ever-so-heavenly liquid they were deprived of. "So what's the plan? We should probably pack up to leave soon." At first, he looked at Nephis, but then he turned to Cassie — after all, seers were supposed to be intelligent, right? "Huh? Are you waiting for me?" Oh yeah, he forgot she couldn't see him looking at her. "Well, I suppose the best plan is to simply jump him." Wow. Well, it works, but still — no class at all. Nephis stood up, handing the last bit of the water to Sunny. "Then we need someone to lure him out." Taking the water, he could already picture how this was going to go: he would lure— "I'll do it. After all, he will think I'm his biggest challenge." Well, that was a surprise. Guess she wasn't as metal-headed as he thought. "Then it's set. Nephis will lure him out, and then you, Sunny, will attack, and I'll..."
"Don't worry, you just pick up our slack. Now let's go."
---
There he is... in the flesh, Han Li Caster. In front of him were none other than Nephis, also known as Changing Star. And currently, both of their wooden training swords were drawn, yet neither had made a move. That was until Nephis leapt into battle — instead of swinging her sword, she thrusted it at his left shoulder. Dodging it, he swung his blade up at her arm as if in an attempt to cut it off, but then the unexpected happened — Sunny appeared and knocked him over the head! ...Or at least, that's how the plan was supposed to go. So why...
Why was Nephis side by side with Caster, pointing her sword at him and Cassie?
"Now, did you really think I would work with you, rodent? I expected more from you."
His jaw clenched. He could feel his body temperature rising — was it out of embarrassment from trusting a legacy and being betrayed? Or was it out of anger? Perhaps it was because he could imagine himself being friends with Nephis.
"Stand down, mongrel. We both know you aren't foolish enough to think you stand a chance."
Caster's words were true. He knew that very well — he couldn't deny it, especially in the state he was currently in. Yet he saw Cassie next to him, her face completely calm, as if the almost week they'd spent with Nephis meant nothing. Wait... what was happening? Since when was he the type to get attached to someone, and especially so quickly? Yeah, that's right — this was just the way things were supposed to be.
"I don't want to waste my energy on that cur." Nephis put her hand on Caster's shoulder, taking a step closer. "Show me what you can do."
There was no turning back. Sunny took out his training knife and got in position to deflect any strike that came his way.
"It would be wise for you to give up, mon—"
A thud came from behind Caster, revealing Nephis with a rock too big for her hands. "Ah, you were right, Cassie. It does feel quite good."
---
"And why didn't you inform me of this plan?"
He was embarrassed — extremely embarrassed — after that show he put up. I mean, it's not really his fault, is it?
"We had no clue on how good your acting skills may be, so might as well make sure it's natural so nothing comes off suspicious."
It was still embarrassing, but there was no point in dwelling on it — after all, bigger problems come now.
"So now what?"
Cassie walked over with the guidance of Nephis to Caster, ripping his shirt off and then tying his wrists with it into makeshift ropes of sort, then beginning to drag him. "I'm self-aware enough to realize I can't dream to beat whoever wins... so I'll just take him to the loser zone, then throw myself in also."
Well, that was nice of her, wasn't it?
"Make sure not to trip! Watch your step—"
The forest went quiet. Even the birds stopped chirping.
"Wow."
He shot a glare at Nephis, gritting his teeth. Though Cassie couldn't see it, he saw the smile on her face. She was just as guilty — no, guiltier — than him!
"I will... I guess."
Well, now he felt bad.
---
Nephis ended up throwing her sword to the side, surprising him.
"That night... we never got to see who really won."
She put both her fists up before leaning forward a bit. A smile split his face — after all, he knew what she was trying to get at. This wasn't a fight; if it was a fight, she would use her sword, and that meant she probably assumed she could end it quick. No, rather, this was a sign of respect. It was a way to show that, despite her pride, she wanted to enjoy this. Putting his fists up, not bothering to wrap shadow around them, he spoke.
"No hard feelings?"
"None."
And then the wind split — the first strike hit his cheek, sending his head swinging, though he quickly reorganized himself. They had a height and weight difference that was far too great for him to overcome, but that doesn't mean he can't use it to his advantage. When she punches, she has to aim at an awkward angle, leaving small parts open. That was all he needed, and as soon as she threw the next punch, he took it — straight to his nose. He threw his fist into her ribs, making her lose her breath. Yet he couldn't stop here. He attempted to tackle her, but she dug her feet into the ground, bringing her fist down on his head. This didn't deter him, though, as he brought his knee up and slammed it into her abdomen. Spit flew out of her mouth, and she jumped back. His nose was pouring blood, but he couldn't feel it in this moment.
This cycle kept repeating — him hitting her below the neck while she only hit above the neck. That was until the next punch she threw, he threw his elbow up, meeting her fist with it. She yanked her hand back, and that gave him the perfect opportunity. With all his might, he threw his fist straight into her jaw, putting her out for good.
Struggling to pick her up, he had her lean over his shoulder as he started to walk with her unconscious body to the loser zone.
"You know... I think you've been promoted from a legacy mutt to a legacy canine... actually, I think I prefer mutt more."
Eventually, he got to the zone. Nobody was in it — he guessed that after you lose, you get taken away. Throwing Nephis in the zone, he took a stretch. After all, him — an outskirt rat — won.
And then he felt a push on his back, causing him to stumble into the loser zone, a sweet familiar voice coming from behind him.
"Watch your step..."
Damnation.