To The Top

April 10, 1992, 8:10 PM, Quidditch Pitch, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

I felt like shit, but I pushed forward.

The sounds of battle grew louder as I ascended the steps. The blue torches cast an eerie light on the pyramid’s sandstone, making the scene before me seem alien to my eyes.

As I climbed, I barely had any warning as the steps began to shift beneath my feet in an attempt to disqualify me.

More traps!? I thought as I found myself standing before a set of floating steps with another deep chasm beneath. Just keep going.

I leapt from one floating step to another, feeling them shifting and slowly crumbling beneath me. Each move I made was possibly my last, and it made me tighten with the tension. It didn’t help that my muscles continued to scream with protest with every jump.

If only I could have brought my stores of Pepper-Up, or anything at this point, really.

I reached the other end, though I kept my wand at the ready. If it was anything this place had taught me, it was that the curveballs came after a challenge was completed.

Suddenly, the stone beneath me shuddered, and I felt a surge of magic.

Like clockwork.

The steps ahead shifted slightly, revealing four large square holes, from which emerged a set of enchanted statues. These statues, carved in the likeness of ancient warriors, brandished stone weapons and began to move as soon as they were clear of the hole.

Fast!

“Protego!” I cast a Shield Charm just in time to deflect a swing from a stone sword. The impact sent a jolt up my arm, but the Shield held well.

Snarling, I took a step to the side, unwilling to jump back to the step above the chasm behind me. For all I knew, it would instantly shatter beneath my feet at this point.

Reducto!

The Reductor Curse shattered one of the statues, but the rest were advancing.

Think, Adam. Think!

I deflected a few of the strikes before striking all three with a Banishing Charm. The Charm landed, but their size was such that it had only sent them toppling over. Still, that was enough time for me to run past them and gain the high ground.

I could throw them down the hole. I thought and struck them with another Banishing Charm as they attempted to get up. They budged a few inches, but no more.

“…” I stared at them for a few moments, my mind firing on all cylinders. Just need them to fall down the stairs into the hole. A quick slip— that’s it!

With a wave of my wand, I cast my next spell. Aguamenti!

Waiting a split second as the steps were washed over with a wave of water, I cast my next spell. “Glacius!“

Water turned to ice, and the statues no longer had friction to rely on. One even lost its footing and crashed back down!

Depulso! One last spell, and they were sent down below.

“That’s all she wrote…” I huffed with the exertion, wiping the sweat off of my forehead before turning and freezing in place. My look quickly turned to dismay. “You have to be fucking kidding me.”

Once again, the steps ahead began to morph, creating a perilous path in which the steps flickered in and out of existence.

“Vanishing steps!?” I groused even as I prepared to meet the challenge head on.

I took a deep breath and hurried forward, my eyes fixed on the blinking steps. I leaped onto a vanishing step just as it reappeared, then quickly moved to the next.

Halfway across, I felt a surge of magic from behind. I spun around to see a fifth statue revealed from one of the holes, its stone eyes glowing with a baleful light. It hurled a spear at me with deadly precision.

Depulso! I cast instinctively, the shockwave of the spell knocking the spear off course and causing it to embed in the wall of the chasm. But the distraction nearly cost me— I barely managed to leap to the next solid step as the one I was on vanished.

Finally, I reached a section of stable ground and turned around, but it seemed that the statue had deactivated.

Only one good shot in it, eh? I thought as I took a moment to catch my breath, my muscles screaming in protest even as I pointed my wand at it. Still, better safe than sorry. Depulso!

It took a few casts for the statue to topple and slide down the stairs into the first chasm, but I’d done. Still, there was not much time to rest. The summit was just ahead, just a few more levels.

I ascended cautiously, my wand at the ready as I continued to steady my breathing. The steps narrowed, and the blue torchlight grew brighter, illuminating the path ahead. I could see the crystal glowing atop the pyramid like a beacon for the weary. Reaching it would mean that my ordeal was over, that I could finally rest.

So close.

Just as I thought that, the ground began to tremble once more. A rumbling sound echoed from below, growing louder. I glanced down to see cracks forming in the stone, and without thinking, rushed up the stairs as fast as I could.

A cascade of spikes shot up from the cracks, center first, their tips glowing with dangerous enchantments. I twisted and dodged, deflecting those I could as I scrambled out of the way.

If that wasn’t enough, arrows began to shoot out in an arc from the sides. I deflected these as fast as I could, but one grazed my shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through me. I gritted my teeth and pressed on, knowing I was so close.

Breathing heavily, I reached the next set of steps, the crystal’s glow now nearly looking palpable from this distance. From my view from down here, the platform ahead looked wide— a place to conduct a large battle, I would wager. I took a moment to steady myself, the thrill of nearing the end filling me with determination as I slowed my steps, mentally preparing myself for the coming battle.

This is it. I thought. The shouts were louder than ever now, jets of many colors flying in every direction and filling the area with light.

The fighting had grown serious. I hurried forward, knowing I needed to reach the crystal before anyone else.

I entered the battle as a student from Castelobruxo— Alberto, I think his name was?— dove away from a shower of sparks sent his way, losing his wand in the chaos of the conflict.

Roaring, he continued rushing to the side, reaching his wand and swiftly turning to his foe— Mira, who had turned her attention to the other two duelists on the platform, one of which was Fleur.

I watched the scene carefully as I gathered my strength and will together. As soon as he had his wand, Alberto didn’t waste any time and caught Mira unawares with an overpowered Knockback Jinx. Mira cried out as she hit the ground, and the young man stood above her, ready to end it.

Instinct took over.

With a flick of my wand, I cast a spell of my own. Petrificus Totalus!

Alberto was struck with a Full-Body Bind, his arms snapping to his sides as he fell backward with a loud thud. Mira got up, brushing herself off. She looked like she was about to thank me, but her eyes quickly moved to the wand in my hand.

Her features hardened and she prepared herself.

“This isn’t personal, Mira.” I said, giving her a brief moment to reconsider. “Give up.”

She tightened her grip on her wand, her stance firm. Still, she looked dead on her feet.

Then again, I’m not one to talk.

“I know, Adam.” She replied, her voice steady. “Let’s get this over with.”

We began to circle each other, the tension between us palpable as we watched each other closely, still keeping somewhat of an eye on the other two. Nearby, Fleur and the contestant from Ayn Sehr were locked in their own fierce duel, their spells lighting up the platform with flashes of color. Errant spells from their duel flew wildly around us.

Mira struck first.

“Expulso!” She shouted, sending a flash of blue my way. I dodged to the side, but it struck the floor near me, sending me flying and leaving a crater where I had just been standing.

She was trying to overpower me before I could do anything to stop her.

“Stupefy!” I called out, aiming for her chest.

She deflected it with a quick Shield Charm and retaliated with “Confringo!“

The air around me heated up as the Blasting Curse narrowly missed. I moved to attack, but was forced to stop and leap to the side as a stray spell from Fleur’s duel shot past my ear, crackling with energy.

A few more came, and I gave a wicked smile, deflecting the next spell towards Mira with a swift flick of my wand. She stopped mid-cast and dove to the floor with a curse, her eyes widening in dismay. A moment later, she was forced to roll away, disorienting herself.

This ends now. I thought to myself, stabbing my wand forward as I sent a Knockback Jinx towards her. Her eyes widened, and she tried to raise her wand to counter in the middle of her attempt to get up, but the spell caught her in the chin, flinging her head back as if she just got punched.

Mira fell on her bottom, trying to steady herself, but a moment later, she fell back, unmoving.

Brain couldn’t handle the constant jostling. I thought and checked her over, making sure to take the wand out of her hand. Yep, just knocked her unconscious.

Mira lay there, breathing heavily but clearly out of the fight.

I didn’t bother saying anything to her. There was no time for words, and she wouldn’t have been able to hear me, anyway.

I turned my attention to the remaining duel. Fleur and the student from Ayn Sehr were locked in a fierce battle, their wands flashing and sparking with raw power. I crashed into their duel with a burst of spellfire, aiming to take them both by surprise.

“Bombarda Tria!” I roared, rocking the field with a multitude of explosions. The two stumbled backwards, and I seized the moment to begin attacking the closest target to me— the student from Ayn Sehr.

A Leg-Locker Curse, and he fell to the side, his wand clattering out of his hand. I was forced to take my attention off of him, stepping back from a Severing Charm sent by Fleur, the air before me nearly sizzling with the spell’s infusion of fire.

So she’s angry. I thought as I deflected two of her spells, attempting to direct them towards my second opponent before he could recover.

It was not to be, though. The boy from Ayn Sehr got his wand back and, dispelling his leg lock, stood with Fleur. It took nary a glance, but the two had formed an impromptu alliance.

It was exactly what I was hoping to avoid. Perhaps I should have allied myself with Mira…

The shift in their tactics was immediate. Fleur and the Ayn Sehr student began coordinating their attacks. Spells flew in rapid succession, forcing me to constantly dodge and deflect.

Before long, the two had me cornered.

“Protego!” I shouted, casting a Shield Charm to buy myself some time. Their spells collided with my shield, crackling and hissing, and I tried to think of a counter-attack.

“Expulso!” Fleur cried, and the blue curse crashed against my Shield, shattering it into a million pieces and sending me crashing into the floor. My body screamed with pain, but I pushed through it. I barely had time to roll out of the way before a Stunner from the Ayn Sehr student followed.

“Depulso!” He yelled, aiming to send me flying again. I deflected it, but the force pushed me back, nearly toppling me down the stairs. They were gaining the upper hand, their combined attacks relentless and precise.

Attack and defend! Odgovor!

The enchanted chains burst forth from the tip of my wand and flew in a wide arc, knocking Fleur harshly down the ground before wrapping around the Ayn Sehr student’s hastily cast Shield Charm.

Oh no you don’t.

With a grin, I altered the spell, the chains becoming covered with razors. They shredded his shield to bits, leaving him exposed to blades from every direction.

“I give up!” He called out quickly, fear in his eyes. Even as the boy winked out of existence, pulled away by the portkey on him, I was already moving, dodging Fleur’s attempt at retaliation while I was distracted. She launched a series of quick, precise spells, aiming to take me down while my focus was divided.

My chains moved to deflect and retaliate, but still she was too quick, dodging both chains and sending a Blasting Curse my way.

The explosion rocked the steps, and I barely managed to deflect the shards of stone in time, feeling my body twitch in pain as the stones pelting me opened several cuts all over.

Still, I was standing.

I had to end this.I sent my chains spiraling towards Fleur. She deflected them with a powerful Banishing Charm, but I continued hammering at her, all the while sneaking a Disillusioned chain and wrapping it around her legs, pulling her off balance.

“Stupefy!” I roared, not letting her even have a second to retaliate. The jet of red light hit her square in the chest, and she fell, unconscious.

Breathing heavily, I looked around, keeping my guard up. The platform was littered with debris, the aftermath of our intense duel.

“Good fight.” I said and began to check myself over for injuries, finally feeling safe enough to do so. “Cuts and bruises…”

I breathed slowly as I tested the range of my motion. I wasn’t satisfied, realizing that my side was heavily bruised, with one of my ribs possibly cracked. I did what I could to treat myself.before I resumed the climb, ready to face whatever came next.

I passed an empty stage, the flashes of light and sounds of battle echoing from the sides of the pyramid— others having their own duels. I was nearly to the end. I rushed up the steps, each one bringing me closer to the top.

Finally, I reached the summit and gazed upon the crystal above.

“I made it.” I said out loud, my voice carrying in the open space. But I knew better than to let my guard down. As I hurried towards my quarry, I kept a watchful eye on my surroundings.

It was a good thing, as I had to leap back to avoid a spell crashing down from above. The spell impacted the floor, causing cracks to spiderweb out from the point of impact.

I heard a hum of disappointment before a student from Uagadou— Kwame, if I remembered right— revealed himself, emerging from the other end of the arena with his hand splayed out towards me.

“Impressive reflexes, Adam.” Kwame said, his voice calm but his eyes fierce. “But this is where your journey ends.”

“You’re not the first to say that today.” I replied, tightening my grip on my wand. “And you won’t be the last.”

Kwame’s eyes narrowed. “You won’t reach that crystal without a fight.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” I said, raising my wand with a smirk. “Shall we dance?”

That seemed to light a fire within Kwame, as he sent a smirk of his own.

He didn’t waste any time. With a fluid motion, Kwame sent a barrage of spells my way, each one aimed to incapacitate. I deflected the first with a quick sweep, and the second with a returning diagonal slash, but I could feel the force of his spells pushed hard against me, making it clear that he was no novice.

Either that, or I really am so worn out that I’ve been reduced to a toddler’s level of strength.

“Stupefy!” I shouted, aiming to knock him out while I sent another spell silently, hiding it in its glare. He dodged the first spell with a graceful sidestep, countering with a hard push, sending a wave of kinetic energy forward. My own silent spell was returned, though it crashed between us, right at the middle.

The resulting explosion rocked the ground beneath us, and we both had to leap to the side to avoid the blast.

Kwame moved with the agility, grace and precision that Uagadou students were known for. He closed the distance between us, aiming a series of quick jinxes that I barely managed to deflect, considering the short distance.

I actually deflected five before one spell caught me, causing my eyes to water and grow inflamed, forcing me to close them shut.

Fuck! Finite! I called out quickly, diving to the side in a blind attempt to avoid whatever Kwame had prepared for me. I didn’t stop, ignoring the pain throughout my body as I ran blindly, changing direction with no rhyme or reason as I waited for the effect of his spell to fade.

I opened my eyes just long enough to see the thick rope rushing towards me, aiming to bind me before I could truly recover.

Diffindo! I slashed my wand down, splitting his binding in twain before countering with a Stunner.

Dismayed, Kwame twisted out of the way and stomped twice, causing the floor beneath me to shift.

Oh you’ve gotta be kidding— Was all I was able to say as the floor beneath me turned to quicksand. I knew what was coming next, and so I cast a quick Shield Charm just in time, but the force of Kwame’s Banishing spell sent me plopping into the quicksand, and I began to sink.

Kwame pressed the advantage, not letting up for a moment.

“Incendio!” He shouted, sending a wave of fire towards me. I countered with a water-conjuring charm, the steam from the clash hissing and obscuring our vision.

Crap. I thought, realizing his aim. The steam will seep into the quicksand and will make me sink even farther!

I had to take control of the situation. Focusing my will and intent, I reached out with my magic, wrapping it all up in the quicksand I found myself in. “Let’s see how you like it! Depulso!“

“Conf—” Was all he managed to say as I sent the entire mass of quicksand towards him, drenching him completely and forcing him to writhe in it as he attempted a desperate escape.

“You’re good.” I admitted, breathing heavily in the hole I found myself in. “But not good enough.”

Forcing myself back to my feet, I climbed out of the hole, watching as he finally managed to struggle his way out of the quicksand, looking frazzled and murderous as his eyes fell upon me. “You!”

“Me.”

He roared and launched a powerful Curse, which I barely managed to deflect. The spell crashed against the floor, creating another set of cracks.

Another impasse. To the next level, then— “Odgovor!“

My chains appeared before me, and with a wave of my wand, they flew in a wide arc, aiming for Kwame. He managed to deflect a few of them before he realized he’d be overwhelmed. Without warning, he transformed into a bat and flew out of my reach, now evading my chains effortlessly.

Dodging the chains while I tire myself out… I thought in dismay as I tried to reach him, but the bat animagus continued to stay out of my reach. I didn’t have any time to try and figure out what to do, as a flash of light came from the corner of my eye.

I stepped to the side, now focusing my attention on the newest arrival— it was Hien, smirking as he looked upon me.

“Nice to see you again, Adam.” Hien said with a smile.

“I could say the feeling was mutual.” I said, keeping some of my attention on the bat flying above as I began to adapt to this new situation. “But I’d be lying— you beat one of the finalists?”

“Yes.” He said, patting his side. “Though I did not come out in one piece.”

“Telling me your weakness?” I said as I positioned myself  away from both of my opponents.

“It won’t matter either way— you look far worse.”

With that, the new duel began. Hien’s spells came at me with relentless speed and precision, forcing me to stay on the defensive. I blocked and deflected his attacks with my chains, but he was relentless, his eyes gleaming with determination.

He was right; while I’d been run ragged, he was still relatively fresh. Had he just waited and bided his time while others wore each other down, as he had done with me?

I launched a counterattack, sending my chains spiraling towards him in such a way that he could not counter, but the boy somehow threaded the needle, clipping the side of my thigh with a Severing Charm.

I stumbled backward, my breath coming in ragged gasps as my own chains knocked him down regardless, though they were deflected once more before they could wrap around his form. Sweat stung my eyes as I tried to focus on Hien’s assault. My arms felt like lead, barely able to raise my wand for each desperate counter-spell.

“You seem tired. So soon?” Hien said, his wand a blur as he fired hex after hex. “And here I thought our great rematch would be one for the ages…”

I gritted my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. My legs trembled with exhaustion, but I forced myself to keep moving, to stay just ahead of his onslaught.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of movement. Kwame! He’d transformed back, and before I could react—

The scarlet spell— a Disarming Charm— hit me like a battering ram. I felt my wand tear from my grip as I was thrown backward, crashing hard onto the stone surface of the pyramid. For a moment, the world spun around me, and I struggled to breathe.

Get up. I told myself. Get up!

I rolled to the side just as another spell crackled past, leaving a scorch mark where I’d been lying. Another followed, then another. I scrambled desperately, my hands scraping against rough stone as I sought any kind of cover.

They think I’m done. I realized, anger filling me. The last mad scramble of a loser who’s going to give up.

Like hell I would!

With a surge of desperate energy, I swept my hand in a wide arc.

“Nebulus!” I shouted, channeling every ounce of magic I could muster without my wand.

Thick, gray mist billowed forth, quickly engulfing the top of the pyramid. I heard confused shouts from Hien and Kwame, but I was already moving.

“Accio wand!” I whispered, praying it would work. I was so tired.

For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Then I felt it— the familiar rush of wood slapping into my palm. I curled my fingers around my wand, a grim smile spreading across my face as my body exploded with warmth and energy.

I felt a spark of hope as I rose to my feet, wand in hand. The mist dissipated, revealing Hien and Kwame’s surprised faces. Their dismay was almost comical.

“My turn.” I said, unable to resist a smirk.

“No.” A new voice cut in. “It is mine.”

My head snapped to the side. Akio Nakamura, the young prodigy from Mahoutokoro, stood at the edge of the platform.

I took a deep breath, forcing my tired muscles to ready themselves.

“Well then.” I said, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “Another dance partner.”

Kwame wasted no time, shooting a spell towards Akio. I tensed, ready to dodge any stray magic.

As expected, Akio’s calm demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a manic grin that sent chills down my spine.

With a slight tilt of his head, he avoided the first spell effortlessly. The next two he batted away as if they were nothing more than annoying flies. Then, faster than I could blink, Akio thrust his wand forward and gave a challenging roar.

The Banishing Charm hit Kwame like a freight train. One moment he was there, the next he was sailing through the air, crashing into a pillar with a sickening thud. He crumpled to the ground, out cold before he could even think about transforming.

I didn’t have time to gawk at Akio’s display of raw power.

“…” Hien said nothing, staring in shock for a moment before his gaze hardened.

“While you all have been playing around each other.” Akio said, his smile still plastered as he took a step forward. “I have come here to win.”

He seemed like a titan, at that moment, but I knew the truth. His soul thread, usually a vibrant, steady presence, flickered erratically between excitement and exhaustion. Akio was just as drained as the rest of us, merely hiding it better.

A show of force to intimidate us. I thought, reassessing the situation.

Three of us remained here, with likely more wizards coming from the lower rungs. I tightened my grip on my wand, ignoring the tremor in my hand.

This was it. The final push. Winner takes all.

Hien was already moving, and I wasn’t far behind. We both knew without even so much as looking at each other— Akio was the real threat now.

Spells flew from our wands in rapid succession. The air crackled with magic as we unleashed everything we had left. Flashes of red, blue, and yellow lit up the pyramid top like a frenzied light show.

“Expulso!” I yelled, my spell narrowly missing Akio, but forcing him to put his full focus on me as he had to then deflect my follow-up salvo. “Diffindo! Depulso! Confringo!”

And yet, even with this distraction, Hien’s Incarcerous whipped past Akio’s legs, the conjured ropes grasping at empty air.

Akio danced between our spells, that unsettling grin never leaving his face. He seemed to be getting faster and faster, his movements fluid despite his exhaustion.

My heart pounded in my chest. This was it. The final showdown. Three wizards, one crystal, and no room for error. As another of Akio’s spells whizzed past my head, I found myself sharing his grin. 

Last man standing.

Our exchanges turned vicious, with the three of us locked in deadly combat. I continued to lob spell after spell at them, unable to summon up the concentration needed to bring forth my chains again. There was just no room, and no time for me to be able to do so.

As if proving my point, a Banishing Charm clipped my shoulder and sent me spinning as I crashed into the floor.

I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me.

Instinct took over as I rolled desperately to the side, feeling the shockwave of Akio’s wind spells ramming into me. My muscles screamed in protest, but I forced myself to keep moving.

A fierce exchange between Akio and Hien bought me precious seconds. I scrambled to my feet, chest heaving as I raised my wand once more. As I steadied myself, something caught my eye. Spectral wolves, shimmering and ethereal, were stalking towards Akio from behind. Hien’s handiwork, no doubt. A clever move, I thought— until a chill ran down my spine.

I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. More wolves were creeping up behind me, their ghostly eyes fixed on me with predatory intent.

“Damn it, Hien!” I cursed under my breath. Of course he wouldn’t play favorites.

The temporary sort-of-alliance with Hien had crumbled as quickly as it had formed, leaving every wizard for himself in this magical free-for-all.

My mind raced. Akio was still the biggest threat, but now I had to deal with these spectral beasts as well. Time seemed to slow as I assessed my options, acutely aware of every ache in my body, every tremor in my wand hand.

The wolves lunged. Akio turned, finally noticing the danger at his back. Hien’s triumphant laugh cut through the air.

In that moment of chaos, I made my choice. With a deep breath, I raised my wand, ready to unleash whatever magic I had left.

It was then that the wolves stopped as a sudden surge of sound hit us like a physical force, shattering the intense focus of our duel. I blinked, momentarily disoriented by the shift from our isolated battle to this new, alarming reality.

“What…?” Akio’s voice was tinged with frustration and bewilderment, his earlier excitement fading away.

“What’s going on?” I said, turning my eyes towards the crystal. “Did someone get to it while we were distracted? No… Why are they cheering?”

We were silent for a moment as we continued to listen, and that’s when it came to me. I opened my mouth to speak, but Hien beat me to it.

“Those aren’t cheers.” He said, his voice tight with alarm. “They’re screams! Kuso!“

A chill ran down my spine as the truth of his words sank in. He was right. I knew these sounds anywhere.

Just like in Phantasime.

In an instant, our fierce rivalry evaporated. Without a word, we moved as one, forming a tight circle in the center of the platform, our backs to each other, wands at the ready.

“What do you think?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “An attack?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. My mind raced through possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. Grindelwald? Death Eaters? Some other unknown threat?

“Whatever it is…” Akio said, his voice steely with resolve. “It’s not part of the tournament.”

Thanks, captain obvious!

Hien nodded, his earlier aggression replaced by grim determination. “Agreed. We need to find out what’s happening and fast.”

I tightened my grip on my wand, adrenaline pushing away some of my exhaustion.

“Right.” I said slowly as no one seemed to appear before us. “So what’s the plan? Just stand here?”

No one had an answer to that, and I huffed.

“Okay, then. First things first.” I said, taking the initiative. “We need to get down from this pyramid and see what we’re dealing with.”

“What about him?” Hien gestured at Kwame, who was still lying unconscious in one of the corners.

“Let’s see if we can wake him, make sure he’s not in any danger.” I said and we checked him for injuries with a few spells. I smiled slightly. “His arm’s broken, but it’s not too bad. I can’t sense any damage to his skull. Maybe a bit of bruising so he’ll be groggy.”

“Rennervate!” Akio cast without preamble.

I watched as Kwame’s eyes fluttered open, then widened in alarm at the sight of us surrounding him. His instinctive attempt to move caused him to wince in pain; he cradled his arm, staring at us in fear.

“Easy there.” I said, trying to keep my voice calm despite the tension in the air. “Your arm’s broken. Try not to move it too much.”

Kwame’s gaze darted between us, confusion and suspicion warring on his face. “What’s going on? Why aren’t you fighting?”

I took a deep breath, acutely aware of the distant screams that still echoed around us.

“Something’s happened.” I explained quickly. “The tournament’s been interrupted. Can you hear it?”

“Screams.” Akio said, saving us some time. “They’re screaming outside. We think there’s an attack.”

Hien chimed in, his voice terse. “We don’t know what’s going on out there, but it’s clear we’ll need everyone to fight.”

“Yes. We’ve called a temporary truce.” Akio added, his earlier manic energy replaced by a focused intensity. “Much as I would to drive all of your faces into the dirt… Whatever’s out there, it’s more important than this competition right now.”

“Leave it to you to make this all about you, Nakamura-san.”

“Koitsu…“

Ignoring their byplay, I offered my hand to Kwame, helping him to his feet while being mindful of his injured arm. “Can you stand? Good. We need to get down from here and find out what’s happening.”

Kwame nodded grimly, the pain in his arm making itself known as he winced, but he ignored it as best as he could. “I can manage, I think.”

“Good, good.” I said, looking around at our makeshift alliance. “Because I have a feeling we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

The crystal that had been our goal just minutes ago now seemed insignificant. As we prepared to descend the pyramid and face whatever chaos awaited us, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.

“Let’s go find out what we’re up against.”