A sudden noise erupts from the clearing, and I move forward on my knees, pushing some of the foliage away to make a small hole through which I can see what's happening.

Ze is in the middle as the three men circle him, their bows and arrows raised to strike. My heart is in my throat as I watch helplessly, cursing myself for my weakness.

Until now, I'd made peace with my human condition, counting myself blessed for the fact that my teammates could help me advance in the competition. Somehow, I'd thought that the strength of my conviction was enough to get me ahead. But I never counted on the uselessness I'm feeling now.

I could be helping him. Instead, I'm just hiding in the bushes, only able to look on as Ze risks his life for a plant only I need. Cer and Thea, too, are taking unnecessary risks for me.

I bite my lip in frustration. If only I could be of more use to them...

Ze removes his sword from his scabbard, the stark white a contrast to the black of his clothes and the green of the forest. Holding it with one hand, he waves it around as he focuses his attention on one of the men. And when they least expect it, he strikes.

His movements are sharp and brisk. It's almost as if he's one with his sword as he reaches his opponent in two steps. Dodging an arrow from behind, he increases the momentum of the shot by using his sword to hit the arrow back to the sender. The pointy end hits one of the men in the leg. His knees buckle as he falls to the ground, his previously light countenance becoming a deep blue. In just a matter of seconds, he stops breathing.

A gasp escapes me just as I slap my hand over my mouth.

When Ze had said the venom was potent... This is on a level I've never seen before. It acts so fast that you're dead within seconds of being hit.

"Please be careful," I whisper, my heart in my throat.

One hit.

That's all it takes for him to die.

Just one hit.

Ze slowly lifts his head up, the wind blowing his hair to the side as his purple eyes connect with mine. As if he heard my words, his lips curl up in a self-assured smirk.

"Watch out," I yell before I can stop myself.

One of the other men is aiming at him, his fingers pulling on the string of the bow, ready to send the arrow flying.

Ze's lip twitches before he disappears, only to reappear like a flash of light in front of the man. He wields his sword confidently, and in one smooth movement, both man and bow are cut in half.

Red blood spills onto the ground, together with other bodily liquids that mix in the middle, pooling around the leftover bone and flesh.