"What about me then? I'm not your friend?" The question was supposed to be jocular, but the moment the words are out of my mouth, I feel a sharp pain in my heart. It's quite strange, but despite not knowing Ze for long, I've come to understand him and consider him a good friend. It saddens me that he might not feel the same.

"You are different," he replies smoothly.

My brows shoot up.

"Different how?"

"You are my person. That is a category reserved only for you."

My lashes flutter in confusion.

"I don't understand what you mean, Ze."

"It means I am responsible for you," he adds gruffly.

"So I'm your new protégée?" I giggle. "Will you teach me how to fight too?" I ask enthusiastically.

Now, that wouldn't be such a bad idea. If I've learned anything so far in this game, it's that I'm far from properly equipped to deal with the competition. Almost everyone has some sort of power, or at least combat knowledge. And then there's me... The only reason I'm able to move forward, despite my ardent but useless desire to win, is due to my team—and more importantly, due to Ze. If it weren't for him, I'd be dead.

I have no trouble admitting that, and in a way, maybe it is foolish of me to continue on while knowing I don't have the ability to win even one battle. Maybe it's even more foolish to put my trust in others. But it's that foolishness that fosters my hope and the fact that I'd do anything in order to win and get Nikki back. There is no place for pride or shame.

There is only persevering and enduring. Although I may benefit from having strong teammates, I cannot always count on them. That means I must learn to fend for myself, too—one way or another.

After all, this is kill or be killed. And I have no intention of being on the losing side.

Ze gazes at me intently.

"You want to learn how to fight?"

"Oh, I'd love to!" I nod fervently.

He ponders it for a moment, his eyes narrowed as he gazes at me.

"Fighting requires close contact...physical contact," he muses quietly.

"I know. I promise I'll do my best and I won't complain if it gets too hard," I'm quick to assure him. Yes, it might be physically grueling, but I'm ready to put in the work. I'm not afraid of pain—not anymore.

"I shall teach you," he eventually nods. "I am, after all, the best suited for this job."

"Yay!" I jump up to my feet in excitement, clasping my hands together in front of me. Unfortunately, my feet are too tired to withstand the sudden movement, and just as I find myself upright, I totter to the side, my knees buckling just as my ankles bend sideways.