In just a few weeks, we'll all divide into groups of five and fight for a chance to earn legacy status for our team. And, of course, we'll be isolated outside castle walls where it seems like anything will go.

People are going to die, and we all know it.

As I step down from the platform, I notice an odd tingling in my hands. I feel a blend of elements suddenly bend toward me like metal shavings to a magnet.

The ache in my stomach from where Titus kicked me turns warm, then the pain eases slightly. Power flares. Before I can even stop to wonder what's happening, the sensation is gone.

"Hmm," Typhon rumbles. "What was that, angry human?"

"I was hoping you could tell me."

I lower a hand to my stomach and touch it, finding the skin is still tender, but maybe less than before?

My friends approach me once I'm off the sparring ring.

Ambrose is covered in sweat and sporting a raised welt along his cheek, like he caught a blade there. "Gods, Nessa. From here, it looked like he was going for killing blows."

"He was," I say, still distracted by whatever that sudden power was.

Mireen is sweaty but seems uninjured, her red hair still intact in a tight and intricate braid that keeps it close to her scalp. "You'd think they would want us learning to work together." There's an edge to her tone—the same edge I've learned always comes when she's talking about Empire and Red Kingdom. "Instead they keep structuring this place so we're at each other's throats. What good does that do any of us?"

"Well," Beck says as we all head toward the showers. "Pilton makes it seem like primals tend to fight in small groups on the outside. It's not like we're going to be deployed together as a large group at any point. Maybe it makes more sense for us to form strong loyalties with just a few."

"Don't defend them," Mireen snaps. "Titus could've killed Nessa back there."

“He was certainly trying. I guess the announcement of the Crucible means attempted murder is back on the menu.”

"Nah. Titus couldn't have killed you," Beck says. "I had Uther standing up there, hidden from sight. If I thought she was in trouble, I would've had him rip Titus' arms off and beat him over the head with them."

"Like Nessa needs the help of your bear," Ambrose says. "In case you've forgotten. She's got a⁠—"

"Flying fish," I cut in with a meaningful smile.

"Right," Ambrose says. "That."

"Speaking of the Crucible," Mireen says, lowering her voice as we pass a group of legacies on our way to the showers. "I heard it's going to be in the wilderness beyond the academy walls. They'll drop us somewhere in the forest, and we'll have to navigate to a specific point while other teams try to stop us."