The Combat Zone dissolved back into stone and barrier walls, but Amber barely noticed. She was curled on her side in the recovery area, wings trembling against her back, her newfound arms clutching a pillow. Her chest heaved with uneven breaths, sharp squeaks catching in her throat. She didn't understand them. The way that these wet, salty drops slid down her cheeks.

  She only knew they wouldn't stop.

  "Amber."

  KiAera's voice was soft, gentle, but Amber flinched anyway. She didn't want them to see her broken, beaten, feathers scattered all over the arena floor like someone had plucked her bare. The harpy-creature she had become may be repulsive to them. She pressed her face into her arms, wishing she could bury herself in her feathers. But she didn't have enough feathers anymore. Skin. Smooth, alien skin. Too bare. Too wrong.

  "Amber, it's okay," KiAera tried again, kneeling near her.

  "No!" Amber screeched. Her throat burned. "Not okay! Amber… Amber lost! Amber so weak, so stupid! Everyone saw!" She curled tighter, wings wrapping around herself as if they could shield her from the shame. Her body shook with sobs she didn't have a name for.

  Tiny footsteps pattered close.

  "Amber!"

  She dared to peek from behind her wing. There was LeeLee Liozel, his paws balled into fists, eyes wide and glistening. He was still smiling. Smiling at her. "Amber, you were amazing!"

  Her beak clicked weakly. "Amazing? Amber fell. Amber… Amber humiliated. Miss Fang… she laughed… she crushed…" Her voice broke into hiccups. "Amber not predator anymore. Just prey again."

  "No!" Liozel shook his head. "Amber's not prey. Amber's HARPY now! You got fire and wings and power, I saw it! You made the wind dance, you kicked her so far! You scared them, Amber, you really did!"

  Amber blinked through the blur of tears. Did she? Scare them? For a moment, maybe… before Fang turned her inside out like a hatchling caught in claws. Her talons clenched against the stone, shame burning her hotter than any flame.

  KiAera placed a steady hand on her wing. "You fought bravely, Amber. This wasn't about winning today. It was about learning. Fang has years of experience—years you don't. But what you showed… what you became out there—it means more than you realize."

  Amber sniffled, her bird-mind still whirling. Harpy. She didn't know what it was supposed to be. Didn't know what being one meant. But Liozel's cheer, LeeLee KiAera's calm words… they pulled at something deep in her chest.

  She sat up slowly, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. The tears clung stubbornly, but she lifted her head anyway. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Amber wanted… to be strong. For you. For crew."

  "You are strong," KiAera said firmly.

  "And you'll get stronger," Liozel added, climbing into her lap without hesitation, hugging her strange skin as if it was still feathered. "Amber's still Amber. Harpy or bird or anything else—you're ours."

  Amber's throat tightened again, but this time it wasn't the same sharp, ugly pain. Her wings folded around Liozel carefully, protectively. Her body still shook from defeat, but her fire hadn't gone out. Not yet. Maybe losing was part of flying. Maybe falling was, too.

  ??? ??? ??? [Perspective: KiAera's]

  Betting Results:

  [38% on Nex and Viz's Win]

  [62% on Yasuya and Gamuikaze's Win]

  I saw the names of the next fighters drift across the illusion broadcasting the match-up screen. Nex and Viz were up next. The two bat brothers fluttered toward the Combat Zone after receiving a word of prep from their sister Rox.

  "Bet." Nex started out saying.

  "We'll win this. Gamuikaze, and whoever that Yasuya guy is, won't see what's coming." Nex trailed his gaze toward Viz. "We'll blitz like we always do, up for the challenge, bro?"

  Viz lowered his gaze in his usual bashful manner. "Ye… yeah. Let's just hope this match ends up running smoothly for us. Mina and Loa's did not look easy…"

  Rox looked between them before they fully committed to enter the arena.

  "Just don't come out of this broken. And Nex… don't let your ego get ahead of you."

  "Tch. Don't worry, between Gamuikaze and I, I'm a good fickle spark."

  "Whatever, Nex. Viz, you're…"

  I floated toward them, "You'll impress us all with your improvement. I see you both off to win."

  I gave them a both a warmhearted smile. Viz's ears perked high, while Nex groaned and rolled his eyes.

  "Keep your compliments to yourself, KiAera. But, as your ace and Viz's smarts, we'll crush them."

  Viz nodded. "Thanks. Thanks. Thanks? Uh, we-we will be off!"

  The three monsters embraced each other in a quiet hug.

  My heart warmed as I watched the exchange. After a moment, the triplets separated, with Nex and Viz finally entering Combat Zone proper.

  Bellatrixa's voice rippled through the colosseum.

  "Ladies and gentlebeasts~! The second match of the Gladia tournament is set to begin!"

  Above the stadium the illusion of Nex, Viz, and Gamuikaze appeared in the sky. However, I noticed the absence of the fourth fighter: Yasuya. It made me wonder as to why he wasn't shown on the display.

  "From the rising Chimera Crew: Nex and Viz the shocking speedster twins!

  Versus! From the vengeful horns of Jalkra's Clan: Gamuikaze the Hurricane Weasel and Yasuya the Dragon Zodiac of the Skies!"

  The sky erupted with thunder before the clouds split apart. Descending from above was a staggering sight. He had made his appearance.

  Yasuya the Dragon.

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  The dragon slithered downward, revealing his long, serpentine form, but there almost seemed to be no end to his coiling body. He was horned like a reindeer and bearded with a billowing mane. If there was one mythical beast I could compare him to, that would've been the shenlong dragon.

  It amazed me that this mythical beast served Jalkra. How in world did something of this sheer might and presence fall into service to someone of his like?

  "That's… Yasuya?!" Mina declared from behind me. It appeared that the no one outside of Jalkra's inner circle had ever seen this creature before. Based on the evidence of scrutiny and the lack of recognition in Loa's eyes, confirmed to this apparent fact as well.

  My gaze fell on Nex and Viz fast. The two brothers were astonished to witness their opponent was an imposing dragon.

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  They were left fluttering where they were, struggling to process the sight before them. Then I overheard Gamuikaze's voice, caught in the howl of his own whirlwind.

  ??? [Combat Status] ???

  "I recall my failure in DreaGoth against the Chimera's. That defeat swayed me. As the disciple of Master Yasuya, it is my time to return the favor by casting you into my wind's wrath."

  He drifted downward within the cyclone that spiraled around him. The weasel couldn't be seen within it, but his silhouette shifted as he tilted forward. "Starting with you, Nex, Viz." He gestured his scythe arm toward them.

  Nex bristled and snapped with haste. "Oh, you got some nerve—"

  "Do. Not. Let arrogance cloud your judgment, Gamuikaze. I'd like for us to have an enjoyable match."

  The voice that boomed through the air was Yasuya's, everyone, even the roaring crowd fell silent, "Gamuikaze… Nex and Viz the Nexbursts. Show me everything you are capable of. I seek for your best in our eventful duel."

  His antlers crackled as the entire terrain below rumbled like an earthquake had fallen upon it. "I expect nothing less. Not even for this veteran of warfare."

  I glanced over to where Jalkra and his faction stood. His arms were crossed, his expression stoic; he and Yasuya shared a glanced between themselves. It broke when Jalkra gave him a nod, mouthing, "Crush them."

  "As I shall Lord Jalkra."

  A fast cluster of sparkles caught my attention. Bellatrixa rose higher above the central battlefield and threw her arm upward.

  "Time for a terrain shift!"

  The Combat Zone began to transform and collapse on itself as the entire colosseum hovered upward. We were all rising upward to the sky, and it felt like an unbelievable sight as the colosseum stands, with the spectators, drifted apart to make room for the Combat Zone to become much more broad. The new battlefield took shape. There were many floating islands and swimming comets in the sky where the combatants would fight.

  They were going to contend in a sky field. All I could hope for was that the brothers could endure the eventual onslaught.