Page 68 of A World of Ruins

When I fix my gaze back on Darius, he’s shaking with fury, his fists again clenched before our eyes dart to the other two blades left.

I shake my head, but that doesn’t stop him as he rushes to grab one.

Immediately, Darius strikes, skilfully weaving the jagged blade between his fingers as he turns and slices. I try to deflect as much as I can, and with every backward movement, I look at him with an anguished plea.

‘Please!’ My voice is lost in the chaos of the arena, and before I know it, my back hits the edge of the enclosure, and I raise my blade to counteract his coming down on me.

Metal sparks fly as the blades connect, forming an X between us.

We push against each other, my knuckles whitening against the grip of my hilt. It doesn’t take him much effort; he’s too strong for me, and the blades are nearing my neck.

I grit my teeth, sweat loosening my grip on the weapon. I’m whispering Darius’s name again, a last effort to get him to hear me.

Agony contorts his features as a searing jolt of pain slashes across my collarbone, the dagger now cutting through my flesh.A cry escapes my lips, hoarse and strained, until I can no longer feel the cold blade against my skin.

Before the blade can do more harm, Darius grunts, stumbling back as he presses his hand to the left side of his chest. Blood seeps between the crevices of his fingers as he falls to his knees, and Illias stands at my side with the dagger he used on Darius in his hand.

‘Illias, no!’

He looks down at the weapon in his hand like he is unfamiliar with it; his two fingers latch on to the hilt as he stammers, ‘I’m sorry.’

Guilt claws at the cavity of my chest.

‘Nara, kill me,’ Darius croaks.

My world crumbles before me.

Eyes wide and frantic, I look at him. He’s pale and weak, and Aurum might as well have already killed me, making me see him like this. ‘No,’ I say, stumbling with each backward step I take. ‘No.’

‘You have to.’ Darius groans in pain, digging his fingers into the sand as he’s overcome with Aurum’s manipulations.

Through blurry eyes, I shake my head once more. ‘You can fight him off, Darius, you can—’

‘Nara,please.’ He’s crying. I don’t think I have ever seen him cry like this. It’s as if his soul is cleaving in two.

I sob, looking towards my brother for help.

The Galgr’s vision is coming to life right before my eyes, and I can’t do anything about it.

My hesitation leads Darius to charge at me. I push Illias with all the force that is left in me as I’m tackled to the ground.

Darius is on top as he captures my wrists, slamming them down until I release the blade in my hands.

We’re both still crying even as Illias attempts to get up. Darius sees him and fires a coil of shadow around Illias’s legs, like a ball and chain, so he cannot move.

With one hand now released, I manage to elbow Darius across the face, knocking him off me as I rise, picking up Darius’s dagger and placing it behind the waistband of my trousers while holding the other in front of me.

My legs weaken second by second as I square off with Darius. Shadows curve and shape into a sword at the edge of his fingertips.

Glancing at Aurum, I see he’s still grinning. He knows how this will end. With me dying. He will cheat. He will use Darius all he likes and have fun while doing it.

My eyes quickly jump to Sarilyn. She gives me a fierce stare, clenching her fist. Her chest heaves with deep and fast breaths; it’s odd, it’s unfamiliar, like she doesn’t want me to lose.

Tell me.I remember her saying.If it means saving Zerathion, is the Golden Thief worth dying for?

I keep my gaze fixated on her, knowing every second I stand here can cost me my life.

I tilt my head to the side, and something triggers my memory.

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