Simon is straight across from me, so I guess I'm taking him on. With our numbers, I might have to fight his sister, too. The skinny guy from 1 and the pair from 4 are up to Trucy and Klavier. Both of our groups are advancing in straight lines, so we might not have to mix it up much.

I suddenly remember the two pairs of sunglasses, but it's too late to get at them now.

A few feet in front of me, Simon draws his long, thin sword from its hilt and swings it out at me. My throat constricts in fear, but I manage to dodge the rush and parry the next swipe with a clash.

He holds the sword out in front of him with a grin. "So you found a blade of your own after all. Shall we see how well I taught you, Justice-dono?"

In a quick but fluid motion, the katana surges toward my neck. I duck back and bring my sword around, but he swats it away with the broad side of his blade. I keep my grip, though, and go for a stab while his sword is down. He avoids me by pivoting away and then turning back, his sword coming around with him. His aim is too short, though, and I'm in more danger of my sword getting hit than anything else.

Something's off. I'm not sure what yet, but—

I parry another slash and lunge for his chest. He knocks my hands down with the butt of his sword, the grip hitting my bracelet with a clang. I keep hold of my sword without much trouble, though, and pull it up in time to block another slash. It's still too far to hit me...

...!

"All right, what do you want?!" I keep my sword ready but focus on his face for a moment.

His eyes flash. "Your head rolling down the mountainside! What else?" With a shout, he swings his sword at my neck.

I jump back, the tip of his blade scratching across my jacket's collar. "Simon!" I plant my feet on the ground after a glance back to see how much space I have. "You and I both know you're not trying to kill me right now!"

He falters, and I make a stab at his stomach, but he parries it easily. "Fine. Perhaps I did want to test my pupil first. But if you'd rather me take you seriously, I can very well accommodate your last wishes!" He lunges with an upward slice I can't bring my sword up in time to counter. The glaring blade cuts into my chin as I panic and stumble back.

"N-no, it's okay! You can just test me! That's fine!" I have to take a hand off the sword to steady myself against the rocks. As I do so, I glance to the side to make sure I'm not about to run into Trucy, but she's another level up. I can only tell she's still standing before I have to look back at Simon—just in time to duck under another slash.

I'm sure the others need help, though...! But what am I supposed to do when my arms are shaking from a single battle? How can I drive off an expert swordsman who knows every single technique I have because he taught me himself? How on earth am I supposed to turn this around?

Well, if he knows all of the techniques, I'll just have to improvise!

I dodge another stroke of the blade—did that just get some of my hair?!—and grip my sword hard. In relentless pursuit, Simon swings for my head from my left. I could block—but he's expecting that!

I take another step back and spin around hard, slamming my sword into his in the same direction it's already going. The added burst of force sends it colliding into the rock face. And for one moment, I have the katana lodged between my sword and the rocks, and Simon's not about to let go. With a shout and all the power I can muster, I slam my foot into his stomach while he's vulnerable.

The katana slides with him, screeching against the rock, as he goes back. He regains his footing well before the stream comes up behind him, although I've at least gotten some distance out of this. Maybe I dulled his blade a little, too.

Just as I'm getting my stance back together, a boom rattles the rocks above me. I shoot a look up while I have the chance. A bit of smoke is billowing from about a foot behind me and to the right. In front of it, Trucy is coughing, though she doesn't look back as the District 1 tribute behind Simon's sister grins and hurls something small from his utility belt. It lands a bit closer to Trucy and explodes.

The stone under my feet rattles as Trucy jumps to the side, away from me. Klavier is far away enough to avoid her, but the distraction allows the bulky guy with the bandages on his head to slam and pin Klavier's skull against the mountainside. I can hear his cry of pain over the rest of the din.

I barely glimpse the 4 girl clutching her chest as I turn back towards Simon's moving sword. I'm a moment late blocking and get a bite of blade into my shoulder for punishment. Clenching my teeth, I force his katana away, but he still manages to make the next attack. Eyes burning from the smoke, I pull back, but he transforms the slash into a lunge that forces me to parry.

"Sasha!" I recognize Marlon's voice, but I don't dare look up. Sasha's his district partner, right? Did someone—

A cannon fires.

—kill her...? I-it must have been Klavier, because Trucy would never. Every Career here would have a throwing knife in the heart if that was what she wanted.

But Sasha was hit in the heart—

No! I have another battle to worry about right now!

Simon slashes at my neck again, and I dodge back.

My right foot hits air.

With a yelp, I spread my arms out and try to break my fall, my sword clashing against the rocks as I tumble. I manage to keep the blade away from me, somehow, but I don't come to a stop for another few seconds. How far did I fall? Where's Simon?

I scrabble to turn myself face-up, scraping my sword across my boot in the process. Holding the weapon in front of me, I struggle to get to a sitting position, but Simon is climbing down faster than I can get up.

"You brat!" calls a girl just before Trucy screams.

I-I haven't heard Klavier rattling any chains around, either!

We're d-dead... We're all dead...! Why did I stay, why did Trucy stay, why...?!

Simon stands over me and raises his sword before pausing. It doesn't take much concentration to figure out why. The mountainside is rumbling—another explosion? T-to finish Trucy off?

But Marlon shouts in alarm, and a growing thundering nearly blocks out Aura's startled cry. I dare to crane my neck toward the mountaintop.

A huge boulder tumbles down, right over where I stood moments before, and it's still coming.

Swearing, Simon dashes back out of the way, and I pull my legs under me while I have the chance. The vibration nearly knocks me back down, but the boulder goes past without hitting either of us.

What was that?

Gasping for breath, I get to my feet in time to jump at a booming voice.

"Desist at once!"

What...? Wait... It couldn't be...

Simon has lowered his sword, a hand placed on his chest as he growls, so I turn to look uphill.

Standing tall, Fulbright grins down at us and salutes with two dirt-encrusted fingers. "In justice we trust!"

Simon steps up a few rows of rocks to more effectively glare at him. "Fool Bright!" Dropping his hand, he widens his eyes at the 10. "I recall you swearing to stay back and protect Cykes-dono."

Fulbright doesn't falter in the slightest. "Indeed! But there is one thing you've failed to consider. When Lady Justice is in danger, I have a sacred duty to protect and uphold her! This battle—" he punches the air and keeps his fist clenched—"is clearly unfair! A mockery of justice that I cannot withstand!"

Aura scowls at him as Trucy sits up shakily. "You idiot. This isn't supposed to be fair. Quit trying to make a spectacle."

"Isn't supposed to be fair?!" He stomps a foot down. "You're the one who's mistaken! Fairness must be upheld in all arenas of life, and this one is no exception!" He rests his fists against his hips before striding to stand beside Klavier, who's slumped against the rocks and holding a hand to his head.

"What are you doing?" Ted hisses. "Is this a betrayal?"

"This is no such thing. As I always have and as I always will—I stand on the side of justice!"

I'm guessing he doesn't mean my name, but I will take it either way.

Simon tenses as his gaze lifts from Fulbright. I follow his line of sight, and my breath catches in my throat.

Athena!

There's a small spot of blood on her head, but she looks fine otherwise. And she's stepping up to stand with Fulbright, on our side, a large knife in hand.

"Cykes-dono. Do you realize where you are standing?"

Meeting his gaze, she nods. "It looks like this fight has gone on long enough."

"Hmph." Simon gives her a black look but sheathes his sword and turns around. "These curs are no longer worth the collateral damage."

And just like that, it's five against three again—but this time in our favor.

"We almost have them!" Ted bares his teeth. "Why would we stop now?"

Marlon lowers his head, words low. "I'm up for letting 'em off the hook for now." It's hard to tell from this angle, but I think he's staring at the spot where Sasha died. Is he really the only one concerned about losing her?

"Are you kidding? This girl wrecked my drill, and you just want to let her go?" The 2 girl reaches into her backpack and takes out a knife. "Fine! Ted and I can take you all on by ourselves!"

"Aura!"

She freezes and scowls down at her brother, who returns the gesture. "I believe I just said they are no longer worth it."

She growls. "Who died and made you king?"

Simon slams his hand down on the rocks, and she cringes, although I suspect it's just a reflex. "This fight is over! Let the cowards live with the knowledge they're only still breathing because of another fool's actions." He eyes Klavier, then Trucy, then me. "And keep living in fear, knowing that it will not happen again."

He turns his back to us and starts walking. Marlon follows him, while Ted looks up and down the line of us before huffing and going after them. Aura's cold gaze settles on Athena.

"Don't start feeling like you're invincible just because Simon's looking after you. You're not." Putting a hand to her cheek, she smiles sweetly. "In fact, you just might fall victim to some roving tribute trying to get at our supplies tonight. Oh, wouldn't that be a shame?"

Snarling, Athena leans in toward her. "You—! You're half the reason Simon couldn't get any sleep last night!"

Aura watches her evenly. "Oh, and remind me what that other half is? Something about having to kill that girl so you wouldn't get your skull crushed in? Is that my fault, too? Because it sure sounds like it's yours."

Athena twitches but keeps her fists clenched.

"That's enough, you two!" Fulbright glowers at them. "We're keeping the others waiting. On that note—" he spins to face my alliance—"is there anything else I can help you with before I must go? You still look pretty downtrodden, after all."

I'm surprised Aura manages not to punch him.

"Well, we have bandages." And I suppose having you and Athena stick with us isn't an option.

Stiffly, I climb up to Trucy's level. The side of her neck is bruised, but I don't see any open wounds. She might be a little burnt from some of Ted's attacks, though.

"Any burn cream?" I try.

"I'm afraid not," Fulbright says.

Athena shuffles through the bag at her hip to retrieve a pill bottle. "Here." She puts it in Klavier's hand. "These are good for headaches."

Although he still hasn't wiped away the stream of blood on the side of his face, he manages to smile up at her. "Thank you."

Fulbright glances at all of us—including Jinxie, who's come within a few feet of us but only stands there shaking—before grinning widely. "Then I guess I'm done here!" He salutes, his teeth shining. "In justice we trust!"

So it's actually over. We're all okay... We're not going to die here!

Barely aware of myself, I burst out laughing and salute him back. "In justice we trust!"