Alesha watched the green-haired man's death with jaw dropped open slightly.
She hadn't realized until now exactly how formidable Collin was.
Sure, she'd fought on the same team as him for four matches, but that didn't mean they knew each other well. This was particularly true because they'd never fought near each other.
So… what was she supposed to do now?
[Weren't you itching for this earlier?] the System prompted, self-satisfaction oozing from its tone.
"Well, yeah, but… this is somethin' else," Alesha muttered under her breath.
"Hahaha! Mortal Alesha, have you lost the will to fight?" Collin laughed, still in full chuuni mode.
"Collin, call off the act," Alesha sighed. "Yeah, I didn't realize you were so strong, but is this whole, boisterous standoff thing really necessary?"
"Alas! The average-looking maiden knew not how to react in the face of the Progenitor Vampire's strength; all she could do was attempt to deflect attention through hurtful words!"
"Excuse me? The one speaking hurtful words is you!" Alesha said.
[Aww, are you upset at being called average-looking?] Rogork teased.
"Shut it!" Alesha snapped.
Collin blinked, then looked awkward. "I, uh, sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Just got swept up in the moment."
By this point, the crowds watching them had gone quiet. A few isolated jeers called for them to get a move on and kill each other already.
"Do I really have to?" Collin suddenly called up into the stands.
I don't really want to kill him either, Alesha thought. Though it's more that I'm actually not sure I could.
[Even though a Progenitor Vampire would be worth way more XP?]
… Well shoot. Do I have to try then?
At that moment, a red system window of the same style that had been used for this Story's Role and Goal sheet appeared, announcing something chilling:
{{ANNOUNCEMENT ~~ Adequate will to fight has not been found. Will to fight is a necessity for this match. Commencing installation of will to fight in 3, 2, …}}
Collin's and Alesha's eyes met just before the countdown finished.
They understood each other in that moment their eyes met -- neither wanted to fight, both were scared of what was about to happen, and neither would blame the other for whatever the outcome was.
Both of them knew Zorhellian was more than capable of carrying out exactly what that announcement said.
The Stories so far had more than proven how insidiously Zorhellian could alter the personalities of the Participants. The Serial Killer Role in the Werewolf Island Story, the various personas in the Paranormal Events Story, the monstrous adaptations in the Hero Summoning Story, the parasitic impulses in the Alien Parasite Story, and the Patron's life-altering capabilities in the current Story had all driven this fact home.
In the end, if Zorhellian wanted them to fight, they would.
As the countdown hit 0, Alesha felt all her doubts and reservations vanish, her mind becoming clear. Pure, murderous intent filled her then, any distracting thoughts cast aside.
She had only one goal: the death of her opponent.
[Interesting,] Rogork said as Alesha rushed forward, spear aimed forward held in both hands.
Alesha didn't want to know what was interesting. All she wanted was to kill the man in front of her.
[I appear to be affected this time as well. All I want to do is help you kill him. Huh.]
Grinning maniacally, she swung the spear in a downwards diagonal slash, and Collin dissolved into a horde of bats.
She saw this action coming and, following his future motions with her eyes, ascertained that he was about to materialize behind her.
[Of course, I am currently unable to assist you in any way, so instead I shall fulfil my purpose in life by prattling on about both nothing and everything at the same time.]
Muscles straining, she yanked her spear backwards, jabbing with its pointed back tip into the semi-transparent blue-green image of where he was about to be. He materialized a fraction of a second later, directly onto her weapon.
He screamed in pain, the mithril bone of her weapon scorching his flesh.
"If you're not going to help, then don't say anything at all!" Alesha hissed.
Collin materialized several blood blades, which came arcing towards Alesha along deadly paths.
[But whyever should I do that?] Rogork complained.
Alesha spun around, using the skewered Collin as a battering ram to slam away several of the blood blades. Of course, since he was the one controlling them, they dissolved before coming into contact with him.
"Because you're annoying," Alesha snapped.
When Collin attempted to extricate himself from the mithril spear, for some reason not reverting to a swarm of bats, Alesha saw his attempt in advance and foiled it by jamming his end of her spear into the sand, pinning him.
[I am not annoying. I am useful, and I will prove it as many times as I have to as soon as I regain full functionality. Just you wait.]
Alesha released her hold on her spear and jumped on Collin, pummeling his face with her fists.
"Sure," Alesha grunted. "Like I'd ever believe anything you say."
"Who are, you talking to?" Collin asked, an angry look in his eyes as he spoke haltingly through his pain. "Do you have, the time, to be distracted?"
With that, a blood spear struck Alesha from behind, piercing right through her armor and out her front. Alesha gasped from the impact, tears coming to her eyes.
Still, what mattered wasn't how much she was hurt.
What mattered was killing the man in front of her.
Nothing else…
Just the death of her opponent.
Kill or be killed, survival of the fittest.