The swamp stretched endlessly before them, a labyrinth of murky water and towering mushrooms whose caps blotted out the sky. The air hung thick with moisture, carrying the scent of decay and the faint, sweet tang of spores. Mist coiled around their ankles like living tendrils, obscuring the ground and making every step treacherous. Wu Hei's boots sank into the spongy earth with a wet squelch, the mud clinging stubbornly as if trying to claim him for the swamp.
Yuna moved ahead with feline grace, her tail flicking in agitation. Kael followed, his blond hair dulled by the damp air, his usual buoyancy subdued. Wu Hei brought up the rear, his senses sharp, the aero shard humming faintly at his chest—a reminder of the power he now wielded, and the targets it painted on his back.
"We should rest soon," Yuna said, pausing to wipe a streak of mud from her cheek. "The hags might be gone, but this place isn't safe at night."
Wu Hei nodded, scanning the surroundings. The swamp had a way of distorting sound; every rustle of reeds or distant splash seemed amplified, as if the land itself was whispering secrets. "Any idea where we're headed?"
Kael crouched, pressing a hand to the damp ground. "West. There's a drier patch ahead—less chance of sinking into a bog." He glanced at Wu Hei, his blue eyes assessing. "You've held your own so far. For an outsider."
Wu Hei smirked. "And you're not as reckless as you look. For a show-off."
Yuna snorted, shaking her head. "Children, both of you." She hopped onto a half-submerged log, balancing effortlessly. "Let's keep moving. I'd rather not be here when the fog thickens."
As they trudged onward, the silence between them grew heavy, punctuated only by the occasional croak of unseen creatures. Wu Hei studied his companions—Yuna's ears twitched at every sound, her posture tense, while Kael's usual bravado had dimmed, replaced by a quiet vigilance.
"Why are you here?" Wu Hei asked abruptly. "In the Battle Royale, I mean. You two don't strike me as the type to fight for glory."
Yuna's steps faltered. Kael exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.
"It's not glory we're after," Yuna said softly, her voice barely audible over the swamp's murmurs. "It's survival. For our home."
Wu Hei frowned. "Survival ? From what ?"
Kael's fingers curled into fists. "The Sky Archipelago is dying. The islands are crumbling, falling into the void. Our people have sent champions for cycles, hoping one would win and spare us. "His voice was bitter. "None have returned. And with each loss, Kami's plague only worsened."
Yuna's ears flattened. "We volunteered. No one else was left."
Wu Hei absorbed their words, the weight of their sacrifice settling heavily in his chest. He'd assumed they were seasoned warriors, not desperate souls fighting for a fading hope. "And if you win?"
Yuna's golden eyes met his. "The plague lifts. Our islands stabilize. It's that simple."
Kael barked a humorless laugh. "Simple. Right."
Wu Hei didn't press further. The unspoken truth lingered—only one could win. Their alliance was temporary, a fragile truce in the face of greater threats.
The promised dry patch materialized as a small, moss-covered mound rising above the waterline. They settled onto the damp earth, exhaustion seeping into their bones. Wu Hei rummaged through his pack, retrieving a crumpled energy drink. The liquid fizzed as he cracked it open, its glow casting eerie shadows on his face.
Yuna watched him, her tail curling around her legs. "You're adapting quickly. For someone who's never wielded magic before."
Wu Hei shrugged. "Gamer instincts. You learn to adapt or you lose."
Kael leaned back against a gnarled root. "And Earth? What's it like?"
"Messy. Loud. Full of people who'd lose their minds if they saw this place." Wu Hei smirked. "Also, better food."
Yuna's lips quirked. "I'd kill for a bowl of hot noodles right now."
A rustling in the undergrowth cut through their conversation. All three tensed, hands hovering near their shards. The foliage parted, and a small, furry face peered out—round eyes blinking, tufted ears twitching.
Wu Hei blinked. "What the—?"
The creature stepped forward, revealing itself fully. It stood no taller than his knee, its body covered in dense, russet fur. Bipedal, with stubby arms and a rounded belly, it resembled a cross between a bear and a raccoon. Its nose twitched as it sniffed the air, then it tilted its head, studying them with unnerving intelligence.
More rustling, and a dozen others emerged, their movements silent, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yī Wò Kè," Yuna murmured, relaxing slightly. "Swamp dwellers. Harmless."
One of the creatures waddled forward, stopping just shy of Wu Hei's boots. It reached into a pouch at its side and withdrew a handful of glossy berries, offering them with a solemn expression.
Wu Hei hesitated, then accepted the gift. The berries were cool to the touch, their skins shimmering faintly. "Uh. Thanks?"
The Yī Wò Kè chittered softly, its companions echoing the sound. Another stepped forward, this one holding a small, carved stone. It placed the stone on the ground, then tapped it twice before pointing at Wu Hei.
Kael frowned. "I think they're asking where you're from."
Wu Hei glanced at the stone. The carving resembled a crude figure—humanoid, but with lines radiating from its head, like flames or hair. "Earth, I guess?"
The Yī Wò Kè exchanged glances, then the leader pointed to the sky, miming an explosion with its tiny paws.
Yuna's breath caught. "They've seen others like you. Fallen from the sky."
Wu Hei's pulse quickened. "Other contestants?"
The creature nodded vigorously, then gestured to the swamp, its expression turning grave. It pantomimed fighting, then clutched its chest and collapsed dramatically.
Kael's face darkened. "They're warning us. Others have come here—and died."
The Yī Wò Kè leader reached out, patting Wu Hei's hand with a paw. Its touch was warm, reassuring. Then it pointed westward, where the mist thinned, and made a walking motion with its fingers.
"They're showing us a path," Yuna realized.
Wu Hei met the creature's gaze, nodding slowly. "Thank you."
The Yī Wò Kè chirped, its companions gathering close. One by one, they placed small offerings at the group's feet—more berries, a braided vine, a smooth pebble. For a long moment, no one spoke.
Kael broke the silence. "We should go. Before whatever killed the others finds us."
Wu Hei pocketed the pebble, its surface worn smooth by time. "Yeah." He stood, rolling his shoulders. "But first—we watch each other's backs. No matter what."
Yuna's ears perked. "You're not going to ditch us?"
Wu Hei smirked. "What, and miss out on more of your charming company?"
Kael groaned, but there was a hint of a smile beneath his usual bravado. "Let's just move."
The Yī Wò Kè seemed to to understand that the group wanted to leave the swamp and offered their guidance, forming a column to lead them to the edge of the biome.
As Wu Hei walked along with the small creatures, he saw one of them stumbled on the wet ground in front of him. He smiled, realizing that he wasn't the only one struggling to keep his footing. As he passed the clumsy creature who was struggling to get back up, he reached out his hand, offering his support.
As the Yī Wò Kè turned to him, their eyes met and Wu Hei felt uneasy, a disturbing realization suddenly dawning him.