Fantasía Oscura.
A rundown tavern surviving only thanks to the loyal crowds La Caverna drew in. After every match, this was the go-to place for food, music, and a night of celebration.
Though the exterior of this building was worn and neglected, the inside told a different story. The floors were clean, the tables were sturdy, and there was enough space to accommodate the constant flow of people.
Right now, Cobra and I sit tucked in a corner, far from prying eyes and curious ears. A server approaches us with a smile on her face.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" she asks. Her brown eyes lingering on Cobra a beat too long before flicking toward me, almost like she was just realizing I existed.
"Water, please," I say, unfazed by the lack of attention. I'm used to being invisible around here, only El Cuervo ever gets noticed. Which was fine by me. This way, I get some peace and quiet.
"I'll have water as well," Cobra adds, without so much as glancing her way.
"Two waters, coming right up," the woman says, a hint of disappointment in her voice as she turns and walks away.
"Once we are alone, I lean in slightly. "So," I say, "what is it you want to talk about?"
Cobra's cool blue eyes meet mine. He studies me for a moment before speaking.
"Tell me, Raven. Have you ever heard of the King's Tournament?"
I narrow my eyes. "Of course I have. I don't live under a rock."
Cobra nods, unbothered by my tone. "As you know, every four years, the King holds a tournament for only the best of the best mages. It's brutal, it demands not just raw power but strategy and skill. This tournament isn't for any amateurs. At the end, the winners are granted one wish. Anything they desire."
There was a pause.
"I want us to enter. As a team."
I blink, surprised by his words. "How come? There are many noble mages with two, even three elements who could be a better teammate."
Sure, I was the best underground fighter in La Caverna, but I'd never faced mages with multiple elements, well not until Cobra. Nobles never ventured into the rundown outskirts of the main city so I'd never had the chance to test myself against them.
Cobra shakes his head. "I've been studying you. You grow stronger with every fight. You learn, adapt. The only reason you hesitated with me was because I caught you off-guard. In the tournament, though, the competitors will have already demonstrated their magic. There won't be any surprises, for the most part at least."
He pulls a small leather-bound journal from inside his cloak.
"I've studied their abilities, their fighting styles. Every move, every weakness."
My eyebrows rise. That's... impressive. To have not only observed but catalogued every opponent? That kind of meticulousness wasn't something you saw every day.
"Speaking of studying me," I say, crossing my arms, "how do you even know who I am?"
Cobra shrugs. "I have people under my wing who dig up information."
I frown. "So more people know about me?"
"They're trustworthy. I'd stake my life on their silence," he says without hesitation.
His reassurance does little to calm my nerves. Still, there's something else gnawing at the back of my mind.
"Why work with me at all? Why not expose me to the Royal Court if you're really a noble?"
Cobra slides the journal back into his cloak and leans forward, his hands fisting on the table.
"Because I need to win. No matter what it costs."
I stare at him, letting the weight of his words settle in. This wasn't just ambition. It was desperation.
Which made me wonder: What could be so important that someone of noble standing like him would risk everything?
I purse my lips. My chances of getting out of this situation seemed slim, still i had to try. "So is this an offer or a demand?"
"Consider it an offer," he says, voice holding a hint of amusement. "Refuse it, and it stops being one."
I supress an eye roll. Fantastic. It seems there was truly no way out of this. But then I pause. Something feels off. Strangely, the idea of being trapped doesn't upset me as much as it should.
Why is that? I mull it over for a moment before I answer him.
"Fine," I say. "I'll accept on one condition." I meet his gaze without flinching. I might as well get something out of this seeing as it was still an 'offer' "After the tournament, you help me disappear into the city. Proper accommodations included."
Cobra remains quiet for a brief moment before he lets out a chuckle, "I see so your not only a good fighter but also clever. Alright, I accept your condition."
I have a feeling he just gave me a back handed compliment, but for the sake of peace I let it slide.
"Then it's a deal."
Pepe's face flashes in my mind. He won't be happy with my disappearance. Then again, when was he ever happy about anything I did? The truth was, I'd spent too long waiting for something to change. For him to change.
Strangely enough, this was my ticket out.
I bite my lip. This might be the biggest gamble of my life. But if it means a shot at freedom. A real life, far away from all this, I'd risk everything.