“No,” Lily replied, shaking her head with determination despite the demi-human women’s attempts to dissuade her. “It has to be the same conditions as everyone else, or it doesn’t count.”
She flexed her knees, exhaling deeply. The air suddenly grew cold and tense. Someone loudly swallowed in the background.
“Hi-yah!” she exclaimed as her powerful hand chop cut through the air and swung down—
Plip.
A brief silence followed. And then—
“Owww!” Lily cried out, squatting and holding her right hand.
“Well...yeah,” Zophia said.
“She looked like a master for a moment,” Lynga mused.
“That scared me for a second,” Loewe added.
“Lily!” Zenos exclaimed, rushing to her side. “Are you all right?!” He checked her reddened right hand, then breathed a sigh of relief upon determining it wasn’t broken.
Lily sniffled, drooping her shoulders. “I guess I can’t do it...”
However, a sudden snap rang out, and a fissure appeared in the rock’s surface. A moment later, it split vertically with a crunch, much to everyone’s astonishment.
Surprised, Lily began to jump up and down. “I-I did it! This is the power of love!”
“N-No way,” Zophia said.
“She’s quite the dark horse,” Lynga remarked.
Loewe grunted. “Elves are terrifying creatures.”
Amid the hustle and bustle, the women rushed to the next booth. Zenos, who had been watching the game from behind them, turned his face to the side, casting a half-lidded glance at the wraith beside him. “Hey, Carmilla?”
“Yes?”
“You didn’t just sneak in a helping hand, right?”
“What?! You think the Lich Queen would resort to such underhanded methods?!”
“Yes.”
“You know me so well.”
“So you did do it!”
Carmilla grinned wickedly and chuckled. “I secretly picked up the werewolf’s hand axe and split the rock in two.”
“Isn’t that cheating?”
“Oh, you fool. Since when does the concept of ‘cheating’ apply to the Lich Queen?”
“To be fair, your entire existence is basically cheating.”
“I know not whether to feel flattered or insulted.”
“So you’re siding with Lily, then?”
“Hmph. I merely wish for an exciting competition.” She floated up into the air, crossing her arms proudly. “’Tis far more fun that way.”
***
The night of the festival went on as spirits grew livelier under the moonlight, the rousing sounds of drums and the mystical glow of the lamps filling the streets.
“And now for an update!” shouted Zonde, Zophia’s younger brother, from the stage at the center of the festival. “The current standings for the game booth competition are as follows! We have a four-way tie for first place with ninety-six points each! That’s our leader Zophia, werewolf chief Lynga, orc boss Loewe, and the little elf girl Lily!”
Applause erupted from all over.
“Who will win this four-way battle and claim crown and glory?! Keep your eyes peeled for the result of this epic confrontation! And good luck, sis!”
“Has he always been like this?” Zenos muttered as he looked up at the stage, noticing how the lizardman had just casually cheered on his sister at the end of his announcement of the game standings.
The four women carried on with their fierce competition, remaining neck and neck as they approached the final game.
Carmilla chuckled. “Oh, what fun. This really gets my blood pumping!”
“What blood?” Zenos asked flatly. He and the excited wraith headed to the last game booth.
The battle for Zenos’s affection seemed to be the talk of the festival. A huge crowd had gathered to witness the fight of the century, buzzing with anticipation.
