"This is it," Kai said as we walked toward the staging area with the other teams. "No warm-ups or practice rounds."
"Just us and seven other teams trying to destroy each other," I added, trying to sound confident even though my stomach was doing flips.
The staging area was a massive circular platform carved with interwoven runes that glowed faint blue. All sixteen of us, gathered in a loose circle, eyeing each other with varying degrees of suspicion and determination. Malachi and Kiela stood across from us, and I caught Malachi's gaze for a second before looking away.
Moderator Vance appeared at the center of the platform, her robes billowing dramatically even though there was no wind. She raised both hands again and the crowd fell silent.
"Welcome to the quarter-finals! Today's challenge is certainly an interesting one. I present to you: Race To The King's Castle!"
