Chapter 63: Briv VS Raven
The morning light came thin through the windows of the inn, pale and watery, barely strong enough to cast shadows on the floorboards. Briv woke to the sound of rain tapping against the glass—a soft, persistent rhythm that made the warmth of the bed feel like something worth protecting.
Patricia was already awake beside him, her back pressed against his chest, his arm draped over her waist. She had one hand resting on his forearm, her thumb tracing slow circles on his skin.
"You're awake," she said.
"So are you."
"I've been awake."
He kissed the back of her neck.
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Thinking."
"About what?"
She turned in his arms to face him. Her hair was tangled, her blue eyes still heavy with sleep, but there was something sharp behind them—something that had been brewing for days.
"The Eclipse Squad," she said. "Roger and Callum. The way they looked at us in the plaza."
Briv's jaw tightened.
"They're just punks."
"They're dangerous punks." Patricia sat up, pulling the sheet around her shoulders. "And they're part of something bigger. You saw the way they moved. The way they talked. They're not doing this alone."
"I know."
"So what are we going to do about it?"
Briv sat up beside her.
"We train. We get stronger. We win the League." He looked at her. "And then we figure out what comes next."
Patricia didn't respond immediately.
She just stared at the rain on the window.
---
The common room was quiet when they came downstairs—too quiet for a morning in a city that never truly slept, but the rain had driven most people indoors. Samuel sat near the fireplace with Doduo, his eyes closed, his breathing slow. Dariana was at a corner table with Eevee curled in her lap, her fingers moving absently through its fur.
Axel stood by the window, watching the street.
Nicola was nowhere to be seen.
"She left early," Dariana said, as if reading Briv's thoughts. "Said she needed to clear her head."
"Again?"
"She's been doing that a lot lately."
Briv poured himself a cup of tea from the pot on the sideboard. It was lukewarm and bitter, but he drank it anyway.
Kay had left three days ago.
Nicola had been different ever since—quieter, sharper, more distant. She still trained, still fought, still pushed herself past every limit. But something had dimmed in her eyes, and no one knew how to bring it back.
"She'll be okay," Patricia said.
Dariana looked at her.
"Will she?"
Patricia didn't answer.
---
The door opened.
A woman stepped inside, shaking rain from a dark cloak that seemed to swallow the light around it. She was pale—unnaturally pale, like moonlight given form—with violet hair that fell past her shoulders and indigo eyes that scanned the room with cool, detached precision.
She wore a leotard beneath the cloak, adorned with red gems that caught the firelight and held it. At her belt hung three Poké Balls.
She looked at Briv.
"You're the one who beat Kay Alburth."
It wasn't a question.
Briv set down his cup.
"Who's asking?"
"Raven." She said the name like it meant nothing—like she was already bored of the conversation. "I've heard about you. The champion who lost his edge. The trainer who's supposed to be something but keeps proving he isn't."
The room went still.
Samuel opened his eyes.
Dariana's hand stopped moving on Eevee's fur.
Axel turned from the window.
Briv's expression didn't change.
"You've got a funny way of introducing yourself."
Raven's lips curved—not a smile, something colder.
"I don't introduce myself. I test people." She stepped forward, her boots leaving wet prints on the floorboards. "Your friend Nicola Sunfall—she's been fighting well. Six wins. Impressive for someone so... distracted."
Briv's jaw tightened.
"What do you want?"
"A battle. Three on three." Raven pulled a Poké Ball from her belt and held it up to the light. "Right now."
Patricia stepped forward.
"Why?"
Raven looked at her for the first time—really looked—and something flickered behind her eyes. Recognition. Curiosity. Something darker.
"Because I want to see if the stories are true. Because I want to know if you're worth my time." She pocketed the ball. "Because the Eclipse Squad isn't the only thing watching you, Briv Ambertone. And you should know who your enemies are before the League begins."
The silence stretched.
Then Axel spoke.
"I'll referee."
Raven glanced at him.
"I know who you are."
"Good." Axel's voice was flat. "Then you know I don't play favorites."
"I don't need favorites." Raven turned back to Briv. "I need a challenge. And right now, you're the closest thing I've got."
Briv looked at her.
Then he stood.
"Fine."
---
The rain had stopped by the time they reached the training yard behind the inn. The ground was slick with water, puddles reflecting the gray sky like shattered mirrors. Steam rose from the stones, curling around their boots as they took their positions.
Raven stood opposite Briv, her cloak billowing slightly in the wind, her expression unreadable. She pulled three Poké Balls from her belt and held them in her palm like dice.
Briv did the same.
Axel stood between them, Rotom flickering at his shoulder.
"Standard rules," he said. "Three on three. No items. No substitutions. The battle ends when one trainer has no Pokémon remaining."
Both trainers nodded.
"Then begin."
---
Raven moved first.
"Honchkrow."
The ball opened in a flash of dark light that solidified into a creature of shadow and feather—a massive crow with a crest like a fedora, its eyes burning red, its wings spread wide. Honchkrow let out a low, rasping cry that echoed off the walls.
Briv's hand moved to his belt.
"Riolu," he said.
Riolu materialized in a burst of blue light—small, fierce, its red eyes locked on Honchkrow with absolute focus. It didn't flinch at the size difference. It didn't back down.
It just waited.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Raven moved first.
"Honchkrow—Night Slash."
Honchkrow dove, its wings slicing through the air like blades.
"Riolu—Detect!"
Riolu's eyes flashed. It sidestepped the attack before Honchkrow even committed, ducking under the wing and rolling to safety.
"Counter," Briv said.
Riolu pivoted and launched itself at Honchkrow's back.
"Foul Play," Raven said.
Honchkrow twisted midair, its talons glowing dark, and caught Riolu in the chest. The impact sent Riolu tumbling across the wet ground.
It didn't get up.
"Riolu is unable to battle," Axel said. "Honchkrow wins."
Briv's breath caught.
One hit.
One fucking hit.
He recalled Riolu with steady hands.
"You did good," he whispered.
Then he reached for his second ball.
"Gible," he said.
---
Gible erupted onto the field in a burst of blue and red, its tiny body vibrating with barely contained energy. It looked at Honchkrow and grinned.
Honchkrow looked back.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Gible moved before Briv could speak.
It launched itself at Honchkrow like a missile, its jaws open, its fin cutting through the air.
"Dragon Rush," Briv called.
Gible's body glowed with draconic energy.
"Honchkrow—Sucker Punch."
Honchkrow vanished.
Reappeared behind Gible.
Struck.
Gible was thrown forward, its attack interrupted, its body skidding across the dirt.
"Again," Raven said.
Honchkrow dove.
"Gible—Dig!"
Gible vanished beneath the earth.
Honchkrow's talons closed on empty air.
The ground trembled.
"Honchkrow—Tailwind."
Honchkrow beat its wings, and the wind shifted—a sudden, violent gust that swept across the field and lifted the bird higher.
"Gible—Dragon Rush!"
Gible erupted from the ground, jaws first, aimed at Honchkrow's chest.
Honchkrow dodged.
Gible missed.
Honchkrow struck again—Night Slash, Foul Play, Sucker Punch—a blur of dark feathers and darker energy that hammered Gible from every angle.
Gible kept getting up.
Kept attacking.
Kept fighting.
But it was slower now. Weaker. Bleeding.
"Gible—one more," Briv said. "Dragon Rush. Full power."
Gible's body blazed with blue light.
It launched itself at Honchkrow.
"Honchkrow—Brave Bird."
Honchkrow dove, its body wreathed in dark energy, and met Gible head-on.
The collision shook the ground.
When the dust settled, Gible lay motionless.
Honchkrow stood over it, breathing hard.
"Gible is unable to battle," Axel said. "Honchkrow wins."
---
Briv recalled Gible.
Two down.
One left.
He looked at the Poké Ball in his hand.
"Shinx," he said. "It's up to you."
Shinx materialized in a crackle of blue electricity—small, fierce, its fur standing on end, its eyes locked on Honchkrow with absolute determination. The star on its tail glowed.
Honchkrow was still standing.
But it was tired.
Shinx wasn't.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Shinx moved first.
"Spark!"
Shinx launched itself at Honchkrow—a bolt of living lightning—and slammed into the bird's chest.
Honchkrow screeched.
Shinx bounced off, landed, and launched again.
And again.
And again.
Each hit was faster, harder, more devastating than the last.
Honchkrow tried to counter—Night Slash, Foul Play, Sucker Punch—but Shinx was too quick, too small, too relentless.
"Honchkrow—Brave Bird!" Raven shouted.
Honchkrow dove, its body wreathed in dark energy.
"Shinx—Discharge!"
Shinx's body exploded with electricity—a perfect sphere of blue and white light—and when Honchkrow hit it, the bird was thrown backward, smoking, unconscious.
"Honchkrow is unable to battle," Axel said. "Shinx wins."
---
Raven recalled Honchkrow without a word.
She looked at Briv.
Then she smiled.
"Cacturne," she said.
The ball opened in a flash of green light that solidified into a creature of straw and shadow—a tall, scarecrow-like Pokémon with a pointed hat, a wicked grin, and eyes that glowed yellow in the dim light. Cacturne stood motionless, its arms crossed, its presence unsettling.
Shinx's ears flattened.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Cacturne moved first.
"Needle Arm."
Cacturne's arm elongated, covered in spines, and swung at Shinx like a club.
Shinx dodged.
"Sand Attack," Briv said.
Shinx kicked dirt into Cacturne's face.
Cacturne didn't flinch.
"Spikes," Raven said.
Cacturne raised its arms, and the ground around Shinx erupted with glowing spikes—layer after layer of jagged barbs that cut into Shinx's paws with every step.
Shinx yelped.
"Shinx—get back!"
Shinx tried to retreat.
The spikes followed.
"Leech Seed," Raven said.
A seed shot from Cacturne's mouth and struck Shinx in the chest. It burrowed into its fur, and Shinx felt its energy begin to drain.
"Shinx—Discharge! Get it off!"
Shinx exploded with electricity.
The seed burned away.
But Cacturne was already moving.
"Needle Arm."
The club-like arm struck Shinx across the body and sent it tumbling across the field.
Shinx hit the wall.
It didn't get up.
"Shinx is unable to battle," Axel said. "Cacturne wins."
---
Briv recalled Shinx with shaking hands.
His last Pokémon.
He had none left.
Raven still had two.
"Briv is out of usable Pokémon," Axel said. "Raven wins."
---
The silence stretched.
Then Raven recalled Cacturne.
She looked at Briv.
"You're better than I expected."
Briv's jaw tightened.
"I lost."
"You fought. That's more than most people do." Raven pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. "The Eclipse Squad isn't your real enemy. They're pawns. There's something bigger coming—something you're not ready for."
Briv's blood ran cold.
"What do you mean?"
Raven turned to leave.
"You'll find out."
She stopped at the gate.
"One month until the League. Use it well."
Then she was gone.
---
Patricia reached Briv's side.
"Are you okay?"
He didn't answer.
He just stared at the gate where Raven had disappeared.
Something bigger.
Something you're not ready for.
He looked at his Poké Balls.
Riolu. Gible. Shinx.
They'd lost.
But they'd fought.
And that meant something.
It had to.
"Let's go home," he said.
Patricia took his hand.
They walked back to the inn in silence.
But Briv's mind was racing.
The countdown continued.
And somewhere in the darkness, the Eclipse Squad was watching.
Waiting.
But so were they.
---
Later that night, Briv sat on the balcony with Shinx curled in his lap. The city lights flickered below—on and off, on and off—but the towers held.
Patricia joined him.
She didn't speak.
She just sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.
They watched the lights.
They watched the sky.
And somewhere in the distance, a storm was gathering.
But they would weather it.
Together.
The countdown continued.
=====
The countdown continued.
Nicola returned to the inn just before midnight, her clothes soaked through with rain and sweat, her hair plastered to her skull. She moved through the common room like a ghost, silent and pale, and she didn't stop when Patricia called her name.
The door to her room clicked shut.
Patricia stood in the hallway for a long time after that, her hand raised to knock, her knuckles hovering an inch from the wood. She didn't knock. She just stood there, listening to the silence on the other side, and then she turned and walked back downstairs.
Briv was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.
"Anything?"
"Nothing."
He exhaled through his nose.
"That's the third time this week."
"I know."
They didn't say anything else. There was nothing else to say.
---
Morning came gray and damp again. The rain had stopped sometime during the night, but the clouds still hung low over Aethelburg, pressing down on the city like a heavy hand. The canals ran high and fast, and the floating bridges swayed slightly in the wind.
Dariana was already awake when the others came down for breakfast. She sat at the corner table with Eevee curled in her lap and Shellos resting on the bench beside her, its soft antennae swaying gently as it breathed. Gallade stood behind her chair, motionless, its blade-like arms folded across its chest.
She looked up when Briv and Patricia entered.
"Nicola's still in her room."
"We know."
"I'm worried about her."
Briv poured himself a cup of tea.
"So are we."
Dariana's fingers moved through Eevee's fur.
"Kay really did a number on her."
"She won't talk about it."
"She won't talk about anything."
Patricia sat down across from Dariana.
"She'll come around. She always does."
Dariana didn't look convinced.
"Maybe."
---
The morning passed slowly, the kind of slow that made every minute feel like an hour. Briv trained with Shinx in the yard behind the inn, running through drills that were more muscle memory than conscious thought. Patricia worked with Budew and Buneary on the far side of the field, her voice soft and encouraging as she guided the tiny Grass-type through basic movement patterns.
Samuel sat on the low stone wall, plucking at the strings of a small wooden instrument Briv didn't recognize, his eyes half-closed. Doduo stood beside him, both heads swiveling in opposite directions, keeping watch over a street that didn't need watching.
It was peaceful.
It was temporary.
---
The woman arrived at noon.
She stepped through the gate of the training yard without knocking, without announcing herself, without any pretense of politeness. Her hair was long and black, falling past her shoulders in waves that caught the watery sunlight and seemed to drink it in. Her eyes were violet—a deep, unsettling violet that reminded Briv of the sky just before a storm.
She wore black. All black. A fitted top that hugged her narrow waist, leather pants that clung to her hips, boots that clicked against the cobblestones with each deliberate step. A silver chain hung at her throat, and on her belt were three Poké Balls.
She looked at Dariana.
"You're the one they call the dancer."
Dariana's hand stilled on Eevee's fur.
"Who's asking?"
"Blackfire." The woman said her name like it was a title, like it was something she had earned and intended to keep. "I've heard about you. The strategist. The one who fights with grace and precision. The one who's supposed to be something special."
She smiled.
"I want to see if it's true."
The yard went quiet.
Samuel's fingers stopped moving on the strings.
Briv straightened.
Patricia stepped forward.
"What do you want?"
Blackfire didn't look at her. She kept her eyes on Dariana.
"A battle. Three on three. Right now." She pulled a Poké Ball from her belt and rolled it between her fingers. "Unless you're too busy playing with your little pets."
Dariana stood slowly.
Eevee hopped down from her lap and stood beside her, its fur bristling slightly.
"I'm not too busy."
"Good." Blackfire's smile widened. "Then let's begin."
---
Axel appeared from nowhere.
He leaned against the post at the edge of the yard, Rotom flickering at his shoulder, his expression unreadable.
"I'll referee."
Blackfire glanced at him.
"You're the one who watches."
"I'm the one who makes sure nobody cheats."
Her smile didn't waver.
"I don't need to cheat."
"Then we won't have a problem."
---
They took their positions on opposite sides of the field. The rain had left the ground soft and uneven, and small puddles dotted the dirt like scattered coins. Dariana rolled her shoulders, loosening the tension that had settled there, and pulled her first Poké Ball from her belt.
Blackfire did the same.
"Standard rules," Axel said. "Three on three. No substitutions. The battle ends when one trainer has no Pokémon remaining."
Both trainers nodded.
"Then begin."
---
Blackfire moved first.
"Mightyena."
The ball opened in a flash of dark light that solidified into a creature of muscle and shadow—a massive wolf with black fur, gray markings, and eyes that burned red in the dim afternoon. Mightyena lowered its head and growled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through the ground.
Eevee's fur stood on end.
Dariana's hand moved to her belt.
"Shellos," she said.
Shellos materialized in a burst of blue light—soft, round, its antennae swaying gently as it looked at Mightyena with calm, unblinking eyes. It didn't growl. It didn't flinch. It just waited.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Blackfire moved first.
"Mightyena—Crunch."
Mightyena lunged, jaws open, teeth gleaming.
"Shellos—Mud Bomb."
Shellos spat a glob of thick mud directly into Mightyena's face.
The Dark-type staggered, shaking its head, temporarily blinded.
"Water Pulse," Dariana said.
Shellos fired a ring of water that struck Mightyena in the chest and sent it skidding backward.
"Again," Dariana said.
Shellos fired again.
And again.
Each pulse hit harder than the last, and Mightyena could do nothing but endure—blinded, off-balance, unable to close the distance.
"Enough," Blackfire said. "Mightyena—Snarl."
Mightyena opened its jaws and let out a sound that wasn't quite a howl—a wave of dark energy that rippled across the field and struck Shellos before it could dodge.
Shellos shuddered.
Its special attack dropped.
"Again," Blackfire said.
Mightyena howled.
Shellos shuddered again.
"Now—Crunch."
Mightyena lunged, jaws closing around Shellos's body.
Shellos screamed.
"Shellos—Water Pulse! Point blank!"
Shellos fired directly into Mightyena's mouth.
The explosion of water and dark energy sent both Pokémon flying backward.
Mightyena hit the ground and didn't move.
Shellos hit the wall and slid down, its body covered in deep bite marks.
"Mightyena is unable to battle," Axel said. "Shellos wins."
---
Blackfire recalled Mightyena without a word.
She looked at Dariana.
Then she smiled.
"Primeape."
The ball opened in a flash of white light that solidified into a creature of muscle and fury—a bipedal ape with cream-colored fur, iron bands around its wrists and ankles, and eyes that burned with barely contained rage. Primeape pounded its fists against its chest and screamed.
Shellos tried to rise.
It couldn't.
"Shellos is unable to battle," Axel said. "Primeape wins."
---
Dariana recalled Shellos.
She whispered something to the ball before she clipped it back to her belt.
Then she reached for her second.
"Eevee," she said.
Eevee stepped onto the field with its head high and its tail streaming behind it. It looked small next to Primeape—fragile, almost—but there was something in its eyes that hadn't been there before.
Determination.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Dariana moved first.
"Eevee—Quick Attack."
Eevee blurred forward, slamming into Primeape's chest before the Fighting-type could react.
Primeape staggered.
"Again," Dariana said.
Eevee struck again.
And again.
Each hit was faster than the last, a blur of brown fur and motion that Primeape couldn't track.
"Primeape—Seismic Toss!" Blackfire shouted.
Primeape's hand shot out and caught Eevee mid-lunge.
It lifted the small Pokémon above its head.
And threw it.
Eevee hit the ground hard, bouncing once, twice, before sliding to a stop.
It didn't get up.
"Eevee!" Dariana's voice cracked.
Eevee stirred.
It pushed itself to its feet, shaking, bleeding, but standing.
"Good," Dariana breathed. "Now—Bite."
Eevee lunged, teeth bared.
"Primeape—Karate Chop."
Primeape's hand came down like a hammer.
Eevee twisted midair and sank its teeth into Primeape's wrist.
Primeape screamed.
"Now—Swift!"
Eevee released its grip and fired a barrage of glowing stars directly into Primeape's face.
The Fighting-type stumbled backward, blinded.
"Again!"
Eevee fired again.
And again.
Primeape swung wildly, trying to hit something it couldn't see, but Eevee was too quick, too small, too relentless.
"Primeape—Thrash!"
Primeape exploded into motion—a whirlwind of fists and fury that carved through the air with devastating force.
Eevee dodged once.
Twice.
The third strike caught it in the side and sent it tumbling across the field.
Eevee didn't get up.
"Eevee is unable to battle," Axel said. "Primeape wins."
---
Dariana recalled Eevee.
Her hand was shaking.
She had one Pokémon left.
Blackfire had two.
"Croagunk," Dariana said.
Croagunk materialized in a burst of blue light—wiry, calm, its yellow cheek markings catching the light, its orange throat sac pulsing slowly. It looked at Primeape with sly, calculating eyes.
Primeape was still thrashing.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Croagunk moved first.
"Poison Jab."
Croagunk darted forward and drove its fist into Primeape's chest.
Primeape roared.
"Karate Chop," Blackfire said.
Primeape's hand came down.
Croagunk sidestepped.
"Again," Dariana said. "Poison Jab."
Croagunk struck again.
And again.
Each hit pumped more poison into Primeape's bloodstream.
The Fighting-type slowed.
Its movements became sluggish.
Its breathing became ragged.
"Primeape—Thrash!" Blackfire shouted.
Primeape exploded into motion one last time—a desperate, wild attack that caught Croagunk across the face and sent it spinning.
Croagunk hit the ground.
It didn't stay down.
It pushed itself up, wiped the blood from its mouth, and grinned.
"Venoshock," Dariana said.
Croagunk's body glowed purple.
It fired a wave of toxic energy directly into Primeape's chest.
Primeape screamed.
And collapsed.
"Primeape is unable to battle," Axel said. "Croagunk wins."
---
Blackfire recalled Primeape.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
"Hypno," she said.
The ball opened in a flash of yellow light that solidified into a creature of menace and stillness—a humanoid Pokémon with a pendulum in its hand, its eyes glowing with hypnotic power. Hypno didn't move. It just stood there, the pendulum swinging slowly, back and forth, back and forth.
Croagunk's grin faltered.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Hypno moved first.
"Hypnosis."
The pendulum swung.
Croagunk's eyes followed it.
"Don't look!" Dariana shouted.
Too late.
Croagunk's eyes glazed over.
Its body went slack.
"Croagunk is asleep," Axel said.
Blackfire smiled.
"Dream Eater."
Hypno's eyes glowed.
A dark aura enveloped Croagunk's sleeping form, and the Poison-Fighting type shuddered as its dreams were ripped away and fed to Hypno.
Croagunk's body twitched.
"Wake up," Dariana whispered. "Please wake up."
Hypno fed again.
Croagunk's breathing slowed.
"Wake up!"
Croagunk's eyes snapped open.
It gasped.
"Now!" Dariana shouted. "Sucker Punch!"
Croagunk moved before Hypno could react—a blur of blue and yellow—and slammed its fist into the Psychic-type's face.
Hypno staggered.
"Again!" Dariana said. "Poison Jab!"
Croagunk struck again.
And again.
Hypno tried to raise its pendulum.
Croagunk knocked it aside.
"Venoshock!"
Croagunk's body glowed purple.
It fired a wave of toxic energy directly into Hypno's chest.
Hypno screamed.
And collapsed.
"Hypno is unable to battle," Axel said. "Croagunk wins. Dariana wins the match."
---
The silence lasted three seconds.
Then Patricia was running across the field, laughing and crying at the same time, scooping Croagunk into her arms. Samuel was clapping. Briv was grinning. Even Axel cracked something that might have been approval.
Dariana walked to Croagunk and knelt.
"You beautiful, impossible little—"
Croagunk licked her face.
Dariana laughed.
She held her Pokémon close.
---
Blackfire approached.
She stood over Dariana, her violet eyes unreadable.
Then she extended her hand.
"That was a battle," she said.
Dariana took it.
"Thank you."
Blackfire shook her head.
"No. Thank you. I needed that." She looked at Croagunk, at Dariana, at the group gathered behind them. "I needed to know I could still lose and survive."
She let go of Dariana's hand and stepped back.
"Seven wins," she said. "That's something."
Dariana nodded.
"It's something."
Blackfire turned and walked away.
She passed Briv on her way out of the yard.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
But something passed between them—something cold, something knowing.
Then Blackfire was gone.
---
Dariana stood in the center of the field, Croagunk still in her arms, the rain beginning to fall again in soft, steady sheets. She didn't move. She just stood there, breathing, feeling the weight of everything that had happened settle onto her shoulders.
Patricia reached her first.
"Are you okay?"
Dariana nodded.
"I think so."
"You won."
"I know."
Patricia hugged her.
Dariana hugged back.
---
Later that night, they gathered in the common room.
Briv was there, and Patricia, and Samuel, and Axel. Nicola was still in her room, but Dariana had left a plate of food outside her door, and the plate was empty when she checked it an hour later.
It was something.
It was enough.
Dariana sat by the fire with Croagunk curled in her lap and Eevee pressed against her side and Shellos resting at her feet. Gallade stood behind her chair, silent and watchful, its red eyes reflecting the flames.
She had won.
Seven wins.
One more than Nicola.
One step closer to the League.
And somewhere in the darkness, the Eclipse Squad was watching.
Waiting.
But so were they.
The countdown continued.