CHAPTER 354: WINNER

SAGE

Was I an ancient? I wondered, watching Darius sit up slowfully, gracefully, with an air of resignation—obviously done with the fight, obviously restless as I was.

His eyes raked me from head to toe slowly, as if drinking the sight of me in, the possibility of me in. That gaze wavered, though, when he found no ring on my fingers or necklace with the abstenum mineral.

"Where is it?" he asked.

With the wave of magic energy I perceived then, I knew that he had cloaked us—our words rather—veiled them from being heard by the people around.

The crowd, meanwhile, was growing restless, clamoring for more fights, more bloodshed, more action. The referee, too, was just as confused as the royals watching.

I could feel it all—their curiosity, their confusion. They wanted to know why I had backed away, for it had been clear that I could have easily won the fight. They had all heard Darius pleading, although they weren’t sure for what.

"Where is what?" I finally voiced, cocking a brow.

I knew what he was talking about—knew the implication. That I was not an ancient, not really. I was something else—a freak, seeing as I didn’t need abstenum to walk under the sun.

What was I then?

El? What is going on?

"Are you sure you are ready for the truth?"

I rolled my eyes, an involuntary scoff escaping me. I had almost forgotten how it had always been with this significant other of mine.

"Admit first you missed me."

I scoffed again, taking steps back when Darius got to his feet and started toward me. My shoulders tensed, ready to move, should he choose to become ungrateful.

"This is not the time for that," I cautioned El inwardly, watching Darius approach me cautiously, his movements measured but intent.

"Where is the abstenum... you are obviously one of us... you know who I am, unlike the people here..."

"I don’t have it," I answered simply, folding my arms across my chest. My tone was sharp, clipped. "And I don’t think I am what you think I am. I have never seen the abstenum, except just now, around your finger. I also don’t cry blood."

Darius frowned, shifting on his feet. His eyes narrowed slightly as though trying to read something hidden on my face.

"What are you? You are obviously more than a witch. I wouldn’t feel that connection to you if you were a mere witch."

I shrugged, one corner of my mouth lifting. "I’m just as ignorant as you are."

A pause lingered, thick with tension.

"Do you want to finish the fight? The people are clamoring for it..." I looked away, to the stands, as I spoke, a faint chuckle slipping out when Darius snorted.

"I don’t care. They can declare you as the winner."

He paused, then snorted again when I cocked a brow at him.

"You would have killed me if you had taken away the ring. So yes, you win. So, I guess I owe you discussions. Although, I wish you could tell me about you too..."

The sincerity in his eyes was almost amusing. Tell him about me? He could dream on.

"You are going to tell him."

My smile dried up on my lips when I heard El’s voice in my head.

"He is part of your story, also the link to who you truly are. So yes, you are going to tell him everything."

I scoffed softly. She must be joking.

"The earlier the better, Maya."

"It’s Sage!" I declared aloud, causing Darius’s frown to deepen. His head tilted slightly, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Who are you talking to?"

"No one."

He looked incredulous, lips parting slightly. "Do you think that—"

Before he could finish his words, the referee stepped into the field. It was then that I noticed the people’s clamour had increased—louder, more insistent.

"What are they doing?!"

"What are they talking about?"

"Someone should get them to fight! I need to see more of those powers!"

"Why do you think she stopped from finishing it? She must have seen something!"

"Do you think they know each other?"

"Maybe past lovers?"

I rolled my eyes. Very active, stupid imaginations.

With a flick of my hand, I disabled the magic veil that protected our words from being heard. The air around us shimmered faintly before breaking.

Darius didn’t look surprised. But of course, why would he? I had just confirmed that I was a freak of nature—of the gods.

I wondered what was going through his mind. Should I risk checking?

"Don’t bother," El retorted in my head.

"His mind-guards are as strong as the word itself. You will only exert yourself unnecessarily. And really, you don’t have to."

She scoffed faintly. "That I am back doesn’t mean I will let you use the powers foolishly."

I said nothing. When the time came, I would do what I chose to do.

"What is going on here? Why are you two not fighting?" The referee’s voice was louder than it should be—likely for the benefit of the online viewers. His frustration was almost comical.

"Because the fight is over," Darius answered before I could even open my mouth.

The referee frowned deeply. "What are you talking about?"

Darius ignored him and strolled to the center of the field. Straightening his back, he raised his head, and using magic to amplify his voice, he declared me the winner of the contest.

"...If anything, I am grateful to her for giving me another chance at life. She had me right there, and she let me go."

I remained at the same point, watching the whole scene with an amused flair. My lips curved slightly as the crowd erupted in murmurs.

I turned to my left, my eyes catching Isla smiling. Of course, she would be happy.

She gave me a thumbs-up, her eyes bright with mischief. But I could see the curiosity shining in her gaze. Like the spectators, she wanted to know what had really transpired between me and the champion.

I winked at her and then joined Darius when he beckoned me. When he lifted my hand, declaring me the winner, I met Adam’s gaze—he and the other royals watching from the high box, holding back a sneer.

I thought it was over the top though–Darius declarations. Adam would probably think that we had planned all this out.

Yet if he thought so, he was stupid. Why would I plan to go back to my vomit?

"I am a vomit now?"

El’s tone hadn’t lost her humorous edge, and I wondered if this version of hers had been upgraded to fit my current state.