Chapter Twenty-Seven: Amari

As the arena roars above, Amari steels herself while an announcer escorts the trio underground, leering at their novelty as a woman-led team and insulting Zélie. Zélie restrains her anger to avoid jeopardizing their plan, and they proceed to the rusted cellar where their ship and assigned labor crew wait.

The guard unshackles the mostly divîner crew—youths and exhausted workers facing near-certain death. Tzain and Zélie distribute bread and water, revealing how starved the crew is. When accused of offering a last meal, Tzain insists they aim to keep everyone alive and let the crew keep the gold; they only want the stone.

Suspicion flares: a scarred woman predicts betrayal, and fear ripples through the group. Amari steps forward, admits the lack of choice, and argues that they are the only captains who care whether the crew lives. Her plea reframes survival as possible—if the crew trusts and follows their lead.

The crew looks to their strongest member, a tall divîner scarred by hardship. After a tense pause, he extends his hand to Tzain, agreeing to cooperate. With their crew secured, the trio gains a crucial foothold heading into the lethal games.