Contents
Chapter Sixty-Four
Overview
Ruko overwhelms Cain in their decisive duel, nearly killing him, but Cain feigns death and mauls Ruko’s arm, provoking the Fox to surface. Vabras declares a tie that advances Ruko, Cain, and Neema to the Dragon Trial. The Fox, inhabiting Cain, rejects the ruling, caches Cain away, and refuses Neema’s plea, while Sol returns to her.
Summary
Festival crowds throng as Ruko and Cain prepare for their final fight. Neema, now rejoined with Sol, notes Cain’s jittery state; Ish Fort discovers Cain has overused stimulants to keep the Fox at bay. Neema begs Ruko to spare Cain, then kisses Cain and urges him not to die.
At the bell, Ruko attacks with ruthless speed and dominance, battering Cain to the brink through the first round. Cautioned against risking his own disarmament, Ruko eases off in the weapons round, allowing Cain to survive barely. For the final round, Ruko’s strength and technique overwhelm Cain, who collapses under a choke and seemingly dies.
As Ruko feels nothing at his apparent victory, Cain suddenly bites deep into Ruko’s forearm, revealing he had played dead. The savage attack mangles Ruko’s arm, and the Fox surges to the surface in Cain’s body. Vabras ends the bout and declares victory for Ruko, creating a tie that advances those within five points—Ruko, Cain, and Neema—to the Dragon Trial.
The Fox, erratic and grandiose, disputes the ruling, briefly menaces Vabras, and is led away by Ish Fort, who is horrified by Cain’s yellow, inhuman eyes. Neema confronts the Fox, carefully asking if Cain lives. The Fox confirms Cain is alive but claims to have “cached” him, refusing to say where.
Neema warns that Ruko’s rule could provoke a Return, begging the Fox to release Cain for the Dragon Trial. Offended by her insistence, the Fox lashes out, then abruptly departs. Shaken, Neema remains as the square is dismantled, with Sol advising caution and reaffirming his presence at her side.
Who Appears
- RukoTiger contender; dominates Cain in the duel, nearly kills him, then is savaged on the arm when Cain plays dead.
- CainFox contender; overstimulated to suppress the Fox, survives Ruko’s onslaught, feigns death, bites Ruko’s arm; then subsumed by the Fox.
- The Fox (First Guardian)Ancient guardian manifesting through Cain; declares itself emperor, disputes the ruling, hides Cain, rebuffs Neema’s pleas.
- NeemaContender aligned with Sol; pleads for Cain’s life, confronts the Fox, warns of a Return; steadies herself as Sol returns.
- SolRaven fragment; reassimilates with Neema, advises caution during her encounter with the Fox.
- VabrasHigh Commander; rings the bell, declares Ruko’s victory and a tie advancing three to the Dragon Trial.
- Ish Fort (Abbot Fort)Cain’s abbot; discovers Cain’s stimulant use, tries to manage the aftermath and steer the Fox away.
- Abbess GlorrenAdvises Ruko to avoid disarmament risk in the weapons round.