The sun was setting in the Heart of the Unparalleled. At the rear of Nota’s Heart, right beside the waters of the Unparalleled, Dora and Onur stood watching in astonishment as the clouds abruptly shifted places. Se?kin, having noticed the disturbance from Nota’s Heart, hastened to the same spot just as the wind began to blow fiercely. The three hunters fixed their full attention on the horizon where water and cloud seemed to merge.

  A long, black cloud broadened steadily, while blue droplets of water flashed before it like lightning. The moment the wind wrapped the cloud together with the waves, thunder revealed veins within it—visible only to the most careful eyes.

  With his usual arrogance, though this time in a tone edged with a fury Dora had never before heard from him, Se?kin said, “Until they revealed themselves, I believed I needed to defeat you. But now that I’ve seen the real opponents, I realise you’re merely a detail.” His gaze was openly scornful.

  Making it equally clear that she did not take him seriously, Dora replied, “I never considered you a rival to begin with.”

  Taking a step towards her, Se?kin said pointedly, “It’s obvious neither of you can defeat them! Why are you still insisting!”

  Onur, seeking to end the quarrel, said, “We’ll see who defeats whom!”—implying that Se?kin should leave.

  Se?kin walked away without concern and, without turning back, called over his shoulder, “Where they stand, both of you are bound to lose.” Though he attempted to mock Dora and Onur, he loathed confronting the truth that he stood in precisely the same position.

  At the very same hour, an unusual commotion stirred within the Unparalleled Castle.

  Elzem and Sonsuz stood upon the sands at the bottom of the Unparalleled waters, at the far end of the castle gardens.

  Elzem took her place upon the black rocks to the left with her pack of seven cats. Mounting ?etrefil, she waited for Abbey to glide into position beside her.

  At the same moment, Sonsuz waited on Mandy’s back atop the grey stones that lay upon the water like plates to the right. The Female Breakers stood lined behind him, ready for his command.

  Between Sonsuz and Elzem, upon the gently rippling waters reflecting the last light of sunset, stood a single Female Breaker.

  Addressing both sides, Gina declared, “I say this to both teams. The game continues until the opposing side yields. Though the aim may be to see how far Elzem Erk’s breath can endure, this is a game! And every game demands a victor. The loser shall fulfil the winner’s demand. The rules apply to everyone. Anyone who objects has no place in this game. If you are ready, I shall give the signal to begin.”

  Elzem and Sonsuz laughed, raising their swords aloft in approval. Gina soared upward, then descended in a smooth glide, sending fountains of waves across the Unparalleled waters before withdrawing to the side.

  Elzem swiftly guided ?etrefil towards the water’s edge. “All of you, wait side by side. Let us see Sonsuz’s move,” she said. Looking at Abbey, she added, “It is time to prove how perfectly attuned we are,” and fixed her gaze upon Sonsuz’s side.

  As Sonsuz advanced swiftly across the stones upon Mandy’s back, he issued a command to the Female Breakers. “The water is far too calm.”

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  The Female Breakers lined up side by side and clasped hands. Stepping before Mandy, they swayed their waists with a graceful, supple motion, stirring the water into motion. The rising waves rushed swiftly towards the pack.

  The great cats, their fur drenched, awaited Elzem’s command.

  With an expression of evident delight, Elzem said, “Abbey will clear your path.” At that instant, Abbey blew forward sharply, hardening the waters.

  Across the hardened surface, the pack ran with astonishing speed, rolling towards the Female Breakers as though in a bowling tournament. They sent the Breakers before them tumbling into the water, submerging them beneath the waves.

  A few remaining Female Breakers snapped their hands through the air, lashing the water upward like whips.

  Abbey spun like a top and halted the oncoming violent wave. With a swift breath, she cleared the way for ?etrefil’s advance.

  As ?etrefil raced forward, Kylie executed the same manoeuvre for Sonsuz.

  While Mandy and ?etrefil charged towards one another at speed, Elzem abruptly threw herself backward.

  Sonsuz, quick to grasp the situation, leapt from Mandy’s back in a flourish. The stage now belonged to ?etrefil.

  With a thunderous roar, ?etrefil seized Mandy and plunged with her into the waters.

  Elzem and Sonsuz now stood face to face, challenging one another. As they ran, Abbey cleared Elzem’s path while Kylie did the same for Sonsuz.

  The instant their swords clashed upon the hardened waters, the sea surged so violently that it rained down upon them. Both were soaked through.

  Laughing, Sonsuz pressed his attack, tilting his blade as he moved closer to Elzem.

  As Elzem struggled to free her sword, Sonsuz said, beaming, “I am always on the winning side—you know that, don’t you, Elzem!”

  Forcing herself not to laugh, Elzem replied, “You remember incorrectly. I have always been on the winning side, Sonsuz.”

  Their swords locked so tightly that movement seemed impossible. As they listened to one another’s breath, Sonsuz, still wearing that bright and happy expression, murmured, “I would enjoy losing to you.”

  Struggling greatly not to laugh, Elzem said, “You are distracting me.”

  Sonsuz inhaled the scent of her hair. “And you distract me.” Leaning closer still, he added, “Your hair smells incredible. I could lose willingly. I would do whatever you wish. Becoming your slave would be marvellous.” He laughed softly.

  Now barely able to hold her sword, Elzem said, “You are cheating.” Looking directly at him, she added, “Stop distracting me.”

  Taking her free hand, Sonsuz replied, “But you always do this.”

  Unable to endure their closeness any longer, Kylie said sharply, her voice laced with jealousy, “Stop cheating and focus on the game!”

  Abbey, unwilling to be apart from Elzem, said only, “You must return to the game.”

  Without moving away from Elzem’s hair, Sonsuz winked at Gina, who hovered opposite.

  Gina returned the wink and took the signal. Swiftly, she sent a colossal wave crashing towards Abbey and Kylie.

  When the great wave hurled them into the water, Abbey rose to the surface like a sulking child and grumbled, “That is cheating. Gina is the game’s referee. She cannot take sides.”

  As Elzem and Sonsuz laughed at Abbey’s state, the great cats darted suddenly across the water and leapt onto the rocks. The water churned violently, and Abbey was flung far aside.

  At that moment, Elzem began to struggle for breath. As Abbey was swept through the water before she could regain herself, Elzem’s breathing faltered. Her fingers lost their grip upon her sword. Her legs could no longer bear her weight.

  Just as she was about to fall into the water, Sonsuz caught her and swiftly carried her onto the sands.

  As darkness closed over her vision, Elzem heard only Sonsuz’s voice saying, “Breathe.”

  She could no longer feel her hands or legs. Just as she believed her breath had entirely run out, she felt a vast, cold rush of air enter her lungs. When she opened her eyes, she saw Abbey’s blue form pass over her like a garment. As her breathing slowly steadied, Abbey parted from her and drifted to her side.

  When she regained herself, she immediately understood the reason.

  Holding her close, Sonsuz asked, “Did you know that Abbey must never be far from you?”

  The answer came from Kylie. “Sonsuz, it is the effect of this wall. Day by day, it increases its power. It forces Elzem and Abbey to remain ever closer.”

  Though his spirits dimmed, Sonsuz spoke with absolute certainty that he could protect Elzem from it. “We will always be the winning side.”

  With believing eyes, Elzem replied, “I have never doubted it.”

  As Sonsuz supported her and led her towards the castle, he declared almost in challenge, “For me to lose, I would have to die.”

  Kylie attempted to conceal the jealousy that had overtaken her, yet it proved utterly futile.