When Rhee woke up, her head and chest ached. “Uhg.”

  She blinked wearily, but her vision was still blurry. She thought she could make out the shape of tree branches above her. They were the right ashen color, but Heavens, it was hard to think clearly.

  What happened?

  Rhee used her arm to sit up, earning a sharp ache of pain from her back.

  Why does that hurt too?

  Rubbing her temple, she tried to remember what was going on.

  We were in the forest. Walked around a lot. There was a pond.

  Her vision finally adjusted enough to see the dull beams of light that broke through the overhead canopy.

  Vampire Monkeys. We got attacked by Vampire Monkeys. But then we won. Ishin and Lei were hurt, but then what happened?

  “You’re finally up,” Chen said, kneeling beside her.

  The blue-haired girl offered her a smile, but even in her dazed state, Rhee noticed the marks of battle on her friend. A dark red scrape marred Chen’s forehead above her right eye, and her hair was completely disheveled, scattered across her shoulders. Dirt streaked her face, her left sleeve was torn, and Rhee noticed that Chen’s right arm was wrapped in sweat- and dirt-stained bandages.

  “Chen?”

  “It’s me,” Chen replied. “How are you feeling?”

  “Sore.” Rhee tucked a strand of her own frazzled—once silky—hair behind her ear. She peered around and noticed someone else lying on the ground just a few feet away. “Who is that?”

  “Wen Mei,” Chen answered, adjusting to sit on the ground. “I’m just glad you’re alive. We were afraid for a moment.”

  Rhee blinked again, trying desperately to remember what would have made her friend so concerned.

  And why is Wen Mei lying there?

  Glancing more closely at the still, white-haired woman, Rhee noticed the rise and fall of her chest.

  Just asleep. That’s a relief.

  “Are you okay?” Chen asked again, her voice more concerned.

  “I…what happened?”

  “The Ape slammed its arm onto your back. You were hit pretty hard against the ground. I think it knocked you out.”

  Rhee’s eyes went wide with recollection.

  The Vampire Ape!

  Her heart began to accelerate and her breath came short. Panicked, Rhee looked around for the threat.

  “Where is it?!”

  She tried to stand. She needed to defend herself. Defend her friends. But Chen stopped her before she could.

  “It’s okay, Rhee. Breathe. You’re alright.”

  “Where is it?” Rhee asked again, her tone steadier, though her eyes still scanned their surroundings.

  “Dead,” Chen answered. “It’s dead. You’re safe. It’s okay.”

  “I am?” Her pulse still raced, but at least it wasn’t climbing higher.

  “Yes. It’s dead. You’re safe. Breathe.”

  Chen placed her arm on Rhee’s shoulder, which surprisingly helped. Gradually, over the next few minutes, Rhee managed to steady her breathing, her heartbeat slowing as well.

  “What happened?”

  Chen’s shoulders fell. “We killed the Vampire Ape, but Go Lan…she’s dead.”

  Rhee was shocked.

  At least she didn’t say Lei or Ishin. But Go Lan? She was so strong. So confident.

  “Anyone else?”

  “No.”

  Thank the Heavens.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Both you and Wen Mei were unconscious by the end, so we carried you away from the battle to rest. It’s been…I don’t know how long, but the sun is starting to set.”

  What?

  Rhee looked back up through the canopy and, sure enough, the golden light of morning she remembered was now a deep orange. Rubbing at her forehead, she asked, “Where are the others?”

  “Long is over there,” Chen said, pointing behind Rhee. She turned and saw Wei Long sitting on a tree branch, his back to her. “Ishin and Lei went to get water from a creek we passed. They should be back soon, and I bet they’ll be happy to see you’re awake. Speaking of…”

  Chen pulled out her waterskin and offered it. “You must be thirsty.”

  She was. “Thanks.” Rhee took the skin and drank greedily to quench her thirst. There was hardly any water left, but Chen graciously let her finish it.

  “And Six?”

  “Not sure,” Chen admitted as she took the empty skin back. Her eyes darted around. “He’s here somewhere—at least, I think. The three of us remained behind to guard you two while you rested.”

  I can’t believe they had to watch over me like a child. I won the Exhibition Tournament but was the only member of my team to get defeated. How embarrassing.

  Then she remembered Go Lan was dead and chided herself for her pride.

  You’re alive. Be grateful.

  “How did she die?”

  The question surprised Chen. “You really want to know?”

  “Yes. She was our comrade. I should know.”

  Chen let out a breath. “You’re tougher than I gave you credit for. It was a Vampire Monkey. It…killed her while we were distracted fighting the Vampire Ape. I’m not entirely sure what happened, but that’s what killed her.”

  Rhee furrowed her brow. “A Vampire Monkey? That doesn’t make sense.”

  “It was the one that fled.” Chen’s irritation showed clearly. “It came back, I guess. We were foolish for not watching for it. If we had, then maybe…maybe Go Lan would be alive.”

  Rhee didn’t know what to say. She remembered watching one of the Vampire Monkeys scatter away. At the time she’d been grateful for its departure, one less enemy to face. Then she’d become concerned about what scared it off, forgetting about the beast entirely.

  Would I…if I hadn’t been knocked out, would I have noticed it?

  Her stomach twisted at the thought.

  “Don’t,” Chen said sharply.

  Rhee looked up at her friend, whose expression had turned hard. “What?”

  “That look of guilt—thinking you’re at fault—I’ve seen it before. Fighters in the Blood Pit who thought their weakness was the reason their comrades died.” Chen shook her head. “Only the Heavens know how it could have been. Don’t burden yourself.”

  She rose, towering over Rhee. “You were unconscious. The rest of us were awake and fighting. If the fault is on anyone, it’s us, not you.”

  Rhee didn’t know how to react. “Right…”

  “Focus on the living, Rhee. The rest of us still need you. It’s unfortunate what happened to Go Lan, but you can’t let it consume you.”

  How is she so calm?

  Through the tear in Chen’s robe, Rhee saw pale scar lines running along her exposed left arm.

  Of course. She’s experienced this before. Like Ishin.

  Even Lei had seen true combat in the Western Quarter back in Yellow Dome City.

  This is what real danger is like. Watching your comrades die because you weren’t strong enough to save them.

  She’d thought her experience in the Howling Scape Forest had prepared her. She’d truly believed she was a veteran martial, a true warrior. But even that had been a sheltered experience, a master waiting to step in in case something went wrong. There was no protection here. A single misstep on Desolate Island meant death.

  “Did we at least bury her body?”

  Chen sighed and closed her eyes before responding. “It wasn’t worth the risk. We didn’t know if more Vampire Monkeys would be drawn by the noise of the battle, and we had to get you and Wen Mei to safety.”

  “Oh. That…I see.”

  I must sound so naive.

  “And we’re near the fort?” She didn’t recognize any of the terrain around them, but trees all looked the same to her.

  “No. We’re only a couple miles away from where we fought. Traveling with both you and Wen Mei unconscious was more challenging than we thought, and truth be told we didn’t entirely trust Six to guide us all the way back.”

  “We don’t know how to get back?!”

  Chen looked at her pointedly. “No we don’t. Unless you memorized the route back.”

  “I…I didn’t.”

  Chen’s expression softened. “It’s okay. None of us do. We thought about heading south until we reached the coast and just following it back, but decided it was best to wait for you and Wen Mei to wake up first. With any luck, she’ll know how to get back.”

  “Hopefully.” Rhee considered Wen Mei, who looked so tranquil in her sleep. “Did the Vampire Ape get her too?”

  “Actually no.” Chen sat back down beside Rhee. “She did that to herself. Used a pretty impressive ice technique to get revenge on the Vampire Monkey that killed Go Lan. But I think she used too much qi, because she fainted right afterward.”

  “Rhee!”

  Rhee turned to see an elated Lei staring at her, Ishin walking beside him. Lei’s entire chest, shoulders, and arms were covered in bandages, but from his expression one wouldn’t think he was injured at all.

  He ran toward her. “I’m glad you’re alright! How’re you doing?”

  Chen stepped to the side so the two could talk.

  “Hi, Lei. I’m alright. Just a little sore.” She looked at his wounds, realizing he must be in significant pain. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about these!” He spread his bandaged arms with pride, though he winced when he raised them. “All of the greatest martials have battle scars!”

  “I don’t think even death would stop his enthusiasm,” Ishin remarked, joining them.

  “We filled them all up,” he told Chen, depositing a collection of water skins tied together onto the ground. “No sign of any monkeys around either.”

  “Thank you,” Chen replied, kneeling to untie the bundle.

  Everyone has been working endlessly since the battle. They must be exhausted.

  “Are we planning to stay here for the night?”

  From the color of the light, there wouldn’t be much time before darkness fell across the island. Rhee didn’t want to spend the night in the middle of the island where there were Vampire Monkeys—or worse—but she didn’t know if everyone else had the stamina to move.

  Ishin settled onto the ground, placing his spear across his lap. “That’s what we need to figure out.”