Prince's Gamble | HAOBIN

27. Last and Final

As he fell, Zhanghao breathed, collecting himself. So this was what his dream was, the final round. Pulling his arms close to his body and snapping his legs together, Zhanghao felt himself begin to fall faster, flying towards a metal platform. 

Nearing the platform, Zhanghao tucked his limbs in, tumbling as he landed on the platform with ease. He didn't hesitate to pull his sword from his back, holding it out in front of him as he began to scale around the platform. 

There was only one other competitor this round, and there was only going to be one survivor as per the King's request. Looking around the platform, Zhanghao narrowed his eyes as he racked his brain for thoughts. Who knew where the girl would be with so many platforms in the sky? Zhanghao hadn't even seen her when he was pushed out of the helicopter, assuming she would've been released in the same area as him.       

There wasn't much on the platform to provide as a hiding place, apart from the couple of trees which grew on the edge but even then could Zhanghao see right through the thin trunks. Concluding that the girl was not on this platform, Zhanghao put his sword away, walking over to the edge of the platform. 

Sucking in a breath, Zhanghao leaned over to fall off the platform, scanning for his next landing location. Spying a glass platform to his left, Zhanghao directed his body towards it, perfecting his fall once again. He gazed around, but there was no movement to be seen either on this platform. Frustration building up inside of him, Zhanghao kicked at the glass. This was going to take forever. 

Just then, in the corner of his eye, something flew past quickly, dropping past his platform. Turning before Zhanghao ran to the edge of the glass platform, he realized it was the girl, and she had just landed on another glass platform beneath him. 

He wanted to end things fast, didn't he? And so, Zhanghao let his body fall down into the air. Gliding as he wind whipped around him, Zhanghao angled himself towards the platform below. The girl had her back facing towards him, unaware that Zhanghao was heading for her. 

As he landed on the platform, Zhanghao's feet gave a soft thump, making the girl spin around. Pulling his sword back out from his back, Zhanghao brandished it towards her, it's metal gleaming. Following him, the girl revealed her axe. The very same one that she had tried to kill Zhanghao with in the first round. 

Stepping towards her slowly, Zhanghao began to speak, "You still haven't gotten around to repaying me, remember?" He said, jogging the memories of her previous words.

She stared at him, "Does it even matter anymore? Only one of us is leaving this arena." She replied. 

They were now mere feet apart, pacing in a circle with their weapons at the ready. "Only one of us.." Zhanghao repeated, "And who's that going to be?" He asked. 

The girl stopped, facing herself towards Zhanghao. "Me." She said before jumping at him. 

Zhanghao jumped away in alarm, her axe missing him only by a few inches. Turning fast, she continued to jump and lunge at Zhanghao, swinging the sharpened axe at him swiftly. Zhanghao began to fight back, clashing his sword against her axe as they both fought to shed blood. 

"Interesting choice of weapon." Zhanghao mocked, "But unfortunately, there aren't many trees to chop around here." 

Growling, she hit at him harder, "I thought after failing to kill you the first time, my axe wouldn't want to miss out on a second chance." She said through gritted teeth.

 "Too bad it won't get it then." Zhanghao replied. 

It seemed the girl had the same tactic as the boy from the last round, as Zhanghao noticed she was pushing him closer and closer to the edge of the platform. Well, why not let her have it? Zhanghao thought before letting his body fall backwards and off the platform. Flying backwards, Zhanghao turned his body to face his head forward again, allowing himself to find another platform. 

He was nearing the ground now, with less air every time he fell to the next platform. Reluctantly picking the nearest metal platform, Zhanghao began to make his way there only to look up and see the girl not far behind. She was falling fast, faster than Zhanghao and it wasn't long before she was less than an arm's length away. 

Grabbing at him, they fought in the air before both landing hard onto the metal. Bringing his left hand up to his now sore shoulder, Zhanghao got up to his feet, while his right hand held his sword. The girl was no slower, rising to her feet as they found themselves back in the same positions as before.

Teeth clenched, Zhanghao made for her, swiping with his sword as she attempted to dodge. He swung here and there until he could sense her getting tired, and her energy running out. Making one final lunge, Zhanghao pointed his sword forward as he plunged deep into her chest. 

After seeing her look of horror as the sword stabbed her, Zhanghao was overcome with remorse, her body falling to the ground with the sword still stuck in her. Crouching down, Zhanghao pulled the sword out of her, blood beginning to pool from her mouth. 

Although it seemed like he had no mercy, Zhanghao felt tears welling in his eyes as he stared down at her. He hated this feeling. Guilt. Regret. Sorrow. 

If he could have it any other way he wouldn't have chosen to kill so many people. So many innocent people. Children. The same age of his own. But he had done it—he had won. Sirens began to sound around the arena as the red lights flashed for the last time before the place lit up. 

Standing up straight and leaving the girl's body, Zhanghao walked over the the edge of the platform, jumping off before pulling his parachute to open. Falling slowly towards the ground, Zhanghao breathed a sigh of relief and peace. 

He was free.