Kai fights through the chaos in the arena, killing another attacker after being struck from behind. The Bowl has become a confused battlefield where Imperials and Resistance members clash while Ordinaries, Elites, and Fatals fight on both sides. Kai realizes this mix of powers is the only reason the Resistance has not already been overwhelmed, though the Imperials still outnumber them.

When a masked fighter rushes him, Kai quickly tests for an ability and realizes the opponent is an Ordinary. Even so, the man is dangerous with twin knives. Kai deliberately relies on his own strength and familiar borrowed abilities rather than using a Fatal’s power, partly because using those powers properly would require training and partly because he dislikes the idea of defeating an Ordinary unfairly.

The duel turns brutal at close range. Kai catches one of the man’s wrists, narrowly avoids a killing strike, and takes a shallow cut across his ribs. He then twists the fight back on the attacker, forcing the man’s own knife into his chest and killing him before turning to scan the battlefield.

Looking across the arena, Kai sees Kitt using fire with a savagery he has never witnessed before. Kitt’s rage unsettles Kai because it is so unlike the gentle future king he knows. As Kai tries to spot his parents and finds neither of them, he notices the crowd has thinned and sees two figures fleeing through a tunnel. Concluding that they are trying to escape, Kai decides to pursue them.