Chapter Text
Sha Lin had to hold himself back from complaining out loud. Why did Zhin have to be on his team? Why did he have to be a paladin in the first place?
He eyed the new flank in front of him, who stood silent and still. His sword was clenched in his hand as usual, and it made Sha Lin hold his bow just a little tighter. They were on the same team, but he wasn't sure if Zhin would really work as a team with him. To his other side, Cassie was chatting in a low but cheerful voice with her bird. Ash stared straight ahead, probably buying items based on her completely still form. Ying stood on top of the fallen stone pillar, smiling when she caught Sha Lin looking.
"Please, trust in yourself," appeared in chat, and Sha Lin tried his best to give Ying a confident smile.
He'd just ignore Zhin. That's what his ex-best friend seemed to be doing to him, anyway.
"5, 4, 3..." They all mounted their horses, and Sha Lin deliberately didn't look at Zhin who was right next to him. Focus on the game. The wind has my back.
They were off. Immediately, Ash and Ying took to the point. Their matchups proved to be tough enemies. Sha Lin barely noticed Androxus on the flank route, but he definitely saw Zhin lift is sword, ready to fight the Godslayer. Willo started shooting seeds at Cassie, and Sha Lin quickly interfered to save her.
Skye was somewhere around the arena as well, but Sha Lin was too focused on the capture point. Makoa was destroying Ash with Seris behind him, healing him as soon as he got low. Ying was doing her best, but with the incoming fire from all sides, it was getting hard to stay alive. Sha Lin scanned around.
In the distance, he saw Skye on low health. Quickly taking aim, he knocked her out with an arrow just as Zhin came into his view. Zhin shot a furious glare at Sha Lin, who suddenly realized he had just stolen his kill. He couldn't help but smirk in response, with only slight pity. Egging Zhin on was probably a bad idea, considering the merciless swordsman, but Sha Lin was having a hard time feeling regret. Yet. (He had to admit it was an amazing bowshot)
Zhin disappeared again, and Sha Lin refocused on the center. Makoa was already below half health, since Seris had died to Cassie and Ying. Sha Lin fired arrow after arrow, yet before he could get in the final hit, a certain flank appeared in front of Makoa. It took less than a second for him to slice Makoa down, and Sha Lin's arrow flew into the distance with no target. He narrowed his eyes at Zhin.
"Stay on the flank, tyrant." He hissed.
Zhin heard him, twirling his blade skillfully. "Stay out of my flank kills, Sha," he retorted, backing up. Ying gave the two a nervous glance when she heard their banter.
Suddenly, Sha Lin heard the sound of a familiar wrist crossbow. Skye came up from behind, sending him to respawn in mere seconds. Sha Lin cursed under his breath.
The instant he was out, there were already three enemies on the point. He couldn't go straight to it- that was instant death. Cassie and Ying were dead, leaving Ash in the center and Zhin god knows where.
"Ready!" Sha Lin began to fire off arrows from the flank side, slowly draining the health of Makoa. Suddenly, his health plummeted. He gasped and quickly threw himself into stealth, forcing Willo to start shooting blindly now. Sha Lin turned to flee, then ran straight into Zhin. Quite literally.
"Watch it, Sha," Zhin growled, before noticing his health. A cruel smile crossed his face.
"What happened, princess?" At the nickname, Sha Lin almost attempted to shoot Zhin with one of his arrows. Unfortunately, he knew it wouldn't work.
"Just... Willo," Sha Lin muttered, knowing he should be ashamed for almost dying to a flower fairy. Oh, Zhin wouldn't let him live that down if he had.
"Tch. Stay here and heal." In an almost protective way, Zhin threw Sha Lin behind him and lit his sword on fire. Sha Lin watched at Willo went down. Zhin was now almost as low as Sha Lin, but not quite.
"We should get Ying."
"She needs to focus on center," Sha Lin winced as he stood, though more of his health began to come back. "But... thank you for... helping me."
Zhin shrugged it off, but an amused smile crossed his lips, definitely less cruel than his normal.
"Ha! You leave yourselves open," a gravely voice called before they could say anything. Zhin's eyes snapped up with rage.
"Androxus."
"Ready!" Sha Lin went down in planted, shooting Andro out of the sky before the godslayer could do anything.
Zhin turned to him, grudging respect on his face. "Nice," he said simply.
Still, Sha Lin grinned at his old friend. "You're welcome."
Zhin narrowed his eyes, then bowed mockingly. "Shall we go, princess?" He sword glinted ominously in the light.
Sha Lin drew out an arrow. "After you."
"Awe how cute!" Ying cooed, "you guys made up! I was going to come help you guys since Ash has it under control right now but you seem to have healed!"
"Oh, what beautiful new romance!" Skye exclaimed in her normal suggestive tone. "I love it! Shin!"
The two males frowned at her, but she just gave a taunting laugh and threw down a smoke screen, dashing away after provoking them. Sha Lin turned to Zhin, but the tyrant was already chasing after the mischievous flank. Sha Lin couldn't help chuckling, following Ying back into battle.
Maybe having Zhin here wouldn't be too horrible.