The runner sped towards me, a complete blur. There was no way I was going to be able to catch her. She was most likely running at her top speed. There was only one thing for it now.

I released a few of my black, mist tentacles letting them take care of the healer and shield kids. I didn’t need any more distractions. I held my staff with my left hand and used my right hand to release my full gas mask, before dropping it to my side.

Twisting the staff I created a mini tornado, letting it gather up sand and dust. I let it grow bigger and soon it was behind the runner chasing her. The sand flew into her eyes, but it didn’t blind her like I had hoped it would. Onto plan B.

I kind of knew it wouldn’t work, because of my suspensions, but at least the sand storm had helped a little. She was slowing down a little. Enough for me to…

Suddenly I saw a small spark. Just as I thought, the runner had a computer with her. Most likely under her mask. It’s what had been helping her this whole time.

Turning to the other two I saw that the tentacles had done well. They were both on the floor, knocked out and covered with the tentacles. It would protect them from the sand storm, taking them away from the storm.

As for the others, they wouldn’t suffer too much, with the storm not coming too close, but I still had to leave them. It would be too suspicious if I covered them with my tentacles and moved them away.

It would also drain my energy, allowing for me to easily lose control of the sand storm. Then I’d have bigger problems than saving a few kids from getting a little sand in their mouth.

The runner was a few seconds away now. She had slowed down giving me enough time. I stopped spinning my staff, holding it next to my body. It was time.

The sand storm immediately disappeared, the sand and dust that had been swept up in it, fell to the ground covering parts of the arena floor in heaps.

I took one more look at the runner. She was grinning, a little confident but I was more so, less that a meter away. Taking a breath, I closed my eyes.

Bang!

I opened my eyes and removed the gas mask. Looking down at the runner I smiled. “You may be fast but you still have a lot to learn, kid.”

The fallen runner looked up at me completely shocked. She was sitting up, rubbing her forehead. “You…”

“It’s called an invisible shield.” I let the shield around me spark, silver sparks running around the dome-like shield. “It takes a little time to make, so the storm was a little distraction while I gathered the energy for it.”

“You really like surprising people…” The girl muttered.

“It’s my favorite thing. So, what’s with the computer?” I dropped the shield and held out a hand. She looked at it a little confused.

“You saw that? I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

“Yes, I did. Most runners don’t last as long as you do.”

“Oh…” She sounded shocked like she never knew that. Probably didn’t get into many fights. 

“Anyway, what’s your name?” I asked as she finally took my hand, letting me pull her up. Her grip was strong, almost reminding me of Janeth’s. 

Around me, medical androids rushed to take care of the other nine kids. A few were a little badly injured, but I didn’t hold back on them. Especially with their parents watching in the King’s Box.

There would be more hell to pay, if I hadn’t. It would seem as if I didn’t think they were worth the time or energy, a disgrace to their family’s name.

Standing up, the runner looked me in the eyes. A slightly destroyed computer covered the right side of her mask. Just like I thought, she had a computer helping her out. “The name’s Anna. Anna Kin.”