To Each Her Own Arena
"To Each Her Own Arena" is the fifteenth chapter of the manga Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun written by Minoji Kurata.
Summary
Shao Jun faces off against a burnt Qiu Ju. Realizing brute strength will not work against him, Shao Jun distracts him with quick attacks while trying to grasp a ceiling light with her rope dart. With the structure weakened from the fire, Shao Jun pulls down the ceiling light down on Qiu Ju. Before she can leave with Empress Zhang Qijie, Qiu Ju grabs her, but a pillar falls and crushes him. Before the building collapses, Shao Jun and the empress escape the fiery mess.
Away from the fire, Zhang Qijie offers an apology for luring Shao Jun into the trap, but the latter retorts and apologizes for not saving her earlier in their lives. When Shao Jun invites her to escape the palace together, the empress rejects the offer as she states that the Eight Tigers only have Zhang Yong left and that the emperor may listen to wiser counsel once the last of the Tigers is dead. Shao Jun understands and hugs her friend before leaving.
Kō Risa wakes up from the simulation while Doctor Kaori Kagami asks her to wait fifteen minutes before going back. However, Risa confronts the doctor and wants to call it a day before suffering more side effects from the Animus. Astonished, Dr. Kagami tells Risa that she is close to finding out Shao Jun's secrets. Risa tries to leave but Dr. Kagami locks the door, pulls out a pistol, and orders her to go back into the Animus.
Characters in order of appearance
- Shao Jun
- Zhang Qijie
- Qiu Ju
- Zhang Yong
- Kō Risa
- Kaori Kagami
Behind the scenes
The chapter adapts the memory "Demon Fire" from the 2015 video game Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China.