Summary:

The negative sixty seconds come again. I sigh and watch the water rise. There’s something about going through a countdown twice that makes it doubly anticlimactic. A quick glance around shows that all the other vanquishers aren’t all that riveted by the countdown either. You seem more caught up by the fact Gust is there rather than the fact he probably won’t last long. Let’s face it. He’s a vegan in a competition where food is hard to come by. I give him three days at most.
Down to ten seconds once more. I don’t even bother paying attention. Instead I give a small wave to Kcinnif who smiles and waves back. I watch his biceps and smile myself.
One.
Oops, I’ve missed the end of the countdown.