The arena grew eerily silent, as if the entire world held its breath. The shimmer of excitement dimmed, replaced by an overwhelming sense of awe and dread. No one dared make a sound or a move. Who would punish him now? That man had crushed not just Rufus, but the very reputation of a seraph—and on the grandest stage no less.
Lyon's leisurely steps echoed in the stillness. The Six Pillars of Empyrean fell into formation, parting like a royal guard to allow him through, their expressions as serene as if this were a walk in the garden. Rufus lay crumpled on the ground, broken in both body and pride, and not a single soul in the crowd dared intervene.
Lyon's flaming wings had long vanished, leaving only his calm, nonchalant demeanor. But there was no mistaking it—the one they had thought was just a mortal had reduced a celestial being to nothing but ash and humiliation.
