Storm walked away from Aric and Clara, the recent argument weighing heavily on him. The Battle Arena corridors, ordinarily alive with activity, seemed unusually quiet. He headed to a secluded spot, his footsteps echoing slightly.
This steady sound was at odds with the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. With every step he took, he felt increasingly tired and strained.
Finally, stepping away until he was out of sight and beyond the hearing range of everyone else, Storm stopped and leaned heavily against the cold stone wall. His hand shook as he reached to wipe off some blood from his nose.
The red on his fingertips made him realize the severity of the battle he had gone through. It wasn't just physical exhaustion he was dealing with, but also the immense effort it took to use Astral Manifestation for the first time. The Abyssal Crown was mighty, but it demanded more from him than he anticipated.
