As the cheers of the stadium rumbled on, Rin made her way through the dimly lit corridors beneath the coliseum, her body still humming with adrenaline from the match. Each step echoed slightly against the stone walls, the cheers of the crowd fading as she entered the fighters' lounge.
Inside, the atmosphere was quieter—reserved for those who had fought, won, or lost. A handful of competitors rested against the cushioned benches, some nursing wounds, others deep in thought.
Near the back, sitting with his arms crossed, was Anup.
The Hero Candidate was fresh from his own victory, his expression unusually unreadable. He wasn't one for brooding, but there was a weight to his presence, a smoldering intensity that hadn't been there before.
Beside him, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, was Alisha. Her expression was grim, her usual confidence replaced by something sharper, more vengeful.
