The roar of the crowd still echoed faintly through the arena halls as Anup walked through the dimly lit corridors, heading toward the locker rooms. His movements were unhurried, his expression unreadable, the sweat on his brow the only sign that he'd exerted any effort at all.
Velric had been a worthy opponent—stubborn, adaptive, determined. But ultimately, the outcome had never been in doubt.
Still, something lingered in the air.
A presence.
Anup's golden eyes flickered slightly as he stepped past a turn in the corridor. He wasn't alone.
Cruzer was waiting for him.
The Void Warden stood in front of the locker room door, arms crossed, his stance casual yet imposing. His violet eyes were sharp, focused, calculating. He wasn't just here by chance.
Anup didn't slow his pace. "You're blocking the entrance."
Cruzer didn't move. "Yeah. I know."
A brief silence settled between them, the charged tension crackling in the air.
