Rex stood motionless, his piercing glare fixed on Eratz, who stood protectively in front of Colin and Catarina.
The wind shifted slightly, rustling the trees around them, but neither moved.
"There you are," Rex growled, his voice carrying the weight of his simmering fury.
In the arena, the entire crowd watched the scene unfold in real time through a network of high-tech drones hovering silently above the battlefield.
Their advanced sensors and long-range cameras transmitted every moment to massive screens surrounding the coliseum.
Gasps rippled through the audience as the two fighters faced off.
Zara, watching intently, leaned forward in her seat, her fingers gripping the edge of her chair.
"No, no, not now," she muttered, her voice barely audible amidst the murmur of the crowd.
Victoria sat stiffly beside her, her normally calm expression betraying the slightest hint of tension.
