But Octavius wasn't about to let Grey leave.
The lion king bellowed, his voice echoing across the arena:
"Wait!"
The flames around him surged higher, their heat so intense that even the distant spectators recoiled, shielding their faces.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Octavius roared, his fiery mane flaring wildly as the ground beneath him cracked and burned under the pressure.
Grey didn't bother to look back. His steps remained steady as he walked toward the exit, his head held high.
"Let him stew," Grey thought to himself, suppressing a smirk.
It was pointless trying to reason with the raging beast.
"I said, wait!"
Octavius roared, his voice booming with raw anger, but Grey didn't flinch, let alone stop.
Then, something shifted.
Octavius spoke again, this time his tone quieter, almost pleading, though the flames around him still burned fiercely.
