The weight of silence bore down on the crowd like a storm waiting to erupt. My gaze locked onto Braun as he reached for his axe, his massive body dripping with sweat. The arena, moments ago alive with cheers for Seraphine's impossible comeback, now froze in collective disbelief. His fingers curled around the axe's handle, the dark weapon glinting ominously in the sunlight as he heaved it over his shoulder.
Whispers rippled through the stands.
"What's he doing?"
"Why is he going back?"
The announcer's voice cracked with disbelief as he said through the microphone.
"Braun! Your fight is over! This is a direct violation of the rules! If you proceed, you will be permanently banished from any of the future events!"
Braun didn't stop. His eyes burned with fury, bloodlust simmering in the air around him as he descended the steps, back toward the stage. The crowd's unease began to spiral into panic.
