Everyone's attention was focused on the massive platform in the middle of the arena. The water surrounding it was calm and crystal-clear, but everyone knew the peace wouldn't last.
As soon as the fighters stepped onto the stage, the stillness would shatter.
In one of the tunnels leading to the bridge that connected to the stage, two groups stood facing each other.
Abir stood surrounded by a formidable group of dozens of sorcerers, while on the opposite side, Asher stood with the two female sorcerers.
Lucia broke the silence with a sly grin. "Just a reminder—there are no rules in this fight," she giggled, her excitement barely contained. "Abir's currently armed with a whole arsenal of artifacts."
"It won't change anything," Asher responded without a hint of concern. He wasn't dismissing his opponent's strength; the gap between them was just too vast.
