The moment the referee's voice rang out, the arena exploded into chaos. Competitors scattered in all directions, their bonds roaring, screeching, and growling as the battle began. Lyra gripped her greatsword tightly, her heart pounding as she dove into the dense woodland with Sylvia at her side. The forest swallowed them immediately, the canopy overhead casting the entire area in dappled shadows that danced with every flicker of movement.
The terrain was unlike anything Lyra had ever seen. Trees stretched skyward, their gnarled trunks thick and ancient, while moss clung to their roots and stretched across the uneven ground. Vines dangled from the branches, swaying gently in the light breeze, and the air smelled fresh and earthy, tinged with a faint metallic scent that spoke of the magic that had created this place.
"It's beautiful," Lyra murmured as they moved deeper into the forest.
