The forest felt alive with tension as Lyra, Victor, Violet, and their bonds moved together, their senses heightened. The arena had grown eerily quiet, with only the occasional distant clash or the whisper of the wind through the trees breaking the silence. The group knew they were nearing the end of the free-for-all; the field of competitors had thinned dramatically, and only the strongest remained.
Sylvia sniffed the air, her green eyes narrowing as she stopped abruptly. "We're not alone," she muttered, her claws flexing. "Three—maybe four ahead. Bonds and mages."
Lyra tightened her grip on her greatsword, her aura flickering faintly. "They're likely the last few teams left. They'll be tough."
Victor let his shadows coil at his feet, his black eyes scanning the dense underbrush. "Good. Let's end this on our terms."
