The sound echoed on and on, rolling like thunder, until at last, it began to fade.
Slowly, the cheering and applause ebbed away, leaving behind a charged silence, thick with anticipation for what was to come.
The announcer cleared his throat, stepping forward to reclaim the crowd's attention. His booming voice carried authority as he began, "I'M SURE WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES AND STRUCTURE OF THIS TOURNAMENT!"
The audience grew quiet, their eager eyes fixed on him as he continued, his words reverberating across the arena. "THIS IS THE DUCHY STAGE. THERE ARE 32 CONTESTANTS READY TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AND PROVE THEIR WORTH. BUT REMEMBER, ONLY 2 WILL EMERGE AS CHAMPIONS OF THIS STAGE!"
A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd, murmurs of speculation and excitement buzzing like a hive of bees.
