Kaiden stood at the edge of the arena floor, the distant cheers already beginning to fade beneath the pressure of what was coming. His name hovered in golden script above the crystalline dome for all to see, floating alongside the name of his opponent: Champion Rel of the Iron Guild.
The Iron Guild—a clan of metal-blooded warriors from the inner forges of Elthros. Rel wasn't just their champion. He was their pride. A walking mountain of armor and enchantment, muscle forged by war, blade kissed by rune-smiths. Kaiden had seen him once, in a memory.
He looked back. Alice gave him a reassuring nod. Joshua offered a small smile, calm as ever.
But it was Adam who stepped forward.
"Kaiden," he called.
Kaiden turned. "Yeah?"
Adam walked toward him. Slowly. Deliberate.
There was no grand speech. No fatherly pat on the shoulder.
He simply reached out.
And tapped his son on the forehead.
