The arena began to shift.
Stone platforms rose from the fractured ground, weaving into narrow bridges and steep ledges. Walls reformed into jagged cliffs, and molten streams of light traced paths between outcroppings. The battlefield now resembled a shattered temple part ruin, part stage.
Kieran stepped forward with his team. The ground beneath him pulsed faintly with power. His shadow shifted but stayed silent.
Across from them, seven figures shimmered into place.
Their opponents wore slate-grey armour with blue runes inscribed on their chests. Heavy weapons. Brutish stance. Their leader a broad-shouldered girl with gauntlets the size of helmets cracked her neck.
"Well," she called out, "you all look soft."
Rei grinned. "Good. We like surprises."
"Combat initiated," the arena intoned.
---
They didn't wait.
The enemy surged forward.
Rei met them head-on, fists wrapped in burning momentum. He blocked the first blow from a hammer-wielding opponent, but the second sent him skidding backwards. Sparks flew. Calla was already moving, flames arcing around her as she slashed upward forcing two enemies to retreat.
Selene extended her hand. Light pulsed toward Talon, who rushed in, landing a shoulder check that knocked a spear user from a ledge.
Kieran held back.
He watched. Counted. Predicted.
His shadow extended, flicking along the ground, unnoticed. One enemy attempted to flank Nova. Sera shifted first barely visible disrupting the attacker's stance.
Nova slid behind him, blades flashing.
Kieran's shadow struck, wrapping a target's leg just as they prepared a leaping attack. The enemy fell hard, wind knocked from their lungs.
One turned toward Kieran, eyes narrowing. They charged.
He stood still.
At the last second, he sidestepped. His shadow lashed, yanking the attacker's feet mid-stride. As they stumbled, he stepped in and drove his blade hilt into their chest hard enough to knock them flat.
He didn't gloat. He just moved on.
Around him, the team adapted. Calla scorched the field, carving paths through retreating enemies. Selene's light flared again shielding Rei just in time for him to counterpunch a blade-wielder into the wall.
The enemy line collapsed.
Their final push came together a wave of flame, steel, and flickering speed.
One by one, the enemy fell.
Silence.
Then the arena dimmed.
"Victory: Umbravale."
Kieran exhaled, heart pounding. His teammates stood tired, breathing hard, but whole.
Across the arena, the bracket was updated. The next name pulsed in gold:
Duskwatch Academy.
Kieran felt it again. A cold chill. Not fear.
Expectation.
Overhead, another glyph appeared smaller, spinning slowly.
Rei looked up and squinted. "What's that?"
Selene's voice was quiet. "Something new."
Talon frowned. "One name?"
Calla tilted her head. "Looks like a... duel bracket?"
No one confirmed it.
But something about the way the arena paused the way that symbol lingered hinted the tournament had more in store than team fights.
---
End of Chapter 37