Chaos began again.
The runes on the ground had barely stopped vibrating when the first roar echoed through the underground galleries of the arena. The sound came from far away—explosions, screams, the crackle of energy against stone and steel. The people, still stunned from the last fight, barely had time to comprehend what was happening before the ground shook again.
Strax stood still in the center of the field, the dust swirling around him like a golden veil. His gaze searched for something beyond what the eye could see. He was trying to hear. To feel.
"Samira…"
The bond between them vibrated—a thin line of spiritual energy stretching for miles, more alive than any spell. But this time, there was no response.
No sound. No words.
His heart, which rarely beat out of rhythm, clenched in his chest.
For a moment, he thought something had broken the bond. But then he realized otherwise.
The link was still there, pulsing strongly—only boiling. Samira wasn't silent. She was busy.
