Frost glittered across the staging platform like powdered glass, crunching beneath boots as competitors assembled. The air bit sharp and cold, each exhaled breath hanging like mist before dispersing into the crystalline morning. Above, the sky glowed pale blue, but the jagged horizon promised storms waiting to descend.
Rui and Shen emerged side by side, their matching crimson-and-obsidian chariots waiting among the others. The whispers started instantly.
"Spent the night together."
"Team Chaos living up to their name, I see."
"Bold for the general—bold, or desperate."
Rui held her head high, her dark hair catching the morning light, refusing to give the gossips the satisfaction of a flinch. Shen's mask hid most of his expression, but the tense line of his jaw betrayed his awareness.
