The silence that had gripped the Grand Arena didn't just break; it detonated.
It exploded into a cacophony of shock, confusion, and terrifying elation. Fifty thousand people, who had held their breath as the nightmare dome dissolved into mist, suddenly exhaled at once. A roar washed over the sands, a physical wall of sound that vibrated the bones of everyone in the pit.
"He's alive!"
"The Zephyrwind boy! It's him!"
"Did you see the sword? Did you see the light?"
In the center of the ring, the noise was deafening, but inside the small circle of Squad 7, the world was quiet.
Dain Ragnor dropped his tower shield. It hit the sand with a heavy, final thud, burying itself edge-first. He stepped forward, his massive frame shaking, his hands trembling at his sides. He reached out, hesitating inches from Kairen's tunic, as if he expected his fingers to pass through smoke.
"You're... solid," Dain whispered, his voice cracking. He poked Kairen's shoulder, hard. "You're actually solid."
