Kaiden stopped inside the cavern, staring at the golden notification as Yunohana caught his free hand.
[Dungeon Master Duel initiated.]
Beyond the entrance at their backs, the pale membrane still showed the narrow cave they had descended. Ahead lay a forest of dark stone ridges, with hooked limbs withdrawing into the gaps between them.
"I just got a notification," Kaiden said. "We've walked into a Dungeon Master Duel."
"On our very first date?"
He looked at her.
"First? So there'll be more?"
"...Now's not the time for this," Yunohana smiled, though a little tremble at the edges of her lips betrayed her.
His attempt at humor did little to ease the alarm gathering in her chest.
She had watched his battle against the Claimant, had seen what it took from him and the women fighting beside him. Now she stood inside another duel with his hand in hers, wearing the dress they had helped her choose that morning.
