𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐄
A murmur of shock and dark anticipation rippled through the massive stone tiers. This wasn't an open-air hunt; it was a cold-blooded showcase of raw, asymmetric combat.
"THIS TRIAL SHALL NOT BE A TEST OF WEAPONS OR SPEED, BUT A SACRED MEASURE OF SENSORY DOMINANCE AND PHYSICAL ADAPTATION. THE DUEL WILL CONSIST OF TWO ROUNDS."
I froze, my hands growing slick against my bodysuit as the announcer's voice boomed with terrifying clarity.
"IN PHASE ONE," the loudspeaker roared, "THE CHALLENGER'S VISION SHALL BE NARROWED. A CEREMONIAL OBSIDIAN MASK WILL SEAL ONE EYE, STRIPPING AWAY PERIPHERAL SIGHT AND DEPTH PERCEPTION. IN RETURN, THE DEFENDER SHALL HAVE ONE ARM WRENCHED BEHIND THEIR BACK, BOUND AND IMMOBILIZED!"
