The Grand Imperial Arena trembled beneath the weight of tens of thousands of voices.
Never before in the history of the National Championship had a semi-final drawn this much attention.
The atmosphere itself felt unstable.
The sky above the arena shimmered beneath massive floating projection arrays, each one radiating golden light as they displayed the symbols of the competing teams repeatedly across the heavens. Giant crystal screens hovered above the battlefield from every angle, ensuring that even the furthest spectators could witness every expression, every movement, every flicker of spiritual energy.
Noble platforms overflowed with influential figures draped in ceremonial attire. Military commanders sat beside elder tamers whose names had become legends decades ago. Representatives from distant kingdoms occupied specially protected viewing sections high above the crowd, their expressions sharp with interest.
