The Grand Imperial Arena fell into a silence so deep that even the distant rumble of storm clouds seemed unnaturally loud.
Heavy gray skies stretched across the heavens above the Imperial City, casting the massive arena beneath a cold and oppressive shadow. Reinforced barrier formations pulsed continuously around the battlefield, layer after layer of ancient defensive arrays glowing with blinding spiritual light. Countless runes drifted across the transparent walls like floating stars, each one maintained personally by imperial elders throughout the night after the catastrophic destruction caused during the semi-finals.
Nobody dared underestimate the danger of today's battle anymore.
Not after Lion Solvaris and Aether had nearly torn apart the arena itself.
Not after sovereign flames had shattered defensive formations that were designed to withstand commander-level beasts.
Today was different.
Today, the empire wasn't merely watching talented students compete.
