While the Heroes of Amun Ra reeled in shock and despair over the gruesome death of their classmate, Nathan found himself in a place that seemed entirely detached from their turmoil. He sat inside the usual house, in the quiet garden of Demeter, where time moved more slowly. The air was fragrant with wild herbs and blossoms, and the faint trickle of a nearby fountain softened the silence.
Across from him, Pandora lifted her teacup with elegant grace, her pale fingers curled around the porcelain as though she held something infinitely fragile. Her eyes, always shifting between warmth and danger, rested on him with a peculiar intensity.
"Tomorrow marks the beginning of the duel round, does it not?" she asked softly, her voice lilting like music. "Tell me, will you be fighting?"
Nathan exhaled, setting his own cup down with deliberate calm. "Most likely. Caesar enjoys spectacle. He'll either push me into the opening duel or save me for some grand moment to keep the crowd enthralled."
