Hours later, miles away, another scene unfolded beneath banners and cheers.
The capital of Tulmud rose like a jewel, its great arena a roaring heart of stone and sand. The sun was high, casting long shadows across the fighting grounds. Inside the arena, two contenders clashed, aura flaring with every strike, the air itself trembling with the pressure of their blows.
Up in the VIP stands, Hiro slouched in his seat, spinning a dagger between his fingers as though it were a toy. He yawned loudly, drawing a few sharp looks from nearby bishops. "Do I have to sit through all of this?" he groaned, tapping the edge of his boot against the marble balustrade. "The finals doesn't even start for another week. This is a waste of my time."
"Sit," Cardinal Clementine's voice was soft, but the weight behind it made even Hiro flinch. The older man's presence was a storm held in check, his eyes steady and unblinking as he watched the fighters below.
