The ground in the pit began to shake.
At first, it was subtle. A low, rhythmic rumble, as if something massive were approaching beneath the surface.
But nothing emerged. Nothing formed. Nothing attacked.
The Gamers stood tense, blades and spells at the ready, eyes scanning every inch of the arena floor.
But still—nothing.
The tremor wasn't violent enough to knock them down, and it didn't seem localized. Its source felt... distant. But not that distant. Like it was moving closer, pulsing from just over the ridge, just beyond the walls.
"What's causing it?" Zack asked under his breath.
No one answered.
Then, from the top of the pit's edge, something dropped.
A Keldar.
Just a regular one.
It tumbled down the sloped wall but didn't crash—it slid. It landed on its feet and staggered slightly before orienting itself.
Harmless.
At their current level, none of the Gamers would even blink at a lone Keldar. One strike. One spell. Done.
But they all knew—this wasn't it.
