The arena buzzed with anticipation as the quarterfinals began. The crowd, significantly larger than for previous rounds, filled every available seat.
Grim arrived early, taking his position in the competitors' area. His mind still churned with what he'd discovered in the vault.
[You seem distracted,] the voice noted.
"I have reason to be," Grim muttered under his breath.
An official stepped intobthe middle of the ring, raising his hands for silence. The crowd gradually quieted.
"Today we begin the quarterfinals of the Imperial Tournament," he announced, his voice magically amplified. "Eight competitors remain from the original one thousand and twenty-four. By day's end, only four will continue their journey toward glory."
