SERAPHINA’S POV
The moment my boots touched down on the polished steel of the Arena, I had to blink several times to convince myself I wasn’t trapped in some fever dream. That this was real.
We’d done it.
We had actually crossed the finish portal.
“OTS team One has arrived!” A booming voice carried through the space, magnified by unseen speakers. “The first team to clear the Snowfield Arena and pass the final challenge of the LST!”
For a moment, there was silence—as though the gathered crowd of spectators couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing or hearing.
Then, all at once, the hall erupted into cheers.
The roar was deafening. Wolves howled in delight, fists punched into the air, and even a few of the non-competing members of the other milling around turned to gape at us.
For a moment, my team stood frozen, dazed.
The words replayed in my head, almost indecipherable.
First.
Did he really say…first?!
