The arena slowly began to calm down after the last fight. The echoes of cheers still reverberated off the stone walls, but people were already heading toward the passageways leading to the side market square.
In the middle stood the commentator, as lively as ever.
— Dear viewers! We are taking a twenty-minute break before the semifinals! You can visit the market next to the arena. Eat, drink, rest — but don't stray too far, because the best is yet to come!
The crowd responded with loud commotion and rushed toward the exits.
Dragon's Pursuit also left the arena. Valdor walked slightly behind, still in the rhythm of battle. The image of Arok's transformation remained in his mind — not the one filled with fury, but the one he had seen before. More... conscious.
The market was full of colors and smells. It smelled of roasted meat, spices, fresh bread, and metal from the forge. People wandered among the stalls, buying snacks and good luck charms.
Mayuri looked at Valdor.
— You look like you've seen a ghost.
— Almost. — he muttered.
Because that's when he saw him.
The hooded figure stood between two stands. It was exactly the same one he had seen earlier in the stands. The same silhouette, the same way of holding his hands under his coat. There was no doubt about it.
— There it is. — Valdor muttered under his breath.
He started toward her, pushing his way through the crowd, but suddenly someone stepped in his path. Valdor stopped — and only after a moment did he realize that it was no accident.
Arok.
He stood straight as a wall and didn't even move. — Where are you going? — he said. Valdor tried to walk around him, but Arok moved a step, acting as if he were simply adjusting his position. But Valdor knew perfectly well that it was deliberate.
— Where are you going? — he asked sternly.
— Get out of my way. — Valdor growled, trying to get past him.
Arok continued to block him.
— Seriously. — he grumbled. — Move it.
— First tell me who you're running after. — Arok replied calmly, though there was clear tension in his voice.
Valdor glanced quickly over his shoulder.
The figure was no longer there. It had disappeared as if it had melted into the crowd.
He gritted his teeth.
— He was here. — he said. — A hooded figure in the stands. I spotted him again.
Arok looked in the direction Valdor was pointing, but saw nothing.
— Maybe you thought so.
— If I were sure I was hallucinating, I wouldn't bother you — Valdor retorted. — He was really here. And he's watching the fights. He's watching you. And me too.
Arok narrowed his eyes, but he didn't look surprised.
— Rather... as if he had already suspected something.
— If someone is following us, don't run without a plan — he said coolly. — You won't find what you're looking for by running into the crowd.
Valdor snorted.
— And this is coming from someone who took the form of a dragon in the arena. You know very well that I've seen this before.
Arok did not move, but the tension in the air clearly increased.
— It wasn't a complete transformation. — he replied. — And I was in control of it. Unlike you.
Valdor took a step forward, lifting his chin slightly.
— It's not about control. It's about where you got that power from.
Arok was silent for a moment, as if he were sorting through his answers in his head, rejecting those that were too risky.
— Not here, not now. — he finally said. — And if that character of yours comes back, we'll both see him. And then we'll talk.
Before Valdor could respond, a wave of sound suddenly swept through the entire market.
—ATTENTION, ATTENTION! — shouted the commentator. —THE BREAK IS OVER! WARRIORS, RETURN TO THE ARENA! THE SEMIFINALS ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN!
The crowd surged, and people began returning to the main entrance. Mayuri grabbed Valdor by the forearm.
— Come on. If this character wants something from you, he'll show up again.
Valdor looked at the spot where the mysterious figure had been standing a moment ago.
Nothing. Not a trace.
— I hope so. — he muttered.
Arok turned and headed toward the arena.
Valdor did the same, though his thoughts were far away. Between the memory of the dragon form... and the shadow that was still watching him.