Silence reigned.
Not a ceremonial silence, nor a respectful one. It was the type that usually came before the storm.
This was the breath before war. The calm before disaster would strike.
The dueling platform gleamed under the artificial twilight of the floating arena, casting long shadows behind the two figures at its center.
Kaelis Dorne of Thornevale.
Damon Terrace of ElderGlow.
No announcer was needed. No speech. Every student, every spectator, even the Deans stood tense, waiting.
"Who'd you think would win, big brother Ashbourne?" Lady Reyla asked her older brother with a simple smirk. She was the only one present who would dare to address Lord Terrace by his first name.
He sighed and turned to her. "Damon but it'll be a hard battle. Judging by an array of factors if rather not talk about, that girl, Kaelis seems to be very experienced. To be honest, it'll be a close call if Damon manages to win."
