The arena began to change.
An underground roar announced the transformation.
The ground split open, cracks snaked out, creating deep rises and depressions, as mossy stone pillars and bubbling lakes of magma emerged. Moist heat rose in visible waves.
Across the arena, figures began to emerge from red portals, silhouettes cutting through the intense light. They were fighters, their postures imposing, chosen to test the competitors. The aura of looming over them.
The sun shone brightly over the arena, burning away the residual clouds, while the audience roared with excitement, a sea of colors and screams.
The announced names began walking towards their battle platforms, footsteps echoing across the transformed land.
Alrik strode to the center of one of the rings with his confident stance, shoulders held high. His armor gleamed in the harsh light, and a flaming sword spat sparks that seemed to pulse like a burning heart.
