Speaking of interesting, Cass looked at Zeke and asked through their bond, "Is she here yet?"
"No," replied Zeke, his voice laced with impatience. He glanced at the clock and realized that the match would begin soon. That meant she would be here any moment. The invigilators in the room started to stir, signaling that it was time to enter the arena.
"But everyone isn't here yet," Zeke protested, his tone betraying his concern.
"You should worry about yourself," one of the invigilators retorted curtly. Without further debate, they opened the large, imposing doors to the arena and ushered the participants inside.
Fifteen cadets stepped onto the sandy battleground, their faces a mixture of determination and nervous energy. The arena, a circular coliseum lined with stone walls, felt alive with anticipation as the audience watched from above.
One of the invigilators frowned. "He's right. We're missing a cadet."
