The arena's atmosphere shifted as the next bout loomed—the first of the Archdemon ranks proper. The shadow-stained sand had barely settled from Ares' defeat when Kanada, seated just to Father Black's right, leaned forward slightly. Her marble-smooth skin caught the arena's mixed holy-and-shadow light, making her look like a statue come to life—beautiful, terrifying, and utterly calm.
"Let me take this one," she said, voice low but carrying the weight of inevitability.
Father Black glanced at her, then nodded once. "Floor's yours."
Kanada raised one pale hand and waved it in a slow, graceful arc.
