Villain Ch 2000. The Same Pressure
The cameras zoomed closer on Azura's face. She didn't blink. Didn't flinch.
The lights on the arena floor dimmed again as countdown timers appeared in bold white font on the screens. The tension tightened in the room like invisible wire. Everyone leaned forward a little more, including Allen.
From this height, the arena glowed red and gold under the fake skybox. The floor pulsed like a heartbeat. You could almost forget it was code. That this was all part of a game.
But Allen didn't forget.
Not for a second.
Because he knew the edge they all danced on now.
The line between reality and play.
Between pretending to fight and actually bleeding for something that mattered.
Allen watched the screen.
