The deeper they moved into the final arena, the less the place resembled a controlled game field and the more it felt like a broken world stitched together from forgotten ruins, hidden machines, and traps designed by people who enjoyed watching confusion turn into fear.
Every street they crossed seemed to obey different atmosphere. Some streets were silent enough that even footsteps echoed unnaturally, while others carried distant sounds that never revealed their source. Buildings stood half-collapsed yet still contained power. Lights flickered in empty houses. Supply crates appeared in places where no one expected them, as if the arena itself deliberately rewarded those sharp enough to search.
As always, Rose was the first to notice what others missed.
