Both gates painfully raised off of the ground.
The green knights of House Jailis walked through their gate first, removing their helmets as they went. Faces flushed and smiling, they waved to the roaring crowd. The cheers swelled, chants of "Jailis! Jailis!" echoing across the stone tiers.
The red knights of House Rellick left through the opposite gate. Helmets stayed on. Heads down. No waves. The crowd's cheers diminished as the arena drained.
Ryan watched them go.
The cold stone floor was empty now, save for a few drops of crimson blood. The crowd's energy was still high and people all over were talking excitedly, but the spectacle seemed… over.
Ryan turned to James. "Well, is that it? Do we head back to the academy now?"
James's head snapped towards him, eyes wide in shock.
"What?" He stood abruptly. "No way!" James' hands were moving around emphatically, "This is just the beginning! Those were only two of the fifteen great houses' chosen champions!"
