Revona's gaze remained fixed on Max's hand. Dragonheart had not left its sheath yet, but the faint hum coming from the sword made the stillness around the arena far more oppressive than an immediate clash would have been.
The spectators had expected flames of battle, thunderous sword light, collapsing void, and world-shaking techniques. Instead, Max and Revona stood across from each other like two people facing an invisible board where the first wrong move would decide everything.
Revona finally spoke again. "Did you find a way to bypass my ability?"
Her voice was quiet, yet because the whole arena had fallen silent, those words spread clearly through the Eternal Hourglass.
Max looked at her. Revona's pale eyes were deeper than before, their emptiness no longer resembling a mere ability but a law that denied the meaning of whatever entered its sight.
