The dagger slipped from Nyxara's fingers.
Her eyes blinked once, slowly, as blood poured from the twin ice shards lodged through her stomach and chest. Her legs wobbled as the ice vanished, and she lost her balance.
And then… she fell.
Nyxara's eyes searched the crowd, dazed and wet as she collapsed like a puppet with frayed strings.
The arena became silent after Vellod's body shattered into light particles.
Then their voices echoed.
"He's dead! The Oni Dungeon Master is dead!"
"What the hell!? She actually killed him?!"
"Wait... look at her body. Shit. She's bleeding out!"
"Is she... is she gonna die right after winning!?"
Monsters, beastkin, and onlookers leaned over the railing of their private booths. Some gasped, others laughed. A few female dungeon masters looked sick. A few monster lords stared in stunned silence.
One of them began to stand.
But it was too late.
A shadow streaked across the sky.
