The arena exploded with conversation. The noise was deafening—strategies discussed, alliances proposed, fears confessed.
Ren's fingers traced invisible patterns on his knee. His mind raced through possibilities like a grandmaster studying a chess board.
The fragment dissolution mechanism was the key element he needed to understand.
Five minutes meant teams couldn't stick to one tactic—the time limit forced constant movement, collection, and combat.
If fragments could be held indefinitely, teams would simply grab a few and create impenetrable defensive positions.
Lia turned to him, sweat beading on her forehead despite the cool morning. She seemed to have questions, but Ren was already deep in analysis.
The stealing rule changed everything. Why waste time searching for fragments when ambushing loaded runners was more efficient?
But that created an interesting dynamic with roles. Runners were fast but vulnerable, requiring guardian escorts.
