Rui's chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath, frost clinging to her hair like diamond dust.
"We did it!" she panted, turning to Shen with fierce triumph blazing in her crystalline eyes.
Steam rose from their overheated wheels while Moonbeam and Stardust's spectral forms flickered with exhaustion, their ethereal energy nearly spent from the brutal mountain course.
Around them, other survivors collapsed in their chariots, equally drained by the treacherous conditions and relentless eliminations.
Solon's voice boomed across the crystalline arena with ceremonial gravity.
"The second elimination round is complete!"
His words echoed off the mountain peaks, carrying the weight of judgment.
"Only twelve teams advance to the semi-finals..."
The scoreboard's golden light pulsed brighter, preparing to reveal which survivors had earned their place in the next round—and which had fallen short despite crossing the finish line.
