Robert was the first to step out. He walked past the boundary stakes and into the open ground. The crowd noticed him and fell silent. It was not the kind of silence that comes from disbelief; it was the hush of witnessing what true victory looked like on someone's body.
The right shoulder bore a heavy burden, while the left arm hung just a bit lower than usual. His chest moved with the careful rhythm of someone who was breathing around a weight that had shifted within.
Both swords were sheathed, and his storage rings were secure. He walked at his own pace, feeling the lingering weight of three days spent deep in the hunt and everything that had unfolded during that time.
Sai came out beside him.
The left side was really working hard to keep up with the footwork. They were both in the game, both fully engaged. The crowd was silent.
Robert did not look at the platforms. Did not look at the clan areas. Walked forward at his own pace and let the crowd's silence be what it was.
