"Prepare," Nick said curtly, his voice carrying a sense of urgency that cut through the quiet air of the chamber. "We are leaving now. The Sovereigns have brought forward the date for the tournament."
"I see," Aaron replied, his crimson eyes flickering with mild interest as he straightened his dark robe. "And the others?"
"Gone already," Nick grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest with visible frustration.
"You're all that's left—the bane of my existence, and the reason I'm still stuck here babysitting."
"Alright," Aaron conceded, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Let's leave then. I'm actually looking forward to this tournament, to the chaos and the clashes it promises."
"And where the hell have you been all this while?" Nick demanded, his brow furrowing into a deep frown the very moment his gaze landed on Aaron, suspicion etching lines across his weathered face.
