The coliseum was alive.
Twenty thousand spectators packed the ancient stone tiers, their voices merging into a single, thunderous roar. Banners waved. Crystals blazed. The air itself seemed to vibrate with anticipation.
This was the moment they had all been waiting for.
Round Three.
The final round.
The round where legends were made.
The announcer stood at his podium, his voice amplified by the floating crystals, his face flushed with excitement. He had been announcing Sword Raid for twenty years, and this—this was the most anticipated Round Three in history.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"
The crowd roared.
"WE HAVE WITNESSED HISTORY IN ROUNDS ONE AND TWO! UNPRECEDENTED! UNIMAGINABLE! UNFORGETTABLE!"
He paused.
"BUT NOW—WE ENTER THE FINAL STAGE!"
He spread his arms wide.
"ROUND THREE!"
The crowd exploded.
"TWENTY-TWO PARTICIPANTS WILL ENTER THE COLISEUM OF ANCIENTS! TWENTY-TWO OF THE MOST POWERFUL MAGES IN THE KINGDOM! AND ONLY THREE WILL SURVIVE!"
He leaned forward.
