The arena wasn't quiet.
It wasn't loud either.
Only two names were left on the board, glowing brighter than the rest of the screen.
[RAIZEN]
[HIKARI]
Down in the ruined concourse, they faced each other.
Broken stalls. Torn signs. A tram half buried in the ground like it tried to escape and failed.
Raizen rolled his shoulders once. Blades low. Weight settled.
Hikari rested her staff along her back for a breath, then let it slide into her hands.
The host tried to joke, because that was his job.
"Final two on deck. If you are holding your breath, please pass it to your neighbor when you faint."
A ripple of laughter tried to start.
It died halfway.
His next words came in a different voice.
"Neoshima… You might want to watch this."
The suit nodes at Raizen's and Hikari's spines glowed steady yellow.
No blue or green.
Not yet red.
Ready.
Hikari moved first.
