She walked back to him.
Leaned close.
"I just bet my entire month's salary on you."
Her breath warm on his ear.
"Don't disappoint me."
Alex's heart pounded.
"I won't."
Rose stepped back.
Smiled.
"Then show me what you've got, Alex~"
Walked away.
Hips swaying.
Alex turned.
Faced the arena.
Stepped forward.
Into the center.
The crowd quieted.
Waiting.
Alex stopped.
Ten meters from Caelum.
Looked around.
At all the faces.
Officials. Masters. Warriors.
All watching him.
He smiled.
Raised his voice.
"I am the End of Worlds. The lover of a thousand goddesses. The sovereign of realms, the emperor of chaos.
I am the one who walks between light and shadow, the breaker of chains, the defier of fate.
Kings bow before me, dragons flee at my name, and the heavens themselves tremble when I speak."
Pause.
"I am the storm that never ends, the fire that cannot be quenched, the abyss that stares back."
Gestured dramatically.
