The adrenaline from the Quarterfinals faded, leaving behind deep aches and lingering questions. Two full days passed before the semifinals were scheduled to begin.
Nathan spent the first day confined to a white medical cot, letting the official healers patch up the bruises and deep cuts he'd earned against the Western Federation. The second day was spent safely locked inside the team quarters, reviewing tournament footage with Elise and Garrett while Dillon napped on the couch. But Long Wei's parting words refused to let him rest.
On the third morning, Nathan woke up before dawn and left the compound alone.
The host city was dead quiet. The streets were totally empty except for a few food vendors setting up their carts. The massive stadium loomed in the distance, its bright floodlights powered down. Nathan walked without a destination, just letting the freezing air clear his head.
"You used skills that aren't yours."
"The Overlord class."
