Suddenly, the air above the arena shifted noticeably, rippling with an unseen force.
Leo sensed it immediately, even from the tunnel's shadows. An immense pressure pressed down on his chest, causing his ribs to ache sharply and his ears to pop loudly, as if a forceful burst of wind had suddenly expanded inside his head. For a fleeting half-second, his lungs seemed to forget how to draw breath, leaving him momentarily stunned.
High above, a figure gradually materialized against the darkening sky. The protective dome overhead unraveled like a tear in a fragile fabric, threads of shimmering light and floating stones peeling away to reveal the clear, star-speckled night air beyond.
