The ancient stone doors slowly opened.
Beyond them stretched a long corridor that seemed far darker than the previous chambers. Unlike the golden glow of the first arena, this passage was illuminated only by faint blue runes carved into the walls.
Cold air flowed through the corridor.
It carried a strange feeling.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
As if the ruins themselves were watching them.
The six challengers stepped forward carefully.
Aether walked calmly beside the Flame Sovereign Pup, while the others remained alert after witnessing how easily his beast had destroyed the guardians.
Rylan glanced at him.
"You handled those statues like they were toys."
Aether shrugged slightly.
"They weren't that strong."
Lucien scoffed loudly.
"Hmph. They were weak. Anyone here could have defeated them."
But inside, Lucien felt irritated.
The Flame Sovereign Pup's performance had clearly overshadowed his own wolf.
And that annoyed him.
Greatly.
---
