The arena did not have walls.
It only felt as if it did.
Energy curved around Sarya in a wide circular field, rising like a dome made of compressed light and shadow. Beyond that dome, layers of the siege engine churned in slow spirals, but none of it touched the space where she stood.
The figure across from her did not rush.
It stepped forward calmly, and every step made the arena floor tighten and smooth beneath its feet.
Sarya kept her distance.
The filament in her chest burned faintly now, thinner than before but still steady. She could feel Earth beyond this place, though it felt like hearing someone call from the bottom of a deep well.
The figure lifted its hand.
Energy gathered slowly, condensing into a blade-shaped arc that formed without sound.
Sarya braced.
The blade swung.
