"Now," Professor Mires said, tone flat, fingers clutching the projector remote. "Let's talk about the plan we've come up with."
-----------------------------
The next day…
The roar of the crowd drowned out everything.
A thousand banners shook in the stands. National flags, college crests, and hastily printed posters with faces of student idols all waved under the golden arena lights. The announcers' voices blurred into background noise as cameras panned across the stage.
The final match of the day. The one everyone was waiting for.
Dark Moon versus First Celestial.
The match that would determine if First Celestial will keep its winning streak going, or if the usurpers, Dark Moon, will take the crown for the first time in over a decade.
The arena buzzed like a charged wire.
Theo Mindshade emerged from the tunnel with unhurried confidence, not a single bead of sweat on his brow. His hands were tucked loosely in his jacket pockets, expression unreadable.
