The dais shattered beneath steel and fire.
Caesar and Arthur clashed in the center of the ring, blades sparking, curses hissing along the edge of every swing. The moonfire danced wildly above them, silver turning blood-red.
Sophia stood frozen.
The council's protections were gone.
The trial had become a battlefield.
“Stand down!" a councilor shouted.
But no one moved.
The empire held its breath.
Caesar struck first, cutting across Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur snarled. “You were always second."
Caesar bared his fangs. “And you were always afraid of being first."
Steel met again.
And again.
Until Arthur twisted his blade low—cutting Caesar across the ribs. He stumbled, blood dripping down black armor.
Sophia lunged forward, but the light-forged bindings yanked her back.
She turne
