~Omniscient
The crowd was restless as usual today before the tournament even began. Heat shimmered off the stone arena, banners rippling above the stands. Every system had shown up hours before the event was even meant to start. The guards lined the outer ring, polished armor flashing beneath the sun.
Laurent sat among them, outwardly still, eyes half-lidded. Denzel leaned forward in the next seat, pretending to follow the announcer’s booming voice as it echoed through the amphitheater. Between them, Ivelle had her hood up and her mouth full of roasted nuts she’d bought on the way in.
“When do we move?” she whispered, crumbs dotting her chin.
“When the crowd screams,” Denzel murmured. “First match. First distraction.”
“And we’re sure everyone will be busy here?” Laurent asked.
“Ever
