The Earth faction had seized yet another point from the mighty Kronos.
Earth 3, Kronos 2.
But the true damage wasn't just in numbers.
Klea's victory hadn't merely added a point to Earth's tally. It had denied Kronos a vital one.
According to the arena's rules, each individual could participate in a maximum of two matches per faction. Now, with Klea having fought—and triumphed—twice, she was officially retired from the tournament. Her victories had carved both a triumph and a wall. Kronos had missed their chance to earn any points from her. Their total possible score of ten was now reduced to nine.
And even more chilling—it was Earth that reached three first. Earth, the so-called "lesser faction."
Whispers swirled in the divine balconies. The murmurs of the audience rose like storm winds, astonished and wild.
In the Kronos delegation's box, silence reigned. Not the calm of confidence—but the frozen stillness of disbelief.
