Aidan.
The weight of the sword in my hand felt familiar.
Comforting.
Cold steel rested firmly against my palm as I flexed my fingers around the hilt, adjusting my grip for the hundredth time. The blade glinted under the morning light pouring into the arena, sharp and ready.
Today's round would not be easy.
Beta Torin's voice had already echoed across the grounds earlier that morning, announcing the matchups for the second round of the competition.
Sword combat.
A slow breath left my chest as I rolled my shoulders, loosening the tension building in my muscles.
The structure of the fight was simple.
I would face Darren.
Noah would face Daniel.
Then the winners of both matches would face each other.
Simple.
But nothing about this competition was truly simple.
Because at the end of all this….Maria.
My jaw tightened slightly at the thought.
