The next challenge did not appear. Kael waited for several moments, but the only thing hovering in front of him was a system window explaining the delay.
[WAITING FOR REMAINING GLADIATORS]
He stared at the message, then shrugged and walked toward the edge of his section of the arena. His resources had already been restored after killing Skull Crusher. Internal energy was full again, his stamina felt untouched, and even the faint heat lingering in his gauntlets from the Fire Rune had disappeared. With nothing else to do, he sat against the wall and waited.
Fighting continued beyond the enormous stone partitions. He could not see any of it, but steel rang against steel, and shouted warnings occasionally reached him through the crowd. A magical explosion shook dust loose from the upper edge of one wall. The spectators roared as another impact followed, then someone began screaming.
Kael rested his arms over his knees and listened to the commotion.
"So much for the plan."
