The Nexus Arena thrummed with electric anticipation, thousands of spectators packed into tiered seating that encircled the massive combat zone. Holographic displays hovering above the energy-enclosed ring showed statistics and profiles of the two finalists while combat replays from earlier rounds flickered across secondary screens.
But despite the imminent battle, one name dominated the conversations rippling through the crowd.
"—did you see Eclipse's Reawakening?"
"—SSS-ranked at eighteen—"
"—crushed a third-gen awakened like she was nothing—"
"—haven't seen power like that since Commander Owen—"
In the premium student section, Sophie Reign anxiously checked her communicator for the fifth time in as many minutes, her usual composure cracking.
"He should have been here by now," she muttered, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "My father's meetings never last this long."
