"YOU MAY BEGIN."

The announcement echoed through the Arena, and a whiff of silence accompanied the simple words, wrapping the huge room in unrest.

Only when the sea of children suddenly turned inward upon itself did Pyra let blue lightning wrap around her arms, its faint, comforting warmth reassuring her a little. She scanned the Arena for Parson but couldn't find him. Pyra took a step back so she stood next to Nift, who nodded to her. She noticed both of his hands were ...