LYRA

The training arena was bigger than I expected.

It has massive stone walls that stretched up to the open sky, weapon racks lined every available surface, and training dummies stood scattered throughout the area. The ground was packed with dirt, stained dark in places from years of spilled blood and sweat.

Most of the contestants were already there when Mira and I arrived. They clustered in groups, showing off their training outfits like this was another fashion competition. They were ...