As Maxwell continued his merciless beating of Luna, whispers started up in the crowd of spectators.
"This is getting excessive, she can barely defend herself anymore."
"The president needs to call it, she's clearly no match for him."
Amelie turned to Amery beside her, her face lined with concern. "We have to do something, he'll kill her at this rate."
But Amery just watched stoically. "It's not our turn to intervene. It is up to the president."
Amelie searched desperately for Derek in the crowd. Finding him further back, his face expressionless as ever, she cried out. "Derek, please - talk to the president! He has to stop this!"
Derek didn't respond, his eyes fixed unreadably on the bloody spectacle in the arena. Amelie gnashed her teeth in frustration.