Mother

Nova stood still. Her face was calm, unreadable, like stone. Didn't even flinch. She didn't react. She only let her eyes drift down to where he'd spat, then back up to his face, meeting his blazing eyes with quiet finality.

Her eyes locked onto his, and the silence between them grew thick with all the things neither would say.

The entire coliseum held its breath, the weight of the moment suffocating. And Razeal stood at its center, a man who'd chosen pride over salvation.

The crowd remained frozen, as if even the air itself refused to stir. No one spoke, no one even dared breathe too loud, terrified that the smallest noise might trigger whatever storm was waiting to break.

The coliseum belonged to deathly silence, all holding their breath for what would come next.

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