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He nodded, understanding evident in his gaze. “It’s a day of reprieve. Happens once in a blue moon here. Combatants aren’t looking to kill; they’re looking to connect.”
I smiled, my heart feeling lighter than it had in days. “It was beautiful to watch.”
Ashale’s arm wrapped around my waist, his touch warm and protective. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to worry you today,” he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.
Today, the stark, brutal reality of the arena seemed a world away.
It was a brief respite, a chance to breathe and savor the little moments that made life worth living.
Ashale’s eyes met mine, their depths shimmering with emotion.
Without another word, he scooped me up into his arms, carrying me effortlessly.
The world became a blur, but I felt grounded, anchored by his strong hold.
The sensation of being carried, of being cherished, was heady, and I buried my face in the crook of his neck, drinking in the moment.
As we exited the Prize Pool, a few onlookers cheered while others simply smiled.
Today wasn’t about winning or dominating.
It was about connection, understanding, and finding joy in unexpected places.
And as Ashale carried me away, the world around us fading into insignificance, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love.
Today, amid the chaos of the universe, we’d found a pocket of serenity, and I would treasure it forever.
* * *
The world faded away, replaced by the ever-familiar mental realm where Ashale and I would often find solace.
But today, the place was far from its usual serene and comforting environment.
A spectral reimagining of Ikmal prison surrounded us, its walls now resembling panels of frosted glass, glowing dimly and pulsating with an eerie energy.
The layout remained unchanged, a distorted mirror of the reality we knew.
I, in my spirit bird form, felt incredibly vulnerable.
The surroundings were strange and yet eerily familiar.
The weight of my avian body was light, yet every heartbeat, a frantic pulse of worry, felt amplified.
With each rapid flutter of my wings, the minuscule feathers brushed against the air, creating a sound only I could hear. It was a symphony of anxiety.
My bird eyes, seeing the world in a different spectrum of colors, took in the shimmering translucence of the walls.
They bore the potential for danger beyond them.
With every tiny heartbeat, the weight of trepidation built in my chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It felt as though my tiny heart might explode from the sheer pressure of it.
I mustered my courage and fluttered around the corners, peering cautiously into each adjoining corridor.
I was looking for danger.
