The starting whistle opened twelve numbered iron gates beneath the surrounding arena stands. Track hounds entered through the outer lanes, while lower tackling beasts crossed the field in groups built to force each faction against another.
No released pack attacked the Stadium Arbiter standing openly at the arena center. Its scoreplates changed after every fighter moved, measuring injuries, formation gaps, and the amount of territory attached to each nominee.
Nox stepped across the eastern line before the first hound reached it. The holding barrier vanished behind him, leaving his party inside a lane divided by three white branches.
"Kendra takes the branches, Vasa controls the junction, and Yeda keeps anything from circling behind us," he said, running toward the center branch.
"You are going for the official before the packs?" Kendra asked, tightening both cracked braces.
"I am making it notice the expensive target," he replied.
