In the stands across the kingdom, the audience erupted.
Moon's face filled the screens for the first time in hours. He had vanished from the broadcasts almost entirely after the Cryomancer encounter, and many of his fans had been growing restless, refreshing the leaderboard to confirm he was still alive in the bracket.
The sight of him now, stepping out from the trees alone, staring down three exhausted but still-dangerous Evolvers, sent a wave of energy through the spectator sections.
"He's back!"
"Where's he been the whole afternoon?!"
"Three versus one. They have no idea who they're picking a fight with."
"This is going to be good."
"My dark horse is back. Pay up, all of you who bet against him."
The camera drones swarmed toward the clearing, every angle locking onto Moon and the three Evolvers facing him down.
Moon stood at the edge of the trees, his staff in one hand, his other hand resting loosely at his side. His expression hadn't changed.
