Here is the continuation with the fraudulent announcement, Victor dropping the prize, and leaving everyone in silence.
The Judge's voice echoed through Central Headquarters, trying to recover the solemnity that the abrupt end of the Ritual had torn from his hands.
"Due to the extreme conditions inside the dimension of the Ascension Ritual, all other participants formalized immediate withdrawal after the last recorded event."
Victor stood at the center of the ritual platform, his clothes destroyed, dried blood on his face, and an expression that clearly said he had no patience for speeches. Grace stood beside him, as still as an ice statue, but her eyes narrowed slightly when she heard the word "withdrawal."
The Judge continued, raising his voice to reach the stands and upper chambers where the nobles watched.
