Everyone fell silent again. Especially Orion and the defender who had just clashed moments earlier. And just like that, as if reacting to their stillness, the statues stopped moving. They froze mid-step, weapons poised in the air, motionless once more.
The defender collapsed to the floor, sweat pouring down his face. His breathing shallow, and his eyes wide with raw fear.
No one spoke. All eyes, without meaning to, drifted toward the glowing circle in the center of the chamber. It was like gravity. Drawing both their attention and their dread.
Who would be sacrificed?
If no decision was made, then in the final seconds, the strongest would bolt toward the circle, and the weakest would be left behind. That truth settled like ice in their bones. Whispers of panic returned, soft and broken.
"If we don't choose… someone else will make the choice for us," someone muttered, voice trembling.
