The collision was inevitable.

Steel, claw, and sound struck nearly at once.

The masked judge did not have time to recover his footing.

Brandy’s charge tore into his guard with brutal speed, talons flashing for the throat. Edwin’s shield followed an instant later, the impact thunderous enough to shake the lane itself. The force drove him sideways, posture breaking as necrotic power and raw momentum crushed what little balance he had left.

Then came the sound.

Noelle’s scream ripped through the arena like a blade of pressure, the air itself shuddering as the shockwave struck. The sound was not merely loud. It was invasive. It forced its way inward, rattling bone and thought alike.

The masked man convulsed.

Whatever spellwork or control he had been maintaining collapsed entirely under the combined assault. His grip on Aedrianna loosened, then failed altogether.

Aedrianna Shouted in panic, eyes widening as she looked expectantly at the masked man. 

[color=#f7b6d9]“No!”[/color]

But it was already too late.

The medallion at his hand flared violently.

The seven-pointed star ignited, the thorned ivy around it twisting and tightening as if alive. Light bled inward rather than outward, pulling at him in with sudden, terrifying force. The man’s body arched as his scream was cut short, sound swallowed as the token drank deep. His body disintegrated into the token as it fed on his life force. When not even a piece of his clothing was left, 

The token clattered to the ground.

It was almost strange, like a little black hole had just opened. And closed. 

Aedrianna lay gasping, water still clinging to her skin as Noelle’s magic cooled the worst of the pain. She pushed herself upright shakily, eyes wide, breath uneven, staring at the empty space where the man had been. Then she saw them.

Her gaze found Noelle first.

[color=#f7b6d9]"Noelle! Thank goodness you're okay!"[/color] She threw her arms up and around the girl in a friendly hug. Before she seemed to remember herself and released the girl. Looking a little nervous.[color=#f7b6d9] "Er...Sorry. Thank you for helping me Noelle. I was just so relieved..."[/color]

Her eyes slid towards the muscled cat girl. And Aedri blinked a few times in confusion. Then after a moment her eyes narrowed slightly, recognition tugging at the edges of memory.

[color=#f7b6d9]“Have we… met before?”[/color] she asked quietly. [color=#f7b6d9]“You feel familiar.”[/color]

Before waiting for an answer, she pushed herself up, and staggered toward Edwin as the mana pup bounded to her side, nearly knocking her off balance in its relief. She scooped the creature up without hesitation, pressing her forehead briefly against its fur as it whined and wriggled. She put herself within Edwins hold, before glancing worriedly at the token that lay on the ground. 

The seven-pointed star lay inert now, its glow dimmed to a faint, oily sheen. Thorned ivy still etched its surface, but no longer moved.

[color=#f7b6d9]"We have to be careful with those tokens. The more that it consumes,...the stronger our opponent becomes."[/color] Her voice trailed off as Footsteps echoed from above.

An official figure descended into the lane, flanked by attendants and protective sigils. One of the judges, face carefully composed, took in the scene with a long, assessing look.

Bodies gone. Token missing. Contestants shaken but alive.

[color=#c9a24d]“It seems a number of contestants have gone missing. And now, a judge.”[/color] the judge announced coolly, [color=#c9a24d]“This incident will be recorded as an internal security failure.”[/color]

Their gaze swept across the group.

[color=#c9a24d]“Each of you will be given some monetary compensation for your discretion. We will be handing this...”[/color] The woman waved her hand over the token. [color=#c9a24d]"To the council for their consideration."[/color]

Aedri looked over from her spot in Edwins arms, and started to try and warn the woman. [color=#f7b6d9]"Those things are connected to-"[/color] But the woman held up a hand. 

[color=#c9a24d]"I am certain I do not want to know. I'll leave this to the council to consider. And you should do the same."[/color] She frowned, giving a specific look the the ones gathered. Then attendants moved quickly to seal the lane.

The crowd beyond never truly understood what they had witnessed.

And the Pavilion, for all its light and spectacle, felt just a little more hollow than it had before. Aedrianna looked to Noelle and Brandy with a small and weak smile, still within Edwins arms. 

[color=#f7b6d9]"Would either of you be up to grabbing a bite to eat together and catching up?"[/color] Her chuckle was weak but it was an attempt to reach out to old friends, before she lost them again.