It was from Violet.
Her unmistakable, delicate handwriting filled the page.
She had sneaked it to me earlier.
We leave tonight. Win and Claim me, Kuana. We’ll be free.
A warmth spread through me, a mix of joy, hope, and fear.
Violet and I were so close to our escape, yet the challenge ahead loomed large.
Drawing in a deep breath, I began to meditate.
The cacophony of the antechamber faded away, replaced by a deep inner stillness.
Every part of my body relaxed, and my mind cleared.
I visualized myself in the pit, weapons in hand, opponents falling, one after the other.
I saw Violet’s radiant face, the promise of a life together outside these walls.
The meditation brought a heightened sense of purpose and sharpened focus.
Emerging from my trance-like state, I stood up and approached the weapon’s table, where a vast array of lethal instruments lay, glistening under the muted lights.
Each weapon had its strengths, its unique killing power, and its story.
First, there was the Jaxal Blade, a curved, double-edged sword with a hilt covered in intricate carvings from ancient wars.
It was well-balanced and favored by many fighters for its speed.
Next was the Eront Spear, a long, razor-sharp weapon, with a shimmering metal shaft, perfect for keeping enemies at a distance.
Several other blades, daggers, and blunt weapons occupied the table, but my eyes were drawn to the Votar Whip.
The Votar Whip wasn’t a weapon many chose.
It was a black, coiled rope, looking deceptively simple, but when activated, it pulsated with energy.
With a flick of the wrist, the whip could extend, its tip capable of piercing the toughest armor, and its length could be manipulated to bind or trip adversaries.
It was a weapon that required immense skill, precision, and patience.
I had trained with the whip in my earlier days, long before Ikmal, during times I’d rather forget.
But those memories came with a unique understanding of the weapon.
The whip’s versatility was its greatest strength.
It wasn’t just about brute force; it was about strategy, timing, and exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses.
Picking up the Votar Whip, I activated it.
A soft hum emanated from it, and the whip vibrated gently in my grip.
I practiced a few swings, the whip lashing out, then retracting smoothly.
Perfect.