Isaac, still under his forced identity of Mordred, watched the end of the fight with painful tension. His body trembled slightly with exhaustion, but his mind was strangely alert, electrified by the vision of Akane slowly leaving the sand of the arena to the thunderous cheers of the dragons.
A few minutes later, while the audience was still roaring with excitement at the prospect of the gladiatrix's next clash with a dragon, Mordred felt a presence approaching his cell. His heart suddenly raced as he saw Akane through the bars, exhausted, bloodied but strangely dignified despite her condition.
Their eyes met in a silence charged with meaning. She slowed her pace slightly, their eyes staring into each other's, a brief but profound connection crossing the space between them. Slowly, a light, discreet but incredibly warm smile stretched Akane's lips. This simple gesture, this silent acknowledgement of their shared struggle for survival, touched Isaac deeply.
