Word of the Aurelian final had already crossed every terrace in Reaching Heaven Realm by the time Rudra's own bracket called him back to the ring, and more than a few eyes followed him now that hadn't bothered before.
"Word travels," John said, walking beside him toward the Emberfall ring. "Almond just lost to Lily in front of a few thousand strangers. People want to see if the rest of your family hits as hard as those two did."
"Almond didn't lose so much as get outsmarted by someone who's spent a year learning exactly how he thinks," Rudra said. "I intend to make sure nobody manages that same trick on me."
"Careful," John said, amused. "Say something like that near a reporter and they'll print it as a challenge to your own family."
"It isn't a challenge," Rudra said. "It's preparation."
