The whole of Reaching Heaven Realm turned out for it, every terrace packed, every banner from every kingdom still standing crowded shoulder to shoulder along the courtyard's edge.
Rudra found Vantress already waiting at the ring's center, arm still faintly marked from the cut Lily had left on him, and something in the way he stood told Rudra the man hadn't forgotten it.
"Your family's given me more trouble today than the rest of this tournament combined," Vantress said, not quite a compliment and not quite a warning either.
"Good," Rudra said. "I'd hate to be an exception."
"Everyone says something like that," Vantress said, echoing words Rudra hadn't heard him say to Lily but could guess at easily enough. "Let's see if you back it up."
---
Rudra didn't open with Ghost Fleet, and the choice surprised the crowd more than it surprised Vantress.
