[Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Stands]
He blinked, and the VIP suite's clean luxury snapped back into focus.
The past reduced like a tide, leaving behind the harsh echoes of battle from the arena below.
"Gerrard." Kang's voice broke through his reverie. "I need to leave. Let's speak more after the tournament."
Gerrard nodded numbly. "Yes… go ahead."
As Kang left, a crushing silence descended.
The rumble of the crowd and the echoing sounds of clashing were just noise now.
In his mind, he heard his wife's voice echoing those desperate words,
"Don't fight without me..."
The memory of her death tore at him.
If he had just been there, fighting beside her... A wave of grief crashed over him.
He longed for the impossible, to return to that day, to alter the course of destiny.
Then his gaze fell on the arena floor.
Valencia and her opponent Rel were still fighting.
