CHAPTER 98 — THE FIELD BREAKS BEFORE THE FIRE DOES
The first thing to fail was not stone.
It was order.
A thin, almost inaudible whine rippled through the Grand Arena, like a glass stretched too far. The stabilizing formations—ancient, layered, overengineered to withstand divine talents and overlapping domains—flickered once. Then again. The light running through their sigils stuttered, no longer smooth, no longer synchronized.
Those who felt it froze.
Those who didn't feel anything at all were already in danger.
The ground lurched.
Not violently. Not yet. Just enough for everyone standing to realize the arena had stopped pretending to be solid.
High above, the announcer's voice cut off mid-breath.
In the instructors' chamber, a Vermillion formation master shot to his feet. "The stabilizers are desyncing."
"That's impossible," another snapped. "They're rated for—"
