She took a few deep breaths....then glanced at Asher with a smile on her face before she felt her whole body fail, unable to move from using power too strong for her fragile body. Her knees buckled. Her body collapsed forward, crumpling to the scorched stage floor.
"Did she just—?"
"She fainted!"
"She's not moving!"
"Is she… okay?!"
High above, the single voice of the arena commentator rang out:
"SHE'S DOWN!! ANNA HAS COLLAPSED!!"
The massive magic screens zoomed in on her unmoving body. Medics stationed at the ready rushed onto the stage with stretchers.
"AND THAT MEANS—WITH ONLY ONE STANDING—THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH IS… LORAINE ALVADOOOO!!"
"YEAAHHHHHHHH"
The spectators rose to their feet, clapping. Lorraine remained silent, her chest heaving, eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and lingering fear. She didn't raise her arms in triumph. Even she knew... this didn't feel like a victory.
"THAT'S OUR GIRL!!"
"I knew Anna couldn't keep up. Come on—it's Lorraine!"
