Chapter 331
Mala, a lean, black-furred werewolf with silver markings tracing her armor, smirked. "Let them have their fantasies, Korak. They’ll need something to dream about when they’re watching us from the loser’s seats." She gave a teasing wink to the apeling crowd, which erupted into more jeers and cheers.
One particularly rowdy apeling, balancing a plate of snacks on his head, stood up and yelled, "Oi, Mala! How’s that fur treating you in the heat? I bet you’re dying to jump into a cold bath after wearing that heavy armor!"
Mala rolled her eyes playfully. "Please. This ’heavy armor’ keeps me warm while you lot are shivering under your banana-leaf capes. But don’t worry, after I win, I might toss you a fur blanket to cuddle up with."
The apelings laughed, their playful mocking continuing. "We’ll need it after we bury you in the first match!" another one shouted, pointing a finger at Korak.
Korak pretended to stumble, clutching his chest dramatically. "Oh no, not the first match! Anything but that!" he howled in exaggerated fear, then shot a grin back at the apeling. "You should worry about making it past the first match yourselves, you little tree rats!"
The apelings reveled in the friendly banter, and soon they were all on their feet, mock-growling and howling like wolves, their voices blending into a wild, gleeful symphony. The crowd swayed and swirled, with some even beating their chests in mock ferocity, embracing the playful rivalry. The werewolves, despite their imposing stature, couldn’t hold back their amusement. They exchanged toothy grins and exaggerated snarls, joining in on the lighthearted taunts with their own guttural chuckles.
Amongst the excitement, Wulv, like Drowz before him, made his way up to where Ikenga and Ursula sat, taking his seat beside the two demigods. His sharp gaze occasionally flicked down toward the arena, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Ursula, however, was distant, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Ikem, who sat relaxed, an apeling attendant dutifully refilling his wine cup. She leaned closer to him, her voice low but laced with a note of concern. "You’ve changed, Ikem. What happened?"
Ikem turned toward her, his once piercing gaze now slightly glazed, as though he were seeing past her. "The same could be said of you, my love. You’ve changed too."