Chapter 83: Keep it Alive
Amari walked back into the room like he hadn’t just dismantled one of the most feared fighters in the tournament.
He was smiling.
Not a smug grin or anything wild. Just that calm, lowkey joy that came from doing exactly what he said he’d do.
Milo looked up, caught the look, and immediately raised a brow. "Yo, why do you look like someone just handed you a gold medal and a free meal?"
Amari chuckled, tossing his chains down onto the bench as he dropped into a seat. "I’m good. That’s all."
"Nah, you’re cheesing way too hard for just ’good.’ You win a secret round we don’t know about?"
Amari leaned back, arms stretched behind his head. "Nah. Just happy with how that last fight turned out. And the next one? Even better."
Johnny, still catching his breath from earlier, muttered under his breath, "This man’s out here smiling like it’s recess."
Before anyone could fire more questions at him, the arena speakers popped to life, buzzing through the tension in the air. The announcer’s voice came in hot, full of energy and pride like he’d been waiting to say this all day.
> "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s recap that last round of matches!"
The screen outside the room flickered to life, replaying quick snapshots from each fight as the announcer shouted them out one by one.
> "MATCHUP ONE: Amari vs. Elias Vex — Amari claims the win in a brutal display of chain control and adaptability!"