---

The Governor's Box was a plush affair, a stark contrast to the raw, brutal nature of the Arena below. Thick, plush carpets covered the floor, and opulent seating arrangements offered a comfortable vantage point for the governors and their guests. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the history of Sönder, each one a masterpiece.

High Governor Atlas sat in his throne-like chair, his eyes scanning the crowded Arena.

He was a formidable figure, his flowing blonde hair and lengthy dark beard framing a face that bore the lines of age and hard living. Yet, his eyes held a keen intelligence, which noted his arriving guests.

"Ah, Nigel, it's been too long," Atlas boomed, his voice echoing in the Governor's Box as he stood to greet the captain. The two men embraced, their laughter filling the room, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere outside.

"Too long indeed, old friend," Nigel replied, clapping Atlas on the back.

Stepping forward, somewhat confused, Nova spoke up, "I would not have expected you two to be... acquainted." Her voice was soft yet carried a hint of curiosity.

Atlas' gaze shifted to Nova, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her appearance. "Ah, the mysterious one they call Nova." He extended a hand towards her, "A pleasure to finally meet you, young lady."

Nova hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, her grip firm yet respectful. "The pleasure is mine, High Governor. I did not expect to be in the presence of one so Ancient-Touched." Nova's eyes widened slightly in realization.

"Yes, he is quite ugly," Nigel interjected in a chuckle, "But don't let that fool you, he's as stand up as they come."

"No, I do not mean his outward appearance," Nova retorted, "I mean, he's practically glowing." she said as she gently touched the face of Atlas, who flinched slightly at the unexpected contact. "I apologize, that was forward of me." Nova immediately stepped back, her eyes wide with embarrassment at her boldness.

Atlas chuckled, "No apologies necessary, young one. You speak your mind, a trait I admire. Unlike some people," he said, turning his head slowly toward Nigel, who smirked in response.

"Anyway!" Atlas bellowed, "Tatyana, Bjorn, new Chair-Jockey, I expect to see you three in the Arena today. The crowd's been baying for blood, and I think it's high time we give them a show they won't forget."

Tatyana grinned, her tail swishing eagerly behind her. "You know I'll never disappoint, Atlas. But what about Bjorn? He's not exactly the gladiatorial type."

Bjorn grunted, his massive frame shifting uncomfortably. "I'll do my part, Governor. But I leave the flashy antics to the Bosun and the Chair-Jockey."

Lucas chuckled, "Don't worry, old man. I'll make sure they remember me. With my dashing good looks and incredible piloting skills, how could they not?" Lucas grinned, his bright orange eyes twinkling with mischief.

Bjorn rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Just don't get yourself killed, Chair-Jockey. We need you to fly us out of here in one piece."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Chief," Lucas replied, saluting Bjorn with a mock-serious expression.

Atlas laughed, slapping his knee. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get you three suited up and ready to go. I've had some special EVA suits prepared for you," Atlas said, gesturing to a trio of Sönder guards who entered the Governor's Box, carrying gleaming white and chrome suits.

Tatyana's eyes widened as she took in the form-fitting latex suits, her tail swishing in anticipation. "Those are... gorgeous, Atlas. You really went all out."

Atlas chuckled, "Only the best for my friends and their crew. Now, let's not keep the crowd waiting. Oh, and you'll probably recognize someone down there," Atlas added, pointing towards the Arena floor. Tatyana leaned over the balcony, her eyes scanning the crowd below. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto a familiar figure.

"Damion?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet filled with a mix of surprise and warmth. The former pilot of the Titans Pillar stood among the gladiators, his red panda fur a stark contrast to the other fighters' diverse appearances. He looked up, as if sensing her gaze, and offered her a small nod and a faint smile.

Tatyana's heart leapt, a mix of joy and apprehension coursing through her. She hadn't seen Damion since he'd left the Titans Pillar, and his sudden reappearance here, in the Arena, was both unexpected and bittersweet.

"You knew he was here, didn't you, Atlas?" Nigel asked, his voice holding a note of accusation.

Atlas merely shrugged, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Let's just say I had a feeling he might show up. Sönder has a way of drawing back old faces, doesn't it, Nigel?" Atlas replied, his gaze still fixed on the Arena floor.

Tatyana's mind raced as she tried to process seeing Damion again. She had missed his friendship, his wisdom, and even his occasional grumpiness. But she also remembered the tension between him and Bjorn, the secrets he'd kept, and the pain of his departure.

"Let's give them a show," Tatyana said, her voice filled with determination as she shook off the memories. She turned to her crew, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're here to represent the Titans Pillar, and we won't disappoint."

Lucas grinned, his eyes reflecting Tatyana's enthusiasm. "Couldn't have said it better myself, Bosun. Let's show them what we're made of."

Bjorn nodded, his expression serious, as the trio began to don their new EVA suits. Tatyana slipped into hers with practiced ease, her tail sliding through the opening in the seat, as designed. Lucas, though eager, took a moment to adjust the chrome fittings on his suit, ensuring they were secure. Bjorn, after a brief hesitation, began to pull on his suit, his massive frame requiring a bit more effort to accommodate.

As they finished suiting up, Tatyana couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They stood united, ready to face whatever challenges the Arena threw at them, then headed into the arena proper.

---

The Arena was a massive, circular chamber carved into the heart of Sönder's bedrock. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and the faint tang of ozone from the energy shields that separated the spectators from the gladiators. The crowd roared, their voices echoing off the stone walls, as Tatyana, Lucas, and Bjorn stepped onto the sand-covered floor.

Tatyana basked in the scene. She had fought here before, but the Arena never failed to impress her. The sheer scale of it, the thundering roar of the crowd, and the primal energy that filled the air—it was intoxicating.

Lucas, beside her, seemed equally awestruck. His bright orange eyes scanned the Arena, taking in every detail. "This place is... something else," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of the crowd.

Bjorn, however, seemed less than impressed.

In the background, an announcer had prattled on about the other participants in the arena. After the lengthy, yet energetic descriptions, the trio was finally introduced with a loud blast of music.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, creatures of all kinds!" the announcer boomed, "Prepare to be amazed, prepare to be astounded, prepare to be entertained! Welcome to the Arena, the place where legends are born, and the weak are... well, they're not here, are they?!" The announcer's voice echoed through the Arena, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. "Now, without further ado, let me introduce our next contenders! Straight from the hull of the legendary Titans Pillar, we have the incomparable, the unstoppable, the one, the only... Tatyana Carter!"

Tatyana grinned and raised her arms, acknowledging the cheering crowd. She could feel the power of their adoration and she wouldn't let them down.

"Duster! Duster! Duster!" The crowd began to chant, their voices echoing off the stone walls of the Arena like a thunderous, heart-pounding drumroll. Tatyana grinned; the crowd's enthusiasm never failed to invigorate her.

Lucas, standing to her left, seemed equally exhilarated. His bright orange eyes sparkled with excitement, and he couldn't help but join in the chant, his voice adding to the cacophony.

Bjorn, to her right, remained stoic, his massive frame unmoving. Tatyana could see the tension in his shoulders, the slight clench of his jaw. He was not one for spectacle and grandstanding, preferring the quiet comfort of his engine room to the roar of the Arena.

High Governor Atlas stood at the edge of his box, holding a worn duster, a trophy for the day's winner, and previous champions, if the crowd so favored. It did not take him long to heed the favor of this crowd, as they chanted in unison.

"Remember, my friends," Atlas boomed, his voice carried by the Arena's advanced acoustics, "Today, we honor the past, but we also make new legends! Let the games begin!"

With a flourish, Atlas threw the duster down to Tatyana, who caught it with a confident grin. The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices shaking the very foundations of the Arena. Tatyana, feeling the weight of the duster, knew she had to live up to the hype.

Damion, already in his combat suit, walked over to the trio and prepared for battle beside them. He looked at each of them, his gaze lingering on Tatyana. "It's good to see you again, Tatyana," he said, his voice low.

Tatyana nodded, unable to find words. She couldn't quite read his expression, but it seemed a mix of sadness and determination.

"Still keeping secrets Bjorn?" he asked, his gaze shifting to the Chief Engineer. Bjorn's expression darkened, his massive frame tensing.

"Yes, Damion, we are, in fact, keeping secrets as we speak." Bjorn's voice rumbled, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the former pilot.

Lucas fumbled with his words as a look of surprise appeared in his eyes, "We, we are?" he stammered, glancing between Bjorn and Damion.

Damion gave Lucas a hearty slap on the back, making the younger pilot stumble slightly, "That's the Titans Pillar for you," he laughed, lightening the mood slightly. "Always full of surprises."

Tatyana, grateful for the momentary reprieve, turned her attention to the Arena floor. The other gladiators were taking their places, a motley crew of species and sizes, each one radiating an aura of danger and confidence. Tatyana's eyes narrowed as she spotted a particularly impressive duo. Two Suphalaks, their feline features near identical if not for one being male and the other female. They wore sleek, form-fitting suits that left little to the imagination, their lithe muscles rippling beneath the fabric. Their eyes, a piercing gold, seemed to glow with an inner fire as they regarded the newcomers.

"Ah, I've seen you spotted the twins," Damion said, leaning in closer to Tatyana, Lucas, and Bjorn. "Kael and Lyra, they're called. Deadly as they are beautiful, I warn you."

Lucas gulped, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of the Suphalaks.

Tatyana smirked, "A little too pretty for the arena, don't you think?"

Damion chuckled, "You're one to talk, with those sleek new suits Atlas provided. You three look like you're ready to grace the cover of some fancy magazine, not fight in the Arena."

Lucas puffed out his chest, striking a pose, "Well, we do have to represent the Titans Pillar, and that means looking good while kicking ass."

"Just make sure you can back up that talk, Chair-Jockey." Damion retorted with a smirk.

"I think the question that she's asking, children," Bjorn started with a growl, "is that if our suits look pretty because they were provided by a Governor, who provided the twins' suits?"

Damion raised an eyebrow, "Ah, you're thinking the same thing I am, Chief. Those suits aren't just for show. They're equipped with advanced tech, giving them an edge in combat."

Tatyana's eyes narrowed as she took in the Suphalaks' form-fitting suits. She could see the faint shimmer of energy along the seams, a telltale sign of hidden enhancements. "Just keep an eye on them."

Lucas nodded, his hands flexing in his suit's gloves, as a quick hit in his midsection by a staff startled him. An energy shield materialized around him, absorbing the force of the blow. He looked up to see a smirking Damion lowering the stick.

An angry grin appeared on Luca's face as he took his own staff provided to him and struck Damion back. His own energy shield flared up, but Damion barely moved, his eyes narrowing in response to the young pilot's defiance.

"Bold, aren't you?" Damion commented, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Good. You'll need that fire in your belly when you face the twins."

Tatyana watched the exchange between Damion and Lucas, a mixture of amusement and concern playing on her face. She knew Lucas had the skills, but she also knew the Arena could be unpredictable.

Back in the Governors box, watching from on high, Nova noticed the energy shields erupting from both the suits and the staffs as Damion and Lucas playfully exchanged blows.

As if reading her mind, Nigel moved closer to her and spoke directly in her ear, "You see, force fields in both the weapons and the suits are a common feature in the Arena. They can absorb a certain amount of energy before they fail, giving the combatants a chance to recover and strike back."

Nova nodded, her eyes still fixed on the spectacle below. "So, it's not just about brute strength or speed, but also strategy and timing?"

Nigel grinned, "Exactly. The Arena is a test of skill, cunning, and adaptability. It's not just about winning; it's about how you win. And except for a concussion or two, no injuries."

"Yeah, if you swing like an Elder’s widow," Atlas spoke aloud, before addressing the Arena participants, yelling, "I want to see blood Tatyana!"

Tatyana smirked as she raised her staff silently above her head, eliciting a roar from the crowd. She could feel the energy in the Arena intensifying, the air crackling with anticipation. The other gladiators took their positions, each one radiating an aura of danger and confidence.