A sombre echo rang through the training field after Asmodeus lowered Blood Reaver and turned his back. Orcs groaned in the dirt, dragging themselves up, goblins complained through broken teeth and limbs and even the demon knights looked battered beneath their polished armour.
Yet none of them left the circle. Their eyes burned brighter after facing the devastating force of their King.
"Good, you're finally awake."
After Asmodeus planted his axe in the dirt and cracked his shoulders, the comfortable ache after a workout filled his body. Sweat dripped down his chest, steam rising where his aura faded, the heat of his skin like molten iron.
Around him, the mixed warriors caught their breath, eyes never leaving his figure.
He appeared taller and immense in their eyes.
"Enough for today's warm-up," he said at last, voice carrying through the frozen air. "You fought like wild dogs, and you lost like wild dogs. That's fine. What matters is you stood back up."
