The wind howled through the canyon like a beast mourning its dead.
Kael's boots sank into the gravelly soil as he stepped forward. Mist swirled around his knees, thick and cold.
The ground felt weirdly unstable. Patches of solid stone gave way to soft dirt without warning. His senses flared, reading every vibration, every subtle shift in pressure.
The environment itself felt hostile.
He tightened his grip on the Abyssal Fang Dagger. The blade gleamed faintly in the dim light, pulsing with silent hunger.
This floor also prohibited the use of primal energy and flashy techniques. This was a trial of raw combat, with flesh and weapons. Instinct against instinct.
The first ripple of movement came from his left.
A silhouette emerged from the fog. Tall and armored. Wielding twin sabers that caught the light as it moved. Its steps made no sound, but the weight of its presence pressed against Kael's chest like a boulder.
