Alex's eyes snapped open, his body instantly rigid with the hypervigilance that never truly left him. The scream cut off abruptly, replaced by a sound that was somehow worse: silence.
Around the arena, the other prisoners had awakened as well. But as Alex's vision adjusted to the dim light, his Adept Eyes activated automatically as he studied his fellow captives:
[Shadeborn]
[Rank: S-Class]
[Primary Ability: Mirror Flesh - UNAVAILABLE]
The first creature was tall and elongated, with pale, translucent skin that shimmered with an otherworldly quality. Its solid black eyes tracked movement with predatory intelligence, and despite the essence suppression, it moved with fluid precision that suggested natural resistance to the draining effects.
[Shadeborn]
[Rank: A-Class]
[Primary Ability: Mirror Flesh - UNAVAILABLE]
The second was similar to the first but smaller, its movements less coordinated. Still dangerous, but clearly younger or less experienced than its S-ranked companion.
