The wind howled like it mourned.
Ryon stood barefoot in the blood-soaked arena, chest still bandaged from Shaera's mark. Around him, warriors beat their spears against bone pillars—chanting, screaming, waiting for the next fight.
Above them all, the Beast Queen sat on her throne of skulls, silver arm resting on the hilt of her obsidian sword.
Her gaze never left Ryon.
> System Update:
Trial 2 of 3 Initiated
Opponent: Bonehorn Shifter
Type: Hybrid Soulbound Warrior
Ability: Bone Manipulation / Berserker Mode
Status: Enhanced by Ritual Tusk Serum
Risk Level: Very High
Advice: Do not attempt direct force contest
The Beast Descends
The gates roared open, and out lumbered the champion.
A towering woman with twisted, ivory-white horns that curved like scythes. Her body rippled with muscle, but her face was eerily calm—painted with ritual symbols of mourning and war.
She carried no weapon.
Because her bones were her weapons.
