Maimura rippled through the crowd as massive screen flickered in life, displaying underwater fastige of what appeared to be ancient rates.
“Beneath there waters lies the soberged fortress of Alpha King Almir, built four resturies ago and claimed by flood during the feat De Within walls rests a chamber containing forty–two gold coins me for each candidate.
The screens shifted to show a central chamber filled with gleaming gold coins. But my breath caught as the camera panned to prve what garded them.
The Abyssal Direwolf,” Elder Selese announced as gasps echoes around us. A creature of ancient Irgend, need for this trial
The beast was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was a massive woll–like creature with scales instead of for. Its body was at least three times the size of a normal werewolf, Webbed pas ended in tlaws that looked capable of sluedding metal. Mows of shark like teeth filled its elongated snout. Most terrifying were its eyes—milky white and sightless, roolved for the darkness of the derp
“Your task is simple, Elder Selene continued. “Each candidate will be provided wetsuit equipment with one hour of oxygen apply. You must navigate the submerged fortress, retrieve a single gold coin from the chamber, and return to the sufice–l while evading the Abyssal Direwolf.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the candidates. “Three rules must be observed,
First, shifting is forbidden.
Second, while combat between candidates is permitted, killing is not–any candidate responsible for another’s death will be immediately disqualified. Candidates may steal coins from each other during the trial. A coln in your possession is not secure until you reach the surface with it.
My heart raced as 1 processed the challenge.
Third, the Council bears no responsibility for il
ty for those who ignore our warmings. If you find yourself in mortal danger, signal for rescue and withdraw from the trial. There is no honor in pointless death”
og and diving along the
“Adrian,” I whispered, gripping his arm. “Please be careful. Winning isn’t worth your life.”
He covered my hand with his, eyes still fixed on the screens displaying the underwater beast. “Tll be fine, Skye. I grew up swimming
nast. Water is practically my second bome.”
“This isn’t just about swimming. I insisted. “That thing down there
“I know,” he said softly. “But I can handle it. Trust me.”
We were interrupted as assistants began distributing the specialized wetsuits to each candidate. The suits were clearly customized, featuring each pack’s colors and symbols while incorporating advanced diving technology.
I helped Adrian check his equipment, my fingers trembling slightly as I verified the oxygen tank and regulators. The suit’s material was unlike I’d seen before–almost metallic in texture, yet flexible as silk.
“It’s reinforced with some kind of protective fiber, Adrian noted, examining the material. “Should provide some defense against both the cold and the
Direwolf’s dawn.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring. I muttered.
All too soon, Elder Selene was calling the candidates to line up along the lake’s edge. I walked with Adrian to his position, my chest tight with anxiety,
“Remember, you don’t need to be the first one out, I reminded him. “Just make it back safely.”
Adrian squeezed
my
hand one last time before pulling on his diving mask. “Til see you in hour, he promised, his voice muffled behind the equipment.
Ryder moved beside me at Adrian took his position at the lake’s edge. “Don’t worry,” he said quietly. “Til be watching the entire time. If anything goes wrong, I’ll dive in immediately to rescue him. I won set anything happen to our Alpha.”
Elder Selene raised her hand, and silepre fell over the gathered crowd. “Candidates, on my signal, the Trial of Strength begins.”
1/2
Chapter 114
I held my breath as her hand dropped. “Hepat
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