Maimura rippled through the crowd as massive screen flickered in life, disying 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 imed 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 ws that looked capable of sluedding metal. Mows of shark like teeth filled its elongated snout. <b>Most </b>terrifying were its eyes—milky white and sightless, roolved for the darkness of the derp
<b>“</b>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, whilebat between candidates is permitted, killing is not–any <b>candidate </b>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.<fnfa67> For original chapters go to FindN()vel</fnfa67>
Third, the Council bears no responsibility for il
ty for those who ignore <b>our </b>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<b>. </b><b>“</b>Please be careful. Winning isn’t worth your life.”
<b>He </b>covered my hand with his, eyes still fixed on the screens disying the underwater beast. “Tll be fine, <b>Skye</b>. I grew up swimming
nast. Water is practically my second bome.”
“This <b>isn’t </b>just about swimming. I insisted. “That thing down there
<b>“</b><b>I </b>know,” he said <b>softly</b>. “But I can handle it. <b>Trust </b>me.”
We were interrupted <b>as </b><b>assistants </b>began distributing the specialized wetsuits to each candidate. The suits were clearly customized, featuring each <b>pack’s </b>colors and symbols <b>while </b>incorporating <b>advanced </b><b>diving </b>technology.
I helped Adrian check his equipment, my fingers <b>trembling </b>slightly <b>as </b>I verified the oxygen <b>tank </b>and regtors. The <b>suit’s </b>material was unlike I’d seen before–almost metallic in texture, yet flexible as silk.
“It’s reinforced with some kind of protective fiber, <b>Adrian </b>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 theke’s edge. I walked with Adrian to his position, my chest tight with anxiety,
“Remember, you don’t need to be the first one <b>out</b>, I reminded him. “<b>Just </b>make it <b>back </b><b>safely</b>.”
<b>Adrian </b>squeezed
my
hand onest time before pulling on his diving mask. “Til see you in hour, he promised, his <b>voice </b>muffled behind the equipment.
Ryder moved beside me at Adrian took his position at theke’s edge. “Don’t worry,” <b>he </b>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 <b>gathered </b>crowd. “Candidates, <b>on </b>my <b>signal</b><b>, </b>the Trial of Strength begins.”
Chapter <b>114 </b>
I held my breath as her hand dropped. “Hepat