The chamber is suffocating. Torches flicker, casting jagged shadows that dance along the walls. Wolves struggle against their chains, snarling and snapping—but Aria’s eyes are fixed, calculating, searching for any opening.
Her silver wolf hums beneath her skin, coiled and ready. Every muscle tensed, every sense sharpened.
Then it happens.
A surge of dark energy ripples through the room—so sudden, so overwhelming that Aria staggers.
Malrik steps forward, tall and commanding, his presence radiating power that presses against her like a physical force.
“Did you think you could sneak into my territory… unchallenged?” he says, voice low and menacing.
Aria lunges forward, shifting mid-motion, silver wolf bursting forth—but the ground beneath her erupts in shadowy chains, wrapping around he
