Ethan awoke the next morning with a lingering sense of unease. The events of the previous day felt like a surreal dream, but the artifact’s weight against his chest and Silver’s soft breathing at the foot of his bed were undeniable reminders that his life had irrevocably changed.
“What now?”he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. Silver’s ears perked up, and the wolf like creature jumped onto the bed, nudging Ethan with his nose.
“Alright, alright,” Ethan said, chuckling despite himself. “Let’s get moving.”
Downstairs, his mother was humming a tune in the kitchen. She greeted him with a warm smile as he grabbed some toast.
“You’re up early,” she said. “Big plans today?”
Ethan hesitated. “Uh, yeah. Just meeting Mia to work on a project.” It wasn’t a total lie, but he still felt a pang of guilt. How could he explain the truth?
Mia was waiting for him at their usual meeting spot under the oak tree. She looked up from her notebook as he approached, her expression serious.
“I did some digging last night,” she said, holding up a page filled with notes and sketches. “If Mrs. Kline’s right about the artifact being one of the Seals of Eryndor, then there’s a lot more to this than just taming monsters.”
“Like what?”Ethan asked, sitting down beside her.
“For starters, the seals are supposedly connected to something called the Nexus,” Mia explained. “It’s this ancient source of energy that keeps the balance between light and dark. If the seals are corrupted or destroyed, the Nexus could collapse.”
Ethan’s stomach tightened. “So if something happens to this thing…” He touched the artifact around his neck.
“Bad news for everyone,” Mia finished.
Before Ethan could respond, Silver’s ears pricked up, and he let out a low growl. The air around them grew heavy, and a chill ran down Ethan’s spine.
“What is it?”Mia asked, glancing around nervously.
“I don’t know,” Ethan said, standing. “But it’s close.”
The forest was eerily quiet as Ethan and Mia ventured into the woods, following Silver’s lead. The wolf-like creature moved with purpose, his glowing blue eyes scanning the shadows.
“I don’t like this,” Mia whispered. “It feels… wrong.”
Ethan nodded. The usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves were absent, replaced by an oppressive silence. The artifact pulsed faintly against his chest, as if responding to the tension in the air.
They didn’t have to wait long to find the source of the disturbance. A clearing opened up before them, and in the center stood a creature unlike any Ethan had seen before. It was humanoid in shape but twisted and grotesque, its skin covered in jagged black scales. Red energy crackled around its clawed hands, and its glowing eyes locked onto them with predatory intent.
“That’s definitely not friendly,” Mia said, taking a step back.
The creature let out a guttural roar and charged. Ethan barely had time to react.
“Silver, go!”he shouted, the artifact flaring to life.
Silver leapt forward, meeting the creature head-on. The two clashed in a flurry of movement, Silver’s speed and agility countering the creature’s brute strength. Ethan could feel their connection, a thread of shared energy that allowed him to sense Silver’s every move.
“What can I do?”Mia shouted, her voice tinged with panic.
Ethan glanced at her, then at the artifact. “I think… I think it can amplify our bond. Maybe I can give Silver more power.”
“How?”Mia asked.
“I don’t know! I’m figuring this out as I go!”Ethan closed his eyes, focusing on the artifact and the bond he shared with Silver. He imagined his energy flowing into the creature, strengthening it.
The artifact glowed brighter, and Silver’s form shimmered. His fur took on a metallic sheen, and his movements became faster, more precise. He dodged the creature’s claws and landed a powerful strike that sent it stumbling back.
But the victory was short-lived. The creature let out a roar, and the red energy around it flared, forming jagged spikes that shot toward Silver. One grazed his side, and he yelped in pain.
“No!”Ethan shouted, the artifact pulsing wildly. He felt a surge of anger and determination, and before he knew it, the energy from the artifact enveloped him and Silver in a blinding light.
When the light faded, Ethan found himself standing beside Silver, their forms partially merged. He could feel Silver’s strength coursing through him, and his vision was sharper, his reflexes quicker.
The creature hesitated, as if sensing the change. Ethan didn’t wait. He charged forward, Silver’s instincts guiding his movements. Together, they struck the creature with a powerful blow, the artifact’s energy amplifying the impact.
The creature let out a final, anguished cry before disintegrating into ash. The clearing fell silent once more, and Ethan felt the energy around him dissipate. He staggered, the bond with Silver returning to its normal state.
“Ethan!”Mia ran to his side, her eyes wide. “What just happened?”
“I… I don’t know,” Ethan admitted, his voice shaky. “But I think we’re stronger together than I realized.”
Silver nuzzled him, his eyes filled with trust and gratitude. Despite the exhaustion, Ethan felt a spark of hope. They had won this battle, but he knew it was only the beginning.
That night, Ethan sat on his bed, turning the artifact over in his hands. The events of the day replayed in his mind, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that the creature they had faced was just a glimpse of the challenges to come.
“We’ll figure this out,” he said softly, glancing at Silver, who was curled up at the foot of the bed.
As he drifted off to sleep, the artifact pulsed faintly, as if in agreement. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Ethan felt ready to face it.
Ethan’s footsteps echoed in the empty school hallway as he made his way to his locker. The normalcy of the day felt like a thin veil over the chaos of the last few days. As he grabbed his books, a familiar voice broke his thoughts.
“Ethan, wait up!”Mia called, jogging toward him. She looked excited, her backpack slung over one shoulder and a notebook in her hand.
“What’s up?”Ethan asked, shutting his locker.
Mia held up her notebook. “I found something last night. There’s a legend about the Seals of Eryndor that mentions a ‘Hunter’ someone who’s tasked with destroying corrupted creatures and anyone who wields a seal.”
Ethan’s stomach sank. “Destroying? As in… killing? ”
Mia nodded grimly. “It’s not clear if the Hunter’s good or bad, but if they’re real, it means we’re not just dealing with monsters anymore. We’re dealing with someone who might come after you.”
Ethan’s mind raced. The thought of someone actively hunting him was terrifying. “Do we know anything about this Hunter?”
“Not much,” Mia admitted. “Just that they’re skilled, and they’ve been around for centuries. They might have some connection to the seals themselves.”
Before Ethan could respond, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class.
“We’ll talk more later,” Mia said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Just… be careful, okay?”
That evening, Ethan and Silver walked through the forest near his house. The quiet rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl were the only sounds. Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
“You feel it too, don’t you?” Ethan asked, glancing at Silver. The wolf-like creature’s ears were perked, his body tense.
Suddenly, a shadow darted between the trees. Ethan froze, his heart pounding.
“Who’s there?”he called, trying to keep his voice steady.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, cloaked in black. Their face was obscured by a hood, but their stance was confident and deliberate. In their hand was a sleek, glowing weapon that looked like a cross between a blade and a staff.
“Ethan Carter,” the figure said, their voice calm but firm. “You’ve been chosen by the Seal of Eryndor. Do you understand the danger you’ve brought upon yourself?”
Ethan clenched his fists. “Who are you?”
“I am the Hunter,” they replied. “My duty is to ensure the seals do not fall into the wrong hands. If you cannot control its power, I will end this before it becomes a threat.”
Silver growled, stepping protectively in front of Ethan. The Hunter tilted their head slightly, as if assessing the creature.
“I’m not a threat,” Ethan said, his voice shaking. “I didn’t ask for this. I’m just trying to figure it out.”
The Hunter’s weapon glowed brighter. “Intentions mean little when the balance of the world is at stake. Show me your strength, or surrender the seal.”
Ethan’s grip tightened on the artifact. He could feel its energy pulsing, responding to his fear and determination.
“I’m not giving it up,” he said. “If you want it, you’ll have to fight me.”
The Hunter nodded, as if expecting this answer. “Very well.”
They moved with incredible speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Silver lunged to intercept, but the Hunter dodged effortlessly, striking with precision. Ethan barely had time to react, raising the artifact and summoning a burst of light to push the Hunter back.
“Good,” the Hunter said, their tone almost approving. “But you’ll need more than that.”
The battle intensified, the forest around them becoming a blur of movement and light. Ethan and Silver fought as one, their bond strengthening with every attack. But the Hunter was relentless, their skill unmatched. Every move Ethan made seemed to be anticipated, every strike countered.
“You’re holding back,” the Hunter said, their voice cutting through the chaos. “If you don’t embrace the seal’s power, you’ll never survive.”
Ethan gritted his teeth. He could feel the artifact’s energy building, a wellspring of power waiting to be unleashed. But something held him back fear of losing control, of becoming something he didn’t understand.
“Ethan, you have to trust it!” Mia’s voice echoed in his mind, a memory from earlier that day.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan let go of his hesitation. The artifact flared to life, enveloping him and Silver in a brilliant light. When the glow subsided, they stood transformed, their forms merged into a single, powerful being. Ethan could feel Silver’s strength coursing through him, their thoughts and instincts perfectly aligned.
The Hunter paused, their weapon lowered slightly. “So, you’ve taken the first step. Good. But this is only the beginning.”
With a swift motion, they vanished into the shadows, leaving Ethan and Silver alone in the clearing. The forest was silent once more, but the weight of the encounter lingered.
Back at home, Ethan sat on his bed, the artifact glowing faintly in his hand. Silver lay beside him, his breathing steady.
“The Hunter…” Ethan murmured. “They’re not just after me. They’re testing me.”
Silver’s ears twitched, as if agreeing. Ethan sighed, leaning back against the wall. The path ahead was growing darker, but he was determined to see it through. For the first time, he felt a flicker of confidence. He wasn’t just a boy with an artifact anymore. He was a tamer, and he was ready to face whatever came next.
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Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 4: Echoes of the Past
The morning after his encounter with the Hunter, Ethan found himself staring at the artifact in his hand. Its faint glow seemed more alive than ever, pulsing gently as if responding to his thoughts. The memory of the Hunter’s words lingered in his mind: *"This is only the beginning."Silver padded over to him, nudging his leg with a soft whine. Ethan reached down to scratch behind his ears.“We’re in over our heads, buddy,” Ethan muttered. Silver’s tail wagged slightly, as if to reassure him.A knock at the door startled him.“Ethan, it’s Mia,” came the familiar voice.Ethan opened the door to find Mia clutching her ever-present notebook. Her expression was a mix of excitement and worry.“I think I found something important,” she said, stepping inside. “It’s about the artifact’s origin.”Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been busy.”Mia grinned, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “This is bigger than I thought. The Seals of Eryndor weren’t just tools of balance. They were created during
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 5: Bonds Forged in Battle
The journey out of the Whispering Woods was far less treacherous than the path in, but the weight of their encounter with Lyra lingered. Ethan held the newly acquired fragment in his hand, its faint glow pulsing in sync with the artifact around his neck. The forest seemed quieter now, as if acknowledging their victory.“So, what’s the plan now?”Mia asked, breaking the silence. She glanced at Ethan, her notebook clutched tightly. “We have two fragments, but how many more are there?”Ethan frowned, his gaze distant. “Lyra didn’t say. But if each one is guarded like that, it’s going to be a long road.”Silver trotted ahead, his ears twitching as he scanned their surroundings. His energy was high despite the earlier battle, a stark contrast to Ethan’s exhaustion.“We need to regroup and figure out where to go next,” Ethan continued. “Maybe Lyra’s warning will make more sense once we’ve had time to think.”By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the sun was setting, casting the sk
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 6: Shadows of Deception
The trek back from the Ashen Highlands was quieter than Ethan had anticipated. The group’s spirits were lifted by their recent victory, but the oppressive atmosphere of the Highlands seemed to cling to them. Even the normally energetic Silver moved with a subdued caution, his ears flicking at every faint sound. Bramble lumbered beside Ethan, his heavy steps a steady rhythm against the uneven ground.Mia broke the silence. “You’ve been awfully quiet, Ethan. What’s on your mind?”Ethan hesitated before answering. “That battle with the Ash Drake… it felt different. Like it wasn’t just a guardian but something… darker. I can’t shake the feeling we’re being watched.”Mia’s expression turned serious. “You think someone’s after the fragments?”“Maybe,” Ethan admitted. “Or maybe I’m just imagining things. Either way, we need to be careful.”The group continued their descent, the air growing cooler as they left the Highlands behind. But Ethan’s unease lingered, a shadow that refused to lift.W
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 7: The Ruins of Eldermoor
The Whispering Woods gave way to a barren expanse of cracked earth and jagged stones. The air was heavy, thick with an unnatural silence that pressed down on Ethan and his companions. Ahead, the ruins of Eldermoor rose from the desolation, a skeletal city of crumbling towers and shattered walls. A faint, eerie glow emanated from the heart of the ruins, pulsing like a heartbeat.Mia adjusted her pack and surveyed the scene. “So, this is Eldermoor. Cheerful place.”“Stay alert,” Ethan said, gripping the artifact around his neck. “We don’t know what’s waiting for us.”Silver sniffed the air, his hackles rising, while Bramble let out a low growl. The tension was palpable as the group crossed the threshold into the ruins.The streets of Eldermoor were eerily intact, as though the city had been frozen in time. Shattered statues and toppled pillars lined the pathways, their surfaces etched with strange runes. Mia ran her fingers over one of the carvings, her eyes narrowing in thought.“These
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 8: A Whisper of Betrayal
The group emerged from the ruins of Eldermoor as the first rays of sunlight broke through the dissipating mist. Though the Guardian had been defeated and the fragment recovered, the weight of their journey pressed heavily on Ethan and his companions. The artifact around his neck hummed faintly, a reminder of the power they were gathering and the responsibility it brought.“I can still feel it,” Ethan murmured, glancing back at the ruins. “The pain of what happened here. It’s like the city’s memories are etched into the fragment.”“Whatever destroyed Eldermoor wasn’t natural,” Mia said, flipping through her notebook. “The runes, the Wraithborn, the Guardian… it all points to something deliberate. Someone caused this.”Silver barked sharply, his ears twitching as he scanned the forest ahead. Bramble let out a low growl, his massive frame tensing.“What is it?”Ethan asked, his hand instinctively moving to the artifact.“We’re not alone,” Mia said, her voice low.From the shadows of the W
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 9:The Scholar of the Cliffs
The cliffs loomed ahead, jagged and imposing against the pale morning sky. The group’s trek had been grueling, the rocky terrain sapping their energy with every step. Despite their exhaustion, a sense of urgency propelled them forward. Ethan’s grip on the artifact tightened as they approached the base of the cliffs, where a narrow, winding path led upward.“Eryndor lives somewhere up there?”Mia asked, shielding her eyes from the sun as she gazed at the towering peaks.“That’s what Grayson said,” Ethan replied. “We just have to find him.”Silver sniffed the air, his ears perking up. The wolf let out a soft growl and began leading the way, his instincts guiding them. Bramble followed closely, his massive paws steady on the uneven ground.The path grew steeper as they climbed, the wind picking up and whipping around them. Loose stones tumbled beneath their feet, and the air grew thin and cold. After what felt like hours, they reached a plateau where a modest stone dwelling was nestled ag
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 10: The Guardian’s Blade
The silver-armored woman led the group out of the Obsidian Marsh, her presence a beacon of hope in the oppressive landscape. As they emerged onto firmer ground, the mist began to dissipate, revealing a narrow path that wound through a dense forest. The woman stopped and turned to face them, her piercing gaze sweeping over each member of the group.“I am Seraphina, a Guardian of the Light,” she said. “My duty is to protect the balance and ensure the fragments do not fall into the wrong hands. You have shown courage and resolve, but your journey is far from over.”Ethan stepped forward, the artifact glowing faintly at his chest. “We’re trying to stop the Shadow Collective. They’ve been hunting us and the fragments.”Seraphina’s expression darkened. “The Shadow Collective’s reach is vast, and their intentions are dire. They seek to reassemble the Aetherial Core to wield its power for destruction. You must be prepared for what lies ahead.”The group followed Seraphina deeper into the fore
Rise of the Tamer ( Bound by the Beast) Episode 11: Trials of the Radiant Vault
The ruins were silent again, save for the faint hum of the artifact in Ethan’s hand. Shadows clung to the edges of the crumbling walls as if reluctant to leave after Malrik’s retreat. The group stood in a tense circle around the pedestal, catching their breath after the battle.“This isn’t over,” Seraphina said, her sword still glowing faintly. “Malrik was testing you, and he’ll return stronger. We must uncover the secrets of this place before it’s too late.”Ethan approached the pedestal, the artifact’s glow intensifying with every step. The runes carved into the stone seemed to shift and dance in response, their ancient language alive with energy.“What do you think it’s saying?” Ethan asked, glancing at Mia, who had already pulled out her notebook.She frowned, studying the markings. “It’s not like anything I’ve seen before. But… it feels familiar. Almost like it’s meant to guide us.”Seraphina stepped closer, her brow furrowed in concentration. “These runes tell the story of a Gua
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Episode 212: The Last War, The Last King
It was no longer their battlefield.What had once been a sky became a dirty mirror of a world that had died before history itself.The ground shook under Ethan and Asha’s feet, not from ruination, but from something attempting to rewrite existence itself.And at the center of the whole thingThe light belonged not to this world, and it now burned behind their eyes, at last uncovered from the shattered mask.The End.They weren’t human.They weren’t divine.They had been something before those things.And as they walked closer, the mere act of them distorted the air nearby.“You have tread too far, Hollow King.”“You’ve broken too many chains.“And now you will see what was meant to be forgotten.”Ethan’s hands made fists.Asha took a slow, deep breath.They had no time to think.Because the First King moved.And the final battle began.Ethan had little time to even react before he found the First King in front of him.Their movement flouted space itself—not teleportation, not speed, ju
Episode 210: The Beast That Devours Fate
Ethan felt nothing.No pain.No weight.No time.Just… absence.As if he had entered the void of creation itself.As if he never existed at all.But somewhere through the deafening silence.He could still hear Asha calling his name.Still feel the tug of who he was.What he had been.What he refused to lose.Because this wasn’t merely an enemy.This was something worse.Something beyond the throne.Farther than he had ever ventured beyond the kings and wars that had shaped his life.And if he didn’t stop it.There would have been nothing left to save.Not this world.Not Asha.Not himself.Nothing.Asha was losing him.She saw it.Felt it.Ethan was fading, his form wavering between real and unreal, his shadow bending, extending—being consumed.The Nameless Horror stood in front of them, a shape that had shape, a thing that had life, but nonetheless the presence of hunger.It had no eyes.No mouth.And yet.She could hear it laughing.Not a sound.Not a voice.A feeling.A whisper in
Episode 209: The Breaking of the Seal
Ethan and Asha fell through the floor.Not from an explosion.Not from an attack.But because something below it had stirred.A being older than the Hollow Throne.Something that had been locked away since the beginning of this world.And they had just released it into the wild.Or the very ground they fought upon, as Asha staggered backward, as wide-eyed as the battlefield ripping itself asunder, huge stone slabs rising into the air like broken sheets of a long-lost history.Ethan breathed slowly, steadily.But his shadow is his power.Trembled.For whatever was coming out of the cracks.It wasn’t a monster.It wasn’t a ruler.It was more than those things.That should have never come back to life.The tyrant coughed violently, blood leaking from between their lips, but they were smiling.Smiling as they knew exactly what was in store."You thought you won."Their voice was raw, not much more than a whisper.“You thought you could kill me and end this war.Their half-broken gaze sett
Episode 208: The Hollow King’s Last Breath
The battlefield had long been a maelstrom of destruction.But when the tyrant came down.Everything changed.The atmosphere twisted, warped by the mere gravity of their existence.Reddish-golden light poured off their form, writhing into physical might, bending the battlefield as if the very fabric of reality was willing itself to conform to their will.Ethan and Asha knew it immediately.The pressure.The difference.The monsters they’d fought before Vaelros, the tainted Tamers, the Eclipse Titan.They had been powerful.But this?This was a god entering the fray.Asha’s pulse pounded.She gripped her sword more tightly, but her fingers were numb.Ethan’s shadow trembled wildly.His power, which had always been bound to the throne, was now battling against him.Because the throne no longer belonged to him.And there before him stood its new ruler.The tyrant’s voice was calm. Smooth.Amused."Tell me, Hollow King…"“It’s like being powerless. How does that feel?The War Begins Again
Episode 207: The Tyrant Descends
The battlefield had long been a maelstrom of destruction.But when the tyrant came down.Everything changed.The atmosphere twisted, warped by the mere gravity of their existence.Reddish-golden light poured off their form, writhing into physical might, bending the battlefield as if the very fabric of reality was willing itself to conform to their will.Ethan and Asha knew it immediately.The pressure.The difference.The monsters they’d fought before Vaelros, the tainted Tamers, the Eclipse Titan.They had been powerful.But this?This was a god entering the fray.Asha’s pulse pounded.She gripped her sword more tightly, but her fingers were numb.Ethan’s shadow trembled wildly.His power, which had always been bound to the throne, was now battling against him.Because the throne no longer belonged to him.And there before him stood its new ruler.The tyrant’s voice was calm. Smooth.Amused."Tell me, Hollow King…"“It’s like being powerless. How does that feel?Ethan moved first.He
Episode 206: The Colossus That Eats Light
The Nightmare GrowsThings were coming apart at the scene of the battle.The colossus towered, hovering over Ethan and Asha, contorting, warping, and turning into something worse.Its shape contorted, once a lump of shadow and machination and now remolding itself in the heat of battle.Razor-sharp spines of obsidian jutted from its back. Its arms stretched, transforming into monstrous blades of pure void.And worse, it was learning.Ethan clenched his fists.Asha swallowed hard. “Tell me we have a plan.”Ethan exhaled. “We destroy it before it’s fully developed.”A pause.Then Asha grinned. “Good. That, I can do.”And then.They attacked.So, The Hollow King and the Tamer Strike BackAsha was first.She darted ahead, her knife glinting in the fractured light, stitching her way through the maelstrom of sorcery pulsing from the colossus.The air itself struggled against her, the raw force of the beast’s power stretching time like chewing gum around it.But Asha was faster.She ducked be
Episode 205: The War of Beasts and Kings
The battlefield ceased to be a desolation.It was a slaughterhouse.Asha’s boots skidded on the cracked earth, her blade shining as she plunged it into the chest of a monstrous soldier. The creature screeched, but it did not fall.It had no blood to spill.No flesh to break.It was a manifestation of the throne’s will, a life that was never meant to be extinguished.And it was multiplying.For each one she felled, two more crawled from their cracks, skeletal eyes fixated on her with unbowed faithfulness.Asha gritted her teeth.They were trapped.And Ethan.Ethan was fighting in another way.The Final Fighter: A King Without A Throne, A Fighter Without ChainsEthan had stopped using his shadow.The energy of the throne, his old throne, was throwing him out, and now the power of himself was turning against him.So instead he had been battling with his fists.With pure, relentless force.He slammed his heel into the earth, pushing himself forward, his body running faster than the though
Episode 204: The First War of the New King
The Rising StormThe wind was wrong.Not just heavy hostility.It contained something other than natural, something that made Asha’s skin prickle with unease.Standing with Ethan at the edge of the battlefield, she stared across the devastation of their greatest fight.But this was no victory here.Only loss.The throne was gone.Taken.And the world was already writhing under its new monarch.Ethan’s hands balled at his sides. His shadow, which he used to wield with ease, was still thrashing.Still smarting from being spurned by the throne that had once been his.Asha took a slow breath.“So,” she said, looking at him, willing to steady the weight at her chest. “Where do we start? ”Ethan didn’t respond right away.His eyes were fixed on the horizon.For the long walk back in the far distance past the shattered ruins, past the crumbling ashes of the old world.A new kingdom was forming.And it was spreading faster than they could contain it.The New King’s DomainThe sky was splittin
Episode 203: The New Tyrant
The throne was gone.The battlefield was wreckage, but it wasn’t the desolation that made Ethan’s chest a hollow place.It was the absence.He had spent every moment of his life struggling with the past, against it, trying to only be defined by what he could make of himself and his family rather than that throne.And now, someone else was in possession of it.Now, the world was breaking in ways he couldn’t control.Ethan blew out, trying to keep his breaths even.But Asha noticed the tension in his shoulders.She felt it too.The shift in the air.The change in, really, the world itself.Whatever this masked ruler had done, it had not simply been to take the throne.They had redefined something basic.And now, the reckoning was at hand.Fast.A First Indication of the New OrderThe ground quivered.Not from a battle, not an attack, but from something deeper.Asha’s instincts screamed.She grabbed Ethan’s arm.“Move.”Before he could ask it, the ground opened beneath them.An enormous