The moment the creature opened its golden eye, every beast in the plaza erupted into terrified screams.The sound tore across Ashveil like reality itself had been split open. It rolled through the city in violent waves, carrying panic into every corner of the arena.The Inferno Lion reared so violently that molten fire burst from its mane and splashed across the platform beneath it.Nearby, the Storm Serpent twisted uncontrollably through the air as lightning exploded from its body in chaotic bursts, striking barriers and scattering sparks into the crowd. Even the majestic Frost Griffin staggered backward with panicked shrieks, its massive icy wings trembling as though an invisible hand had wrapped itself around its throat.Then Elysia’s Celestial Frost Phoenix screamed The cry froze the entire plaza Divine-ranked beasts were not supposed to fear anything.For one terrible moment, silence and terror collided together across the arena. Then panic exploded everywhere at once. “What’s ha

The academy duel arena smelled of blood, sweat, and humiliation, and the noble students loved every second of it.The massive circular battleground stood at the center of Ashveil Beast Academy like a monument built to celebrate cruelty. Crimson banners draped from towering stone walls while rows of elevated seats rose in steep layers around the arena, packed tightly with students hungry for entertainment.The battle floor itself carried the scars of countless fights fought by desperate tamers trying to survive the academy’s brutal hierarchy.Burn marks blackened entire sections of stone. Deep claw trenches carved through the arena floor like permanent wounds. Between the cracks, dried blood remained trapped within the rock, no matter how often servants cleaned it away. This was where weak students learned exactly how little mercy the world possessed, and this morning, the entire academy had gathered to watch Jesse Fletcher be destroyed. The whispers began before he even stepped into t

Three royal executioners entered Ashveil City under the cover of darkness.Their mission was simple: kill Jesse Fletcher.Rain poured heavily across the outer walls while the city guards remained unaware of the danger slipping silently through the northern gate. The three figures wore black ceremonial cloaks lined with silver beast-thread, their faces hidden beneath hooded masks engraved with the symbol of the Holy Beast Council. Nobody stopped them. Nobody questioned them. Because only fools interfered with Council authority.The guards lowered their heads immediately as the executioners passed. One of the guards swallowed nervously. “We weren’t informed the Council was sending envoys.”The tallest executioner stopped briefly. “We are not envoys,” he answered coldly. Then they continued walking into the sleeping city. Far above Ashveil, thunder rolled across the clouds while blue barrier sigils flickered weakly against the storm. The entire city felt tense tonight, as though somethin