The bells of Aurelion rang thirteen times that morning.Across the capital, merchants abandoned their stalls, blacksmiths lowered their hammers, and children rushed into the streets to watch the golden banners unfurl above the royal palace.The crown prince had returned.Prince Kael Draven rode through the eastern gate on a black warhorse, his dark cloak bearing the silver crest of Aurelion—a crowned wolf surrounded by seven stars. Scratches marked his armor, and a narrow cut crossed his left cheek. He had returned from the northern frontier three days earlier, having crushed a monster raid that threatened several border settlements.At twenty-four, Kael was the eldest legitimate son of the late King Aldric Draven and the kingdom's designated heir. He had been trained in swordsmanship, military strategy, diplomacy, and the ancient laws governing the royal bloodline. Among the nobility, he was respected for his intelligence and feared for his unwillingness to tolerate incompetence.The

The monsters came from three directions.Kael counted seven sets of glowing eyes between the trees, though he suspected more were hidden behind the thick undergrowth. Their bodies were lean and low to the ground, covered in patchy gray fur. Long claws dug into the soil as they spread out, cutting off his path toward the ruins.He had no sword, no armor, and no idea what his new body could withstand.The voice inside his mind had already delivered its judgment.Survival probability: Low.Kael bared his teeth."Your opinion is unnecessary."A growl escaped his throat. The creatures answered with hungry snarls.The largest stepped forward. A pale scar crossed its muzzle, and a pair of curved horns protruded from its forehead. It was almost twice Kael's size.The others waited for its signal.That interested him.They weren't merely hungry animals. They understood formation, or at least followed a dominant leader. The larger creature would attack first while the others waited for an openi

Kael had learned three things about his new life.First, hunger could make him stupid.Second, pain was an excellent teacher, provided he survived the lesson.Third, humans were far more dangerous when they believed themselves superior.He followed the hunters through the forest with Murk several paces ahead. The scavenger moved between the trees as if he had been born from their shadows, stopping occasionally to inspect the ground or sniff the air.Kael had to work harder.His claws caught on roots. His tail struck branches. Twice, he nearly stepped on dry twigs, and once he slipped down a muddy slope, scraping his shoulder against a stone.Each mistake irritated him.Each mistake also taught him something about the Gloomfang body.Its hind legs were stronger than its forelimbs. Its tail helped with balance, but only when he remembered to use it. Its hearing was sharper than a human's, yet unfamiliar sounds could distract him at the worst moments.He would have to master the body bef

The first warning came before sunrise.Kael was awake when the silver light beneath his wounded shoulder began to pulse. It was faint at first, like a dying ember buried beneath his skin. Then the sensation spread toward his chest, where his unstable core responded with a painful throb.He rose slowly.The underground hollow was quiet. Murk slept near the entrance, curled around his stolen supplies. The pale creature sat against the opposite wall, watching the darkness.“You felt that too?” Kael asked.The creature nodded.“Something is moving beneath the ground.”Kael lowered his head, listening.At first, he heard nothing. Then came a faint vibration beneath his claws.A low rumble.The roots overhead trembled.Murk woke immediately.“What happened?”“Something is approaching,” Kael replied.The scavenger looked toward the entrance.“Then we leave.”A violent impact shook the chamber.Dust fell from the ceiling.Murk scrambled upright, grabbing his supplies.“Now would be an excelle