Before Theo could step further into the ring, a soft, dry clicking broke the silence.
Loryn stepped down from the edge of the royal box, descending onto the stone balcony with a jerky, unnatural stride.
He raised his elongated, clawed hands to the vaulted ceiling, his voice carrying across the vast expanse like dry parchment rubbing together.
"Welcome, Praetor of the Sovereign Vanguard, to the final threshold of Floor Thirteen," Loryn rasped, bowing with mocking theatricality toward the arena floor.
"The trial of succession approaches its apex. The final condition requires each participant to present undeniable proof of the high-floor guardians' defeat, and to secure the ancient relic known as the God's Blood Tree."
Theo straightened his back, a desperate, manic fire igniting in his cerulean eyes. He shoved his right hand into his bag, preparing to haul out the severed head and core of the Tidefang demon from Floor Eleven and the Chasm Stalker from Floor Twelve.
