Then the ring began speaking, feeding words directly into Damian's mind.
And Damian's voice cut across the silent room, steady and absolute, carrying each word with weight.
"Before the ancestor who carved our name into existence..."
His hand pressed harder against his thigh, blood flowing faster from the wound.
"I accept the mantle of the Bloodworth crest."
A pause, his breathing staying controlled.
"I step into the circle where my blood has always belonged."
Another pause, his voice dropping lower.
"Blood of my blood, forged in the same fire that tempered those who came before."
His fingers curled against stone, anchoring himself.
"I inherit your debts."
Silence for one heartbeat.
"I inherit your honor."
His voice gained edges, becoming harder.
"No distance shall sever us from each other, no barrier shall divide what blood has joined."
Another pause, weighted with conviction.
