The underground cavern stretched wide beneath the Cradle of First Flames.
Blue crystalline stones jutted from walls and ceiling and floor, formations that had grown during the night as Mana saturated the earth above. They cast dim light across the space, cold illumination that painted everything in shades of sapphire and shadow. The cavern was large enough to hold the massive beast form of Damian with room to spare, a cathedral of stone and crystal hidden beneath paradise.
And at its center, Sir Alex hung suspended in the air.
Golden chains wrapped around his limbs and torso, tendrils of boiling Mana that had erupted from Damian's beast form and refused to release their prey. The chains pulsed with heat that would have incinerated ordinary flesh, temperature maintained at levels designed to cause maximum pain without granting the mercy of death!
And today, there would be no honor or mercy!
