Wolves and Runes

Flickering torches cast long shadows across the coliseum as late dusk settled over the sky, not fully night yet but dim enough to make every silhouette loom larger. The thick iron gate had lifted just moments ago, and from that open maw, four colossal Alpha Shadow Wolves emerged. Their fur shifted like living darkness. Atop each wolf crouched a Kobold Rider, thin and pale, faces warped into wolf-like skulls. They clutched spears etched with a faint violet glow—odd runes that sent a chill through every trainee watching from the arena floor.

A hush spread among the scattered formations of trainees. They had just withstood an onslaught of elite shadow wolves, and many stood breathing hard, weapons slick with the residue of earlier battles. At the far side, Klaus readied his sword, half-expecting this new wave to rush him first. For an instant, one of the Kobolds aimed its spear directly his way. Nora and Finn flinched behind him, bracing for a head-on charge.