Isadora did not reply, and her silence caused murmurs. She didn’t look as if she were ready for anything, but as soone already been defeated.
"She ca to drop out."
"Maybe she can’t go through with it."
"What a sha."
"I wanted to see her fight."
"She should drop out now before it’s too late."
"Silence!" Logi yelled, causing them to shut their mouths. He quickly forced a smile on his lips and continued. "Lord Raven has a word for you, uncrowned warrior."
Isadora slowly lifted her gaze, as a strong presence filled the arena. Loud footsteps echoed as a massive figure strode to the ledge, commanding everyone’s everyone.
Logi gave a dramatic bow and then stepped back.
Kraven placed his hands on the ledge, a smirk playing on his lips as he stared down at his obsession.
"What awaits you is certain death, young warrior." His gravel voice echoed through the air, and its pressure commanded an imnse silence—no one dared to make a sound.
"You’ve got a chance to turn back, but your resilience shows you are devoted to the glorious purpose. Tell Isadora... are you devoted?"
"No."
Her reply caused gasps and murmurs.
Kraven licked his lips and said. "Then why are you here Isadora, are you here to insult our ways then?"
Isadora gulped. "Do I need a reason to be here? To stand in this arena knowing I would not make it?"
"Yes, what else would make you face death if it’s not sothing toward a greater purpose?" He strengthened his position. "Many have died... many have lost their way, many have gained the recognition they want, those worthy to be crowned."
"At the cost of how many lives..." Isadora said as the tears were on the verge of falling as she thought of Vanya.
"I hate to break it to you, Lord Raven, but not everyone shares your glorious purpose, so put their life on the line because they wanted to achieve sothing for themselves, they wanted to be deserved."
"She’s being disrespectful," Nyssa said glaring at her.
That mouth of hers will get her more than she can bargain for, if Lord Raven won’t act then the Ravenites will tear her apart.
Their murderous glares were not hard to miss either.
"Relax Nyssa, this looks quite fun, just look at the crowd completely captivated by her," Logi said, enthralled.
This was far more than he expected. The look in her was nothing like the girl he saw in the infirmary.
"You an wanting to tear her apart? And where is Rav, shouldn’t he be here?"
"I’ll not belittle your glorious purpose, it is not my place," Isadora said, leveling her gaze, emotionally strained.
She felt like falling to her knees at the pressure of their stares. She knew every last one of them aid for her blood right now. But she didn’t care; she needed to let them know, in so way that Vanya did not die just for a glorious purpose.
"Then why are you here, Isadora, why would you seek to defy the impossible, your nature?"
Her teeth clenched. If he was trying to rile her up with those words then it’s working.
"I was born a mannfae, a dirty blood, a lesser being to all of you." She raised her gaze and glared right back at the Ravenites. "None of you, have any idea what kind of life that is for . And I’ll not ask for your sympathy."
She inhaled sharply and yelled. "Wish dead! Curse ! Hate ! That is the fate of a mannfae, to be dragged to the mud while others step on you. The sa creation of Alda and Almadra, the Allfather and Allmother of all cycles, and yet..." she scoffed, shaking her head. "I am the lesser being."
Her ambers traveled to every eye fixed on her. "Should I fall and wail in tears because you do nothing but curse and hate ? That is what you all want!"
She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. "All those are just a reason to stay alive, break the curse, and show your thoughts do not affect . I stand here not because I want to prove anything to any of you who never wished anything good. I stand for a friend, to show, although how imperfect we are... we still amount to sothing."
She veered her gaze to Kraven. "I’ll not... yield."
Kraven’s heart skipped a beat, unable to look away from her. The rest of the crowd faded away and all he could see and breathe was... her.
His prey, with unbreakable thorns.
"I’ve deed you worthy..." he said. "Mannfae, skin weaver."
The Ravenites gasped at the revelation of her abilities.
"A weaver?"
"Is that possible?"
"It can’t be!"
"You heard right!"
"It’s impossible!"
Kraven turned his back and strode to his throne. Logi rose to his feet and spread his arms.
"Your final challenge, skin weaver!" He grabbed their attention. "The Snákr."
The sound of stones rolling opened echoed through, grabbing Isadora’s attention. She turned her head toward a large tunnel, bigger than anyone she had ever seen and she was just an ant in its presence.
In an instant, a heavy chill shot down Isadora’s spine, making the fine hairs at the back of her neck stand.
By instinct, she took a step back, her hand reaching for the swords sheathed behind her back before swiftly drawing them.
A powerful wind blew from the tunnel’s mouth, and Isadora crossed her elbows to block the pressure, almost blowing her away.
It suddenly ceased, silent captivating the area, Isadora opened her eyes just when a terrifying shriek ca, vibrating the earth.
Then a head was revealed, red scales shimring with hues, patterns that resemble the swirls of runic knots.
Isadora’s mouth fell open as her gaze lifted, watching the creature fully erge. It was a colossal reptile, an overwhelming presence that paralyzed her.
Black eyes stared down at her, its massive tongue flicking with a nacing hiss.
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