The three days passed like accelerated entropy.

The Baptized fortified the cathedral ruins, knowing it wouldn't matter. Treated wounded, knowing they'd never fully heal before the next crisis. Trained combat drills, knowing they were preparing for a fight their leader would face alone.

Azrael spent the time studying the challenge scroll's details. The Arena of Bone and Ash—formal combat ground where the Demon King settled disputes with rivals who earned his attention. The rules were ...