The skin of the king’s back split, a sickening squelch echoing above the howl of the winds. The leathery wings shred the silk of his robes, stretched outwards in defiance of his nature. His nose scrunched into his face, somewhere between man and beast as his veins blackened beneath his once fair skin. Golden scales flaked and peeled, but sharpened into small spikes. They formed a gilt crown, tarnished upon the brow of a foul king.

The crunch of Agis’ bones and the pop of his ...