Lucien led Aria through the dark halls of the fortress — a towering structure carved into the side of a mountain, hidden by enchanted mists. The air buzzed with ancient power, and shadows moved like they had minds of their own.
"This place is… unreal," Aria murmured.
"It's built on a lay line," Lucien said. "Magic flows through every stone. You'll need it where we're going."
They entered a massive underground chamber lit by torches that burned with blue fire. The floor was made of black stone, scorched with claw marks and faded runes. Weapons lined the walls — swords, staffs, and enchanted chains.
"Welcome to the Pit," Lucien said. "Where warriors are made… or broken."
She swallowed but didn't back down. "What's first?"
He snapped his fingers. A vampire in leather armor stepped forward, eyes glowing silver. "This is Selene. She'll be your first test."
Aria's heart skipped. Test? Already?
Selene didn't wait. She lunged.
Aria barely dodged, rolling across the stone floor. Instinct screamed in her veins. She fought back — wild, untrained — until Selene had her pinned within seconds.
"Sloppy," Lucien said. "You fight like a wolf. Predictable. Weak."
Aria growled, fury rising. She pushed Selene off with a sudden surge of strength that knocked the vampire back — hard.
Lucien's eyes lit up. "There it is. That spark."
Aria stood, breathing hard. "What is that?"
"You," he said. "Your true power waking up."
The runes beneath her feet glowed faintly. Her hands trembled — not with fear, but with heat. Flames flickered at her fingertips.
"What the hell…" she whispered.
Lucien stepped closer, watching her with burning curiosity. "You're not just werewolf, Aria. You're something rarer.
Something forged in blood… and fire."