"Strength comes in many forms, but not all who fight choose to kill."
Evanna stood in the middle of a vast arena carved into the heart of the castle. The walls shimmered faintly with the same eerie glow she had noticed throughout the castle, as if the structure itself was alive and watching her every move.
Kael stood high above, perched on a stone balcony overlooking the scene, his golden eyes fixed on her. A small table beside him held a single weapon—a sword with a silver blade that gleamed unnaturally in the dim light.
A servant approached, bowing low before handing Evanna the weapon. She stared at it for a moment, the weight foreign and unsettling in her hands.
"This is your test," Kael's voice boomed, his tone cold and commanding. "A beast will be released. Your task is simple: survive. Whether you do so by killing or dying is entirely up to you."
Evanna's grip tightened on the hilt of the sword. "Is this what you do to all your so-called brides? Throw them to the wolves and see if they make it?"
Kael smirked, his fangs glinting in the faint light. "Not wolves this time. Something... more fitting."
Before she could respond, the iron gates at the far end of the arena creaked open, and a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows.
---
A massive beast stepped into the light, its form both terrifying and mesmerizing. It resembled a tiger, but its fur shimmered with streaks of gold and black, and its eyes glowed an unearthly green. Its claws, as long as Evanna's forearm, dug into the ground with every step, and its growl sent shivers down her spine.
The crowd of silent, shadowy figures lining the upper walls stirred, murmurs breaking through the oppressive quiet.
Evanna's heart raced. She gripped the sword tighter, her knuckles white.
"Kill it," Kael commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding. "Prove your strength."
The beast roared, charging at her with terrifying speed. Evanna barely had time to roll to the side, the ground shaking as the creature's claws slammed into the arena floor where she had stood.
"Kill it!" Kael's voice echoed again, more insistent.
But as the beast turned to face her, its glowing green eyes locked onto hers, Evanna hesitated. There was something in its gaze—anger, yes, but also pain.
She lowered her sword slightly, her voice trembling. "You're not a monster, are you?"
The crowd gasped. Even Kael's expression flickered with surprise.
The beast growled, its head tilting as if it didn't understand her words.
"Listen," she said softly, keeping her voice steady despite the trembling in her limbs. "I don't want to hurt you. I'm not here to kill."
The beast snarled, but it didn't lunge. Its ears twitched, its body tense but no longer advancing.
Kael leaned forward on the balcony, his golden eyes narrowing. "What are you doing, Evanna?"
"Something no one else seems to think of," she shot back. "I'm not your pawn, Kael. I make my own choices."
---
Evanna slowly lowered her sword and extended her hand toward the beast, her heart pounding.
"I'm not your enemy," she whispered. "You've been hurt, haven't you? They made you fight. Just like they're making me fight now."
The beast growled again, its massive paw scraping the ground, but it didn't strike.
Glow, who had been watching anxiously from the sidelines, barked softly. The beast's ears perked up at the sound, its glowing green eyes darting to the small fox-like creature.
Encouraged, Evanna took a tentative step closer. "It's okay," she said gently. "I won't hurt you."
The arena was silent, the crowd holding their breath. Even Kael said nothing, his golden eyes watching intently.
Finally, the beast lowered its massive head, a low rumble vibrating from its throat. Evanna reached out, her hand trembling as she placed it on its warm, furred muzzle.
The crowd erupted into murmurs, disbelief rippling through the arena.
"She... tamed it?" one voice whispered.
"That's impossible," another muttered.
Evanna smiled faintly, her fear melting into relief. "You're just misunderstood, aren't you?"
The beast let out a soft huff, its glowing eyes dimming slightly as it relaxed under her touch.
---
Kael's voice broke through the murmurs, sharp and commanding. "Enough."
The beast stepped back, its head turning toward Kael as if awaiting further orders.
"Return to your chamber," Kael said, his tone quiet but firm. The creature growled softly before retreating into the shadows, disappearing through the iron gates.
Evanna turned to face Kael, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. "What now? Did I pass your test?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he descended the stone stairs from the balcony, his movements slow and deliberate. The crowd above fell silent again, all eyes on their master.
When Kael reached her, he stopped mere feet away, his golden eyes scanning her face with an expression she couldn't decipher.
"You're unlike anyone I've ever met," he said finally, his voice low and laced with something that felt almost like... respect.
Evanna didn't lower her gaze. "Maybe you should rethink the way you test people, then."
Kael chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver down her spine. "Perhaps."
---
Kael led her through the winding corridors of the castle, the oppressive silence broken only by the faint echo of their footsteps. Glow trotted beside her, his glowing fur casting faint patterns on the walls.
They stopped in front of a large door, intricately carved with symbols she couldn't decipher. Kael pushed it open, revealing a room even more opulent than the one she had been given before.
"This will be your chamber from now on," Kael said, his tone neutral.
Evanna stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. It was beautiful, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was just another gilded cage.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, turning to face him.
Kael leaned against the doorframe, his golden eyes gleaming. "Because you intrigue me, Evanna. And I don't let intriguing things go to waste."
Her jaw tightened. "I'm not a thing."
Kael smirked. "No, you're not. But you are mine now, whether you like it or not."
Before she could respond, he stepped back, the door swinging shut with a soft click.
---
Evanna sat on the edge of the bed, her fists clenched. Tomorrow would bring another test, and this time, she wasn't sure if taming would be enough.