CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE RESONANT TRIAL (Part four)
The spiral in the center of the ring pulsed again—
but this time, it didn't wait for a name to be called.
The glyph curved outward, forming two half-arcs.
One lit in dark earthen tone—
grounded, solid, stone-class Veilmark.
The other shimmered faint orange, flickering like a low flame
fighting through smoke.
The voice returned.
"Recon: Torr Varnell."
He stepped forward immediately—
calm, assured, already rolling his shoulders loose as he entered the spiral's left arc.
His eyes didn't seek the crowd.
He was only watching the ring.
"Echo…"
A pause.
Then—
"Kaelen Voss."
The crowd murmured.
Not from surprise.
But from weight.
Because everyone knew who Kaelen was.
And everyone knew what it meant
when he was the first to represent Echo in Buta's absence.
Kaelen said nothing.
He stepped forward slowly,
his halberd held across his back,
his boots pressing glyphdust deeper into the floor with every step.
Torr met his gaze from across the spiral.
Still silent.
But it was clear—
This wasn't sparring.
This was a message.
Zephryn watched from above,
eyes locked on the spiral.
The moment Kaelen stepped into place,
the glyph between them flared.
No time.
No signal.
No warning.
The Trial had already begun.