Chapter 23: Weakness Is a Sin

Meanwhile, in the same forest where Kaden had just rested, a young girl was running for her life.

The trees blurred past her as she pushed her legs to the limit, her breaths ragged, desperate.

But “girl” wasn’t quite right.

Her body shimmered with green, snake-like scales. Her hair was a deep emerald, and her slitted eyes glowed like venom under moonlight. She wasn’t human.

She was a beast. A snake beast.

And she was being hunted.

Behind her, snapping at her heels, were green wolves—the same kind Kaden had faced during the start of his trial. Fast. Ruthless. Merciless.

HUFF— HUFF— HUFF—

Her name was Inara.

And right now, she was losing.

‘Please ... someone ... save me... ‘

She pleaded in her mind, over and over. She had slipped out of their grasp until now thanks to her slippery nature, but she was running out of time. Out of breath. Out of luck.

And when you’re exhausted—

BAM!

She stumbled over a rock and smashed into the dirt. Face-first.

The fall was almost comedic—if the situation wasn’t so goddamn tragic.

“Arghhh...!” Inara groaned, pain shooting up her leg. Her eyes welled up with tears as she turned back.

The wolves had slowed.

They weren’t running anymore.

They walked now.

Step by step. Patient. Playful.

They were toying with her.

They always did that with prey they knew couldn’t fight back.

And Inara? She looked every bit like prey.

She tried to lift her hand. Her fingers trembled. A slow puff of green mist began to form, swirling like a weak fog. Poison.

But it was pitiful.