HU. HU. HU. HU. HU. HU. HU.
The crowd's guttural chants reverberated through the basin at my acceptance, weapons hammering against shields, feet striking the ground in perfect sync. The sound rolled like thunder, and the Chieftain stood tall above it all, unmoved, silver eyes looking over everything.
Then, his gaze shifted to the other youths behind me. His meaning was clear.
Their heads hung low. One by one, they slunk away, slipping into the audience like shadows swallowed by firelight. Not a word. Not a complaint. Their chance would come later.
The Chieftain's voice rose above the chants, cutting through the thunder like steel.
"Fill the circle. Fifteen must stand. Fifteen shall face."
His tone left no room for interpretation. This was not suggestion---it was law.
Names were spoken. Each one like a drumbeat.
