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CHAPTER 98: The Challenge

Author: Evve
last update publish date: 2026-03-20 04:08:27

POV: Neoma

The word hung in the air like a guillotine blade. Duel.

It silenced the wind. It silenced the murmurs of the cadets in the stands. Even Viggo’s growl choked off. Replaced by a tense, vibrating stillness.

I stood on the sand. Looking up at the observation deck. Ishara stood there, stripped of her blue velvet cape, looking like a silver needle ready to stitch my skin shut. She wasn't angry. She was bored. And that was terrifying.

"No," Barzil said.

His voice was flat. Final. The Iron W
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