Chapter 16 · The Second Order

The first thunder spear struck the ground where Nora had been standing.

Stone exploded beneath her boots. Heat punched through her knees, and the force of it threw her sideways into Kane’s chest. His arms closed around her on instinct, though the movement tore a ragged breath from him. Blood darkened the bandage beneath his ribs. Blue-white current crawled under his skin like trapped lightning.

Above them, the arena towers unfolded.

What had been a ring of ceremonial pylons became a forest of execution spines. Each tower split open along its length, revealing copper veins and rotating chambers. The champion’s defeated sigil burned over the central dais, but it no longer displayed their victory.

It displayed a black crown pierced by three bolts.

Then the system spoke.

“Vey bloodline confirmed. Destruction protocol restored. Primary target: Nora Vey.”

Every spear turned toward her.

Kane shoved her behind him. “No.”

The word came out low, but the arena amplified it until it rolled across the floating city like distant thunder.

Nora grabbed the back of his coat. “You can barely stand.”

“I can stand long enough.”

“You can’t fight an entire execution grid.