"Congratulations on reaching the center, Marquis Atticus Ravenstein. The Great Verge welcomes you. A hidden rule has been triggered. The center domain's penalty is mandatory.
"Domain penalty: You must wait one full round to claim your prize. During this time, any god may challenge you without contest.
"You will claim the domain when your turn comes again."
The world blurred around Atticus' eyes as he stared ahead with a distant and unfocused gaze.
'I… failed?'
It didn't matter that any Marquis across the board could challenge him during the round. The domain penalty required him to wait one full turn before he could claim the domain. Which meant… the turn was forfeit. Raziel could still get to Anorah without interruption.
Atticus clenched his fist so hard that blood dripped down his arm. He reached out with his mind immediately.
'Anorah…'
He gritted his teeth when he received no response.
'Anorah… don't.'
