The night air was heavy with the stench of blood. Ragnar crouched near a corpse, stripping another fragment of Law into his system. Selene sat against a tree, her silver glow weaving slowly around her broken arm.
They should've had a moment of peace.
But the forest shifted.
A pressure rolled over them — thicker, heavier than any bounty hunter. The ground quaked as a massive figure emerged: a man clad in jagged iron armor, his eyes burning crimson.
Unlike the hunters, this one carried a brand on his forehead: a sect enforcer.
Selene's face tightened. "That's not a hunter. That's an Executioner."
The man's voice rumbled like a drum. "By order of the Heaven-Splitting Sect, Law Abomination Ragnar is sentenced to death."
He raised a hand. The air twisted — chains of pure steel Law erupted from the ground, slamming toward Ragnar.
[ Warning: Host cannot withstand direct clash. ]
Ragnar dove aside, Shadowlight Step carrying him just beyond the chains' reach. But they kept coming, smashing through trees, gouging the earth like vipers hunting prey.
The Executioner's eyes flicked toward Selene. "And you… silver-eyed witch. You dare side with him?"
Selene's smirk was bitter. "Do I look like I'm siding with anyone?"
Her body trembled. Ragnar noticed — the silver glow around her arm was fading, flickering like dying fireflies.
The Executioner's chains lashed again. Ragnar countered with Infernal Claw, molten shadow slicing through one — but the recoil ripped his arm numb. His body wasn't ready for this.
Selene cursed under her breath. "Damn it. Not now…"
Her silver eyes glowed painfully bright. Her body shook, veins glowing faintly beneath her skin.
Ragnar frowned. "What's happening to you?"
She laughed harshly. "The curse. Every time I use too much power… it eats me alive."
Before he could respond, the Executioner's chain slammed toward her. She raised her broken arm — silver light burst outward, forming a shield. It held for a heartbeat—then shattered.
She collapsed, coughing blood.
"Selene!" Ragnar's shout tore through the night.
The shadow inside him purred. "She's weak. Broken. Easy prey. Devour her too."
Ragnar ignored it, rage blazing through his veins.
He stood, darkness and flame spiraling violently around his body. His claws sharpened, his eyes burning with something primal.
The Executioner's smile widened. "Good. Show me the power that disgusts the heavens."
Ragnar's voice dropped into a growl.
"You want a monster?"
The shadows behind him twisted into wings of fire.
"Then I'll show you one."