Bab 40: Battle Royale 4

The desert wind howled, carrying a fine grit that stung exposed skin. Astrid, the Dwarven Blessed, stood firm against the sandstorm, hair waving like a battle flag. Her opponent, Kim, the lithe Tigerkin Blessed, crouched low, her amber eyes narrowed in a predatory glint. Both women pulsed with an aura of vibrant blue, a testament to their status as chosen of the ancient spirits.

The air crackled with unspoken tension. The exam had pitted them against each other, a clash of wills on the burning sands. Moments earlier, the ground had trembled as Astrid charged, her warhammer, "Grudgebringer," a blur of whirling metal and dwarven fury. Kim, with the agility of a desert cat, had dodged and weaved, deflecting blows with bursts of concentrated aura.