"I challenge you to a duel"
The words cut through the noisy chatter like a blade, and the laughter that had filled the room died abruptly, replaced by a heavy, suffocating silence. Every eye turned sharply to Marcus, as if he had just declared something utterly insane.
"We have to stop this"
Sylvera, Selaphiel's daughter, whispered urgently, stepping forward. But before she could utter another word, her mother's calm but authoritative voice halted her in mid-step.
"Leave them be. Lugh knows when to hold back and when to push too far."
Across the gathering of youths, stunned faces stared at Marcus as if he had lost his mind. A duel? The incredulity was almost palpable.
Was Marcus the only one insulted by Lugh's relentless provocations? No—every single one of Lugh's victims sat in silence, nursing bruised egos and pride.
But why no retorts? Because everyone understood one brutal truth: no matter how much they despised Lugh, his strength was undeniable.
