
by Max.Ryder
401 souls. Eight trials. Only one will survive. For centuries, the Council hoarded magic, granting it only to their chosen few. Now magic is dying, and their answer is slaughter dressed as spectacle. Cast into the ruins of the Octaviary, a once-proud academy twisted into a labyrinth of death, the competitors must fight, bargain, and betray their way through trials designed to break them. The last survivor will be granted a wish and tutelage beneath the greatest mages alive. But the contestants are not the only ones playing. Each Councilor has chosen champions, and each will twist the rules to keep their pieces alive. They say the strongest will prevail. But in the shadows, every path is rigged. The road to power will be written in blood.The only question is: who’s holding the pen? What to Expect: – An ensemble, multiple-POV cast of flawed and dangerous characters– Magic that feels powerful, costly, and unpredictable– Tactical challenges where strength alone is rarely enough– Scheming Councilors pulling strings behind the scenes– Shifting alliances, betrayals, and desperate bargains– A completed first book with new chapters released every other day.
| # | Title | Words |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interlude: A Council of Worms | 0 |
| 2 | Chapter 1: A Rude Awakening | 0 |
| 3 | Chapter 2: A Crystal Sea | 0 |
| 4 | Chapter 3: The Lions Roar | 0 |
| 5 | Chapter 4: A Coward's Courage | 0 |
| 6 |
| Chapter 5: A Battle of Wits |
| 0 |
| 7 | Chapter 6: A Harsh Re-Buke | 0 |
| 8 | Chapter 7: Two Heads are Better Than One | 0 |
| 9 | Chapter 8: Promises | 0 |
| 10 | Chapter 9: View From The Top | 0 |
| 11 | Chapter 10: A Token Exchange | 0 |
| 12 | Chapter 11: Visions of Blood | 0 |
| 13 | Chapter 12: An Unexpected Guest | 0 |
| 14 | Chapter 13: A Fly on the Wall | 0 |
| 15 | Chapter 14: Death and Taxes | 0 |
| 16 | Chapter 15: Walking the Dogs | 0 |
| 17 | Chapter 16: Seeking Knowledge | 0 |
| 18 | Chapter 17: Learning the Ropes | 0 |
| 19 | Chapter 18: A New Tenant | 0 |
| 20 | Chapter 19: Second Chances | 0 |
| 21 | Chapter 20: Bluffs, Bullies and Bullets | 0 |
| 22 | Chapter 21: My Little Knight | 0 |
| 23 | Chapter 22: Reaching Beyond | 0 |
| 24 | Chapter 23: Christmas Come Early | 0 |
| 25 | Chapter 24: An Unbeatable Game | 0 |
| 26 | Chapter 25: Finding Friends | 0 |
| 27 | Chapter 26: The Fifth Member | 0 |
| 28 | Chapter 27: Hard Landings | 0 |
| 29 | Chapter 28: Need a Hand? | 0 |
| 30 | Chapter 29: Walking on Thin... | 0 |
| 31 | Chapter 30: Into the Labyrinth | 0 |
| 32 | Chapter 31: Homeless. Not Heartless. | 0 |
| 33 | Chapter 32: Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object | 0 |
| 34 | Chapter 33: As the Crow Flies | — |
| 35 | Chapter 34: Had to Keep Moving | — |
| 36 | Chapter 35: One man's Trash.... | — |
| 37 | Chapter 36: The Iron Challenge | — |
| 38 | Chapter 37: A Councilor's Council | — |
| 39 | Chapter 38: Hard Truths | — |
| 40 | Chapter 39: Falling for Lies | — |
| 41 | Chapter 40: Love Lost | — |
| 42 | Chapter 41: A Soul Promise | — |
| 43 | Chapter 42: Monsters Have Standards | — |
| 44 | Chapter 43: Remember the Good Parts | — |
| 45 | Chapter 44: Recompense | — |
| 46 | Chapter 45: Teeth and Tokens | — |
| 47 | Chapter 46: Family Reunion | — |
| 48 | Chapter 47: A Charming Reveal | — |
| 49 | Chapter 48: Unlikely Aid | — |