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.
