C18 Fear and rage

The mark flared.

Light—not moonlight, not shadow, erupted from the floor, throwing wolves off their feet. The battle stuttered, snarls choking into silence as every eye turned toward the crescent glowing like molten iron.

The stone cracked.

Low and dreadful, like the groan of something ancient waking after being buried for too long, a sound rose from below. This time, instead of hunger