Black Morass depths of depravity

irene stood amidst the misty clearing, her muscles taut beneath her sleek coat as kóvictus’s golden eyes fell upon her. The faint curl of his lip and the edge of his tooth revealed just enough disdain to remind her where she stood in his eyes—beneath him, beneath them all. a low fire sparked in her chest at his dismissiveness, but she swallowed it down, her emerald green gaze dropping only briefly to the sodden ground before returning, defiant yet subdued.  

the dominus's words echoed through the murky air, heavy and commanding. imperium grows… the weight of his authority pressed down like a storm, unyielding and absolute, but irene did not flinch. she spoke, her voice low but firm, threaded with quiet conviction. strength and vigilance, dominus, she said, her gaze flicking briefly to kóvictus before resting on ione. i understand what is expected of me. i do not ask for favor, nor do i expect it.

irene's gaze met the reverend mother's quiet intensity. her words were measured, her tone silk wrapped around steel, and irene knew better than to underestimate her. she could feel ione’s sharp gaze cutting through her, peeling back layers to see what lay beneath. there was no warmth, no comfort—only the cold reminder that she was untested, unproven.