The Elder God's summons reached Kincaid without warning.
His room vanished around him. The star-filled assembly hall replaced it, and the remaining apprentices appeared across their separated terraces. Fewer than four hundred places had remained occupied after the first challenge. No additional seats had gone dark since Kincaid last stood there.
The conversations that began around him ended as the center of the hall filled.
The Elder God wore the same plain shape. His presence turned every apprentice's attention toward him before he spoke.
"The next Champion Challenge will begin in fourteen days."
A record opened above the central floor.
[Challenge preparation period: 14 days.]
[Each surviving champion will designate ten dungeon monsters.]
[Designated monsters will enter a dungeon constructed for the challenge.]
[Further conditions will be issued when the challenge begins.]
Kincaid read the four lines twice.
