Ophugus crouched in the dim kennels of Bloodbeast Grove, watching his three young shark-hounds tear into their morning meal. Blood splattered across the stone floor. He wanted to breed the most feared pack in the entire cult, beasts that would make other handlers step back in respect. The wooden mask concealed his face as he studied each beast. Their dorsal fins twitched as they fed. Sharp teeth flashed in the torchlight. He'd built this kennel himself, stone by stone, far from the other handlers. The space was perfect for his work. Dark corners kept the hounds aggressive. Iron bars held them when needed. He would train them harder than any others. He would breed only the strongest. Soon, his pack would be legend. The Carnivora Sharkote Kennel would become known throughout Bloodbeast Grove as the birthplace of monsters. Every cultist would whisper his name when his beasts walked past. Outside, Ophugus began work on the feeding pens. He hammered wooden posts into the dirt. Spikes lined the top to keep the hounds contained during meals. Smelted ore reinforced the corners where the strongest beasts might test their strength. The outdoor space would let them fight for their food. The weak would learn or die. The strong would grow stronger. He stepped back and examined his work. The structure stood sturdy against the morning wind. This was where his pack would prove themselves. This was where legends began. Training came next. Ophugus dragged heavy targets across the dirt toward the pens. Thick padding covered wooden frames that could take punishment. He attached strips of meat to moving arms that would swing when struck. The shark-hounds needed to learn precision with their attacks. They needed to bite hard and fast. He set up wooden posts at different heights. Some targets hung low. Others stood tall. His beasts would practice on these until their strikes never missed. The apparatus would make them hunters instead of just animals. He tested one target with his fist. It swung back hard. Perfect. His pack would be ready soon enough.