Ki woke to the sound of soft crying beside him. His eyes fluttered open, revealing Septh, her face streaked with tears, sitting in the corner of a dim underground prison cell. Zephyr was still asleep on the floor, snoring lightly. Ki flexed his right hand, feeling a dull ache from the fight yesterday.
"Are you alright?" Septh asked, her voice trembling.
"I'll be fine," Ki replied, squeezing her hand gently, trying to offer comfort. Septh's eyes stayed locked on his, worry etched deep into her features.
"Please, Ki… don't act so recklessly again," she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.
Ki patted her head softly. "I'll try not to," he promised, guilt gnawing at him for the trouble he'd caused.
Zephyr stirred, rubbing his eyes. "Oh, you're finally awake," he mumbled, still half-asleep.
"Those are my words," Ki teased lightly. Septh let out a small laugh, grateful for the momentary reprieve.
"After you passed out, the soldiers dragged us here," Zephyr explained, now fully awake.
"Thanks for the update, Captain Obvious," Ki replied, earning a playful glare from his friend.
Septh added, her voice heavy with resignation, "We're in an underground prison. I've checked every corner... there's no way out. And the soldiers are everywhere."
Their conversation was cut short by the creak of a large door opening. Light spilled into the hallway, casting long shadows across the walls. The door slammed shut, and the echo of footsteps grew closer.
A figure appeared from the shadows: a pale, striking woman in a flowing blue dress. Her presence was commanding, yet elegant. Zephyr's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by her beauty.
"Stand up," she commanded, her voice sharp and precise. "You will come with me, girl."
Septh rose defiantly, her fists clenched. "I won't go anywhere with you!" she shouted. "We don't answer to you!"
The lady's eyes narrowed. "You leave me no choice," she said calmly. She motioned to a guard standing behind her.
Before Ki or Zephyr could react, the guard grabbed Septh's arms. She struggled fiercely, screaming for help, but the guard dragged her toward the door.
"Septh!" Ki shouted, leaping forward, but the guard held him back. Zephyr tried to intervene as well, but the two were overpowered by the soldiers.
"Help me! Please, stop this!" Septh cried, her voice echoing down the stone hallway.
The footsteps faded into the distance, and the hallway fell silent once again. Ki and Zephyr were left alone, the dim light casting long shadows over the cold floor. Helplessness and uncertainty settled over them like a heavy cloak, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on their shoulders.