ing forward. The streets of the slums were eerily silent, the usual hum of life stifled by fear. As she was drag

men surrounded Amara like wolves, their grip firm and their expressions indiffer

t had long since become a graveyard for those who crossed Elric. The massive,

rete floor cold beneath her knees. Chains rattled as t

a mask of calm cruelty. He removed his

mooth and steady. "Intercepting my shipments, stirring up hope wh

ing against the shackles. "The people of th

? You? Let me tell you something, Amara: the slums are not a place for heroe

t you had to disrupt the balance. You had to play savior

-

tory's damp air clung to Amara's skin, and the dim light flic

echoing ominously. They didn't speak to her

uld know she was missing, but would he risk coming for

eavy boots approaching. She looked up to see El

tone almost conversational. "Your tenacity. Your courage.

tip glowing faintly red from the heat. "But fire

efiant. "You can kill me, Elric, but you can't kill what we

he rod. "Oh, Amara. I don't need to kill you to

-

l torment-words meant to unravel her, threats meant to shatter her courage. He spoke of her a

sery to those around you," he said, his voice dripping with

r pain. But his words cut deep, planting seed

-

. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, and exhaustion weighed heavily on

and her captors had grown complacent, that she heard it

en. The tapping grew louder, more delib

ma

h catching in her throat. In the shadows, she s

whispered, her

ed. "Hold on. I'm get

-

pick the lock on her chains. His movements

Amara asked, her voice

smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just

t clink, and Amara rubbed her w

walk?" Lo

eath her. Together, they crept toward the e

reached the door,

somew

a smirk on his face. Behind him, a dozen enforc

d for the first time,

her and Lorian. "Did you really think I wouldn

his body. "You can kill us," he said, his voice s

dened. "Oh, I'm

e enforcers closed in, and