en'

and my guard up. Every breath is tight, strained, as if the tension from the citadel is clinging t

ess it, the air around me shifts. Figures emerge, their clothes patched and worn, but the way they move

bodies colliding in a flurry of movement. I land blows left and right, using my strength to keep them back, but there are too many. Even as I throw one attacker

l me forward, deeper into unfamiliar territory until we reach a dark, hidden structure built into the rocks. Inside, it's cold and d

, and one of them steps

ands, his voice sharp a

s, and they close in, their fists unforgiving. They're rough and thorough, demanding answers, pushing me to reveal somet

ath my clothes down to the hard concrete floor, dark and thicker than their usual si

mutters. They exchange glances,

the suspicion still lingers. I catch their whispers, a few word

down, trying to s

confirm their suspicions. They now know who I am. I see from their

he eyes of the Serakyn Elites. Suddenly, the fight and the anger in their

ps forward, her

why we do this,

, discarded, treated like slaves. You're o

nce to join them, to rebel against everything Elara and the Elites stand for. It's tempting, a way to fight back, but I hesitate.

the leader gestures

ays. ''See for yoursel

e me. But when we reach the back of the hideout, my person falters. I see ro

ght hits me harder than I expected, each face a reminder of t

s turns her voic

. You're their blood but you're also t

tes, no future in a world that despises me for who I am. I look at them, seeing

iliar with, steps closer studying me with

. ''More than any of us. We need someone like you if w

wn to their cause, to the idea of fighting back against the injustices I've

rowing. ''How do we know he won't turn on us? How do we

tention. There's intelligence behind her gaze, a fire that hints at a determination. I meet

be a part of that world,''

anym

why should we believe you? You're just another

ou, I'm not. The Elites have betrayed me, just like they've

resent, but I see something shift in

me?'' she asks,

ide

''I'm Elyssa, Varek's daughter.'' She glan

in us, you'll need

weight of the mom

' I reply, determination fill

e flicker of something unspoken that lingers in the air, though I can't place what it i