The prison cell was cold. Damp.
Three figures hung against the wall.
Astrid. Aeliana. Seraphina.
Their hands were bound in heavy metal cuffs. Legs shackled with the same. Thick rope wrapped around their waists, securing them to stone poles.
All three were wounded. Exhausted. Their dresses torn from battle.
In front of them stood countless elves. Most wearing red robes. The syndicate.
Astrid glared at the elf stationed outside their cell.
"What do you want from us?!"
Her voice echoed through the cave.
"Release us immediately! If my father learns of this, he will hunt down every last one of you. He will find your families. Your friends. Everyone you've ever loved. And he will erase them from existence before sending you to a hell so deep that even demons would weep!"
The elf just smiled.
Then opened the gate. Stepped inside.
Astrid's bravado cracked.
