The noise of the mine did not fade into normal silence.It stopped under heavy, choking fear.
The massive elevator pulleys above the Deep Pit began to grind and turn.This was not a shift change.This sound meant someone was coming down from the Silver City.
Slaves rushed to the sides in panic. Picks fell from their hands. Heads lowered.No one dared to ask who was coming. Everyone already knew.The density of magic in the air increased, leaving a metallic taste in the throat.
After his short meeting with Vako and Kaelen, Eray had quickly returned to his assigned area, Vein 4.
From the shadows, Vako whispered as he watched him,"Let's see, Soldier. Let's see how straight you stand when your decorated owner arrives."
Unlike the others, Eray did not hide.
Instead, he stepped toward a tipped ore cart blocking the tunnel.One wheel was broken. Five weak slaves were trying to push it, failing again and again.
"Stop!" Eray shouted.
His voice carried such authority that the slaves froze instantly.
Eray picked up a long, solid metal rod.He placed it under the cart at the center of mass and used a rock as support.
"Not brute force," Eray said calmly."Use your heads. When I say now, pull down on the rod. Do not push."
The slaves exchanged confused looks, then obeyed.
"NOW!"
All five pulled at once.
The simple lever worked.With a loud creak, the heavy cart lifted and settled back onto the rails.The path was clear.
At that exact moment, the elevator hit the ground.
BOOM.
Out of the dust cloud came two lines of Elite Guards.Their silver armor reflected the dim crystal light.
And behind them—
She descended.
Princess Velira.
She wore no armor.Only a midnight-blue silk dress flowing to the ground.Yet even so, she looked more dangerous than a general holding a blade.
The filth beneath her feet seemed to move away, afraid to touch her.
Head Guard Gorak came running, breathing hard, and dropped to his knees before her.His massive body trembled.
"My Divine Princess!" Gorak shouted."What an honor! If we had known, we would have prepared a welcome—"
Velira did not look at him.
Her eyes scanned the crowd.
"Where?" she asked.
Gorak swallowed. Sweat ran down his face."W-Who… who are you looking for, my Lady? Which slave?"
Velira's gaze locked onto a figure standing in the middle of the tunnel.
Covered in coal dust.Holding a metal rod.Standing straight.
Eray.
A strange expression crossed Velira's face.
Anger, yes.But also a twisted pride, seeing her property shine even in this filthy pit.
Gorak followed her gaze and jumped to his feet.He rushed toward Eray, raising his whip.
"You!" Gorak roared."How dare you stand before the Princess! Kneel, filth!"
He swung the whip toward Eray's face.
Eray did not move.He did not even blink.
He knew.
"STOP."
Velira's voice was not a shout.It was a magical shockwave.
Gorak's arm froze in mid-air.An invisible force pinned the Ogre in place.
Velira walked toward him slowly.Each heel striking stone like a funeral bell.
"You," Velira said calmly, staring at Gorak's frozen face."Were you about to strike what belongs to me?"
"My Lady… he's just a human…" Gorak stammered."Lady Seraphina ordered him sent here. I was only enforcing discipline—"
"Seraphina," Velira said, chewing on the name."Seraphina gave you an order. I asked you a question."
Velira raised her hand.
A cold, blue flame formed in her palm.
"That human is mine, Gorak. Broken or whole.And no one—no one—damages my toys without my permission."
Gorak tried to beg.
No sound came out.
Velira closed her fingers slightly.
Gorak's massive body began to bend inward under invisible pressure.Bones cracked.Before he could scream, the Ogre collapsed into himself, becoming a bloody, twisted mass on the ground.
The mine fell into deathly silence.
Velira stepped over the corpse without dirtying her dress and stopped in front of Eray.
Eray slowly placed the metal rod on the ground.
He dropped to one knee.
But he did not lower his head.
He met Velira's ice-blue eyes.
"You came," Eray said calmly."To take me back, or to execute me?"
Velira removed her glove.With her bare, smooth hand, she lifted Eray's dirty face.Her thumb wiped a streak of blood from his cheek.
"If I wanted you executed," she whispered, leaning closer,"I would not have left it to Seraphina. I would have done it myself."
The red collar around Eray's neck began to warm and vibrate under her presence.
"Stand," Velira ordered."We are leaving. You need to be cleaned. You smell terrible."
Eray stood.
As Velira turned and walked toward the elevator, Eray looked back one last time.
From the shadows, Vako and Kaelen watched him.Vako raised his axe slightly.
Not a farewell.
A salute.
We have the map. Message received.
Eray followed the Princess into the elevator, wearing the mask of obedience.
But inside, he smiled.
Gorak was dead.The mines were leaderless.Perfect chaos for Vako to organize.
And more importantly—
Velira had proven to everyone, especially to herself, that Eray was no ordinary slave.
He was a possession worth killing for.
As the elevator doors closed, Eray ascended back to the Silver City.
Not as a victim.
But as a Trojan Horse already inside the walls.