"Where did he go?" Lira muttered, tugging at the heavy, unfamiliar bodice of her gown. The ornate fabric pinched her waist, far too complicated for this strange place. She wandered the dim stone corridors, searching for Cruxius. He had left hours ago to fetch Ytrisia, summoned by that pale vampire woman for some mandatory Pentagon meeting.
The vampire's instructions had been baffling. She had ordered Cruxius to remain composed, insisting his mere presence needed to leave a lasting impact. Yet, in the same breath, she claimed it wouldn't matter if he surrendered. The contradiction gnawed at Lira. The underlying tone suggested she expected him to win at all costs, regardless of the official stance.
"No way out of here anyway... just an end zone."
