Minutes before the confrontation...
Selene and Lucien were engaged in a heated discussion with Elio. The young leader, impatient to face Fathoran, could barely contain himself.
"Elio, please, let the soldiers weaken him first," Selene implored, her voice heavy with concern. Her eyes, usually sharp and decisive, now held a glimmer of fear. "We can't rush into this blindly. The stakes are too high."
Lucien nodded, supporting his companion. His weathered face was etched with worry lines as he spoke.
"You're the symbol of change, Elio. If we lose you, everything we've gained will crumble." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "The discourse of blaming the families would make it impossible for us to regain control of the city. Without you, chaos would reign, and the wall would cease to function."