No way out

Elsa's jaw clenched. Her light dagger trembled slightly in her grip.

Emerald didn't respond. Her gaze stayed sharp, her blade raised.

"No matter how hard you resist," the man continued, his words laced with scorn, "you'll never escape me."

His voice lingered in the air like a curse.

"You're not fighting to survive. You're struggling to delay the inevitable."

Behind him, the heretics snickered again. One of them wiped blood from his mouth and grinned like he was drunk on the thrill of pain.

Another cracked his knuckles, licking the corner of his lips. "Let's break their legs. Let's see how long they crawl."

Cynthia's shields flickered, her concentration wavering from the rising pressure. But she didn't fall.

Emerald took a breath, low and measured.

Then she answered.

"Then come cage us."

The man's smile sharpened.

"You first."