Death penalty

Amal's eyes fluttered open to cold stone and dim light. She found herself lying in a prison cell. When she turned her head to the side, she gasped.

"Exile?! What are you doing here?!"

Exile jolted awake, startled. "I… I apologize! I didn't know I was beside you when I lost consciousness."

Amal breathed hard, then calmed. "Sorry. I overreacted."

"No, no," Exile said quickly. "It is I who must apologize. I should've stayed alert."

"Oh, shut up," Amal muttered, sitting up. "Let's figure out where we are."

Exile walked to the barred metal door. His expression changed. "This is a cage. Who dares imprison me like a beast?"

A voice responded from the other side of the cell door.

"So… the noble son of the wild finally wakes."

Exile's eyes narrowed. "You"

Si stood with his hands behind his back, eyes cold. "I love to see a beastin its place ."

"What have I ever done to you?" Exile demanded.

"It's not about you," Si said. "It's about your cursed kingdom."

"What did the forest ever do to you?"

"Enough questions," Si snapped, voice turning sharp. "Your answers will come at your death penalty."

He turned and walked away, laughing.

Amal stood beside Exile. "Break it."

Exile grabbed the metal bars. With a growl, he tore the door from its hinges.

Si's voice echoed again. "Good. Now chase me, like animals chasing bait."

Without thinking, they ran. Si moved swiftly through the stone corridors, turning sharply at every corner. His boots echoed with perfect control—he knew this place. Amal and Exile raced after him, determined not to lose sight of their enemy.

Suddenly, Si took a hard left.

Amal shouted, "Wait!"

But Exile was too fast.

They burst through a doorway—then light exploded around them. Wind howled.

It was a cliff.

Amal dug her feet into the ground and stopped just in time, pebbles falling at er feet.

"Exile—!"

But Exile couldn't stop. His momentum carried him forward. He tumbled off the edge and disappeared into the air.

"Exile!!" Amal screamed, her voice echoing over the cliffside.

Then… silence.

Si stood a few steps away, facing the open sky. His tone shifted to a cold, commanding growl:

"Behold—the Army of the Forest."

Amal turned her gaze beyond him. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers stood in formation, silent and unmoving, like a wall of death.

Si did not face her. His voice remained sharp, merciless:

"You wanted justice? This… is your sentence