Prisoner of the Third Alliance

Prince collapses onto the ground, his strength finally giving out after the battle with Kael and the encounter with the Third Alliance member. He's unconscious, pain etched across his face, his breaths shallow and labored. The darkness begins to swallow him whole, but before he can completely succumb, a shadow looms over him, blocking out the fading sunlight.

With a groan, Prince stirs slightly, his eyes fluttering open. He blinks, struggling to focus, and sees the figure in front of him. The menacing aura, the predatory smile—that's when recognition dawns. It's none other than Zoro, a key member of the Third Alliance. Zoro's eyes gleam with malice as he crouches down next to Prince.

"Well, well," Zoro sneers, his voice low and menacing. "Looks like I caught myself a prize."

Prince tries to push himself up, but the effort is too much. His body aches with every movement, and his head spins. "What do you want?" he gasps, his voice barely a whisper.

Zoro leans in closer, his smile widening. "Information," he replies simply. "And power. You've got both, Prince. And we're not going to let you keep them."

With that, Zoro grabs Prince by the collar and effortlessly hoists him to his feet. Prince stumbles, disoriented, but manages to stand. He glances around, trying to gauge his surroundings. The light is dim, the walls grimy and dark, with flickering torches casting an ominous glow. They're in the heart of the Third Alliance's hideout—their headquarters.

As Prince's eyes adjust, he sees the leaders of the Third Alliance standing before him, their expressions dark and foreboding. Leon, the leader with the sharp, calculating eyes; Victor, the towering, muscular figure; and Ryoko Mori, the enigmatic strategist. They watch him with cold, unfeeling stares, their presence commanding and powerful.

Prince struggles to maintain his composure, but the weight of his situation presses down on him. "What do you want from me?" he demands, his voice stronger now, a flicker of defiance still burning in his eyes.

Leon steps forward, his expression thoughtful. "We're interested in your abilities, Prince," he says calmly. "You've survived longer than most in this game, and that's something we can use. But we need to know how you did it, what you're hiding."

Prince braces himself, his mind racing for a way out. He knows he's at a disadvantage—outnumbered, outmatched, and with no means of escape. But he's not about to give in easily. "You're wasting your time," he spits. "I'm not telling you anything."

Victor chuckles, a low, menacing sound. "You don't have a choice, Prince," he says, his voice carrying an edge of warning. "We control this layer now. Every player who enters must obey our rules. And you're no different."

Ryoko Mori steps forward, her eyes narrowing. "We're not interested in empty threats, Prince," she says. "We want to know how you survived Kael, how you managed to take down one of the strongest players in this world. And if you don't cooperate, we'll make sure you never leave this place alive."

Prince's resolve wavers, but he holds on to his defiance. "I'm not afraid of you," he says, though his voice shakes with fear. "I've faced worse than you. I'll find a way out."

Leon steps closer, his gaze piercing. "You're running out of time, Prince," he warns. "This game is about survival, and you need to decide whose side you're on. If you think you can play us against each other, you're wrong."

Victor steps in, his tone sharper now. "You're a prisoner now, Prince," he says. "And the sooner you accept that, the better. You'll tell us what we need to know, or you'll suffer the consequences."

As the leaders close in, their intentions clear, Prince feels a knot of fear tightening in his stomach. They've taken him prisoner, and he knows that resistance is futile. But he can't shake the feeling that there's more to this situation than meets the eye. Why would the Third Alliance take an interest in him? What do they know about him that he doesn't?

With a heavy heart, Prince watches as they lead him away, his fate sealed. The chapter ends with an air of suspense—what will the Third Alliance do with him? And what secrets is he holding that could change the balance of power in this deadly game?