Out

As they stepped inside, the stench hit them instantly.

A thick, foul odor of blood, sweat, and filth filled the air.

The hallway stretched ahead, leading to a heavy iron door wrapped in thick chains with a massive rusted padlock.

Draven lifted Morphos and smashed the lock in one strike.

"CRACK!"

The chains rattled and fell to the ground.

Quickly, they threw the door open.

And as it creaked, they froze.

They saw a vast room of cages.

The room beyond was massive.

Lining the stone walls were rows upon rows of metal cages.

And all were packed with people.

Thin. Malnourished.

Their clothes were torn, and their bodies were weak.

Some huddled in corners, trembling.

Others curled up, too exhausted to move.

Bella gasped.

"A-all of them are Verdants?"

Deka observed the bodies, and he noticed that they have green tags on their wrists.