章 107: Elias Ayla - Part 1

"It was too soon to take me away!"

As we entered the so-called 'dungeons', the piercing screech echoing in my ears, I couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of unease. 

I walked in, my companions following slowly behind me, the young man before us was sprawled on the ground, his forehead and knuckles bleeding, his cries of despair filling the cavernous space.

"Hey," I called out softly, trying to convey a sense of calm.

My voice seemed to cut through the haze of his distress, and he shot up into a defensive stance, pulling a black katana from its sheath. The blade shimmered with purple light, and his eyes bore into me with enough killing intent to make me choke.

I raised my hands slowly to show I meant no harm, Lira's grip on my arm slightly tightening. "Calm down," I urged, my voice steady. "We won't hurt you. My name is Nord, and these are my companions."