บท 209: Just the Beginning.

Lucius's expression immediately soured. He squinted his eyes at his surroundings, but nothing seemed amiss. "It appears that you're doing quite well," the voice continued. Then, out of nowhere, Lucius's gaze grew darker.

The next thing he was aware of, he found himself inside a dim dungeon, securely bound against the wall. Almost immediately, Lucius attempted to free himself. He tugged at his arm, hoping the chains would give way. To his surprise, however, the chains remained immovable!

A sharp hiss escaped from his lips. "Your efforts are in vain," a frigid voice cut through the air. Lucius froze, his attention immediately drawn to the figure not far from him.

The figure stood just outside the prison cell, with the candlelight casting an eerie glow. Clearly, it was a woman, although her face was concealed beneath a cloak. Nevertheless, her voice was unforgettable to Lucius.