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I tried to twist free, but it was futile.
The more I struggled, the deeper the cords bit into my flesh, their rough texture scraping painfully against my skin.
A pungent aroma, sharp and heady, wafted to me.
I recognized the familiar smell of smelling salts.
Moments later, I heard Isla gasp, her body jolting awake, mirroring my own awakening.
“Isla,” I called out, my voice hoarse and desperate. “It’s me, Thillak. Look at me.”
Her large, frightened eyes locked onto mine.
She looked as disoriented as I felt, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
I tried to infuse as much calm and comfort into my gaze, but I knew my own fear shone through.
The Balance emerged from the shadows, their presence announced by the rhythmic chanting that grew steadily louder.
Four towering figures, clad in ceremonial robes and adorned with intricately designed masks, surrounded us.
Their mysterious visages concealed any semblance of emotion, leaving them entirely inscrutable.
“Leave her alone!” I growled, my voice echoing through the cavernous chamber.
Every fiber of my being longed to leap up and protect Isla, but the restraints held me down, rendering me helpless.
As they chanted, a low hum resonated throughout the chamber, the vibrations tingling against my skin.
An eerie, pulsating light surrounded them, painting the room in shifting shades of blue and purple.
“Isla, listen to me,” I shouted across the divide, struggling against the overpowering hum. “Remember who you are. Remember us.”
She nodded weakly, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
I could see the determination building in her gaze, the fiery spirit I had come to admire and love.
“We’ve faced this before,” I continued, hoping my words reached her. “We’ll face it again. Everything is going to be okay.”
But as I uttered those words, doubt gnawed at the edges of my conviction.
They felt like empty promises, given our dire predicament.
The chanting intensified, reaching a deafening crescendo.
The air grew thick, charged with an energy I couldn’t understand.
My ears rang, and my vision blurred, the overwhelming sensations threatening to pull me back into unconsciousness.
“No!” I roared, summoning every ounce of strength, trying to break free.
But the restraints held firm, mocking my feeble attempts.
I locked eyes with Isla once more, trying to convey all the love and reassurance I could muster.
Despite the uncertainty of our fate, our bond remained unbreakable.
I had pushed her to remember, to confront our shared past and the horrors within.
