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As I turned to leave, my legs wobbled, threatening to buckle.
Every step was a herculean effort.
The deafening silence of the corridors only amplified my own chaotic thoughts.
The cool touch of the metallic walls seemed to sap away my remaining energy, but the burning determination to find Nova pushed me forward.
The scent of old battles lingered as I headed for Sneik’s quarters.
* * *
Sneik’s cell was guarded by his cronies — a veritable wall of muscle, scales, and teeth.
They were standing tall, evidently ready to defend their leader to the death.
Their very presence heightened my senses: the tang of sweat, the dissonant hum of the overhead lights, the pungent odor of aggression emanating from the assembled throng.
My heart raced as I stood there, trying to find a way to bypass them.
There was a thick, almost palpable tension in the air.
Trying to charge through would be foolhardy, even for me.
There were just too many, and even though I had fought valiantly many times before, I was not in the shape for another battle — especially not one I knew I could not win.
Retreating footsteps echoed off the cold walls.
It was my only escape.
But then, a thought sprung to mind — my students.
The young warriors I had trained.
Together, we’d be an unstoppable force.
But, just as quickly as the thought came, guilt shadowed it.
They were still learning, still finding their way in this harsh universe.
Should I really draw them into this fight, one that was ultimately mine to bear?
The bitter sting of despair threatened to overtake me, making me want to retch.
I was caught between a rock and a hard place, and the weight of that realization bore down on me.
But then, just as I was about to abandon hope, the thick cell door began to slide open with a heavy grating noise.
Was I too late?
Had Sneik already defiled her?
As the heavy cell door slid open, a sight met my eyes that I hadn’t quite expected.
Nova stood tall, her familiar silhouette a beacon of hope in this bleak environment.
The cold lighting of the cell threw shadows across her face, but her determined gaze shone brightly.
Behind her, the once fearsome Sneik lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious.
