They passed by cells filled with prisoners. Most of them sat quietly, their eyes downcast, as if lost in thoughts far away from their grim surroundings. Their docility was unsettling, a reminder of the power that held them in shackles.
With each step deeper into the prison, the security intensified. Thick doors lined the corridor, each more formidable than the last. The murmur of guards echoed, a relentless reminder of the endless watch.
After passing through two thick security doors that groaned shut behind them, they approached the last barrier, a massive steel door fortified with blinking red lights.
As Xiang Yu pressed closer, a familiar figure came into view. Maurice stood outside the door, clad in his viper mercenaries gear. Gone was the scrawny boy they had once known. He was no longer just a shadow. He had filled out, muscles gaining definition, and a glimmer of happiness danced in his eyes. Surprise flickered across Xiang Yu's face, but it was brief.
