Nicolas' eyes fluttered open. A dull ache throbbed through his limbs as he took in his surroundings. He was bound—chains coiled tightly around his wrists and ankles, suspending him in midair. His arms were stretched wide, his legs shackled below, each limb locked in place. He struggled against the restraints, the iron links rattling against the cavern walls. The chains held firm.
Before him stood three men, their presence casting long shadows against the dim cave light. Each wore a beret, swords resting in their scabbards, their demeanor unmistakably that of outlaws. The leader among them stepped forward, removing his beret with a slow, deliberate motion. His auburn hair was pulled into a tight bun, framing sharp features lit with amusement.
"Nicolas," he drawled, a smirk curling his lips. "I am Kirad. And I love you dearly. I wonder—does your father love you as much as I do? How long before he realizes you're missing?"
Nicolas glared, defiance burning in his eyes. "WHO ARE YOU?" he spat, his voice echoing through the cavern. His saliva landed on Kirad's cheek.
Kirad recoiled, his movements so sudden and swift that the air stirred, sending dust swirling through the cave. One of the bandits, cloaked in gray, stepped forward. With a flourish, he threw back his cloak, revealing rows of daggers strapped beneath his arms. His hands moved in a blur—one dagger drawn from his left side with his right hand, another from the right with his left. In a single fluid motion, he hurled them toward Nicolas.
The blades sliced through the air, grazing either side of Nicolas' neck before embedding deep into the cave wall behind him. The force of their impact sent a shudder through the cavern, rousing the creatures hidden in its depths. Their restless cries filled the space, amplifying through the echoes until the cave trembled with sound.
Yet, amidst the clamor, something went unnoticed. From the points where the daggers had struck, a thin, curling wisp of purple smoke began to rise, its tendrils unfurling into the air like a whisper of something ancient and unseen.