Elara had not slept properly in days.

She spent most of her time outside the reinforced door of the small side room, alloy back against the stone wall, legs stretched out, curved black blade resting across her lap.

The forge fire cast long shadows down the corridor, but she stayed in the dim area near the door, listening to the muffled sounds from inside.

Sometimes breathing.

Sometimes low muttering.

Sometimes silence so heavy it hurt.

The old blacksmith and the healer had not opened the door since they chained him.

They passed food and water through the narrow slot.

They monitored vitals through the wall.

They waited.

Elara could not wait anymore.

She stood.

Alloy legs silent.

She unlocked the door.

The bolt slid back with a heavy clunk.

The old blacksmith watched from the forge.

Healer beside him.

They did not stop her.

She pushed the door open.

The room was dark.

Only the thin orange line from the forge.

Lian sat on the cot.

Chained.

Head down.

Void eyes fixed on the floor.

She stepped inside.

Door closed behind her.

Soft click.

She walked closer.

Slow.

Alloy feet no sound.

She spoke. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Voice soft.

Synthetic.

“Lian.”

No response.

Just stare.

Void eyes fixed on the floor.

She stepped closer.

Kneeled.

Alloy knees on stone.

Hand reached.

Alloy fingers.

Touched his chained wrist.

“Lian.”

Still no response.

Just stare.

Then sudden.

His head snapped up.

Void eyes wild.

He lunged.

Chains taut.

Fist.

Qi suppressed.

But force still there.

Elara reacted.

Alloy body fast.

Dodged.

Fist grazed air.

She rolled back.

Stood.

Blade drawn.

Silent.

Lian pulled.

Chains rattled.

He lunged again.

Pressure release attempt.

Field suppress.

But crack in rune.

Small push.

Elara saw.

Moved.

Silent.

Fast.

Dodged.

Lian staggered.

She backed.

To door.

Opened.

Slipped out.

Door closed.

Locked.

Heavy bolt.

Lian fell.

To knees.

Chained.

Head in hands.

Elara outside.

Hand on door.

Breath fast.

Alloy fingers clenched.

Old man and healer watch.

Silent.

Forge fire low.

Underground safe.

Dark.

Rundown.

But home.

Lian fought.

Bound.

For silence.

For control.

For her.