Chapter 410: The Planned Sacrifices
Lyan and his companions stood in the enclosed courtyard, the night air heavy with tension. The leader of the cloaked figures knelt in front of them, bound tightly with thick, twisting roots. Around them, the other captives were similarly immobilized, the air filled with a nervous stillness as everyone awaited the next move. Lyan took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at the leader. His voice was cold, unyielding.
"You have one chance. Talk," Lyan said, the lightning dancing along his fingertips as he spoke. The electricity snapped in the air, a reminder of the consequences of defiance.
The leader glared up at him, eyes filled with defiance and hatred. "You think I’ll just betray my people that easily?" they spat, their voice laced with disdain. Lyan’s gaze hardened, his expression showing no sympathy. He raised his hand, the crackling energy intensifying.
"Your people already betrayed you by making you expendable," Lyan replied, his tone void of emotion. He pressed his fingers against the leader’s chest, sending a brief but painful jolt through their body. The leader’s face contorted in pain, a strangled groan escaping their lips.
"We don’t have time for this," Alice said, stepping forward. Her expression was stern, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the captured leader. She placed her fingertips against the side of their head, her own magic beginning to flow. Lyan could feel the pressure in the air change as she tried to probe the leader’s mind, searching for any scrap of information.
The leader gritted their teeth, their body trembling as they struggled to resist. Sweat beaded on their forehead, their face contorting in pain as Alice delved deeper. After a moment, she pulled away, her eyes narrowing in frustration.
"They’re trained. Strong mental barriers. It won’t be easy," she said, her voice tight. Lyan nodded, his expression unchanging. He stepped closer, his eyes locked on the leader’s.
"Your mental training won’t save you. We will find out what we need to know," Lyan said. He looked over at Wilhelmina, who stood with her rapier drawn, her presence commanding.
"You’re running out of time," Wilhelmina warned, her voice cold, her eyes unblinking. "If you cooperate, you might leave here alive. If not..." She let her words hang in the air, the threat clear. The leader’s defiance wavered, their gaze shifting nervously between the group.
Lyan could see the fear beginning to creep in, the realization that they had no escape. He pressed again, his voice quiet but relentless. "Who sent you? What does Varzadia want with Astellia?"
The leader hesitated, their eyes darting around the courtyard. The silence stretched on for a moment, the tension thickening. Finally, the leader let out a shaky breath, their shoulders slumping.