Chapter 100: Secrets
Dune stepped forward, his body tense. The room was suffocatingly silent, the weight of the eight figures seated before him pressing down harder than the thick air. He forced himself to keep his gaze steady, to walk with confidence, even as his mind raced.
Then, A crushing force slammed into him from nowhere.
His body buckled instantly, his knees hitting the cold stone floor before he could react. His arms trembled under the sudden weight pressing him down, and before he could catch himself, crack... his face struck the ground. A sharp sting spread across his nose, the taste of iron filling his mouth.
"Kneel, commoner bastard."
The voice was sharp, dripping with arrogance.
Dune clenched his jaw, his breathing uneven as he tried to lift his head. His entire body felt like it was being crushed beneath a mountain, the sheer weight of the Neba pressing against him unbearable. He could feel it, Yellow Neba... an overwhelming force grinding him into the floor.
James stood above him, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, his hand casually raised as he poured more pressure onto Dune.
Several of the seated figures remained silent, observing. Damion shifted in his chair, his eyes narrowing in clear disappointment.
King Aramir, however, remained still, his expression unreadable. Then, with calm authority, he raised his hand.
"Enough."
The moment the word left his lips, the crushing force vanished. Dune gasped as the weight lifted, his limbs feeling unbearably light in contrast.