Isiah's analytical mind immediately latched onto the revelation.
"A surface city," he mused quietly, his thoughts racing. "So, we live underground, and the surface city is merely a facade."
Khaz nodded, affirming Isiah's understanding. Sweat beads formed on his forehead, his expressions contorted by the persistent pain he was enduring.
Each word he spoke seemed to be both a relief and a burden, as if he had carried the city's secrets for too long.
Isiah observed Khaz closely, sensing that there was more to the story. "Tell me everything about this surface city," he demanded, his curiosity piqued. "What's its purpose, and how does it conceal the true city underground?"
Khaz took a deep breath, his body still wracked with pain.
"The surface city serves as a decoy," he explained. "It's meant to deter the government's attention. Most of the buildings up there are empty, and only a handful of us maintain the illusion of normalcy."
