The sun had already risen when I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a crushing weight on my entire body.
Every muscle felt sore, as if it had been crushed by tons of pressure. My head throbbed, and I needed a moment to remember what had happened the night before.
"Tachie…" I muttered to myself.
I tried to move, but a wave of exhaustion made me sink back into the mattress.
Turning my face, I noticed that Arturia was still sleeping next to me. Her delicate body was relaxed, her golden strands spread across the pillow. She looked exhausted too, probably still recovering from the fight with Ryu.
I watched her breathing calmly for a moment. It was rare to see her so peaceful. During the day, Arturia always seemed weighed down by some responsibility or worry, but here… in that moment, she was just a girl sleeping soundly.
I smiled slightly, but soon my expression became more serious. "How much longer can I go on like this…?"
My energy was draining faster than before. With each battle, he felt his body give out a little more.
I sighed and ran a hand over my face. I couldn't show this to the others. I didn't want to worry anyone.
"Just a little longer…"
My eyes returned to Arturia. Maybe just a few more minutes of rest wouldn't be so bad.
I closed my eyes again, letting myself sink into the mattress once more, as the gentle morning breeze came in through the window, bringing a rare moment of tranquility.
Sakura and Hana opened the door carefully, expecting to find me already standing up, but what they saw surprised them.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed, my shoulders hunched and my eyes heavy with exhaustion. I tried to reach for a glass of water on the table next to me, but my hand was shaking so much that I ended up spilling a few drops on the floor.
"Yuji?" Sakura called softly, but it took me a second to notice her presence.
I looked up slowly, looking completely drained of energy.
"Ah… good morning." My voice was hoarse, as if I hadn't slept well.
Sakura and Hana exchanged a worried look. I always tried to look strong, even when I was clearly at my limit.
"You look like hell..." Hana said bluntly, crossing her arms.
Sakura gave her a light shove, giving her a reprimanding look. "What Hana meant was that you should get more rest… You've been like this since yesterday, haven't you?"
I tried to give a weak smile, but all I managed was a tired sigh.
"I'm fine… just a little… slow today."
"Slow?" Sakura arched an eyebrow.
I tried to stand up, but my legs gave way, and I almost fell forward. If Sakura and Hana hadn't rushed to catch me, I would have fallen to the ground.
"Hey!" Hana exclaimed, grabbing my arm.
"You're definitely not okay!" Sakura insisted, holding my other arm.
I laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "You're overreacting… I'm just… a little tired."
Sakura sighed deeply.
"Sure, just a little…" She repeated sarcastically.
Hana looked at the breakfast tray she had brought, still by the door. "Can you even hold a plate?"
I hesitated but held out my hand. It was still shaking.
I took the plate, but almost dropped it in the next instant.
Sakura was quicker and caught me before I hit the floor. "Okay, that's enough." She said, placing the plate back on the tray.
I sighed in defeat. Hana rolled her eyes, but smiled slightly.
"Did you finally realize, Mr. Tough Guy?"
Sakura and Hana helped me settle back into bed, and Sakura cut the food into smaller pieces for me.
Despite my exhaustion, I felt a warmth in my chest. Even without saying anything, I knew they were taking care of me the best they could.
A few minutes later...
I walked slowly down the hallway, still feeling the weight of exhaustion in my muscles. My body was severely punished, and each step seemed like an unnecessary effort. But I didn't want to just lie down, I needed to move, think and understand everything that was happening.
It was then that I felt a strong presence.
As I turned the corner, I came face to face with Archer.
The white-haired Servant was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking at me with that analytical look and a sarcastic smile.
"You're in a deplorable state..." Archer's voice was calm, but full of irony.
I sighed, running my hand over my face. "Good morning to you too..."
Archer tilted his head slightly. "You're pushing your body too hard. Do you think you'll last long if you keep going like this?"
I gave a tired laugh. "I have no choice..."
Archer studied me for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Always with that suicidal mindset... Do you really think that just pushing your body to its limits is the answer?"
I crossed my arms, frowning. "I've been there before..."
Archer gave a small smile. "And you're still stubborn, by the looks of it..."
I narrowed my eyes. Archer looked away for a moment before giving a small, dry laugh.
"So... what would you do in my shoes?" I asked seriously.
Archer was silent for a moment. Then, he uncrossed his arms and took a step forward, stopping right in front of me.
"If you want my advice... stop acting like you have to carry everything alone."
I blinked in surprise.
Archer gave a small, enigmatic smile. "You may be strong. But no one wins a war alone."
With that, he began to walk away from the hallway.
I let out a weak laugh as I watched Archer walk away. "That's funny to hear from you, Emiya."
Archer stopped immediately.
He turned his head slowly, his red eyes narrowing as he studied me.
"What did you say?"
I gave a small smile, even though I still felt the weight of fatigue on my body.
"You heard me. Emiya."
The silence that followed was tense.
For a moment, Archer stood still. His eyes scanned me as if trying to decipher how much I knew of the truth.
Then, with a sigh, he turned his body completely to face me.
"Interesting..." Archer crossed his arms, his expression maintaining that indifferent tone. "And how exactly do you know that name?"
I ran my hand over my face, feeling tired, but also a certain satisfaction.
I clearly didn't know everything about Shirou for him to become a Servant, but I felt something... something that I recognized deep down in my soul.
The same soul that once guided Shirou Emiya.
But instead of saying it, I simply smiled and replied: "Kiritsugu would return from hell if I didn't recognize his son."
Archer's eyes widened for a second.
It was quick, so subtle that someone less attentive would not have noticed.
But I noticed.
I saw how Archer's countenance faltered momentarily, before he quickly regained his composure.
"Tsk..." Archer looked away, his voice full of irony. "That bastard... still manages to haunt me even after all this time."
I smiled.
"I mess with souls, Emiya... just because you're a Servant doesn't mean I can't feel it..."
Archer didn't answer right away.
He stood there, staring at the ground for a moment, before finally lifting his head and looking directly at me. "You really are an enigma, Itadori Yuji."
I laughed lightly. "And you're terrible at hiding things when someone actually pays attention."
Archer snorted, crossing his arms. "Hmph... don't get all cocky just because you got a detail right or two."
I just shrugged.
I knew Archer wouldn't admit it outright, but that brief moment of surprise was all I needed to be sure.
The man before him wasn't just Archer.
He was Emiya Shirou, or at least, what was left of him after years of battle.
But I didn't need to say or know anything else.
We both knew the truth now.
And somehow, that was enough.
"Until..." I said as I walked away from home.
A few hours later...
I walked slowly through the square, feeling the cold morning breeze brush against my skin. The sky was gray, with thick clouds covering the sun, giving the environment a melancholy tone. I was tired, but not physically. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories and uncertainties.
The fight against Tachie.
The conversation with Archer.
The weight of knowing that my body was getting weaker and weaker.
I sighed, kicking a small stone on the path as I looked around. The square was relatively empty, a few people walking peacefully, and the sound of birds was the only thing breaking the silence.
Until, as I turned a corner, I saw someone familiar.
A small girl, with silver hair and bright red eyes.
She was wearing a simple white dress with delicate details, and her expression was serene, but her eyes held something I couldn't describe. It was Illyasviel von Einzbern.
I stopped dead in my tracks. For a moment, I thought I was just imagining things. Illya… Was she really there? The girl smiled softly when she saw him. "Uncle Yuuji… You look tired." I blinked a few times, trying to process that. "I-Illya...?"
I finally said, my voice coming out hesitant. She tilted her head, looking amused by my reaction.
"What is it? You didn't expect to see me?" I opened my mouth to reply, but suddenly stopped. Actually, no, I didn't.
Illya wasn't someone who just showed up for no reason. I looked around, as if expecting someone to be watching, but the square remained silent. "What are you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Illya just smiled and took a few steps forward, her hands delicately placed behind her back.
"I was just strolling around… But then, I saw you around, with such a thoughtful expression." She paused, her eyes shining. "Is something bothering you, Uncle Yuuji?"
I was silent for a moment.
There were many things worrying me. But I wasn't sure if I should say that to her.
Illya became a mystery to me.
I knew she carried a difficult past, but she also knew she wasn't just a helpless little girl.
Something about his presence was both delicate and dangerous.
I sighed and ran my hand through the hair. "I'm just thinking about some things. Nothing much."
Illya narrowed her eyes, as if she didn't fully believe me. "You're not a good liar, you know?"
I gave a tired smile.
"Yeah, I've been told that before."
Illya laughed softly, then approached, stopping beside me. "So what are you going to do now?"
I looked forward, watching the silent park. "Good question."
What would I do now?
I had so many questions unanswered.
About tachie. About my own body. About what was yet to come.
And now, Illya was there.
I felt that this conversation would not just be a casual encounter.
And I was about to find out why.
I looked away by fixing on anything other than Illya's red, bright eyes. The grass under his feet, the source in the center of the square, the tree branches moving gently with the wind.
But I couldn't look at her.
How could I?
The weight of what happened in Fuyuki was still on my shoulders. I knew I couldn't change the past, but… Illya was there, live, looking at me as if nothing had happened.
It was as if she didn't keep a grudge. As if all were well.
And that made me even more uncomfortable.
Illya noticed the prolonged silence and tilted her head lightly, her long silver hair falling over her shoulders.
"What it was?" His voice was soft, almost playful.
I swallowed.
"You really don't feel anything?" I asked with a voice coming out low, almost a whisper.
Illya blinked a few times, as if she didn't understand.
"I feel a lot of things, all the time."
I closed my fists. "About what happened. About ..." I stopped ... unable to finish the sentence.
Illya sighed, crossing her arms and looking at the gray sky.
"Ah… so that's it."
She laughed softly, as if finding it funny. "You're still blaming yourself, aren't you?"
I was silent.
"You don't have to forgive yourself for something that has never been your fault." She said, looking at me with a firm but kind look.
I felt a tightness on my chest.
"It wasn't my fault ...?" I repeated almost not believing.
Illya smiled slightly. "It wasn't."
Silence settled between us again. The wind blew, bringing with it the smooth smell of the park flowers.
I took a deep breath, trying to process those words.
I wanted to believe it.
But could it?
The soft breeze of the square seemed to carry an invisible tension. I was still trying to process Illya's words, but something inside me couldn't completely accept.
Illya step ahead, her smile remaining kind, but her eyes showed something deeper, a hidden intention.
"I want to make a deal, Titio Yuuji." She said, her sweet voice, but loaded with something dangerous.
I frowned. "Agreement...?"
Illya tilted her head. "Stay with me. Forget your family, forget those around you. You don't need them. I can give you something better."
I widened my eyes. "Do you want me to betray my family?!"
Illya smiled, an enigmatic shine in her gaze.
"'Traction' is a very strong word ... I prefer to say 'restart'."
I felt my heart accelerate. Something was wrong. Very wrong. This was not Illya he knew.
I took a step back. "If you think I'll accept it, you're very wrong."
"Ah, Yuji ..." She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "I hoped it would say that."
Before I could react, the world around me changed.
It was as if my body had lost all resistance, as if something invisible suddenly involved it. My muscles were heavy, with a distorted view. "What...?!"
A figure appeared behind me, silent. Necessary.
I tried to move, but my body just didn't answer. It was like I was no longer there.
"Too late."
The voice came closely, but seemed to echo in nothing.
A former squeal of the past, skilled in becoming intangible, capable of attacking without being perceived. She was there all the time. I felt something cold wrap my body.
"It looks like he was already well debilitated, so it was easier than I imagined." Uro commented, with a tone of mocking.
Illya just smiled.
"I hope you understand, Yuji… this is for your own good."
The world around me darkened.
The soft light in the morning entered the window, spreading through Illya's room. She watched me unconscious, still wrapped in the ability of witch Jujutsu, and smiles satisfied.
"Thank you so much for helping me capture him, Takako Uro-chan!" Illya said, her voice serene, but loaded with something dark.
Uro, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, just rolled her eyes. "Don't thank me, brat. If he hadn't been so distracted, this would have been a lot more complicated."
Illya giggled. "Maybe. But the important thing is that he's here with me now."
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere in the city, the sun had barely risen completely when Shirou suddenly woke up.
His body was stiff, as if something was wrong. An uneasy feeling weighed down on him.
Before he could figure out what it was, Choso appeared in the doorway, his face serious. "Shirou... We need to talk. Something happened to Yuji."
Shirou sat up in bed quickly, his heart racing. "What?!"
Choso clenched his fists.
"Tachie... She attacked Yuji. He tried to restrain her, but she ran away."
Shirou's eyes widened. "Tachie did... What?
Choso nodded. "Yes. But there's one more thing... Yuji disappeared after that."
The room was silent for a moment. Something was very wrong.
Shirou ran his hand over his face, trying to process everything. His heart was beating fast. Yuji was missing. Tachie attacked him.
He looked at Choso, who kept a serious expression.
"Does Arturia know about this?" Shirou asked, already expecting the answer.
Choso shook his head. "Not yet. She's still unconscious. After the fight with a sorcerer, her mana was already low, and so she used all of it to help Yuji. If she knew he was gone, she would try to get up right now, even if she didn't have the strength."
Shirou clenched his fists. He didn't want to wait. He knew that every second he lost meant that Yuji could be further away, maybe even in danger.
His gaze went to the mark on his hand. The command seals. He didn't want to rely on the command seals.
He saw them as a last resort, not as a tool to take shortcuts. Tachie wasn't a piece on his board; she was a person.
And Yuji... Yuji was his family now.
"I can't wait," he muttered. "I'll find him on my own."
Choso watched him for a moment, crossing his arms. "Do you have any idea where to start?"
Shirou took a deep breath. "If Tachie was involved, then I need to understand why she did it. And if Yuji disappeared right after, that means someone took advantage of the situation. I'll follow any trail I find."
His eyes shone with determination. He'd been through similar situations before. It didn't matter if he had to search every corner of the city, he would bring Yuji back.
He wasn't going to lose anyone this time.
Shirou walked quickly through the city streets, his eyes alert to every detail. Yuji was missing, and he couldn't afford to waste time.
People hurried past him, oblivious to the weight of the situation. To them, it was just another ordinary day. But to Shirou, every minute counted.
He forced himself to keep his mind focused. Where could Yuji be? Who took him? Tachie was involved, but it didn't make sense that she would capture Yuji... or did it?
He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, feeling a shiver run down his spine. Something was wrong.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he concentrated. His senses were heightened, and it was then that he felt it.
A familiar presence. Tachie.
His eyes snapped open. She was close.
Shirou looked around, trying to locate her. The sun was shining high in the sky, but between the shadows of the buildings, he felt someone staring at him.
Slowly, he turned his head to the side.
There she was.
Tachie was standing a few meters away, in a narrow alley between two buildings. Her body was partially covered in shadow, but Shirou could see her red eyes.
Those eyes that had once held insecurity and kindness were now filled with something different. Anger. Resentment. Pain.
Shirou felt his heart tighten.
"Tachie..."
She didn't say anything. She just stood there, staring at him. The wind blew lightly, ruffling her hair.
Shirou took a step forward, trying to approach her cautiously. "I just want to talk."
Tachie's expression didn't change. But then, she smiled.
It was a small smile, almost imperceptible. But it wasn't a smile of happiness. It was something cold.
"Talk?" Her voice was low, almost a whisper. "Do you want to talk now, Shirou?"
He frowned.
"Yes. I want to understand what's happening to you."
Tachie tilted her head, still smiling. "You want to understand? Then why didn't you save me that night?"
Shirou felt a shock run through his body.
That night?
He knew exactly what she was talking about. The destruction of Fuyuki. The end of the Holy Grail War.
Tachie's smile disappeared. Her eyes burned with fury.
Shirou was paralyzed for a moment. How did Tachie know about the incident in Fuyuki?
That terrible night... He thought he was the only survivor. But then, how was she here?
Tachie stared at him with a dark look, the scythe still in hand. Her hostility was clear.
Shirou swallowed dry. Did she ... also survived? Or was it something else?
Her eyes passed quickly through her, trying to find answers. He then realized something crucial.
Tachie was still his servant.
This meant that he still had the bond of master and servant with her. But then ... how was she acting on her own?
Shirou frowned. "Tachie ... How did you become a servant?"
She did not answer immediately. His eyes shone in intense red.
"You really don't know, are you?" His voice carried contempt.
Shirou clenched his fists. "I know I'm your master. But that makes no sense. How are you here now?"
Tachie smiled bitterly.
"Why don't you ask the one who gave you this second chance?"
Shirou felt a shiver up the spine.
The one who gave you a second chance ...?
He thought of several possibilities, but something inside him said that the truth was much worse than he imagined.
Shirou felt a tightness in his chest.
"It was Yuji, wasn't it?"
Tachie smiled sideways, but it was a smile without joy. "Yes ... he was the one who brought me back."
Shirou swallowed hard. He didn't understand. If Yuji brought her back, why did she try to kill him?
"So why did you attacked him?!" His voice carried confusion and frustration.
Tachie squeezed the scythe cable tightly, her red eyes fluttering for a moment.
"Because he left me to die ..."
Shirou's heart weighed. "This makes no sense, Tachie. Yuji didn't even know you at that time. How can you blame him?"
Her eyes shone with anger.
"It doesn't matter if he knew me or not! He was there! He was part of that damn war that destroyed everything!"
She lifted her scythe. "If he had been stronger, if he had done something different ... I wouldn't have died!"
Shirou felt a knot in his throat. She was broken inside.
He realized that only words was not enough. Tachie needed something else to break this hatred that consumed her.
Shirou hesitated for a moment, but before he could say anything, a new element came on the scene.
The sound of firm steps echoed along Vazia Street. Someone approached with an overwhelming presence.
"What an ugly fight this one ..."
Shirou and Tachie turned to the voice. A tall man, wearing simple clothes and carrying a disinterested expression, watched the two. His green eyes were sharp, and a sarcastic smile was playing, he had a scar on the lip.
Shirou frowned. He did not recognize this man, but something in it seemed dangerous.
"Who are you?" Shirou asked, placing himself instinctively between him and Tachie.
The man stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged.
"Just a passing guy. But I confess that I was curious ... You ..." He looked straight at Tachie "seems to be boiling with hatred. I bet you don't even know why."
Tachie squeezed his fists, his eyes shining in irritation. "And what do you have to do with it?"
The man gave a fun smile.
"Nothing real. But I like to see good fights. And you seem to have something personal here."
Shirou cleared his teeth. "If you came to watch, then fall out."
The man laughed softly. "Heh ... you are funny. But okay. I'm just going to be around. You never know when someone will need a little push, right?"
He leaned against a nearby wall, as if he were a casual spectator. But Shirou felt that guy wasn't there for nothing. "who are you?"
"My name is toji ... toji fushiguro"
About that...
My conscience returned slowly, as if emerging from a deep and dark ocean. Her body was heavy, each muscle hurt, and her head throbbed.
When I opened my eyes, all around me was darkness. The air was damp and carried a metallic smell, mixed with something that resembled mold and dry blood. I tried to move, but I felt the cold of the iron squeezing my wrists and ankles.
I was chained.
I pulled instinctively, testing the chains, but they were thick and resistant. Arrested against a cold stone wall, I looked around, trying to understand where it was.
"Damn ..." I murmured with a hoarse voice.
My eyes began to adjust to the dim. The only source of light came from a small slit on the ceiling, a pale, distant shine that barely illuminated the place. It looked like a basement, or perhaps an abandoned dungeon. The floor was rough and irregular, damp with something I would rather not identify.
I took a deep breath, trying to remember what happened.
The square.
Illya.
The witch of the past.
They caught me.
My chest squeezed. How was I so careless? I knew I was weak, but being captured like that ...
I pulled the chains again, grinding my teeth. If only I could recover some of my strength ...
That's when I heard steps.
Light, almost graceful steps, echoing through the dark space. Someone was coming.
I looked up, focusing on the entrance to what appeared to be a makeshift cell. The door creaked slowly as it opened, and a figure stepped inside.
The dim light revealed a familiar face.
Illyasviel von Einzbern.
She was looking at me with a calm smile, her red eyes glowing in the darkness.
"I see you're finally awake, Uncle Yuuji."
She took a few steps closer, crossing her arms. "Did you sleep well?"
I took a deep breath, smelling the iron in the air. "If you wanted me to sleep well, you wouldn't have chained me up in a hole like this."
Illya chuckled softly, as if she found his answer amusing. "Come on, Yuji... Don't worry so much. I haven't decided what to do with you yet."
My eyes narrowed. "Why am I here?"
Illya tilted her head, as if the question was naive. "Because I want you by my side. I've told you before."
She stepped even closer, her expression becoming a little more serious. "And also... because I want answers."
I was silent for a moment, just staring at her. "Answers about what?"
Illya smiled.
Illya walked slowly around me, her footsteps echoing on the cold stone floor. There was something different about her now. Her playful smile was gone, and in its place was a look filled with something dark, a weight that I couldn't ignore.
"You know, Yuji..." she began, her voice heavy with something he couldn't tell if it was pain or anger. "You talk like you understand suffering, like you know what it's like to be alone."
She stopped in front of him, leaning in slightly to look at him better. "Illya... I don't mean to belittle your pain, but you have no idea what it means to be truly alone."
I felt the intensity of her gaze, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say.
Illya took a deep breath, looking away for a moment before continuing. "Since I was born, I was raised with a purpose. I had no choices, Yuji. I didn't have a normal childhood. I didn't have a real family. The only thing I knew was a cold castle in Germany, surrounded by people who only saw me as a tool to achieve a goal."
She clenched her fists, her frustration starting to boil over. "Do you even know what it's like to grow up without love? Without affection? Being trained day after day for something I didn't even fully understand?"
I swallowed hard. I had heard a few things about Illya's life, but I had never heard her speak like that. Unlike Illya, I had a good childhood, and with a lot of love... I never stopped to think about it that way.
"I had everything taken away from me before I even understood what it was to live!" she continued, her voice wavering between anger and bitterness. "And when I finally thought I could have something, when I thought I might have a brother, when I was so close to having at least a part of what I was denied, and yet I was replaced... everything was destroyed!"
She looked directly at me now, her red eyes glowing in the darkness. "And who was responsible for this?"
The silence between the two of them grew heavy.
I lowered my head a little, closing my eyes for a moment.
I knew what she wanted to hear. She wanted him to take the blame.
But at the same time, I knew that wasn't the whole truth.
"Illya..." My voice was low, almost a whisper. "I can't change what happened. I can't go back in time and stop all of that. That's one of the sins I committed for being so naive back then, but..."
I looked up again, staring at her seriously. "If you're here now, in front of me, filled with this anger, then it means there's still something inside you seeking validation. It means you still want to understand what happened."
Illya frowned, crossing her arms. "You think I seek validation?..."
I sighed deeply. "Maybe you think you want revenge. Maybe you think hurting me will give you some answers. But deep down... you just wish you weren't alone."
Illya's body stiffened for a moment.
I noticed.
I had touched the real wound.
Her breathing became heavy, and for a moment, I thought she was going to attack me right then and there.
But instead, she looked away, clenching her fists even tighter.
"Shut up..." she muttered.
I watched her silently.
I didn't know if this was a step forward or a step back.
But at least I knew my words had reached her.
I felt the chains tightening around my wrists as Illya stared at me with that look filled with conflicting emotions. I didn't know what to say to ease her pain, to change the anger she felt. Deep down, I knew that words would never be enough.
So, I just murmured:
"I'm sorry..."
It was a simple request. No excuses, no attempts at argument. Just a sincere request.
Illya frowned, his red eyes glowing in the dim light of the dark place where he was trapped. My body stiffened, my fists trembling slightly, but I didn't know if it was from anger or something deeper.
For a moment, I thought she was going to answer. That she was going to scream, question me, tell me that a simple "forgiveness" wasn't enough to erase everything that had happened.
But she didn't say anything.
She just turned abruptly and started walking away.
I heard her footsteps echoing on the cold stone floor, getting further and further away. Illya didn't look back, didn't give any sign that she was coming back.
I stood there, alone, the silence of the place weighing down on me.
My body was still weak, and I felt the accumulated fatigue from all the recent fighting. But for some reason, the conversation with Illya left me even more exhausted than any fight I'd ever had.
I sighed heavily, leaning my head against the wall behind her.
"Shit..." I muttered more to myself.
I knew Illya wouldn't accept my forgiveness so easily. She carried years of pain and loneliness inside her. And even though, deep down, I knew I wasn't the only one to blame, that didn't change the fact that she saw me as part of the problem.
The question was: what could I do now?
I tugged lightly on the chains, testing their strength. They were sturdy. Probably reinforced with some magic.
My eyes scanned the room, trying to find something useful. The place was damp, with old stone walls. A musty, dusty smell permeated the air. There were no windows, just a heavy, locked metal gate.
"I'll find a way to make you forgive me, Illya..."
End of Chapter 14