The darkness felt heavier the longer I stayed awake. My wrists ached from the ropes Zaman had cut loose, but I didn't dare move too much. Beyond the steel grate, I could still sense her presence—the woman with the burning eyes, who vanished into the shadows after accusing me of "sins" I couldn't identify.
The silence stirred with a low rumble. Heavy footsteps approached, sending vibrations through the air.
Zaman whispered urgently in my ear. "Stay still. Don't breathe too loudly."
I couldn't help it. The ground shook as a huge figure appeared beyond the grate. Horns scraped the ceiling, and a massive shadow filled the narrow corridor. The Minotaur.
His eyes glowed faintly in the torchlight as he leaned down, snorting like an enraged bull. His voice sounded like gravel grinding against stone. "So, the Empire sends its dogs here too. A Deen, no doubt."
I tensed. The word struck me like an accusation. I shook my head in distress. "No! You're mistaken. I'm not one of them!"
But he didn't believe me. His thick fingers gripped the bars, making the steel groan. "You were seen on the outskirts of Andorsa, following one of our kin. Why else would you be here if not to report back to the Empire?"
"I—I wasn't following anyone!" I protested.
The Minotaur's snort fogged the torch flame. "Lies. They always start with lies."
He left without another word. Moments later, the grate slammed open, and two cloaked figures dragged me out. My legs buckled, still stiff from being bound, but they pulled me forward like a sack of grain. Zaman held tightly to my collar, whispering urgent warnings.
They marched me down a long passage until we reached a wide chamber, roughly carved out of the rock. The ceiling arched high, with black smoke curling toward cracks where faint moonlight streamed through. In the center, a brazier burned, its fire casting flickering shadows on the walls.
Around the flame sat a half-circle of figures—beasts and men alike. Warriors of Andorsa. And at their head stood the Minotaur.
"Bring him," he ordered.
I was thrown to my knees before the fire. They tied the ropes tighter this time, biting into my skin.
One of the warriors sneered. "This is the Empire's spy? He looks barely strong enough to hold a sword."
Laughter rippled through the chamber.
But the Minotaur raised a hand, silencing them. His gaze locked onto mine. "He may look weak, but appearances deceive. The Deen send men like this to hide in shadows, take notes, and whisper reports. Andorsa will not fall because of another rat."
I swallowed hard. "Listen to me! I'm not Deen. I don't serve the Empire. You're making a mistake!"
The woman stepped forward—the same one who had confronted me in the cell. Her tangled hair framed her face, but in the firelight, I could see her clearly now. Her features were sharp, her stare sharper. That faint red glow was still in her eyes, like smoldering embers.
"Then who are you?" she asked coldly. "Why are you in andorsa? You looked suspicious.
"I was passing through," I said quickly. "I don't serve your enemies. I got caught up in this by accident. Please—believe me."
Her lips curled into something between a sneer and curiosity. She glanced at the Minotaur. "If he is truly a Deen, he can be traded. A fair exchange."
Murmurs filled the chamber. I frowned, confused. "Traded? For what?"
The Minotaur leaned closer, his huge shadow swallowing me whole. "For Azhar."
The name struck me hard. My heart pounded against my ribs. "Azhar…?" I whispered.
The Minotaur studied me, nostrils flaring. "Yes. He is to be executed in a week by the Empire. But perhaps they would exchange him for one of their own. For you."
The fire cracked loudly, spitting sparks into the air.
I nearly choked on my breath. "Wait—you think I'm Deen… but Azhar, he—he's my friend!" My voice broke against the cavern walls. "If you harm me, you harm the only ally Azhar still has outside those walls!"
The room fell silent. Every gaze fixed on me. Even Zaman shifted uneasily in my coat.
The woman narrowed her eyes. "Your friend? You expect us to believe that?"
"Yes!" I shouted. "I traveled with him. Fought beside him. If Azhar is in danger, then I am your ally, not your enemy!"
For a long moment, silence reigned. Then the Minotaur let out a heavy exhale. He studied my face, seemingly weighing truth against deceit.
Finally, he rumbled, "If this is true… then the Empire's shadow has already stretched too deep. We cannot waste time."
The woman turned to him, clearly unhappy. "And if he lies? What then? We deliver a fraud to the Empire, and Azhar dies anyway."
The Minotaur's gaze didn't shift from me. "There is one way to know."
He motioned to the guards. They yanked me to my feet and shoved me toward the brazier. The flames hissed as the heat hit my skin.
"Look into the fire," the Minotaur commanded. "Speak Azhar's name. If your heart betrays you, the flame will answer."
My throat tightened. I felt Zaman's tiny claws digging into my shoulder in warning, but there was no choice.
I stared into the fire. My voice trembled, but I forced the words out. "Azhar… is my brother in arms. I would give my life for him."
The flames roared higher, crackling as if the very air had been split open. Gasps filled the chamber. The fire did not consume me. Instead, it flared bright green before settling back to its normal glow.
The Minotaur stepped back, his eyes widening slightly.
"It speaks true," he muttered.
The woman's jaw tightened, but she did not argue further.
Chains clattered to the floor as the ropes were cut from my wrists. My arms burned with newfound freedom, but I barely noticed. Relief surged through me as the Minotaur placed a massive hand on my shoulder—not in hostility, but in grim solidarity.
"Then we share a cause," he said. "If you are Azhar's ally, you are ours. Before, the Empire will execute him. Tonight, we plan his rescue."
The firelight danced in his horns as he turned to the others.
The warriors of Andorsa rose to their feet, one by one, their voices low but filled with resolve. The woman lingered, her red eyes fixed on me, doubt still on her face.
But I didn't care. My heart raced with a new purpose. Azhar was alive—but not for long, unless we acted.
Zaman crept up to my ear and whispered softly, almost excited, "Well, brother… looks like we're about to start another war."
And this time, I was ready
To be continued...
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