Was this it?
Had they brought him here to die?
Then, without warning, the room exploded into light.
Nero cried out, his eyes slamming shut against the sudden brightness.
Pain lanced through his skull.
He tried to cover his face but the chains anchored his arms down, forcing him to endure the assault.
When he finally managed to crack his eyes open, squinting against the glare, he saw them.
Several figures stood in the room, arranged in a circle around him. They wore fitted dark clothes that covered every inch of their bodies, and steel masks over their faces, featureless and smooth, reflecting the harsh light like mirrors. They said nothing and made no sound, standing there watching him with those blank, expressionless faces.
Nero tried to speak but his throat was too dry. He did manage a raspy croak, but that took all he had.
