Kai rested his back against the cold stone wall of his holding cell.
He kept his eyes half-closed while circulating freezing mana through his tired veins.
Dried blood stretched tight across his skin and started to itch along his chest.
He ignored the mild discomfort because he had far more important things to worry about.
Quiet settled over the holding block like a suffocating blanket.
Occasional nervous footsteps from guards pacing outside broke the tense silence.
None of those seasoned soldiers dared to peek inside his cell anymore.
They whispered constantly about the brutal massacre upstairs, trading exaggerated stories of his lethal speed.
Kai just smirked in the shadows and let them spread their fear.
He wanted them terrified when he finally made his move.
Soft silk rustled down the stone stairwell a few minutes later, signaling an important arrival.
Armored guards immediately dropped to their knees with a synchronized clatter.
