The dungeons of the Ebon Citadel were cold and dark and utterly silent.
Forged from the remnants of the Blackwood Estate deepest vaults, the holding cells were specifically designed to suppress high-tier spiritual energy.
Aurelia sat huddled in the corner of a heavy starlight-metal cell.
The former Valkyrie Commander was a broken shell of the arrogant deity who had demanded Arthur's surrender hours ago.
Her golden armor had been stripped away. It was replaced by a simple grey prisoner tunic. Her back was a mass of agonizing bandaged wounds where her magnificent wings used to be.
She stared blankly at the stone floor. She was waiting for the torture to begin. She was waiting for the monster who had shattered her reality to come and claim her.
Heavy deliberate footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Arthur Sterling stood on the other side of the energy barrier. He didn't look like a gloating victor. He looked like a CEO checking on an asset.
