Kaelith
The heavy steel door closed behind me. The sounds inside—wailing, screaming, fists pounding on walls—still echoed faintly, but were quickly muted by the magic seal.
"Kaelith! Please!"
"Forgive me! I'm begging you! Kaelith—Kaelith, please!"
"I... love you... Don't leave me here."
Behind that steel door, she hugged her knees, her body trembling—but I remained silent. My gaze stayed fixed ahead. No hesitation. No regret. That place—the deepest prison of Thronshade—was meant only for those beyond redemption.
And Velya had crossed the line. She deserved execution. But because that human begged for her life, this was the compromise. Imprisoned forever.
I climbed the stairs, unhurried. My long shadow followed me across the walls as I passed through layers of magical barriers, accessible only to the highest-ranking commander.
At the central corridor, one of my subordinates—a wolf-eared beastkin in black-and-gold uniform—ran toward me, his breath ragged.
