Silence stretched inside the cell.
The faint hum of mana lights.
The distant drip of water.
Then—
The boy's ears twitched.
His head lifted slightly.
"…They're coming."
Draven didn't move from where he sat, his hood already pulled back over his head.
"…Took them long enough."
Footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Calm.
Measured.
Familiar.
Then she appeared.
Serethra stopped just outside the cell, her violet eyes sliding over the two of them.
Her lips curved faintly.
"Well…"
Her voice carried that same soft, unsettling tone.
"It seems I won't be able to keep you all to myself after all."
The boy's body tensed instantly.
Serethra sighed lightly, almost annoyed.
"Apparently… someone noticed I was getting a little too attached."
A small shrug followed.
"They didn't like the idea of me keeping the goods for myself."
Her gaze lingered on the boy for a moment longer—
Then shifted to Draven.
Still.
Calm.
Watching.
"So…"
She clasped her hands behind her back.
"I'll be taking both of you now."
A faint smile returned.
"To meet the others."
Her eyes gleamed slightly.
"…Just like yourselves."
The boy's claws clenched.
Draven didn't react outwardly.
But beneath the hood—
His eyes sharpened.
*Good.*
Everything was falling into place.
The corridor remained quiet for a beat after her words.
Then—
One of the men stepped forward.
Keys clinked.
**CLACK**
The cell door unlocked.
**CREAK**
It swung open slowly.
"Move."
The man grabbed the boy first, yanking him up by the collar.
The boy stumbled—but didn't resist this time.
His ears stayed low.
Watching.
Thinking.
Another man stepped toward Draven.
Reaching for him—
Draven didn't wait.
He stood on his own.
Slow.
Calm.
As if he hadn't been forced into anything at all.
The man paused for half a second—
Then scoffed.
"Good. Saves me the trouble."
He grabbed Draven's arm anyway.
Firm.
Controlling.
Serethra watched it all with mild interest.
Then turned.
"Let's go."
They moved.
Down the corridor again.
Past rows of cells.
Eyes followed them.
Silent.
Broken.
Curious.
The boy walked slightly ahead, being dragged along.
Draven followed behind.
Head lowered beneath the hood.
Quiet.
Observing.
They turned a corner.
Then another.
The structure began to change.
Fewer cells.
Wider halls.
The air felt different.
Cleaner.
More controlled.
Guards appeared at intervals now.
Armed.
Alert.
This wasn't the holding area anymore.
Serethra slowed slightly as they approached a large reinforced door.
Two guards stood on either side.
They straightened immediately.
"Madam Serethra."
She gave a small nod.
"Open it."
The guards didn't hesitate.
They placed their hands against the surface.
Mana flared.
**HUMMMMM**
The door lit up with layered runes.
Then—
**THUMM**
It unlocked.
Heavy.
Slow.
The doors parted.
A wave of cold air spilled out.
Inside—
A large chamber.
Dimly lit.
Rows of people.
Different ages.
Different races.
All restrained.
All marked.
The boy's breath caught.
"…There's so many…"
Serethra stepped forward lightly.
"Welcome."
Her voice echoed softly through the chamber.
"To where the real goods are kept."
Draven stepped in behind them.
His gaze swept the room once.
Sharp.
Calculating.
*This is it.*
The place where everything connects.
The heavy doors shut behind them.
**THUMM**
The sound echoed like a final lock.
Cold air lingered.
Still.
Unforgiving.
The boy's eyes moved rapidly across the room.
Rows of people.
Chained.
Some sitting.
Some sleeping.
Some barely conscious.
Others staring.
"…So many…" he whispered again.
Serethra walked forward slowly, completely at ease.
"These are the ones that matter," she said lightly.
"Not the ones rotting in those lower cells."
Her heels echoed as she moved between the rows.
A few heads lifted as she passed.
Fear.
Recognition.
Silence.
Draven followed, his pace unhurried.
His gaze swept everything.
The spacing.
The guards.
The exits.
The collars.
The restraints.
*Selection group.*
*Higher value.*
*Likely transfer point.*
His eyes paused briefly on a cell to the left.
They moved deeper into the chamber.
Past rows of chained figures.
Past hollow eyes that followed them in silence.
Serethra stopped in front of an empty cell.
"Here."
The gate was opened.
No ceremony.
No hesitation.
The boy was shoved inside first, stumbling as he hit the ground.
Draven followed, stepping in on his own.
Cold chains were already fixed to the wall.
Waiting.
The men moved quickly.
They grabbed the boy, forcing his arms up—
**CLINK**
Chains locked around his wrists, pulling him tight against the wall.
He gritted his teeth but didn't struggle.
Not this time.
Another man stepped toward Draven.
Reached for him—
Draven didn't resist.
His arms were raised.
**CLINK**
The chains locked into place.
The metal tightened.
Restricting movement.
The mana collar at his neck hummed faintly.
Everything set.
Everything controlled.
The men stepped back.
Serethra didn't even glance at them.
"Leave."
Her voice was light.
Casual.
The men hesitated for only a second before nodding.
"Yes, Madam."
They turned and exited the cell.
The door shut behind them.
**CLANG**
Locked.
Silence returned.
Serethra stood there for a moment.
Then slowly stepped forward.
Her eyes fixed on the boy.
A soft smile curved her lips.
"Well…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"It's been a while, darling."
The boy's body tensed instantly, ears flattening.
She took another step closer.
Unhurried.
Calm.
"As much as I'd love to keep you all to myself…"
A faint sigh escaped her.
"…it seems I have to behave now."
Her fingers brushed lightly along the chain near his wrist.
Not quite touching him—
But close enough.
"So…"
Her voice softened.
"I should play with you a little…"
A pause.
Her smile deepened slightly.
"…before everything starts."
Behind her—
Draven remained chained.
Silent.
Still.
Watching.
Waiting.
Serethra's hand hovered just inches from the boy.
Then—
She stopped.
Slowly.
Her head turned.
Those violet eyes shifted toward Draven.
He stood there, chained to the wall.
Still.
Unbothered.
"…So what's up with this place?"
His voice was calm.
Almost bored.
Like he was asking about the weather.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Serethra smiled.
Soft.
Curious.
"Well…"
She turned fully now, her attention shifting away from the boy.
"That's an interesting question to ask… considering your situation."
Her heels clicked lightly as she walked toward him.
"Most people beg."
A small pause.
"Or scream."