"This is good enough," Aaron said, his voice echoing with quiet authority.
He waved a hand, and a magnificent throne of living flames erupted beneath him.
Crimson and black fire twisted together, pulsing like a heartbeat, waves of heat rippling outward while cool shadows danced along the edges.
He settled onto it with effortless grace, eyes locked on the young girl standing before him.
"Now tell me," he continued, leaning forward slightly.
"Why were they after you?"
Shen Lingxue stayed silent for a long moment, her fingers twisting nervously at her sides.
Fear flickered across her innocent face as she wrestled with whether to speak.
Eventually, she drew in a shaky breath and steeled herself, deciding the truth was her only option.
"I was captured as a slave," she whispered, voice trembling.
"A lot of us… we were meant to feed a particular being."
Her eyes grew distant, haunted by memories she couldn't escape.
