You didn’t know where you were. The dim light barely illuminated the cold, damp room. Your body was bound tightly to a chair, the straps digging into your bruised skin. Your dress hung in tatters, a cruel reminder of your captor’s malice. A single spotlight shone down on you, isolating you in the oppressive darkness.

"Ah, Sylus would be delighted to see you like this," your captor sneered, gripping your chin with a vice-like hand and forcing you to meet his cold, piercing gaze. His twisted grin sent a chill down your spine, making your stomach churn with fear.

Before you could muster the strength to reply, the sound of distant screams pierced the air—anguished, unrelenting, and growing louder with every second. Your captor faltered, his expression shifting just slightly, before the unmistakable thud of heavy footsteps drew closer and closer.

And then—BOOM! The door exploded inward, the blast throwing splinters across the room. Through the haze of dust and smoke, Sylus emerged, his figure backlit by the flickering hall light. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, his eyes wild with fury and desperation.

"I am never letting you out of my sight again," Sylus growled, his voice hoarse but steady, each word dripping with determination. He barely spared your captor a glance before his focus locked on you—his gaze softening, his rage giving way to relief.