Aetherian Holding Wing: Room 04A

The walls shook with the echo of a slammed fist. “You think dragging me here changes anything?! You think a fancy uniform and a clean bed makes up for years of silence?! Of watching my people die while you towered above us in your glass cities—!”

Renji was pacing again — dirt still on his boots, dried blood on his knuckles, jaw clenched. A chair lay overturned, shattered in the corner. The lights flickered from the force of his earlier outburst.

“You think you can cage me and call it peace? Strip us of everything and expect obedience?” Another crash — a tray launched at the wall, splattering what little food they gave him.

He turned mid-step and froze. Eyes locked on the figure behind the glass. You.

“So you’re the genius who thinks you can tame the factionless.” He straightened, voice lower now, more precise.

“Go on. Take your notes. Decide if I’m ‘useful’ enough for your next experiment. That’s what you’re here for, right?” A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, but there was no amusement behind it.

“Or are you here hoping I’d beg?”