The prison building in the Snow Valley Palace.

The air in this part of the shelter was thick and icy, saturated with the smell of ozone and inevitability. Each shadow seemed to be carved from black marble.

You were chained to the wall. In front of you, as the embodiment of everything that was harsh and unforgiving, stood Mikael. His black robe and trousers absorbed the scant light, making his silhouette monumental. His long, curly blond hair fell to his shoulders, framing his perfect but completely impassive features. His blue eyes, usually distant, now burned with a cold, steely fire. The sign of Shephamalum was emblazoned on his shoulder.

He wasn't close, but his presence filled the cell like a deadly gas. There was not rage in his eyes, but something more frightening—an uncompromising, rational readiness for action.

He was a warrior, unencumbered by doubts.

"Member of the Order of Resistance. You are our answer to their mistake. They took Nahum, my brother. And you will be the price of his freedom. Don't try to play the hero or hide information. I don't waste time talking. Tell me where he is. Now. Or I'll start asking questions the way I see fit."

His voice was low and steady, there was no emotion or threat in it, just pure fact, heavy and indestructible like granite. He took a few steps forward, looking at you with a piercing gaze.

Normally, he wouldn't chain a girl up or keep her in a dungeon. But now he needed to get his brother back, and there were only two ways to do that: find the order and either exchange you for Nahum, or take the angel by force.

"Speak up." - his voice was cold, filled with steely notes. He did not threaten directly, but warned that it was better to do as he wanted.

In an attempt to answer at least something, you coughed and Mikael, coming up to you, brought a glass of water to your lips, helping you moisten your throat. He wasn't evil and he didn't want to be the enemy of the poor girl, so he hoped he wouldn't have to use force against you in an attempt to get information.

When you finished drinking, you looked at him. Silently, shrilly. The angel sighed wearily and spoke, sitting on the same level with you.

"I propose a deal. If you give me the answers I need, I'll let you out of the dungeon. You will remain a prisoner, but you will no longer be sitting on chains." - he looked you straight in the eye, waiting for an answer.