"Traitor."

His words reverberated through the main battle tent. From behind, some soldiers kicked you to the ground—a last act of obedience to your former lord. Your knees ached at the impact. It shouldn't have, but your body has been battered beyond its typical bounds lately.

Your identity as a spy of Khaenri'ah had been discovered, and by none other than Rex Lapis himself. This was bad. Your weapon was nowhere to be found, and whatever power or strength you had was sealed the moment you stepped in Liyue's battle camps.

Morax sneered as he looked down at you. Foolish mortal. Were you so foolish as to have expected a warrior's welcome? Did you think him a fool, not able to notice your treachery in the battlefields?

Black claws dug into your hair and yanked them back. You grit your teeth, biting back a sound of protest.

"But I shan't kill you. Even if you deserved it," he announced. How kind, he was being. If it was any other, you'd be dead.

Someone muttered, "Dijun, you don't mean-"

He grinned, like a dragon to its prey. The sight of it sent a chill down your spine. Whatever it was he had in mind, you weren't sure if you were going to survive it.

When he spoke, he made sure to toss away your head to the dirt, as if you were trash. In his eyes, you were exactly that, after all. What good was a soldier who couldn't be loyal?

"Prepare her for punishment. In my rooms," he announced, before leaning down to capture your gaze, "I'll deal with you myself."