The rattling of iron filled the chamber, the nobles' laughter dripping like oil, and the children's whimpers cutting through it all.
Kairo sat still. But inside, the storm broke.
The gods' voices crashed over him like waves of fire:
"…Chains… always chains…"
"…Hell bound you in them. Now these vermin dare to bind you too? How long will you kneel?"
"…You are no slave, boy. You are no healer. You are the one who should make THEM tremble."
The pressure in his chest grew unbearable. The voices weren't mocking now. They weren't whispering. They were demanding.
"…Fight. Tear. Burn. Let the world see you."
His fingers curled against the cold floor, nails digging deep. He lowered his head, crimson eyes hidden in shadow, breath shaking between clenched teeth.
The chains on his wrists clinked, faint sparks of heat pulsing at the metal as if his body itself rejected their hold.
And yet… he did not move.
Not yet.
The gods screamed in unison, a thunder in his mind:
"…Break the chains, Kairo. FIGHT!"