Chapter 16 - Chapter 16 – Shackles and Shadows

The forest lay draped in oppressive silence. Each step Jiya took was measured and cautious, her blade drawn and humming faintly with aura. The thick canopy overhead barely allowed slivers of failing light to strike the forest floor, turning every shadow into a possible threat. She did not know where Veer, Aditya, or Ashish were—chaos had swallowed them whole.A sudden rustle snapped her attention. She spun, sword raised—only to see Ashish stumble between two broken trees. His clothes were ragged, his face smudged with dirt and blood, but burning in his eyes was the fierce spark of life."Jiya…" he breathed, relief flooding his voice.Relief surged through Jiya's chest as she stepped toward him. "Ashish! You're alive—"The two shared a tense silence, grounding themselves in the other's presence amidst the uncertainty.Ashish's fists clenched, jaw tight. "I don't know what happened to Veer and the others. I thought… they were lost." A pang of guilt cracked his voice.Jiya placed a calming hand on his arm. "Don't blame yourself. All we can do now is move forward. If they live, we'll find them."Ashish swallowed hard, nodding slowly. Alongside her, he stepped deeper into the unknown, unaware their path led closer to the orc prison.Meanwhile, in that grim prison…The air was rank with damp stone and the stench of orc musk. Veer stirred in chains, wrists raw, muscles aching. Every breath was a battle against exhaustion and despair.Across from him, Suriya sat silent, his calm eyes reflecting the dim torchlight. Veer had grown used to his quietness—it was a storm contained behind steady calm, waiting for its hour.A soft voice broke the silence."…You're awake too?"From the shadows of the cell emerged a girl, worn and bruised but unbroken. Her eyes glimmered with fear and stubborn strength.Veer blinked, startled. "Who… are you?"She hesitated, voice barely a whisper. "Anika."Suriya's gaze sharpened in recognition. Veer frowned. "Anika… how long have you been here?""Days," she murmured, hugging her knees. "The orcs have taken others. Some never returned." Her voice trembled, but her chin remained raised.Veer clenched fists, fury igniting. Thoughts raced to Ashish, desperate to rescue his sister—could this girl be connected?Heavy footsteps echoed. The iron door groaned open. Hulking orcs stepped inside, eyes like predators scanning captives.One snarled guttural words, then left with a cruel laugh that lingered.Silence returned.Anika moved closer to Veer and Suriya. "They won't let us go. If we want to survive… we'll have to fight."Veer met her gaze, determination sparking. Maybe, just maybe, they weren't completely powerless.