Hera's laughter echoed across the arena. Her heels clicked softly as she walked a circle around the monk, savoring the spectacle like a queen admiring her latest conquest. With a sly smile, she leaned toward Ashaka.
"What do you think, monk… are you ready to surrender?"
Ashaka didn't speak. His breath was heavy, his eyes—empty and dull. Slowly, he shook his head.
But it wasn't his will that moved him. That much was clear.
A ripple of panic surged through the Earth faction's corner.
Julian was the first to rise to his feet, outrage. "What are you doing?!!! Let him go!"
Hera turned slightly, a mischievous curl tugging at her lips. "It's not me, really… He keeps resisting. He just doesn't want to give up."
Then, like a silent spell, her thoughts pierced their minds—every one of the Earth warriors in the box heard her voice within.
