"Come with us, or the boy dies," a feminine voice declared from the shadows.
Elias' first instinct was to fight, to defend himself and the boy. His muscles tensed, ready to spring into action. But then he saw the boy's face, pale and terrified, eyes wide with fear.
Taking a deep breath, Elias slowly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Alright," he said, his voice steady. "I'll go with you. Just don't harm the boy."
The feminine voice, calm and authoritative, responded, "Wise choice." The massive figure released his grip slightly, allowing the boy to breathe more freely but still keeping him restrained.
He knew that to comply was his best option...for now. Not only would it ensure the boy's safety, but it was also an opportunity for him to observe the group closely. He was particularly interested in the scar-faced leader.
The group guided Elias and the boy down a narrow staircase to the basement of the fortified building. The air grew cooler and more oppressive with each step, the flickering torchlight casting elongated shadows that danced on the stone walls.
As they descended, the low murmur of voices became clearer. At the bottom of the stairs, they emerged into a large underground chamber filled with people. The same group Elias had observed through the hidden hole in the floor now stood gathered around a central podium, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of torches mounted on the walls.
In the center of the podium, the scarred leader stood, his presence as commanding as ever. His eyes locked onto Elias and the boy the moment they appeared.
"Bring them to me," he ordered, his voice echoing through the chamber.
At his command, the crowd parted, creating a clear pathway to the podium. The air was thick with anticipation as Elias and the boy were led forward, the eyes of the gathered flares following their every move, but Elias kept his expression neutral.
As they reached the foot of the podium, the scarred leader descended a few steps to meet them. His gaze lingered on Elias, a mixture of curiosity and appraisal in his eyes. It was then that Elias got a better look at him.
The man had strong and angular facial features, his eyes were dark and intense bearing a heavy gaze and of course, his most noticeable feature was the prominent scar that traced horizontally from cheek to cheek. His jet black neck-length tousled hair was tied back in a short ponytail and overall, he looked like a man who had experienced life from a bad side.
The scarred leader, now standing close to Elias, regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze. "Which house are you from?" he asked, his voice resonating with authority. "I haven't seen you around before."
Elias held his ground, his voice steady. "I'm not a noble," he said plainly.
Elias nodded toward the boy, who was still being held tightly by the bulky figure. "The boy brought me here, I won't deny but he doesn't know anything about you. Release him. If there's anyone you need to hold captive, it's me."
The leader continued, his voice echoing in the cavernous chamber. "We gather here to plan our resistance, to overthrow the oppressive regime that enslaves our kind. The nobles of Eldoria treat us like animals, forcing us to wear these collars and stripping us of our freedom."
He paused, scanning the room, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and resolve. "We aim to change that. We seek to free the Flares, to remove the collars that bind us, and to ensure that no one else suffers under the chains of the Eldorian aristocracy."
Elias nodded slowly, "I see," he said quietly. "And how do you plan to achieve this?"
The scarred leader fixed Elias with a piercing gaze, his voice unwavering. "Our plan is to rebel and free all the Flares in Eldoria," he declared. "Our goal is nothing less than absolute freedom. But that goal cannot be attained until King Alaric is dead and gone, and a new king sits on the throne—one who has the best interests of the Flares in mind."
Elias frowned, shaking his head. "Your plan is flawed," he said, his tone firm. "Even if you kill King Alaric, the next in line will step up. The cycle will continue, making life even worse for the flares and you'll be seen as nothing more than a usurper."
The leader's eyes narrowed. "That's why I'll keep killing kings," he replied coldly. "One by one, until there's no one left to rule but me...Carius "
'Carius...that's a new name'
"Do you realize what you're proposing?" he asked, incredulous. "The bloodshed, the chaos—it will never end. You'll be no different from the tyrants you seek to overthrow, if not worse"
The leader's expression hardened. "Sometimes, to build a new order, the old one must be torn down completely. We will be ruthless if we must, for the freedom of the Flares is worth any price."
Elias stared at him, his mind racing. He understood the leader's passion and desperation, but the path he proposed was one of unending violence and destruction. "There has to be another way," Elias said quietly. "A way that doesn't involve endless killing."
The leader shook his head. "Idealism is a luxury we cannot afford," he said. "The nobles and their kin have oppressed us for too long. They will never willingly relinquish their power. If we show mercy, we will only invite more suffering."
Elias shook his head, his voice filled with concern. "Your plan will cost countless lives," he said. "There has to be a better way. We can't achieve freedom through endless bloodshed."
Carius' expression remained stern. "There isn't a better way," he insisted. "The nobles will not yield their power without a fight. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good."
Just then, a woman stepped out from the shadows, her movements confident and deliberate. As she spoke, Elias immediately recognized her voice as the one he had heard earlier, the voice that had threatened the boy.
"There is a better way," she said, her tone calm but firm.