"Forgive me for interrupting," James said, his tone respectful but firm. "But we still have some unresolved matters to attend to."
The reminder brought everyone back to the tense situation at hand. The master and his apprentice remained stuck in their helpless positions, unable to move but fully aware of everything happening around them. The mood in the air shifted, as the gravity of what was to come settled over them all.
Adams turned his attention back to the trapped master and apprentice, a calm smile playing on his lips. "My apologies for the distraction," he said, his tone polite but with an underlying hint of mockery. "Inara and the twins brought back some cherished memories, and it seems I got a bit carried away. I almost forgot about our... pressing matters."
The master, still frozen in place, felt a chill run down his spine. Adams' smile, though friendly on the surface, only added to his unease. He could feel the weight of his situation bearing down on him, realizing that Adams had not lost sight of their earlier confrontation. The apprentice, equally immobile, was seething inside, but his anger was overshadowed by a growing sense of dread.
Adams stepped closer, his gaze never leaving the master's eyes. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes, you were about to show your student the importance of respect." His voice was soft, almost casual, but it carried a chilling finality that made it clear there would be no escape from what was to come.
The disciples, who had been silent witnesses to the unfolding events, exchanged glances. The tension in the air was palpable, and even they felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension as Adams prepared to deal with the intruders.
The apprentice, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and desperation, finally found his voice. "Do your worst," he spat, glaring at Adams with all the courage he could muster. His voice was strained, but he forced himself to speak louder, his fear translating into reckless bravado. "You think you can just do whatever you want?
My family will find out about this, and when they do, your little sect won't last a single day under their assault!"
With a casual wave of his hand, Adams released the hold he had on both the master and the apprentice. Instantly, they regained control of their bodies, but any thoughts of escape were quickly dashed when they realized something was wrong. The apprentice instinctively tried to bolt, his legs moving with all the speed he could muster, but he slammed into an invisible barrier.
The space around them had been confined, trapping them within an inescapable cage of energy.
Panicked, the apprentice turned back to his master, his earlier bravado completely shattered. The master, who had once appeared so confident and in control, now looked at Adams with a mixture of fear and resignation. The realization that they were utterly at Adams' mercy weighed heavily on him.
Adams simply smiled, a gesture that lacked any warmth. "Come on," he urged, his voice laced with mockery. "Go ahead. We're all waiting for the show."
The crowd of disciples and onlookers, who had been silent up until now, watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The tension in the air was palpable as all eyes were on the master, waiting to see how he would handle the situation.
The master hesitated, his mind racing as he weighed his options. He knew that there was no escape, not without facing the wrath of Adams and his sect. The apprentice, now trembling with fear, looked to his master for guidance, hoping for some kind of reprieve.
"Master..." the apprentice began, his voice shaky, but the master cut him off with a sharp glance. The elder man's expression was grim as he realized the inevitable.
"Apprentice," the master began, his voice low and filled with a resigned sorrow, "You've brought this upon us. And now, you must face the consequences."
With that, he raised his hand, and the apprentice's eyes widened in shock. The disciples and onlookers watched in stunned silence as the master prepared to discipline his own student, knowing that this was the only way to appease Adams and possibly spare their lives.