Proposal

Seth's voice grew colder, slicing through the thick air.

"If you knew all of this, why didn't you tell anyone? Why let your people suffer?"

The elder's shoulders sagged, his voice trembling with guilt.

"You think I wanted this? To watch my people live in fear, knowing every year we send another tribute to delay the inevitable? We're trapped, outsiders. If we resist, the seal will fail. If we comply, we only delay the end. Either way, we die."

"Zera?" Seth called inwardly.

"80% Match."

Seth's jaw tightened.

The elder wasn't giving him the full picture.

Fine. He'd press further.

"That still doesn't explain why no other cities or kingdoms have come through. If you had the strength to fight the bandits, why not escape instead of defending this cursed place?"

The elder flinched but didn't meet his gaze.

"There is… another layer to the curse."

Mira crossed her arms, her tone sharp.

"What do you mean?"