Brother To Me (2)

Ibis struggled desperately within Astaroth's unyielding grasp, her fingers clawing at his vice-like grip as she gasped for breath. Her eyes, wide with fear, darted around the laboratory, searching for any sign of help. 

The Xyrans, who were present there, sensed the danger of the situation and formed a circle around them, their voices raised in a futile attempt to calm Astaroth.

Astaroth paid no heed to the pleas of his fellow Xyrans, and his grip remained unrelenting. He was determined to get answers, one way or the other.

He leaned in closer to Ibis, his voice laced with a deadly intensity as he demanded again, "Why did you try to kill Ashton?

Ibis struggled to form words under the relentless pressure on her throat. But she eventually found her voice as a faint, strained mumble. 

"I don't know what you're talking about."