They'll punish me if they find out.

That woman appeared to be around 30 years old, with long brown hair, brown eyes, and a mature woman's physique. She had a brown fox-like tail, was wearing a brown robe, and had a blanket covering a small portion of her legs. Upon seeing Alex, the woman became frightened, immediately hiding herself in the blanket, shivering with fear, and began murmuring, "Please let me go. Don't come near, I beg you. Let me go."

Hearing her pleas, Alex thought, "It seems she fears not just me but humans in general. What have they done to her to instill such fear?"

"Please don't be scared. I am not one of them; I am a prisoner here," Alex reassured the woman, causing her to calm down slightly. However, she still maintained a cautious distance.

Soon after, two individuals approached Alex's cell – a guard and the old man. Upon locking eyes with Alex, the old man began speaking, "So, how is my new prisoner doing? Don't worry, when the trial is over, I will have you all to myself. I will..."

The guard interrupted him, "Sir, we are not here to hear from him," he interjected.

"You, motherfucker! If you dare cut my words again, I will cut you to pieces," the old man threatened, his anger evident.

," the old man barked at the guard, his eyes narrowing in frustration. The guard, taken aback, quickly stepped back, allowing the old man to continue his ominous proclamation.

"...have you all to myself. I will unravel the secrets locked within you, piece by piece," the old man sneered, his gaze fixed on Alex as if he were a prized possession. The air inside the dimly lit cell grew thick with tension, and the mysterious woman in the corner trembled, her eyes filled with terror.

Alex, feeling a surge of defiance, locked eyes with the old man. "You won't get anything from me. I don't know what your sick plans are, but I won't be a pawn in your twisted game."

The guard, sensing the rising hostility, intervened, "Sir, we should focus on preparing for the trial. The Council will want to proceed quickly."

The old man, though begrudgingly, nodded in agreement. "Fine, fine. We'll let the trial decide your fate, but rest assured, boy, you'll find no mercy from me."

With that, the guard and the old man retreated, leaving Alex alone in the cell with the mysterious woman. As they disappeared from sight, the woman cautiously approached Alex, her fear gradually giving way to curiosity.

"Are you really not one of them?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alex nodded, "I'm just as trapped as you are. My name is Alex. What's yours?"

The woman hesitated for a moment before replying, "Luna. My name is Luna. But I shouldn't be talking to you. They'll punish me if they find out."

Understanding her predicament, Alex reassured her, "Don't worry, Luna. I won't say a word. We're both prisoners here, but maybe together, we can find a way out of this mess."

Meanwhile, Riya, David, and Ema continued their quest for answers. They delved into the complexities of Nana's motives, determined to uncover any possible connection that might aid them in rescuing Alex from the clutches of the enigmatic order. Little did they know, their journey was about to take unexpected turns, unraveling secrets that would reshape the course of their intertwined destinies.

As the trial loomed in the distance, the stakes were higher than ever. The forces at play were intricate, and the fates of Alex, Luna, and those fighting for their freedom hung in precarious balance.