Drayken pushed Zarek forward, bound tightly in coarse hemp ropes that tied his hands behind his back.
"Don't attack, or I'll kill him!" Drayken shouted.
"This?"
Everyone looked at one another, and a strange silence filled the space.
For a moment, there was only stillness—until one of them chuckled. Then, others followed, and soon the entire army burst into laughter without restraint.
Drayken tilted his head innocently.
"Why are you all laughing so much? Is it funny?"
"You're threatening us with a mere general?" The frail Telekinetic Grandmaster spoke, staring directly at Drayken with a sneer. "Even if he dies, he'll die helping to kill a Dragon. It would be an honor, one that would make his empire proud."
Saying this, he thrust his hand forward toward Drayken and clenched his fingers tightly.
"Die."
Drayken narrowed his eyes as a crushing pressure descended on his body.
Just as the tension between them was reaching its peak, a calm voice rang out:
"Wait."
