A faint mist drifted through the forbidden zone, where colossal statues of white gold towered imposingly on either side of the road.
Beneath one of the statues, which stretched its arms wide to support the sky, a teenager in a black uniform, his complexion pale, leaned against the statue. He sat expressionlessly with his eyes closed, while wisps of black firelight flickered across his body from time to time.
"Yan, how are you feeling?"
Sitting beside him, an elderly man with graying hair spoke, "Just hold on a little longer. The Boss and Mr. Sog are still outside trying to work something out. We're not necessarily on a path to certain death."
The teenager slowly lifted his eyelids, his eyes filled with exhaustion, and he muttered, "There's no need, Professor Sog. I never intended to leave here alive."
