For the first time since Zeke had woken up, he felt like the elders were taking him seriously. Until now, he had been treated like a prisoner to be interrogated, but now, the atmosphere had shifted ever so slightly.

Zeke wouldn’t let this chance slip by. It was time to get started on his plan. “I am the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel, an—”

“Bullshit,” somebody spat. Zeke recognized the voice as belonging to Elder Dragon. “I know what the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel looks like, and it’s not some scrawny kid.”

Zeke frowned but didn’t try to defend his statement. He would say his part and then deal with the consequences. “I am the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel,” he repeated, “an ally of the Spectral Dominion and the owner of the Blackthorn Covenant.”

“Lies upon lies upon lies,” Elder Dragon interrupted again.

However, this time, somebody spoke to stop him. It was a woman’s voice, crisp and commanding, cutting through the air like a blade. “That's enough. We’ll assess the truth of his statements later—no need for those constant interruptions.”

“You would side with a human, Elder Wolf?” Elder Dragon hissed.

“I will speak my mind. Unless you have a problem with that?” she challenged.

Before the two could continue their bickering, a third voice chimed in. It was a man’s voice, low, deep, and filled with strength. “I also want to hear what the human has to say.” At his words, others chimed in, making their opinions known. Zeke counted a dozen voices in total, six male and six female.

After everyone had spoken, the leader addressed Zeke once more. “Why is it that you’ve come here, human? Surely, you were aware that you would not be welcome.”

Zeke grimaced. “I didn’t expect a warm welcome, true, but this treatment is far worse than I had anticipated,” he said while rustling his chains for emphasis.

A man snorted. “Don’t like the chains?” Zeke recognized him as the Elder Boar he had met when waking up for the first time. “Why is it that humans never seem to have a problem with them when they’re wrapped around our necks?”

Zeke raised a single brow. He was well aware of what the man was trying to do, and he wouldn’t stand for it. “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve met, Elder Boar. Yet you presume to know all of my thoughts already?”

“You dare mock me, human?” Elder Boar asked.

Zeke smirked in the direction of the voice. “You think I’m afraid?” he asked. “Do your worst, you pig-like bastard.” His words fell like a heavy veil over the crowd, hushing them instantly. Only the rhythmic sound of Elder Boar's mounting breaths pierced the silence, indicating his growing rage. Finally, the man strode into the light, granting Zeke his first clear view.

He stood shorter than Elder Dragon, but his formidable width and sinewy muscles made up for it. His arms were bulkier than Zeke's legs, and despite a slight hunch, he’d still loom over any man. His facial features were elongated, resembling a pig's snout, with a lower row of teeth jutting out like those of a boar.

“You think I won’t kill you?” he asked, clearly struggling to contain his rage.

Zeke rose as high as the chains would allow him, meeting the Chimeroi's gaze without a shred of fear. “Do your worst,” he repeated.

Elder Boar’s eyes turned red, and he took a step forward, clearly intending to fulfill his threat.

“STOP!” somebody yelled, but the enraged Chimeroi didn’t listen. Elder Boar was in a wild charge, blind to anything but his target. Zeke calmly stood there, a slight smile on his face.