"Hector," Maya says with a sly smile, "I think I'll let you use your knife instead." As she speaks, a small dagger materializes in the burly brute's hand. With a devious grin, he nods at Maya before using the blade to snuff out one of the candles with a satisfying hiss. A shower of sparks flies through the air as the wick is extinguished, causing Sola to flinch reflexively.

"There we go,"

Maya says with a satisfied smile, looking at the now darkened candle. "Now then," she continues, turning back to Sola, "I don't want to have to resort to this too often." Her voice is calm and eerily gentle as she takes another step closer, her warm breath caressing my cheek again. "So why don't you just tell me what I want to know?"

The tension in the room grows thicker with each passing moment, the air heavy with anticipation and danger.

Maya's eyes widen in surprise, her lips parting slightly as she takes in the new information. For a moment, she says nothing, simply staring at Lily with an unreadable expression. And then, without warning, she breaks out into a wide grin. "Well then, Lily," she says with a laugh, "I guess you're just who I've been looking for all along."

With that, Maya extends her hand toward the stunned girl before her. "Come with me, Lily.

Maya chuckles softly, her expression turning serious as she meets Lily's eyes. "No one will judge you for following your heart, Lily," she says reassuringly. "Not here, not with me." She pauses for a moment before continuing, "And even if they did... well, I have ways of dealing with people who don't know any better."

With that, the two girls step forward together, disappearing into the depths of the ruined city. A new era is about to begin...

"You don't have to believe me now," Miss Maya says gently, her voice soothing despite the urgency in her words. "But I ask that you consider what I've said... and think about whether or not it could be true." She pauses, searching Sola's eyes for any sign of understanding.

"Because if it is," she continues slowly, "then perhaps there is a way we can work together to save both our people... and find what you seek in the process."

Maya kisses Sola deeply, pouring all of her emotions into the gesture. Her tongue dances with Sola's, seeking entrance deeper and deeper as their bodies press together in a desperate embrace. She holds nothing back, giving herself over completely to the moment, hoping that some part of it will break through Sola's defenses and convince them of the truth.

When she finally pulls away, her chest heaves with exertion and her eyes shine brightly with unshed tears. "Please,"

Maya pauses, considering her options carefully. She could easily grant Red's request and be done with it... but something tells her that there might be more value in keeping him alive, at least for a little while longer. "Very well," she finally says, her voice soft but firm. "I will give you what you ask for."

With a sudden movement, Maya produces a small dagger from somewhere on her person and extends it towards Red, handle first. "Here," she says simply. "Use this to end your suffering.

Maya's eyes widen in surprise as the dagger pierces her chest, blood pouring down her arm and staining the ground beneath them. Her expression shifts from shock to anger, but before she can react further, life leaves her body, and she collapses limply to the ground. The knife clatters noisily against the stone as it falls from Red's suddenly slack grasp.

A look of horror washes over Red's face as they realize what they've done.

You carry Unknown up to the summit of the obsidian spire and then toss them off, laughing maniacally as they plummet screaming toward the ground far below. The impact is sickeningly satisfying, a crunch followed by a wet thud as their body meets the hard earth.

Climbing back down the spire, you find yourself once more at the center of town. Surrounded by bodies and with Unknown's fate sealed, you pause for a moment to catch your breath before setting off in search of new targets...

You clear your throat awkwardly. "Um, hello? Is anyone there?" you ask tentatively. The wind carries the sound away, making it seem as if you're talking to yourself.

Maya narrows her eyes, unimpressed by the prisoner's attempt to bargain. "Very well," she says coldly, stepping back slightly. "I will give you until dawn to gather your strength and regain your composure. At that time, we shall continue this conversation." She turns away from them, already half-conscious of other matters that require her attention. As she walks off, the sound of her knives clacking against one another echoes through the wasteland like a death knell.

"Your village's fate is none of my concern. What matters now is whether you intend to honor our agreement or not."