The console beeped as the Venos man typed the final commands. One by one, the stasis pods around the room began to warm. The thick frost on the glass slowly melted. Soft lights inside each capsule turned from blue to white.
Asher watched the pods carefully.
The Knight stood guard near the door, making sure no one else entered. But he kept glancing at the children, his grip tightening on his sword.
One pod at the far left clicked open.
Then another.
And another.
Soon, all the pods lined along the first row started unlocking with soft hisses of escaping cold air.
Small hands twitched. Eyelids fluttered. Weak breaths escaped from the children inside as they began to wake up.
The Venos man pointed quickly, shaking. "See? See? I told you I could release them. They're waking up safely. I kept them stable. I—"
He turned toward Asher, desperate.
"So now… now you let me live, right? I did what you asked. I released them. I–I'm cooperating."
Asher didn't answer.
