"Surrender?" he repeats, shaking his head. "You think I came here to take your freedom? To make you servants?" His gaze sweeps across the gathered assassins, his voice firm but calm. "If that's what you believe, then you don't understand what I'm offering."
The murmurs die down as Alix continues.
"You've spent your lives in the dark, hunted, forced to kill just to survive. You're feared, but only in whispers. Feared, but never respected. You skulk in caves while the world above didn't know you exist." He gestures around the cavern. "You're strong, but your strength is wasted on mere survival. Tell me—is that the future you want? A life of scraping by, hiding in the shadows until something stronger comes along and wipes you out?"
His words hit hard. Many of the Umbral lower their heads, their hands tightening into fists.
Alix steps closer, his presence almost suffocating.
