Arthur and Aziel stared at Myah in contemplative silence, the weight of her ominous words settling over them like a heavy blanket. The reality of what they were walking into was beginning to clear into uncomfortable clarity, each passing moment adding another layer of uncertainty to their already precarious situation. The gentle rumble of the armored vehicle's engine provided a steady backdrop to the tension that had suddenly filled the passenger compartment.
Arthur gulped audibly, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet space. The simple reflex betrayed the anxiety that was beginning to gnaw at the edges of his carefully maintained composure. He had thought he was prepared for this mission, but Myah's matter-of-fact assessment of their chances was forcing him to confront the harsh realities of their situation.
