THE CRACK IN THE ARMOR

Aleksander strode into the room, his piercing gaze fixed on Alina's closed eyes. "Here's Faris. Start talking!" he barked, his loud voice jolting Alina awake.

Breathlessly, Alina rose to her feet, wiping her face and taking a step closer to Faris. "Oh, Faris... what have they done to you?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes as she took in his disheveled and bruised face. Her arms reached out to touch his face, her fingers trembling with compassion.

Aleksander released his grip on Faris' collar and sat on the bed, his eyes watching with disdain as the siblings shared a tender moment. "Oh, don't be so dramatic," he muttered.

Alina's voice was laced with concern as she embraced Faris, tears on her cheeks. "Are you okay? You look like you haven't eaten in days."

Faris' voice was barely audible, his words muffled by their embrace. "I'm fine, Alina. Grateful to the goddess to even be alive."

Aleksander's sigh was heavy with impatience, almost rolling his eyes. "Enough of this