The leader of the camp where Knox was imprisoned returned to his quarters, his mind heavy with the day's events. He immediately called for a meeting with Elara, determined to explain the situation and plan their next steps.

Elara entered the room, her face a mask of worry and fatigue. The leader gestured for her to sit, his expression grave. "Elara, we need to talk about Knox."

She nodded, her heart sinking. "I know. He's... changed. I don't know if there's any hope left for him."

The leader sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I understand your feelings, but we can't give up on him yet. The fact that he managed to survive and come back here shows that he's still fighting, even if it's only out of anger and desperation."

Elara's eyes filled with tears. "But he's so full of rage. He threatened to kill me if he ever got free. And... he asked to be executed. He wants to die."

The leader's eyes widened in surprise. "He asked for execution?"

She nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yes. He said, 'Just leave me be, let me be executed. If ever I get free from these cuffs, you're dead.' I don't know how to reach him anymore."

The leader placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I believe there's still a way. We need to find out more about what happened to him and what drove him to become the Harbinger of Destruction. Only then can we hope to help him."

Elara's voice trembled. "But how do we do that? He's not exactly willing to talk, and the other leaders won't be too happy if they find out we're trying to save him."

The leader thought for a moment. "We'll need to proceed carefully. I'll consult with the other camp leaders and see if we can come up with a plan that won't provoke them. In the meantime, I need you to keep trying to reach Knox. He trusts you, even if he doesn't show it right now. If anyone can get through to him, it's you."

Elara felt a spark of hope. "I'll do my best. I won't give up on him."

The leader smiled, a hint of encouragement in his eyes. "Good. Now, let's figure out our next steps. We need to gather more information about Knox's past and what happened to him. Perhaps we can find someone who knows him, someone who can shed light on his transformation."

They spent the next hour discussing their strategy, identifying potential sources of information and allies who could help. The leader promised to send out scouts and messengers to gather intel while Elara continued her efforts to reach Knox.

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As the meeting concluded, Elara felt a renewed sense of purpose. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she was determined to save Knox, no matter the cost. She left the leader's quarters with a heavy heart but a determined spirit.

*** *** ***

Knox slowly opened his eyes, the dim light of the prison cell filtering in through the barred window. As his vision cleared, he saw Elara sitting in front of him, her legs crossed over each other, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

He clicked his tongue. “Tch, what do you want.”

“I want you to tell me why you went berserk.”

Knox's gaze hardened, his eyes devoid of the warmth they once held. "I don't need your understanding, Elara," he said coldly, his tone cutting. "I did what I had to do to survive, to protect myself. And if you can't accept that, then you're just like the rest of them."

Elara recoiled slightly at the venom in his words, but she held her ground. "Knox, I want to believe there's still some good in you despite everything."

Knox scoffed, bitterness seeping into his voice. "Good? There's no such thing as good in this world, Elara. Only power and survival."

Their exchange was tense, the air heavy with unspoken tension. It was clear that the bond they once shared had been irreparably damaged.

“How can you not see I’m trying to save you!?” Elara stood up and walked toward Knox, her voice breaking with emotion.

Knox's eyes remained cold, his expression unyielding. "Save me? From what, Elara? From the world? From myself?" He let out a bitter laugh. "You're wasting your time."

Elara’s steps faltered, but she pushed on, closing the distance between them. "No, I'm not. I know there's still a part of you that can be redeemed, Knox. I’ve seen it."

Knox’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "That part of me died, Elara. Maybe it never even existed."

She reached out, hesitating, before placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're wrong. I refuse to believe that. You’ve been through so much pain, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it consume you."

Knox looked at her hand, then back at her face, his eyes narrowing. "And what if it already has? What if there's nothing left to save?"

Elara’s eyes filled with tears, but she stood firm. "Then I’ll keep trying until there’s nothing left of me because I believe in you, Knox. Even if you don’t believe in yourself."

Knox shook his head, turning away from her touch. "You're a fool, Elara. And it's going to get you killed."

She dropped her hand, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Maybe. But I’d rather die trying to save you than live knowing I didn’t do anything."

He raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Who do you think got me in this situation?”

Elara flinched, her face contorting with a mix of guilt and frustration. “I didn’t have a choice, Knox.”

Knox’s laughter was cold and devoid of humor. “No choice? Do you think cutting off my arms was the only option? Don’t make me laugh, Elara. You wanted to believe I was a monster so badly that you turned me into one.”

Her eyes widened, her resolve wavering. “That’s not true. I wanted to save you, to bring you back from the brink.”

“Save me?” he scoffed. “You betrayed me: you and your precious leaders. You let them put these cuffs on me and sever my connection to the system. You turned me into a prisoner.”

Elara’s voice softened, a desperate plea in her tone. “Knox, please. We can still fix this. We can find a way to make things right.”

Knox’s expression hardened, his eyes locking onto hers with a fierce intensity. “There’s no fixing this, Elara. The man you knew is gone. All that’s left is someone who’s learned that trust is a weakness and betrayal is inevitable.”

She stepped back, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. “I refuse to believe that, Knox. There has to be a way. We just have to find it.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Knox muttered, turning his gaze away from her. “But don’t come crying to me when reality slaps you in the face.”

Elara stood there, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She knew she couldn’t give up on him, but the path ahead seemed more uncertain than ever.