Edward stood over Thale, a sadistic grin spreading across his face as he watched the young man writhing in agony on the ground. He had ordered one of his minions to bring Thale out and had begun to beat him mercilessly, relishing in the sound of his cries and the sight of his bloodied, bruised body.
Elara watched in horror as Thale was beaten, her heart aching with pain and despair. She couldn't bear to see him suffer like this, and she begged and pleaded with Edward to stop.
"Please, Edward, I beg of you," she cried. "Don't do this. He's done nothing to deserve this. Please, show him some mercy."
Edward sneered at Elara, his eyes cold and cruel. "Mercy?" he spat. "What do you know of mercy, girl? This is the way of the sea. Only the strong survive, and the weak are trampled underfoot."
He turned back to Thale, a fierce glint in his eyes. "As for this boy, he's nothing but a nuisance. He dared to defy me, to threaten me. He needs to be taught a lesson, and I'm the one who's going to give it to him."
Thale lay on the ground, his body battered and broken, his spirit crushed. He was no match for Edward and he was completely at his mercy. All he could do was endure, and hope that somehow, someway, he would find a way to escape and seek revenge.
As he lay there, his thoughts turned to the old man who had taken him in and raised him when he was just a child.
The old man had taught him many things, but one lesson always stuck with him: the importance of having a strong mind, a strong spirit, and the ability to train his will to never give up.
Thale always struggled to embrace these lessons, but now, as he lay there at the mercy of the cruel pirate commander, he knew that he had to find a way to tap into that strength and determination. He couldn't let himself be broken by Edward's torture and abuse. He had to find a way to rise above it, to endure and survive.
He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and focused all of his energy on his mind and his spirit. He let go of his fear and pain, letting his will take over and guide him.
As he lay there, his body battered and his spirit tested, he vowed to never give up, to never let go of that inner strength that he knew was within him. He would find a way to escape, seek revenge, and to one day stand tall and victorious over his enemies.
Edward stood over Thale, his eyes blazing with anger and frustration as he gazed down at the young man's calm, unbroken expression. He couldn't believe that Thale was still able to maintain his composure despite the torture and abuse he had inflicted upon him.
It was like a slap in the face, a challenge to his authority and power, and it infuriated him beyond measure. He clenched his fists, his anger boiling over as he grabbed his dagger and lunged at Thale, determined to break him once and for all.
Thale tensed as he saw the blade coming towards him, his mind racing as he tried to figure out a way to defend himself. But he knew that he was no match for Edward, not in his current state. All he could do was endure and hopes he finds a way to escape and seek revenge.
Edward began to skin Thale's fingers, his knife slicing through the tender flesh with ease. Thale gritted his teeth, his mind focusing on the teachings of the old man as he tried to stay strong and not give in to the pain.
But as the knife dug deeper and the pain became too much to bear, Thale couldn't help but cry out, his body writhing in agony as Edward continued to torture him. He was at the mercy of the cruel pirate commander and he had to find a way to endure, no matter how much it hurt.
Edward stood over Thale, his chest heaving with anger and frustration as he gazed down at the young man's battered, broken body. It was clear to him that the torture and abuse he had inflicted upon Thale had not broken him, and it was like a personal affront to his authority and power.
He glared at Thale, his eyes narrowing as he considered his next move. He had to find a way to break Thale's will, to make him bend, and he knew that he had the perfect tool at his disposal: Elara.
He turned towards Elara, a cold, calculating look in his eyes. He knew that she was the one thing Thale cared about, the one thing that could bring him to his knees. And he was determined to use that to his advantage.
"You care about this boy, don't you?" he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Well, if you want him to live, if you want him to survive this hellhole, then you'll do as I say. You'll do whatever I want, whenever I want it, and you'll beg for more. Do you understand me?"
Elara looked at Edward with fear and loathing in her eyes, her heart aching with pain and despair. She knew that she had no choice but to comply, to do whatever it took to save Thale and protect him from Edward's cruelty.
And as she looked at Thale, her heart breaking with sorrow and guilt, she knew that she would do whatever it took to keep him safe, no matter the cost.