Cassius stood motionless at the edge of the forest, his keen eyes fixed on the figure of Ecratas.
Ecratas moved with an urgency that piqued Cassius's curiosity, his hands scrabbling through the musky soil, searching for something hidden beneath the decaying leaves and roots like a madman.
Cassius's mind drifted back to Richmond when his mind was still intact. He had watched Richmond's transformation, a slow, agonizing descent from a man of principle into a creature driven by unbridled rage. Richmond's eyes, once clear and purposeful, had become wild and unfocused. He didn't know the overlord's plan was to dehumanize Richmond to this extent, he was beginning to feel guilty for tricking Richmond.
Ecratas's movements were frantic, almost frenzied as if he were racing against time or some unseen force. His breath came in harsh, audible gasps, and his fingers, caked with dirt, trembled with each hurried motion.
