Eventually, they saw the look of surprise on Cor and Karla's face when they saw Branden, Esmeralda, Orcis, and Lorene ready to fight. Still, that didn't stop Karla from stepping up and then gulping before raising her voice.
"Listen closely, Rain, and all who stand with him," Karla declared, her tone resolute, "I insist on your immediate surrender. Hand over Rain without resistance, and I can ensure the safety of all the others. In these critical times for our nation, internal strife is a luxury we cannot indulge. Surrender stands as the only logical course of action. If he accepts punishment for his actions, we can erase this tragic event from the pages of the history of our nation."
Karla's words hung heavily in the night air, casting an undeniable weight on Rain and his allies, who found themselves confronted with a daunting decision in the face of her ultimatum.
