61. Beginning of a new dynasty

Stella woke up in a dimly lit room. Her head throbbed, and her vision was blurry. She tried to sit up but found her hands and feet bound. Panic surged through her as she scanned her surroundings. The room was small, with a single barred window high up on the wall. The door was heavy and wooden, with no sign of a handle from the inside.

"Where am I?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling.

Footsteps echoed outside the door. Stella's heart raced. The door creaked open, and the man from the shore entered, his expression cold and unreadable.

"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Stella demanded, trying to keep her fear at bay.

The man ignored her questions and placed the black metallic chest on the floor in front of her. "You have something that belongs to me," he said, his voice steady and chilling.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stella replied, her mind racing to understand.

The man crouched down, his eyes locking onto hers. "Your grandfather had something that righ