Amer's thoughts raced in his mind, then he said firmly, despite the fear screaming in his heart:
"If it means my companions' survival, then I agree."
The soldier raised his hand, pausing for a moment before adding in a serious tone, with a mysterious smile:
"But there's another condition... the person in question must agree to transfer the agony to you. Who knows? Perhaps one among you has honor and will choose to save himself without burdening the others."
He added coldly:
"Before I begin the transfer, I'll offer the agony to him and tell him the truth. If he can endure the pain, he will be able to escape. If he agrees, the agony will be transferred to you without him suffering."
Amer felt a coldness seep into his veins, realizing that this offer was not just a choice but a trap that might cost more than he had imagined.
The soldier approached Aram calmly, as if he were creating an aura of terror around him, then said in a low voice:
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm here to save you from this predicament."
Aram, his body stiff with fear, could not move. His eyes darted between the wall and the void, filled with worry and fear.
The soldier repeated his words, then added with a sly smile: "Escape is possible, but the price is small. If you pay it, I'll get you out safely. What do you think?"
Aram stammered, unable to speak, whispering in terror: "W... what's the price?"
The soldier raised an eyebrow, then said with a cold smile: "Nothing major, just breaking your ribs, crushing your arms, and ripping out your nails."
Aram's body stiffened, trembling like a leaf in a storm. Sweat poured from his body as if he were melting under the weight of the anticipated pain.
Then the soldier continued with an even colder voice: "But you can transfer the pain to Amer. Then, you'll remain safe and return to your home."
Aram's breath quickened, and his eyes sparkled with a faint hope amidst his despair. He whispered weakly: "Really? I can go back?"
The soldier grinned a wicked grin, then answered with a voice full of false certainty:
"Yes, I'll get you out of here, and you'll return to where you belong. But remember, everything has a price, and the choice is yours."
Aram's breathing quickened as he processed the truth of the offer, then he whispered as if his soul were swaying between fear and despair:
"But... I can't bear this pain... and I can't transfer it to Amer."
The soldier slowly approached him, then spoke with a mocking tone that slipped into his ear like threads of poison:
"You admit you can't endure it, but why not transfer the pain to Amer? Isn't he your friend? Or are you afraid of his anger?"
Aram's voice wavered, as if the words were struggling to escape from his chest:
"Amer... my friend... he'll endure it for me... he won't be angry."
The soldier smiled a victorious smile and patted Aram's shoulder, as if driving a dagger into soft flesh:
"Yes, no need to worry about small matters. What's the use of a friend if he doesn't support you in moments like this?"
Aram did not realize at that moment that his voice was merely an echo ringing in a tightly set trap around him.
But the soldier gave him no time to think. He leaned in closer, whispering in Amer's ear with a voice laced with hidden malice:
"Look, it's not complicated. Amer won't be angry; in fact, he'll be proud that he saved you. Aren't you friends? If I were in his place, I'd do the same."
Amer's lips trembled, as if the words could not escape. His eyes were lost in the void, searching for a way out. Finally, he whispered weakly:
"But... how can I ask him for that? How can I let him suffer for me?"
The soldier laughed lightly, then said in a calm voice:
"You won't need to ask for anything. Just agree, and I'll take care of the rest. He's the one who chose to be the hero, isn't he? He decided to bear the pain for everyone. All you need to do is accept."
Amer remained paralyzed, his mind spinning between worry and loyalty, between fear and shame. His eyes searched for a way out, but the soldier continued to push him toward the abyss:
"Don't be a fool, Amer. He's the one who put himself in this situation, chose to bear the suffering, not you. You're just giving him the chance to finish his heroic role. Isn't that what he wants?"
His words kept digging into Amer's mind, like sharp knives:
"Don't be selfish. Don't let his sacrifices go to waste. He's strong; he can endure the pain. And you? You just want to go back to your life and family... Do you think he'll forgive you if you waste this chance?"
Amer's heart raced, and his eyes flickered with pain, while he muttered softly:
"Amer... won't be angry."
The soldier smiled a dark smile and said with a lethal calm:
"Rather, he'll be proud of saving you. So, the final decision... do you agree?"
Amer closed his eyes, and the words that would determine his fate and Amer's came like a blade:
"I agree."
At that moment, he felt something being taken from him forever.