** Chapter 22: Dark sentence - torture or death in the judgment of shame **
Underground dawn only partially illuminated the macules of souls that lay in this irrational arena. After the unexpected victory of the ancestral ** light ** in the challenge of the ** blood ritual **, the atmosphere was loaded with a new tension; Something almost electric - a mixture of passing relief and the fear of difficult choices that still needed to be made. The bitterly acquired joy was temporary, for the blood in the loser's chalice still asked for a sentence.
With the defeat of the ** hunters of Chaos **, the dark consequences of the judgment of shame had turned against them, and ** Glenda **, which had succumbed to the rigors of the challenge, became the inevitable target for the decision of fate. A destination that now lay in the hands of those who, until yesterday, had been in the same shadows.
** Henrique Nakamura **, always the master of inexorable destiny, emerged amid the dim light with the usual presence of kind threat, a herald whose words were hidden blades.
-*"Today, my estimated survivors, fate brings their irony. Those who once bowed under this cloak sculpted by fear now have the power to judge. The ** ancestral light ** has won, and it is up to you to decide the fate of Glenda. Permanent death in the ** humiliation valley ** or one night in the clutches of torture, so as not to forget that in this game, survival can be more than anyone can imagine.
Without further ado, the vote began. The air was heavy with indecision, but interspersed with a strange desire for rematch that competitors could barely ignore.
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### ** The vote of the winners **
** Hardy Nakamura **, as reluctant as decided, assumed the initial driver role for the decision of his group.
- * "This decision is not our mercy, nor our cruelty," * He said, looking at each of his allies in his eyes. *"It's about survival. Glenda is a threat, yes, but who is not here? We should think strategically. And the strategy requires sacrifices."*
** Irene Dellis **, sensitive to the weight of the game, didn't even blush before adding:
- *"Torture seems a difficult choice-a middle ground between humanity and revenge. But we should look beyond immediate pain and see what can benefit us in the long run. If she lives, she will be weak. If we decide to death, you will not return to threaten us."
** grayrock **, your voice still sounding stone and heavy breath, said deliberately:
- *"Stone or remains, or break. But it will decide to be the hand that fights ... always be stone." *
** Drake **, already used to the shadowy machines of the tournament, thought aloud:
- *"If you give her the night of torture, she will survive another day - but only if you can fight." * *
The final decision was revealed after tense and weighted discussions: ** torture **. The choice was not of mercy, but strategy. Glenda will suffer, but still live to fight once again if you can find strength.
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### ** Preparations for torture **
With the vote decided, Henry approached to formalize Glenda's fate. His expression, always with a hint of cruel delight, demonstrated his complacency with the generalities that this tournament provided.
- *"Wise decision, victory is often in the decision to let live. However, remember, every choice echoes in eternity ... and mortality. Glenda, you will pay with a night of agony, but the game was kind enough to provide you with a new chance to triumph ... or succumb." * *
He nodded to the guards that they grasped Glenda and began to lead her to the sinister Chamber of Dores.
** Glenda **, though cold and insightful, could not hide the shadow of fear that passed through his eyes. And yet, when the guards held her, she gave a challenging look at her group and her captors.
- *"For each action, there is an answer. I am far from being defeated, never underestimate the return." *
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### ** The Valley of Humiliation **
In this scenario of dark judgments, the remaining competitors were forced to watch the glenda departure while the shadows of torture were surrounding them. For hunters of chaos, it was a rare moment of impotence, its fierce instincts of conquest had no meaning. The power bonds they shared began to entangle.
Henrique, ending the day, remembered everyone with his constant presence:
- *"Attention, the real game never ends. In each action, the consequence lies. The true triumph is to survive to face the next blow." *
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### ** The night climax **
The hours flowed slowly as torture and murmurs echoed through the depths of the island. Each heart, even those victorious, was placed under constant tension. But the choice was made, and the fortune wheel once again revealed its true colors.
Somewhere deeper, far from human reach, the island laughed at each shudder and scream, waiting patiently for the final break. Between cracks and blood, competitors returned to their respective places, the mansion and the cabin, with the true understanding that not even victory was free of sequelae.
** End of Chapter 22 **
*(Next: Preparations for the Seventh Challenge - Echoes of Soul and Mind)*
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** NOTE: ***The choice for another day of life for Glenda proved a strategic move plunged into uncertainties. What will come next when the line between humanity and survival becomes indistinguishable?*