Chapter 7: Betrayal

As Jin and his comrades continued their journey, their spirits buoyed by their recent victory over the Demon Council, a sense of unease lingered in the air. They had emerged from the battle triumphant, but the scars of their ordeal ran deep, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness.As they traveled through the rugged wilderness, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger, Jin couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He scanned the surrounding landscape, his eyes narrowing as he searched for any hint of movement among the trees.Suddenly, without warning, a figure stepped out from the shadows—a man dressed in tattered robes, his face hidden beneath a hooded cloak. Jin tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword as he prepared to defend himself.But before he could react, the figure spoke, his voice soft but filled with urgency. "You must listen to me," he said, his words echoing in the stillness of the night. "You are in grave danger."Jin regarded the stranger with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "Who are you?" he demanded, his grip tightening on his sword. "And how do you know of our mission?"The stranger hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "My name is Kael," he said finally, his voice tinged with sadness. "And I was once a member of the Demon Council."Jin's eyes widened in disbelief. "A member of the Demon Council?" he repeated, his mind reeling with the implications of the stranger's words. "Why are you here? What do you want from us?"Kael sighed, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his burden. "I have come to warn you," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "There is a traitor in your midst—a member of your own ranks who seeks to betray you to the demons."Jin's heart skipped a beat at the revelation. "A traitor?" he echoed, his mind racing with the possibilities. "But who? And why would they betray us?"Kael shook his head, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I do not know their identity," he admitted. "But I know that they are among you, biding their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike."Jin's mind raced as he considered Kael's words. He knew that they could not afford to ignore the stranger's warning, but he also knew that they could not allow themselves to be consumed by paranoia and suspicion.With a determined nod, Jin turned to his comrades, his voice firm with resolve. "We must remain vigilant," he said, his words echoing in the stillness of the night. "We cannot allow ourselves to be divided by fear and mistrust. We must stand together, united in our purpose, if we are to have any hope of defeating the forces of darkness."