Chapter 156: Into the Serpent’s Den

The sun had not yet risen when the traitor was prepared for their mission. Cloaked in the same shadowed garments they once wore while operating for the Order, they stood before Jay, Mira, and Serus in the dim light of the war room. Their posture was tense, every movement betraying the fear and uncertainty that came with stepping back into the life they had tried to escape.

Jay watched them closely, his expression unreadable. "You remember the plan?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

The traitor nodded. "I make contact with my old cell. They'll likely question why I've been missing, but I can spin a story about evading capture. Once I'm back in, I'll start feeding you information about their operations—locations, movements, anything that can help you track them."

Mira leaned forward, her arms crossed. "If you give them any reason to suspect you, they'll kill you. And if we sense any betrayal on your part, you won't make it back here alive."

The traitor swallowed hard, their eyes darting nervously toward Mira. "I understand. But if you want this to work, you'll have to trust me at least a little."

Jay held their gaze. "Trust is earned. You're not doing this for us—you're doing it because you don't have a choice. Remember that."

With a curt nod, the traitor turned and left the room, escorted by two guards who would take them to the outskirts of the city. From there, they would be on their own, stepping back into the deadly world of the Order of the Serpent.

As the door closed behind them, Mira turned to Jay, her brow furrowed. "Do you really think this will work?"

Jay exhaled, his shoulders tense with the weight of their decision. "It has to. We don't have many options left. The Order has embedded itself so deeply into the kingdom that it feels like we're chasing shadows. If the traitor can get us real information, we might stand a chance."

"But if they betray us again," Mira said, her voice trailing off as the implications hung in the air.

"We'll deal with it," Jay said grimly, his mind already turning to the next steps. "For now, we need to focus on keeping the kingdom stable. If word gets out about how deeply the Order has infiltrated, it could cause a panic."

Mira nodded, her expression thoughtful. "We'll need to keep the council in line. Some of them are already starting to grow suspicious of each other."

"Suspicion is what the Order wants," Jay said, his voice hardening. "We can't let that tear us apart. If we start turning on each other, the Order won't even need to make a move. We'll destroy ourselves."

Meanwhile, the traitor walked the familiar path that led to the outskirts of the kingdom. The dark forests loomed ahead, a reminder of the isolation they felt when they first joined the Order. Every step closer felt like a return to a nightmare—a life where they had no control, where fear ruled every decision.

They approached the designated meeting point, a crumbling tower hidden deep within the woods. This was where they had first been inducted into the Order, where they had sworn oaths to serve the Serpent. Now, they would have to face their past head-on, knowing that their next steps would decide not only their fate but the fate of the entire kingdom.

As they approached the entrance, two hooded figures stepped out of the shadows, their faces hidden beneath dark cowls. One of them, taller and more imposing, spoke first.

"You've been gone a long time," the figure said, their voice sharp with suspicion. "We thought you were dead. Why should we believe you're still loyal?"

The traitor felt a knot form in their stomach, but they forced themselves to remain calm. "I was captured," they lied smoothly. "But I managed to escape. I've been hiding, waiting for the right moment to return. I knew if I came back too soon, they'd be watching."

The second figure, shorter but no less menacing, stepped forward. "You expect us to believe that? The Order doesn't tolerate weakness, and you've been gone too long. You're either a spy, or you're a fool."

The traitor's heart raced, but they knew this was the moment that would determine everything. "I have information," they said quickly, trying to regain control of the situation. "Valuable intelligence about the royal forces, their movements, their weaknesses. If I was a spy, would I really risk my life coming back here? I know what happens to traitors."

The taller figure seemed to consider this, the tension in the air thickening. "If you're lying, we'll know soon enough," they said finally. "But if your information is as valuable as you claim, then you might still have a place here. Come with us. The Serpentmaster will want to speak with you."

The traitor swallowed hard but nodded, following the hooded figures deeper into the forest. Every step felt like a plunge into the abyss, but there was no turning back now. They would have to play the part convincingly if they were to survive—and more importantly, if they were to help Jay and Mira from the inside.

Back at the citadel, Jay stood on one of the balconies overlooking the city. The dawn was breaking over the horizon, casting a pale glow over the rooftops and streets below. But despite the beauty of the morning, there was a sense of unease that clung to the air.

Mira joined him, her eyes scanning the distant horizon. "Do you think they'll make it?"

Jay didn't answer for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, almost resigned. "I don't know. But it's a risk we had to take."

Mira looked at him, her expression softened by the worry she rarely showed. "And if it doesn't work? If they betray us again?"

Jay's jaw tightened, the weight of leadership pressing down on him. "Then we'll have to be ready for whatever comes next. I'm not letting the kingdom fall, Mira. Not while I still have breath in my body."

She smiled faintly, appreciating his resolve. "We'll fight together. No matter what happens."

Jay nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. The road ahead was uncertain, and the shadows of the Order loomed larger than ever before. But with Mira, Serus, and the others by his side, he knew they would face whatever challenges came with the strength and unity they had always shown.

For now, all they could do was wait—and hope that the traitor's gamble would pay off.