Setting the Trap and Clash

The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the camp as the group gathered around the campfire. Mark stood at the center, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. James approached him, his expression grim. The rest of the team could sense the tension in the air, their eyes shifting between James and Mark.

"Mark, everyone, there's something you need to know," James began, his voice heavy with the weight of his revelation. "It's about Dog and his plans for us."

The group fell silent, their attention now fully focused on James. Mark nodded for him to continue, his jaw set in a hard line. "Go on, James. Tell us what you know."

James took a deep breath, then recounted his conversation with Dog. He explained how Dog had planned to lure them away from the camp by pretending there was a valuable supply stash on an abandoned ship. Once the camp was left vulnerable, Dog's men would attack, aiming to capture or eliminate the remaining members.

As James spoke, the group's reactions were varied. Lisa's eyes widened with fear, her hand instinctively reaching for Sarah's. Sarah, on the other hand, clenched her fists, a fierce determination burning in her gaze.

"This is serious," Mark said, his voice steady. "Dog's planning to catch us off guard. We can't let that happen. We need a plan of our own."

David leaned forward, a spark of excitement in his eyes. He'd always been one to rise to a challenge, and the prospect of outsmarting Dog and his team was no exception. "We can use this to our advantage," he said, his mind already racing with ideas. "If we know where they're going to be, we can set up a counterattack."

Mark nodded, appreciating David's enthusiasm. "Exactly. We'll set up traps around the camp and make it look like we've left. When Dog's men walk into the trap, we'll be ready to take them down."

The group quickly got to work, each member contributing their skills to the plan. Mark outlined the various traps they would set up around the perimeter of the camp: pits covered with leaves and branches, snares made from vines, and alarm systems rigged from cans and string.

"Lisa, Sarah," Mark said, turning to the two women. "You'll be our lookouts and decoys. Your job is to lure Dog's men into the traps. Once they're caught, you fall back to our position."

Lisa nodded, her fear replaced by a steely resolve. "We can do that," she said, her voice firm. Sarah nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the camp as she mentally prepared for the task ahead.

David and Mike took charge of setting up the traps, their hands moving quickly as they worked together to camouflage the snares and pitfalls. James, despite the guilt that weighed on him, helped where he could, his actions a silent promise to protect his newfound team.

As dusk approached, James slipped away from the camp to meet with Dog, his heart pounding in his chest. Dog was waiting for him in a secluded spot, his eyes narrowing as James approached.

"Did you do it?" Dog asked, his voice a low growl.

James hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "They're heading for the ship at dawn. They think it's a treasure trove."

Dog smirked, satisfied with the news. "Good. When they leave, we'll strike. Those fools won't know what hit them."

As James turned to leave, Dog's voice stopped him. "Don't screw this up, James. I've got my eyes on you."

James walked back to the camp, his mind racing. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but he couldn't let his team walk into a trap. They had become his friends, his family, and he wouldn't betray them. 

Back at the camp, the team was finishing their preparations. The traps were set, and everyone was in position. As the first light of dawn broke, Dog's team began to move. Lisa and Sarah, acting as decoys, led them deeper into the jungle.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the trees as one of Dog's men fell into a pit. The alarm was raised, and Dog's team realized they had been deceived. Mark gave the signal, and David, Mike, and the others launched their counterattack.

The jungle was alive with the sounds of battle. David's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Dog's team fall into their carefully laid traps. The ground shook as pits swallowed men whole, and snares lifted them off their feet, leaving them helpless.

"Go!" Mark shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Take them down!"

David activated his Haste skill, his movements becoming a blur as he darted through the trees. His dagger, now engulfed in a crimson flame from his Hellfire skill, cut through the air with deadly precision. Each slash left trails of fire, burning through the enemies' defenses and leaving them writhing in agony.

Mike, positioned high in a tree, let loose a flurry of arrows. Each arrow, imbued with Hellfire by David, ignited upon impact, turning Dog's men into pillars of flame. The enemies panicked, trying to douse the flames to no avail.

Mark, standing firm in the center of the fray, activated his Fortify skill. His shield, crafted by Sarah and marked with runes, glowed as it absorbed and deflected the onslaught of attacks. With each block, he countered, using his strength to push back against the attackers.

Dog, realizing his men were being overwhelmed, drew his black sword. With a snarl, he charged at James, who stood ready with a determined look in his eyes. But before James could react, Dog vanished, reappearing behind him. The cursed blade plunged into James's back, a dark aura seeping from the wound.

"No!" David yelled, rushing to intercept Dog. He swung his dagger, flames roaring as they engulfed Dog. The fire licked at Dog's armor, melting through and scorching his flesh. Dog screamed in pain but managed to pull away, his teleportation ability saving him from the brink of death.

Mark saw the opening and charged, his shield raised. He slammed into Dog, using his Fortify skill to reduce the damage from Dog's desperate counterattack. The force of the impact sent Dog sprawling, giving Mike a clear shot. An arrow flew straight and true, piercing Dog's shoulder and pinning him to a tree.

As the battle reached its climax, the remaining enemies, seeing their leader incapacitated, began to retreat. David, breathing heavily, rushed to James's side. The cursed wound oozed a sickly blackness, and James's face was pale.

"David," James whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry… I wanted to make things right."

David's Observation skill activated, revealing the grim truth: "Cursed Wound: Incurable by ordinary means." His heart sank.

Mark knelt beside James, his face set in a grim mask. "We'll find a way to heal you, James. Just hold on."

James shook his head weakly. "It's too late. Take care of each other. Watch out for Dog. He's… dangerous."

With those final words, James's eyes closed, his body going still. The team stood in silence, the weight of their loss heavy in the air.

Dog, pinned and defeated, glared at them, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you've won? The island will consume you all. You have no idea what's coming."