Shadows of Betrayal

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the battlefield that had been marked by chaos and loss. As Kai stood with Yan Mei and Li Fei, a sense of victory hung in the air, tempered by the sorrow of their fallen comrades. But as the light illuminated the remnants of battle, an ominous feeling settled in Kai's gut, warning him that their trials were far from over.

"Something feels off," he murmured, his brow furrowed as he scanned the surroundings.

"I know what you mean," Yan Mei replied, her voice low. "The victory feels hollow. We should be celebrating, but..."

Before she could finish, a loud commotion erupted from the direction of the sect leader's hall. The sound of shouts and clashing metal cut through the air, raising alarms in Kai's mind.

"Let's check it out!" Li Fei urged, his earlier bravado replaced by urgency. The trio sprinted toward the source of the disturbance, dread pooling in their stomachs.