7

The walls of the treasury trembled and cracked, revealing a hidden passageway that beckoned Lunara forward. A surge of delight filled her as she realized her efforts had borne fruit. But her moment of triumph was abruptly shattered.

Without warning, an invisible force slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs and sending her sprawling to the floor. She gasped, the impact causing her to cough up blood, a metallic taste flooding her mouth. Dazed and disoriented, she felt the chilling bite of the cold ground against her skin, her vision starting to blur as darkness threatened to envelop her.

Suddenly, a mocking laughter echoed through the chamber, cutting through her confusion. "Gullible brat," a voice sneered from the shadows. "Just like your Clan Head. Of all the disciples he sent away, only you—a mere external disciple—truly believed you could avenge your clan."

Lunara's heart raced as she struggled to focus on the figure emerging from the shadows. With her vision clearing, she recognized the smirk of a familiar adversary, a member of the Scorching Blade Clan. Anger surged through her veins, fueling her desire for vengeance, even as her body fought against the pain. She would not allow this mocking coward to belittle her sacrifices or the memory of her clan.

With a fierce determination igniting within her, Lunara prepared to rise once more, unwilling to let this moment define her fate. The treasures awaited, and so did the reckoning.