Time of shadows

Mei's head throbbed as she regained consciousness. The dim light of the chamber flickered above her, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The cold, metallic feel of the restraints on her wrists brought her fully awake. She gasped, quickly scanning her surroundings. The room was damp, the air heavy with an oppressive silence. Chains hung from the walls, and strange symbols glowed faintly on the stone surfaces.

Beside her, Kai stirred, his intense gaze locking onto her the moment he opened his eyes. His expression was unreadable, but his focus never shifted. Mei's heart raced—not out of fear but from the hope that Kai was still with her in mind and soul.

"Kai," Mei whispered, inching closer to him. "Look, we need to get out of here."

Kai nodded, his voice low and steady. "I know... I know that," he muttered, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But how?"

Mei took a deep breath, her mind racing for a solution. Her fingers traced the edge of her restraints as she scanned the room for anything they could use. The only door was heavily fortified, and two shadows stood guard outside.

She turned back to Kai, her determination sparking. "I have an idea. It's not perfect, but it's worth a shot."

Kai raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a small, skeptical smile. "Let's hear it."

"We use your illusions," Mei said. "Create an image of us still tied up while we slip out."

Kai hesitated. "Illusions like that are tricky. If we get too far away, they'll fade, and if anyone gets too close, they'll see through it."

Mei leaned forward, her voice firm. "Then we don't give them the chance to get close. And we run fast. Can you send a signal to the others? Let them know we're alive?"

Kai nodded. "I'll try." He closed his eyes, concentrating, as Mei watched his hands flicker with faint energy.

---

Lingxi City, 11:05 AM

In a crowded bar on the outskirts of Lingxi City, Ryu leaned back against his chair, frustration evident in his every movement. "We've been at this for hours, Lila. There's nothing. No leads, no sign of them. It's like they vanished."

Lila sipped her drink, her eyes scanning the room for anything suspicious. Just as she was about to respond, she froze. Her bracelet glowed faintly, and a soft hum filled her ears. She grinned. "Ryu, they're alive. Kai sent a signal."

Ryu straightened, his expression shifting to relief. "Then they haven't been turned. That's good news. Where are they?"

Lila closed her eyes, focusing on the faint connection. "I can feel the direction. It's faint, but enough to track."

Ryu stood, determination lighting up his features. "Then let's go. We're getting them back."

---

Back in the chamber, Kai's illusion took form. A perfect replica of himself and Mei remained tied to the floor, struggling against their bonds. Meanwhile, the real Kai and Mei slipped out of their restraints and began moving toward the door.

"Kai," Mei whispered, glancing over her shoulder. "Any problems with the illusion?"

Kai's face darkened. "If we go too far, it'll start to fade. We'll have to stay close enough for it to hold."

Mei grabbed his hand. "Then let's move. We don't have much time."

The two crept through the shadows, weaving around the guards. They were nearly at the exit when an alarm blared, piercing through the air like a knife.

"They're gone!" a shadow yelled. "Lock down the entire place! I repeat, they're gone!"

Mei and Kai broke into a sprint, their footsteps echoing as they ran down the dimly lit corridors. Mei's grip on Kai's hand tightened as they turned a corner.

"Kai, we're almost there," she said breathlessly.

Kai suddenly pulled her to a stop, his expression serious. "Mei... if we don't make it—if we get caught or... turned—I just want to say—"

Mei shook her head fiercely, tugging at his arm. "Don't. We're not stopping. We're making it out, Kai. I promise."

But Kai didn't move. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed her, his hands cupping her face. Mei's breath caught, but she didn't pull away. For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

When they broke apart, Mei's voice was firm. "Kai, let's go."

They turned to run, but a chilling voice echoed from behind them.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Mei spun around, her heart sinking. Standing at the end of the corridor was James. Dark crimson smoke swirled around him, pulsating with a malevolent energy.

Mei's eyes widened. "That's... not normal. Shadows are black. Why is his red?"

Kai stepped in front of her, his hand reaching for hers. "We'll fight if we have to. I won't let him take you again."

Mei's heart raced, a mixture of fear and relief flooding through her. But the crimson shadow forming beside James pulled her attention. It grew taller, its eyes glowing with menace.

James knelt before it, his voice reverent. "Master."

The crimson shadow raised a hand, and more shadows began forming around them. One stepped forward, the blood manipulator, already firing crimson arrows.

Kai acted instantly. He remembered all too well how one of those arrows had nearly killed Mei. He pushed her into a nearby room, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Kai!" Mei screamed, pounding on the door. "Open the door! Don't do this!"

Through the small, transparent pane, she saw Kai turn to face her. His faint smile broke her heart.

The crimson shadow lunged toward him. Mei could only watch in horror as Kai vanished in a swirl of red smoke the moment the shadow touched him.

"No!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.

She turned and ran, her heart shattering with every step. The corridors blurred as she stumbled through them, crying. Kai was gone. Or worse, he had been consumed by the crimson shadow.

But Mei didn't stop. She had to escape. She had to find Ryu and Lila. And somehow, she would find a way to bring Kai back—no matter the cost.