Shadows Within

The warehouse lay silent once more, the acrid scent of burnt circuits and scorched metal hanging heavy in the air. The team gathered amid the ruins, their bodies bruised, faces grim with exhaustion.

Ava paced slowly, her golden flames dimmed but flickering faintly in the dark corners. "We survived this ambush, but Winterglass isn't just after us — they want to break us from the inside."

Kaela's eyes darted around nervously. "You're saying there's a traitor?"

Luca swallowed hard, wiping sweat from his brow. "The comms were compromised before the attack. Someone leaked our location."

Sable's hand instinctively went to her weapon. "Among us?"

Noah's jaw clenched. "We need to find out who — before it's too late."

Silas, standing apart in the shadows, finally spoke, voice low and measured. "Trust is a fragile thing. In this war, it can be the deadliest weapon."

Ava's gaze hardened. "Then we root it out. Tonight."

As tension thickened the room, every glance was laden with suspicion. Friend or foe — who wore the mask?

Beneath the surface of their unity, a dark secret stirred, threatening to tear the team apart from within.

Winterglass's game had just entered its deadliest phase.

To be continued...