The victory over the Frost Wraith bolstered the group’s spirits, but it did little to ease the tension that lingered between them. The trek through the mountains was growing more arduous, the thin air biting at their lungs, and the oppressive silence only added to their unease.
Haruki trudged alongside Kaede, the weight of his pack pulling at his shoulders. He noticed the way her eyes scanned their surroundings constantly, her hand never straying far from the hilt of her sword.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said, trying to break the ice—pun unintended.
“I’m thinking,” Kaede replied curtly.
“About what?”
She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “About how many more surprises these mountains are hiding.”
Haruki chuckled nervously. “You’re making me think we should turn back.”
Kaede smirked faintly. “We’re too far in for that. You afraid?”
“Terrified,” Haruki admitted with a grin. “But hey, I’ve got you watching my back, right?”
Her smirk faded, and for a moment, her gaze softened. “Always.”
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A DANGEROUS SHORTCUT
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Zain halted the group, his eyes fixed on the map.
“There’s a shortcut here,” he said, pointing to a narrow path marked with jagged lines. “It’ll save us at least half a day.”
Kaede frowned, studying the map. “It’s risky. Those markings indicate unstable terrain.”
“Everything’s risky at this point,” Zain argued. “But we’re burning time we don’t have.”
Mira stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. “Kaede, if we take the long way, we might lose the trail completely. The tracks from that ritual site are already faint.”
Kaede sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine. But we move carefully. One mistake, and we’re done.”
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THE BETRAYAL UNFOLDS
The shortcut was treacherous, with loose rocks and sheer drops on either side. The group moved in single file, Kaede leading the way with Haruki close behind.
“Watch your step,” Kaede warned, her voice carrying over the howling wind.
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Haruki nodded, his eyes focused on the path. But as he turned a corner, he felt a strange unease settle over him.
It wasn’t the terrain—it was Zain.
The man was lingering at the back, his movements unusually deliberate. Haruki’s instincts screamed at him to pay attention.
“Kaede,” he said in a low voice, stepping closer to her.
“What is it?” she asked, her tone sharp.
“I think Zain’s up to something.”
Kaede’s eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, a deafening rumble shook the mountainside.
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THE AMBUSH
A massive boulder rolled down the slope, forcing the group to scatter. From the shadows, figures emerged—bandits, their weapons glinting in the fading light.
“An ambush!” Kaede shouted, drawing her sword.
Haruki barely had time to react before one of the bandits lunged at him. He dodged clumsily, his heart pounding as he drew his dagger.
Mira notched an arrow and let it fly, striking one of the attackers in the chest. “They knew we were coming!” she shouted.
Kaede’s eyes flicked to Zain, who stood unmoving amidst the chaos. “Zain, what are you doing?!”
The man smirked, stepping back toward the bandits. “Sorry, Kaede. The pay was better on their side.”
Haruki’s blood ran cold. “You sold us out?”
“Nothing personal, kid,” Zain said, shrugging. “Just business.”
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FIGHTING TO SURVIVE
The betrayal sent a surge of adrenaline through Haruki. He dove into the fray, his movements more instinctive than calculated. Kaede fought beside him, her blade a blur as she cut down anyone who got too close.
“Stay close!” she barked, parrying a strike aimed at Haruki.
“I’m trying!” he shot back, his dagger finding its mark in a bandit’s side.
Mira, perched on a rock above, provided cover fire, her arrows precise and deadly.
But the bandits had numbers on their side, and the group was quickly being overwhelmed.
“Fall back!” Kaede shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. “We can’t win this!”
Haruki hesitated, his eyes darting to Zain. “We can’t just let him go!”
“We don’t have a choice!” Kaede snapped, grabbing his arm. “Move!”
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A COSTLY ESCAPE
The group retreated down the treacherous path, their pursuers close behind. Haruki stumbled, the weight of his exhaustion threatening to bring him down.
“Keep moving!” Kaede urged, pulling him to his feet.
Mira fired one last arrow before following, her quiver nearly empty.
As they reached a narrow bridge of ice, Kaede stopped, turning to face the bandits. “Haruki, Mira—go! I’ll hold them off!”
“No way!” Haruki protested, stepping forward.
“That’s an order!” Kaede shouted, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Haruki and Mira crossed the bridge, the sounds of battle echoing behind them.
When Kaede finally rejoined them, her armor was dented, and her face was streaked with blood. But her expression was defiant.
“They won’t follow us,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos they had just escaped.
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THE AFTERMATH
As they made camp that night, the weight of Zain’s betrayal hung heavy over the group.
“I should have seen it coming,” Kaede muttered, her hands clenched into fists.
“It’s not your fault,” Haruki said softly. “He fooled all of us.”
She looked at him, her eyes filled with a rare vulnerability. “We can’t afford any more mistakes, Haruki. Not if we want to survive this.”
“I won’t let you down,” he promised, his voice firm.
For the first time, Kaede allowed herself to smile, even if only for a moment.