The forest clearing, once a peaceful sanctuary, had transformed into a battlefield.
The air crackled with tension and unspent energy as Kim faced off against his own team.
Peter, battered and exhausted, stood behind the protective barrier of Rio's coins, while Anthony's imposing frame blocked Kim's direct line of sight.
Jess, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions, took a hesitant step towards Kim. "Master," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper, "please reconsider. We don't have to do this."
Kim's eyes, usually warm and understanding, now held a cold, unyielding resolve. "Jess," he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority, "stand with me or stand against me. There is no middle ground."
For a moment, Jess stood frozen, torn between her unwavering loyalty to Kim and her bond with her teammates.
The weight of Gae Bolg on her back seemed to grow heavier with each passing second.
