The former members hesitated, visibly torn between their loyalty to their new allegiances and the memories of camaraderie they had shared with the Crimson Shadows. Zhao's brow furrowed as he considered Xia's words. "And what guarantee do we have that you won't turn against us again? That this isn't just a ploy to regain control?"
Xia stepped forward, her voice steady. "We don't expect you to follow us blindly. We want to offer you a chance to discuss our shared goals openly. We can work together to strengthen the kingdom, but we need you with us. We can't afford to be divided."
As the conversation continued, Lin Feng spoke up, his voice calm and reassuring. "We are not here to judge your choices. We want to understand your pain and what led you to this path. This is not just about us; it's about the future of our kingdom. We can be stronger together."
Slowly, the walls of resentment began to crack. The former members exchanged glances, and Xia could see the flicker of doubt in their eyes. Zhao finally spoke, "Perhaps we've lost sight of our true purpose. But can we truly believe in the Crimson Shadows again?"