The shadows loomed closer, their dark forms swirling in the dim light of the park. Ava, panic-stricken, turned to flee, her flames flaring to life around her as she attempted to take flight. But before she could ascend, one of the shadow members—a tall figure with a sinister grin—dashed forward, his movements fluid and quick.
"Not so fast," he taunted, his voice a chilling whisper that echoed through the air.
Ava gasped as he used his telepathic powers to grip her mid-air, lifting her effortlessly. She squirmed against his hold, but it was no use; he was too strong. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled her back to the ground like a rag doll.
"AVA!" Ryu shouted, trying to push himself up despite his injury.
Seeing Ava crash to the earth reignited Mei's determination. "We can't let them take her!" she yelled, adrenaline surging as she dashed toward the shadowy figure.
"Mei, wait!" Jin called out, his voice strained as he struggled to keep Ryu steady. "Ryu is hurt! We can't win this fight!"
But Mei didn't hear him. All that mattered was reaching Ava. The flames surrounding her flickered dimly as she lay on the ground, clearly dazed.
Before Mei could reach Ava, the shadow member, Morgan, tightened his grip on her, and Mei felt a surge of anger. "Get away from her!" she shouted, but as she charged forward, an arrow pierced through her stomach, knocking her off balance.
She fell to the ground, gasping in pain, and turned to see a masked figure standing nearby, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Oh, Mei," he said mockingly, pulling down his mask to reveal a face filled with malice. "If you had only accepted our offer."
With a burst of fury, Mei gathered her strength, channeling her energy into a blinding blast of light. The brightness illuminated the darkness for a fleeting moment, momentarily pushing the shadows back. She could see Morgan flinch but didn't have time to assess the damage as the world around her began to spin.
"Mei!" Jin cried out, the panic in his voice cutting through her haze. "Get out of here! We need to regroup!"
But the shadow members were already retreating with an unconscious Ava. A deep sense of dread filled Mei as she realized they were losing her.
"NO!" Jin shouted, desperation etched on his face as he held Ryu. "We can't let them take her!"
As the shadows faded into the forest, Jin's eyes filled with tears. "We'll get her back," kai vowed, looking at jin and injured ryu.
"I'll help distract them," Kai said firmly, determination blazing in his eyes. "You take Ryu and the others. I give you my word, I'll bring Mei back safely."
Jin nodded, his expression a mix of fear and resolve. He turned and sprinted away, cradling Ryu against him.
Meanwhile, Kai dashed deeper into the dark forest, the sounds of the shadows fading behind him. He felt a mix of anger and urgency surge through him, knowing he had to find Mei.
As he ran, he spotted the man who had attacked her standing a little ways off, his presence still dripping with arrogance. With a swift motion, Kai swung his hands, conjuring an illusion of Mei that shimmered in the air. The illusion was a perfect replica, radiant and filled with light.
"Over here!" he called out, drawing the figure's attention.
The shadow member's gaze flickered toward the illusion, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Got you now," he sneered, dashing after the shimmering image of Mei, believing it to be real.
Kai seized the moment, sprinting back through the underbrush to find Mei, hoping she was still conscious and able to fight. His heart raced with urgency as he navigated the darkened paths, determined to reach her before the shadows could reclaim their prize.
---
With the darkness closing in, and the weight of their losses heavy on her, Mei struggled into the forest rise. The pain in her stomach throbbed, but the fire within her burned brighter than ever. She had to find a way to fight back, to reclaim the light that the shadows sought to extinguish.