Jin gripped Kai's wrist, his eyes filled with desperation. "Are you sure she's truly gone? If the Shadows have their hands on Mei, there's no telling what might happen."
Kai yanked his hand away and stepped back, his voice trembling with barely restrained fury. "It was never about them! It was never about the Shadows!" His breathing was ragged as he pointed a shaking finger at Jin. "This has always been about you and your selfishness, you self-righteous leader!"
Jin's expression darkened, his patience thinning. "Watch your mouth, Kai." His voice was sharp, laced with authority. "Who brought you here? Who found Mei, helped her face her fears, and guided her into the person she became?"
Kai let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Helped her? Seriously? Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?" His gaze bore into Jin, filled with rage and betrayal. "You did nothing when she wanted to leave the sanctuary. You just encouraged her to go. And when you heard she was taken, what did you do?!"
A tense silence filled the air.
Ryu, who had been observing the escalating argument, sensed the fight brewing. He immediately rushed forward, placing a firm hand over Kai's mouth. "That's enough, Kai!" His voice was stern, attempting to bring reason. "Jin only wants the best for us. He's helping us fight against evil. You're not a child—you know the difference between right and wrong!"
Kai shoved Ryu away with unexpected force. His voice was cold, like a blade slicing through the thick tension. "I know the difference between right and wrong. And I think someone among us has already joined them..." His gaze locked onto Jin, unblinking. "Isn't that right, Jin?"
Jin stiffened, his jaw tightening. For a moment, he remained silent, his mind racing. Then, he turned to face Kai fully, his expression unreadable. "What exactly are you implying? That I'm working with the Shadows?"
Kai didn't hesitate. "Yes." His voice was steady, challenging. "If you want to prove your innocence, then lead the way. Let's go up against them together. If they show up, you'll be at the front."
Lila, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke up. She shook her head in frustration. "Mei is gone. The last thing we should be doing is fighting over whose responsibility it was to save her." She glared at both of them. "For goodness' sake, we're all in danger, and all you two can do is argue?" Without waiting for a response, she stormed off toward her room.
Jin let out an exasperated breath. "Well, he started it."
Kai smirked mockingly. "Let her be. Now, what's the plan, Master Jin?" His words dripped with sarcasm.
---
Later that evening, Kai sat outside the sanctuary, absentmindedly tossing stones into the pond. The ripples in the water mirrored the turmoil inside him.
Ryu approached, his footsteps light against the grass. "What you did out there wasn't cool," he said quietly.
Kai didn't respond. He simply stood up, ready to walk away.
Ryu, refusing to let the conversation die, grabbed his shoulder. "Mei isn't gone. We can't say for sure. But one thing I do know is that together, we will defeat the Shadows once and for all."
Kai let out a cold chuckle. "Have fun doing that."
He turned away, but Ryu followed, refusing to give up. "What are you saying? You're going to back down on all of this because of some shallow love?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Kai snapped.
With a snarl, he lunged at Ryu, tackling him to the ground. His fists rained down mercilessly. "You have no idea what I'm going through right now!" His voice was raw with pain, every punch carrying the weight of his grief. "So you better—stop talking!"
Ryu struggled beneath him, trying to block the blows, but Kai's anger was overpowering.
"Lila! Help!" Ryu managed to yell between strikes.
Lila rushed forward, yanking Kai off of Ryu with all her strength. "What has gotten into you, Kai?!" she screamed.
Kai didn't answer. He simply shook himself free and walked away, leaving Ryu coughing on the ground.
Hidden in the shadows, Jin watched everything unfold. His mind raced with suspicions. Kai has been acting strange ever since he and Mei were taken. What if... he isn't Kai at all? A dangerous thought took root in his mind. What if this Kai is just a fake, planning our downfall from within?
---
That night, the sanctuary was eerily quiet. Everyone had retired to their rooms, but Ryu remained awake. He sat by the window, staring up at the starless sky. His heart was heavy with worry. Our team is falling apart... The Shadows are probably looking for Mei right now, if she isn't gone already...
Meanwhile, Jin silently crept from his room. Each step was calculated as he made his way toward Kai's quarters. His fingers tightened around the small blade in his pocket.
If Kai really is one of them... then I have to act first.
He pushed the door open slowly, slipping inside like a phantom.
Kai lay motionless on his bed, his breathing soft and even.
Jin moved closer, heart pounding. With one swift motion, he struck down with the blade.
The body beneath the sheets dissolved into glowing light particles.
Jin's eyes widened in horror. An illusion—oh no!
Before he could react, a sharp force slammed into the back of his head. The room spun violently, and the last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was Kai's smirking face.
"You should have known me better, Jin."
-----
When Jin woke, his head throbbed painfully. Cold metal bars greeted his blurred vision. He was in the cellar.
Across from him, Ava sat in another cell, her expression unreadable.
Jin staggered to his feet, gripping the bars. "Kai! You planned this! You dare lock me up?!"
The door creaked open, and Kai stepped inside, a smug grin on his lips. "You should be ashamed of yourself," he said mockingly. "Calling yourself a leader."
Jin's breath caught when he noticed Lila and Ryu standing behind Kai. His stomach twisted in betrayal. "What are you two doing behind him? It's all his plan—he wants to pave the way for the Shadows!"
Lila crossed her arms. "How are we supposed to believe you? We saw the footage from the security cameras. You tried to hurt Kai. Why?"
Jin stepped back, his mind racing. He knew he had no good excuse. Finally, he sighed and slumped against the cold wall. "Look... I'm sorry." His voice was quieter now, tired. "Yes, I haven't been the best leader. But everything has been overwhelming. I was scared. Kai... I'm sorry."
For the first time that night, something flickered in Kai's eyes. A hesitation. A moment of conflicted emotion.
Still, he kept his face unreadable. "It's not your fault," he finally said. "We were all afraid. We are afraid. But if there's one thing Mei would have wanted..." He turned toward Ryu and Lila, his voice firm.
"...It's for us to end this Shadow Parade once and for all."
Jin stared at him, unsure whether to trust him—or fear him.
But one thing was certain.
The war against the Shadows had only just begun.