Seojin stood in the center of the dark, musty warehouse, her heart a battle between rage and resolve.
Kade had just admitted to leading them directly into the Council's trap—and that his hands had been tied from the beginning.
But how could she trust him now?
Her eyes flicked between Kade and Minji. Minji's expression was hard, as if still trying to process everything, while Kade stood with his shoulders hunched, every bit of guilt and pain written across his face.
For a long moment, the tension between them was thick enough to cut.
Seojin took a deep breath, forcing her emotions into check. There was no time to waste. The Council was still coming.
Her voice was steady, cold. "What now?"
Kade's eyes locked onto hers. "We fight back. We've got one shot left, Seojin."
She turned toward Minji. "And you're on board with this?"
Minji's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "I never thought I'd say this, but yeah." She looked at Kade, then back at Seojin. "He might've messed up, but we can still take them down. We have to."
Seojin exhaled, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on her chest. "We don't have much time. The Council's been tracking our every move. They'll know we're here soon."
Kade stepped forward, a new fire in his eyes. "Then we don't waste any more time. We prepare for the final assault. We hit them before they hit us."
Seojin looked at Kade, weighing her words carefully. "Do you really think you can lead us to their main base? After everything?"
His eyes didn't waver. "I can, Seojin. I have to."
Minji's gaze softened, but her voice was firm. "We're in this together. Let's end it."
The hours that followed were a whirlwind of action. They worked quickly, gathering whatever supplies they could from the wreckage of the old warehouse—weapons, first aid, anything that could be of use. Kade led them to a hidden armory beneath the building, where they found the supplies they needed.
But every moment felt like a countdown.
They had one chance to strike before the Council brought the full force of their elite forces down on them.
Seojin stood in the middle of the room, holding a map of the city. She spread it out on the table, staring at the marked location where the Council's final stronghold lay.
Minji's voice was sharp. "We're going to hit them hard and fast. No hesitation."
Kade nodded, already checking his gear. "Once we're inside, we need to move quickly. The Council has traps set up in that place, and we can't afford to get caught."
Seojin looked at her team, her voice unwavering. "We take everything from them. We'll end this war, and we'll make sure they never come after us again."
Minji's eyes flicked to Seojin's mother, who still lay unconscious, but her breathing had stabilized. "And after that?"
Seojin looked at her mother, her heart heavy with unspoken fear. "After that, we survive. Together."
Their convoy was silent, the weight of their mission hanging over them like a dark cloud. They sped through the city, keeping their movements low, avoiding detection by any of the Council's operatives who might be on the lookout.
Kade drove, his eyes sharp as he weaved through the streets.
Minji sat beside him, her eyes constantly scanning the rearview mirror.
Seojin sat in the back, eyes glued to the map, mentally preparing for what was about to come.
The closer they got, the more tense the atmosphere became.
Kade finally broke the silence. "We'll get there in five minutes. Stay sharp."
Seojin nodded. The plan had to be perfect—every move, every moment, needed to be calculated.
As they neared the stronghold, Seojin's heart began to race. The compound loomed ahead, a fortress surrounded by high walls, guarded by armed sentries.
They were minutes away from entering the Council's heart of operations.
Minji looked at Seojin. "This is it."
Seojin gave a single nod. "We do this fast."
Kade slammed the brakes as they neared a small, hidden entry point—a maintenance tunnel that led beneath the compound. They slipped through undetected, making their way into the depths of the building.
The interior was cold and silent, the sterile white walls giving off an eerie, almost clinical atmosphere.
They moved quickly, staying close to the walls as they navigated the corridors.
Suddenly—a sound.
Footsteps.
Kade motioned for them to halt, and they crouched down behind a large column. They could hear voices—Council operatives.
Seojin's heart pounded. This was it.
She turned to Kade. "You ready?"
Kade smiled grimly. "As ready as I'll ever be."
End of Chapter 101
Thoughts for Readers:
Will Seojin and her team make it through the stronghold undetected? What dangers await them in the depths of the Council's compound? How will they stop the Council for good once they're inside?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 102:
The team fights their way deeper into the Council's stronghold. But as they approach the heart of the operation, they discover a twist that could turn the entire war on its head. Can Seojin handle the shocking truth about the Council's true plan?