The dimly lit hideout buzzed with nervous energy. Mara, Jalen, and the cloaked woman—who introduced herself as Lyra—stood around a battered table, the newly acquired map spread out before them.
Lyra pointed to a hidden entrance deep within the city walls. "This is where the traitor plans to strike next. They'll be meeting with their allies tonight, hidden behind the old warehouse district."
Jalen frowned. "How certain are you?"
Lyra's eyes flickered with conviction. "Trust me, I've been inside their circles. They're expecting no interference. But there's a problem."
Mara stepped closer. "What?"
Lyra hesitated. "There's a double agent among us. Someone feeding information to the enemy. It's why I couldn't come sooner."
A heavy silence fell. Mara's fists clenched. "We can't afford to have a traitor in our ranks now."
Jalen looked between them. "So, what's the plan?"
Lyra spread her hands. "We infiltrate, take out the traitor if we can, and stop the attack. But… we need to decide quickly. The window's closing."
Mara's mind raced. She knew the stakes—if they hesitated, lives would be lost. If they moved blindly, they risked walking into a trap.
She looked at Jalen, then at Lyra. "We go in tonight. No second chances."
Jalen nodded firmly. "Agreed. We trust each other—no matter what."
As they prepared to move, Mara caught a flicker of doubt in Jalen's eyes. She knew the danger was greater than ever. The game was no longer just about uncovering the traitor—it was about surviving the trap they didn't even see coming.
And the night was about to reveal its secrets.