Chapter 8: The Shadow Within

Back at the base, the rebels celebrated their successful strike, but the mood was tense. They knew retaliation would come, and soon. Raya pulled Elara aside, her face unreadable.

"We have a traitor in our midst," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Someone gave the Ascendants intel on our previous raids. They were ready for us tonight. If we hadn't disabled the cameras..."

Elara's stomach twisted. "Who would betray us?"

Raya shook her head. "I don't know. But I need someone I can trust to help me find them. Someone who's willing to do what's necessary."

Elara felt a surge of loyalty and fear. She knew the mission's stakes had just risen dramatically, but she couldn't refuse. "I'll do it."

Over the following days, Elara moved through the rebel camp, quietly observing her fellow fighters, listening to rumors, watching for any sign of disloyalty. But the closer she looked, the more paranoid she became. Could she even trust Kade?

The thought gnawed at her, poisoning her mind. The mission's darkness was taking its toll, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could bear it.