The task force pressed deeper into the Wastes, the map leading them toward a jagged ridge where the Void Plague's influence grew stronger. The air pulsed with an unnatural chill, and the team's nerves were frayed from the day's revelations. Kael and Liora walked side by side, their shared glimpse of the past creating an uneasy undercurrent beneath their usual hostility. The team followed, their trust in each other fragile but holding.
A sudden shout broke the silence—Sylis, the Lunari archer, pointed to a shadowed figure fleeing with a sack of supplies. "The traitor!" he yelled, nocking an arrow. Kael and Liora reacted instantly, their rivalry forgotten as they gave chase. The figure darted between rocks, but their coordination was seamless—Kael's strength cleared obstacles while Liora's agility guided their pursuit.
They cornered the traitor, a young Solaris recruit named Jorin, against a cliff. His face twisted with defiance as he drew a blade, the sack spilling its contents—poisoned rations meant to weaken the group. "This alliance is a lie!" he spat. "The Void will purge the Lunari, and I'll ensure it!"
Kael lunged, disarming Jorin with a powerful strike, while Liora flanked him, her dagger at his throat. Their movements flowed together, a testament to their growing synergy. The team arrived, weapons drawn, but Kael held up a hand. "He's done. Tie him up."
As Jorin was bound, Liora uncovered a note in his possession, hinting at a larger conspiracy tied to the Void Plague. She handed it to Kael, their fingers brushing briefly, a silent acknowledgment of their teamwork. "Your man, your mess," she said, her voice steady but her eyes searching his.
Kael's jaw tightened. "And your people benefit from this peace. We deal with it together." The team watched, impressed by their leaders' unity, though Kael and Liora quickly masked it with curt nods. The traitor's motives loomed large, a new threat to their mission, but their flawless coordination had earned them a reluctant respect from the group.