Nia's breath hitched as that new figure stepped out from the trees, his hood hiding his face like some creepy shadow. The cult leader had just bolted, leaving smoke and quiet, but this guy felt off—calm, like he ran the whole night. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice steady but her hands shaking bad. Dami stood next to her, stick up, breathing hard. Temi leaned on Zainab, her face pale from getting snatched earlier. Kofi groaned on the ground, his wound still oozing. Amina gripped her dagger, eyes narrow. The scout shifted, looking nervous.
The guy pulled his hood back, showing a face full of scars and a huge serpent tattoo snaking around his neck. "I'm the one who started this mess," he said, his voice deep and sure. Nia's gut dropped like a stone. The journal in her hand glowed faint, *The new shadow hides the truth*, it read. She squeezed it tight, her cut hand throbbing. "You're the one pulling the leader's strings," she said. He gave a slow, creepy smile. "And your dad's."
Dami tensed up. "What about her dad?" he snapped, voice rough. The guy—let's call him the Master—laughed, low and chilling. "He tried to stop me. Didn't make it." Nia's anger flared hot. "You killed him," she said, fists clenched. The Master shook his head. "He picked the wrong side. Like you will." He raised a hand, and that shadow flickered back, weak but growing. "Run if you've got the guts."
They didn't wait around. Dami grabbed Nia's arm. "Let's move!" he said. They took off, dragging Kofi and Temi along, the scout leading the way. The Master's laugh trailed them, sending shivers down her spine. They ducked into thick bushes, the path tight and dark. Nia's head spun—the Master knew her dad, and the journal had hinted at a trap. She flipped it open as they ran, reading, *Track the shadow to the trap*. "We gotta follow him," she said, determination kicking in.
Dami stopped short. "You're nuts, right?" he asked, voice low but sharp. "He'll end us." Nia locked eyes with him, that push-pull hitting hard—his worry for her clashing with her need to know. "The journal says it's a trap we can break," she said. Temi nodded, her leg wrapped in a rag. "I'm in—time for payback," she said, fire in her voice. Zainab grumbled but nodded. Amina looked thoughtful. "Your dad set this up," she said. Kofi leaned on the scout. "Let's do it," he rasped.
They doubled back, sneaking through the trees. The Master's trail was clear—snapped branches and muddy footprints. Nia's heart pounded, Dami close, his hand brushing hers. "Watch yourself," he whispered. She nodded, his warmth steadying her nerves. They hit a clearing where the Master stood by a stone altar, cult guys circling him. He chanted, the shadow swelling up.
Nia gripped the journal, *Uncover the trap with light*, it read. She lit a branch with her lighter, the flame tiny. "We need to get closer," she said. They crept forward, but a cult dude spotted them. "Intruders!" he yelled. The fight kicked off fast. Dami swung his stick, smashing the guy down with a thud. Zainab stabbed another, her knife quick. The scout hurled a rock, nailing a third. Amina slashed with her dagger, Kofi blocking a hit with his good arm. Temi chucked stones, her aim solid despite her leg.
Nia waved the flame, the shadow jerking back. The Master turned, his eyes icy. "You showed up," he said. "Your dad's mistake." Nia's anger boiled over. "Tell me why!" she shouted. He laughed. "He turned on us—stole the spell." The shadow lunged, claws out. Nia read from the journal, "Light breaks the dark!" The flame flared, shoving the shadow back. Dami took down a cult guy, his stick cracking. "Keep it up!" he yelled.
The Master raised a vial, blood sloshing inside. "Your dad's blood—mine now," he said. He dumped it on the altar, the shadow ballooning big. Nia's stomach churned. "Stop!" she yelled. Amina charged, dagger up. The Master blocked, shoving her back hard. Zainab jumped in, stabbing a cult man. The scout and Temi fought, Kofi punching one down. Nia pressed her bloody hand to the journal. "By blood and light, break the trap!" she shouted. The glow blasted out, the shadow screaming as it shrank.
The Master staggered, the vial smashing. "You don't get it," he said, voice fading. The cult guys backed off, looking lost. Nia rushed to Amina, hauling her up. Dami grabbed her hand, his grip firm. "You nailed it," he said, pride in his tone. But the Master smirked. "The ritual's on," he said. The ground shook, a new shadow rising from the altar. The chapter ended with the Master disappearing, the new shadow towering—cliffhanger locked.
But it wasn't over. More cult dudes charged in, knives out. Nia ducked, Dami swinging his stick at the first. It cracked against him, the guy dropping. Zainab kicked another, her boot landing hard. The scout blocked a swing, grunting as he pushed back. Amina slashed with her dagger, taking one down. Kofi punched another, his wound splitting open. Temi threw a rock, hitting a leg. The new shadow loomed, claws ready.
Nia checked the journal, *The trap is the shadow—seal it with will*. She shut her eyes, pushing her will into the light. The glow pulsed, forcing the shadow back. The cult guys paused, but one grabbed Kofi. "No!" Nia screamed, running. Dami tackled the guy, freeing Kofi. The shadow slashed, missing by a hair. Zainab stabbed another, the scout whacking with his stick. Amina shielded Nia, dagger flashing.
The Master's voice boomed, "You're done!" The shadow grew, eyes red. Nia read again, the journal trembling. The light surged, knocking a cult guy down. The scout held firm, Temi tossing rocks. The shadow wailed, shrinking. The cult scattered, but the Master popped back, a new vial in hand. "Your last stand," he growled. Nia read the last line, light exploding. The shadow vanished, the cult running off.
Nia dropped to her knees, wiped out. Dami held her, his arms solid. "You did it," he said. But the Master's laugh echoed from the trees, a new figure watching. The chapter ended with the new figure stepping out, his face hitting her like a punch—Nia's uncle—twist hanging.
They huddled up, breathing hard. Temi hugged Nia, Kofi clutching his arm. Amina wiped her dagger clean. The scout looked relieved. But the journal glowed, *The reveal comes with the light*. Nia lit a branch, shining it on the altar. A hidden symbol popped up, a map to the cult's lair. "This is it," she said. Dami nodded. "We finish this." The chapter ended with them heading in, the new figure trailing—cliffhanger locked.