Chapter 14: The Hidden Message
The morning sun struggled to pierce the gray clouds, casting the city in a muted light. Le Wai moved cautiously through the streets, his senses still alert from the night's battle. Every shadow seemed to twitch, every alley whispered secrets.
As he approached the bridge once more, something caught his eye—a small, folded piece of paper pinned under a loose stone. He picked it up carefully, unfolding it.
The message was simple, yet chilling:
"Your past cannot save you. The darkness knows your every step."
Le Wai's grip tightened. Whoever had sent this knew him—knew his fears, his weaknesses. This was no random threat.
A noise behind him made him spin. The figure from before emerged silently, as always. "It seems the warning was meant for you," they said, voice calm but serious.
Le Wai held up the note. "They know me. Every move, every mistake." His jaw tightened. "We need to find out who's behind this, and fast."
The figure nodded. "We can start by tracking where the note came from. But be ready… this is only the beginning."
Together, they moved through the city, following subtle signs, markings, and traces left deliberately—or perhaps carelessly—by their unseen enemy. Every step forward revealed more about the darkness gathering beyond the city.
Hours passed, and a pattern began to emerge. The messages were not random—they were strategic, meant to lure Le Wai into certain areas. And each area contained remnants of shadows, as if testing his strength and resolve.
Le Wai paused, looking at the figure beside him. "They're studying me. Learning me."
"Yes," the figure replied. "And the more they know, the harder it will be to stop them."
Le Wai clenched his fists. "Then we'll adapt. We survive. And we strike back."
A chill ran down his spine as the wind carried another whisper through the city. Le Wai couldn't see the source—but he knew one thing for certain: the true enemy was watching, waiting, and the next move would determine everything.