---
*CHAPTER TEN*
*The Light Between Shadows*
Jun's breath hitched. Spiritual tension filled the air, thick and unrelenting. The seal in front of him shimmered faintly, like it was resisting the moonlight itself. Behind him, Mark stood guard, hands on his twin daggers, jaw tight.
"Tighten the circle," Jun called softly to Dao and Lek. "We can't afford mistakes now."
Dao nodded, eyes scanning the shadows. "Tawin led us here… but where is he now?"
Jun didn't answer. He was afraid he already knew.
---
*The Veilbreaker Moves*
In a temple deep beyond the border of the spiritual plane, *Tawin* stood before the *Veilbreaker*, his eyes no longer filled with doubt — only devotion.
"You've done well," the Veilbreaker hissed, voice as smooth as oil. "The final seal will fall."
Tawin bowed his head. "They still trust me."
"Then let them. Love makes fools of even the strong."
---
*Back at the Seal Site*
Jun traced the edge of the final seal on the cracked pedestal in the hidden chamber. "This one's not broken," he murmured. "Just... tampered with."
Mark crouched beside him. "Can you repair it?"
"I can try," Jun said, though his voice trembled.
Suddenly, a breeze blew through the chamber — cold and unnatural.
Dao's voice rang out. "Movement!"
Mark stood instantly, blades out.
From the shadows, cloaked figures surged forward — spirits in corrupted form, summoned by someone familiar.
Jun's eyes widened. "They're Tawin's summons."
---
*The Fight and the Fracture*
Mark fought with precision, Jun defending the seal with all his energy. Dao and Lek held the line, burning talismans against the corrupted spirits.
At the height of the chaos, *Tawin appeared*, stepping through a portal of mist.
He didn't wear a mask this time. His betrayal was bare.
"You lied to us," Mark growled, blood running down his arm.
"I told you the truth," Tawin said quietly. "You just didn't want to hear it."
Jun moved toward him. "Tawin, we trusted you. I trusted you."
Tawin's voice cracked, but he did not falter. "That's why this hurts more than you'll ever know."
---
*The Two Hunters*
Tawin summoned a blade of shadow. Mark stepped forward.
"I don't want to fight you," Mark said. "But I will."
They clashed — Mark with fire and blade, Tawin with water and shadow.
Jun ran to the seal, chanting quickly, hands glowing.
"Keep him back!" he said
Dao and Lek formed a defensive shield.
Tawin fought fiercely, and in a sudden twist, he disarmed Mark. His blade hovered at Mark's throat.
Jun screamed, "Don't!"
Tawin looked into Mark's eyes — torn, trembling.
"I never wanted this," he whispered.
Then he turned — and vanished.
---
*Aftermath*
Silence returned to the chamber. The seal glowed faintly, but remained unbroken.
Jun collapsed beside it, tears in his eyes.
Mark knelt beside him. "You saved me."
Jun leaned into him. "We save each other."
In the far distance, the Veilbreaker watched.
And smiled.
---
To be continued.