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*Chapter 22: Shadows Resurface*
The dawn barely touched the horizon when Mark awoke, a strange unease curling in his chest. Jun was still asleep beside him, peaceful and unaware of the turmoil stirring outside their fragile sanctuary.
Mark's thoughts drifted to Taiwan—his disappearance had been sudden, leaving a void that neither time nor hope had managed to fill. But a whisper from last night's meeting lingered in his mind: *"Beware the shadows within."* Was it a warning—or a promise?
Outside, the city was stirring, but Mark's phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. Hesitating only a moment, he answered.
"Mark," a voice crackled softly, familiar yet distant. "It's me. I'm not gone."
Mark's breath caught. "Taiwan?"
The line went dead.
Across town, hidden in the folds of Chiang Mai's labyrinthine streets, Taiwan watched from the shadows, his eyes sharp and calculating. His survival was no accident—and his return meant the game had changed.
Meanwhile, Jun stirred, sensing the tension radiating from Mark. "What is it?"
Mark forced a smile, hiding the storm within. "Nothing... just an old friend."
But Jun's gaze pierced through the façade, knowing some secrets couldn't stay buried forever.
---
The morning sunlight spilled through thin curtains, casting soft lines across the floor where Mark sat at the edge of the bed, lost in thought. His mind replayed Taiwan's voice, low and urgent. How was he still alive? What had he been through? And why reach out now?
Jun moved closer, his presence a comforting balm against Mark's rising anxiety. "You can tell me," Jun said gently. "You don't have to carry this alone."
Mark shook his head, struggling to keep his voice steady. "There's more to it than you know. Taiwan's... complicated. We all are."
Jun's hand brushed against Mark's, fingertips lingering, conveying understanding without words. "Whatever comes, we face it together."
---
Later, the group reunited at the small temple where Dao and Lek had been investigating the binding ritual. The air was thick with incense and unspoken tension. Dao glanced at Mark, concern etched into his sharp features. "We need to be careful. Whoever is behind this knows how to manipulate not just spirits but people."
Lek's jaw clenched. "That shadow isn't just outside—it's inside us. Secrets, betrayals... they're coming."
Mark swallowed hard, eyes drifting to Jun who met his gaze with unwavering support. The stakes were higher than ever, and the line between ally and enemy blurred.
Suddenly, the temple doors creaked open, and a figure slipped inside—dark, silent, and unmistakably familiar.
Taiwan.
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Taiwan's eyes scanned the room, landing on each of them with a cold intensity. "You thought I was gone?" he said softly, voice laced with bitterness. "I've been watching, waiting for the right moment."
Mark's heart pounded in his chest, the past rushing back—the promises, the pain, the secrets left unspoken.
Jun stepped forward cautiously. "Why now? Why come back?"
Taiwan's gaze flickered to Jun. "Because the darkness you fight isn't just out there. It's here. And it's closer than you think."
---
As tension crackled between them, the night outside deepened, shadows stretching long and ominous. The battle for Chiang Mai's soul had only just begun—and so had the battle within.
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To be continued.