Siu Jou's steps led him back to the main trail, passing through secret corridors and increasingly dense bushes. He felt that he was getting closer to the heart of the forest's power, but deep inside, there was an unease that he couldn't ignore.
Along the way, Lumi, who was faithfully walking beside him, suddenly stopped and looked toward the large tree in the distance. Something was wrong—something that made him feel like there was a lurking threat behind the shadows.
"Siu Jou," Lumi whispered anxiously, "Something's not right. I sense a traitor among us."
Siu Jou furrowed his brow. He didn't like hearing those words. Throughout his journey, he had learned that trust was a very precious thing—but also very fragile.
"But who could betray us here?" Siu Jou asked coldly.
Lumi looked sharply at the large tree and whispered, "There's someone from the village who has sneaked into this forest. They are pretending to help, but in reality, they are working for the dark forces that want to seize this secret."
Siu Jou paused for a moment, then nodded. He knew that this betrayal could be the greatest threat he had ever faced. If this grand secret fell into the wrong hands, the entire village—and perhaps the world—could be in danger.
"So, we have to be careful," Siu Jou said firmly. "I won't let anyone betray us."
Cautiously, they kept watch from a distance and began to strategize. They knew that their enemies might already be close, lurking behind the shadows.
Suddenly, from behind the bushes, an unfamiliar figure appeared. It moved quietly toward them. From their close distance, they recognized that the person was someone from the village—someone they had trusted all along.
"This… can't be," Lumi whispered with a look of disappointment.
The person approached, grinning, and spoke in a cold voice, "You think I don't know? I've been working for the dark forces for a long time. I sneaked in to make sure this secret doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Siu Jou stared sharply, then raised his staff. "This betrayal ends here," he said with a firm voice. "You will not stop my steps."
A fierce fight ensued. The traitor tried to seize the artifact and the secret they had discovered. He attacked with dark and terrifying magic, but Siu Jou and Lumi worked together, warding off the attack with courage and cleverness.
In the intense battle, they finally managed to defeat the traitor. He collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, realizing they were not playing around.
"This is the last traitor," Lumi said softly. "But I'm afraid this is only the beginning of a greater danger."
Siu Jou looked at the person who betrayed them, then coldly said, "You've ignited a fire that cannot be extinguished. But I will ensure this secret remains safe. Nothing can destroy it, as long as I live."
They continued their journey with heavier hearts, realizing that the enemies hiding behind their trust could be far more dangerous than they had ever imagined.