The Ascendance Deceiver

Checkmate

The night air was filled with a chilling breeze that carried the metallic scent of blood across the parking lot. Above, the moon shone down upon the lifeless figure of Mortis, sprawled on the ground like a discarded puppet. The scene was surreal, and the team stood frozen in shock and horror.

"Ten seconds are over," the woman with the round-rimmed glasses said, her voice quivering with a mix of pain and fear. As if her words were a cue, the oppressive power of slumber that had nearly engulfed Alayn dissipated, leaving him weak and disoriented. He dropped to his knees, struggling to regain his bearings.

Beside him, Serene's cries of anguish pierced the air, reflecting the collective despair of the team. Mortis, the mighty player they all looked up to, had been taken down by a single well-aimed dagger, leaving them shaken and vulnerable.

Aria's face displayed a complex interplay of emotions. Fear and sadness mingled with something else, an enigmatic expression that set her apart from