5 ： Shadows of Betra

was　interrupted　by　the　sound　of　hurried　footsteps.　They　turned　to　see　the　village　leader，　the　elderly　man　who　had　welcomed　them，　approaching　with　a　look　of　concern.

    “Han　Fengling，　Sukie，”　he　called　out，　his　voice　urgent.　“There’s　something　you　need　to　see.”

    They　followed　the　village　leader　to　the　outskirts　of　the　village，　where　a　group　of　villagers　had　gathered　around　a　figure　lying　on　the　ground.　As　they　pushed　through　the　crowd，　Sukie’s　breath　caught　in　her　throat.　The　figure　was　a　soldier，　badly　injured　and　barely　conscious.

    “He　stumbled　into　the　village　this　morning，”　the　village　leader　explained.　“He　kept　asking　for　you.”

    Han　Fengling　knelt　beside　the　soldier，　his　expression　grim.　“What　happened　to　you?　Who　did　this?”

    The　soldier　coughed，　his　voice　weak.　“The　Dark　Lord…　he’s　planning　an　attack.　He　has　a　new　weapon，　something　powerful.　You　have　to　stop　him…　before　it’s　too　late.”

    Sukie’s　heart　raced.　“Where　is　he　planning　to　attack?”

    The　soldier’s　eyes　flickered，　his　strength　fading.　“The　capital…　he　wants　to　take　the　capital.”

    With　those　words，　the　soldier’s　eyes　closed，　and　he　went　still.　Han　Fengling　stood，　his　jaw　set　in　determination.　“We　need　to　get　to　the　capital.　If　the　Dark　Lord　takes　it，　the　entire　kingdom　will　fall.”

    Sukie　nodded，　her　resolve　unwavering.　“Then　we　have　no　time　to　waste.　We　need　to　gather　our　allies　and　head　to　the　capital　immediately.”

    The　villagers，　overhearing　the　conversation，　began　to　murmur　amongst　themselves.　Fear　and　uncertainty　rippled　through　the　crowd，　but　there　was　also　a　sense　of　determination.　The　village　leader　stepped　forward，　his　voice　steady.

    “We　will　h