The Untold Truth \ Ateez

Chapter 29: A Flicker of Hope

The heavy silence of the underground hideout was broken only by the soft hum of old ventilation systems struggling to circulate the stale air. The walls, marked with the passage of time and hardship, seemed to close in around them as they huddled around the dim light of a flickering lantern. Seonghwa's sharp eyes scanned the faces of his companions, each one etched with the same worry that gnawed at his heart. His jaw clenched as he thought of his sister Tate and his youngest sister Mirae, both captives in the hands of a ruthless enemy.

Hongjoong, Tate's husband, sat beside Seonghwa, his usually confident demeanor clouded with a rare vulnerability. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, fingers absentmindedly tracing the worn leather grip. Across from him, Wooyoung, Mirae's husband, leaned forward with an intensity that matched Seonghwa's own. His dark eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and determination, his thoughts clearly on his wife and the perilous mission ahead.

"We're running out of time," Seonghwa finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with urgency. "We can't keep waiting for a miracle."

"I know," Hongjoong replied, his voice low but steady. "But we can't afford to rush in blindly either. We've lost too much already."

Wooyoung nodded in agreement, though the tightness in his expression betrayed his impatience. "Every second we delay, they're suffering. We need a plan—something concrete."

As if in response to Wooyoung's words, the distant sound of footsteps echoed down the narrow corridor leading to their hideout. The three men tensed, hands instinctively moving to their weapons as they exchanged wary glances. The footsteps grew louder, closer, and then paused just outside the entrance. For a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

The door creaked open, revealing Yeosang, the group's most skilled tracker and scout. His usually composed features were drawn with a hint of anxiety as he stepped into the room, his eyes darting around to ensure that everyone was accounted for.

"We've got a situation," Yeosang announced, his voice barely concealing the tension he felt. "Someone's trying to make contact. An insider from the enemy's camp."

Seonghwa's brow furrowed. "An insider? How do we know it's not a trap?"

Yeosang shook his head. "We don't. But the message was encrypted in a way only someone with high clearance would know. They claim they want to defect, and they've offered us something big in return—information on the stronghold and the location of the princesses."

The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of Yeosang's words settled over them. The possibility of a trap was high—perhaps even certain. But if this insider was telling the truth, it could be the breakthrough they desperately needed.

"What's the catch?" Hongjoong asked, his voice edged with suspicion.

Yeosang hesitated for a moment before continuing, "They want to meet in person. Tomorrow night, near the abandoned church on the outskirts of the city."

Seonghwa exchanged a look with Hongjoong and Wooyoung. The abandoned church was a known neutral ground, often used for clandestine meetings and exchanges. But it was also fraught with danger, as it was a place where many deals had gone sour.

"We can't ignore this," Seonghwa said finally, his tone decisive. "But we also can't walk into an ambush. We need a plan—something that gives us the upper hand."

Hongjoong nodded slowly. "We'll scout the area, set up our own traps, and have an escape route ready. If this is a setup, we'll make sure they regret it."

"I'll go with you," Wooyoung added, his voice firm. "If there's even a chance that this could lead us to Mirae and Tate, I need to be there."

Seonghwa placed a hand on Wooyoung's shoulder, offering him a nod of understanding. "We all need to be there. This might be our only shot."