The rift's tremors subsided, but its ominous hum lingered as Kael and Liora rallied the task force to recover the shard. The night air was thick with tension, the Void Plague's influence intensifying under the moonless sky. Jorin, bound and guarded, glared defiantly, his escape attempt fueling Kael's determination. Liora's sharp eyes scanned the terrain, her mind racing to anticipate the traitor's next move.
"Spread out!" Kael barked, his voice cutting through the silence. "He can't have gone far." He took the lead, his broadsword in hand, while Liora flanked him, her daggers ready. Their movements were seamless, a testament to their growing synergy, though their earlier clash still simmered.
They tracked Jorin's footprints across the cracked ground, the team fanning out behind them. A faint rustle ahead signaled his position, and Kael signaled a charge. The chase was relentless—Jorin darted between boulders, the shard's faint glow guiding their pursuit. Liora's agility closed the gap, her voice sharp. "Left flank—he's heading for the ridge!"
Kael adjusted, his strength powering through obstacles as they cornered Jorin near a steep drop. The traitor stumbled, the shard slipping from his grasp, and Kael lunged to catch it mid-air. Liora tackled Jorin, pinning him as the team caught up. Their hands brushed during the struggle, a fleeting, unintentional touch that sent a jolt through them, quickly masked by their focus.
Breathing heavily, Kael handed the shard to Liora, their eyes locking briefly. "Good call," he grunted, turning away to secure Jorin.
"Don't get soft on me," she replied, her tone edged but her gaze lingering. The team marveled at their flawless teamwork, though Kael and Liora dismissed it with curt nods. The chase had strengthened their alliance, but the unresolved tension between them pulsed like the rift they still had to face.