Yize's footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls in the dim dungeons beneath the grand palace. The heavy scent of dampness and decay filled the air, and flickering energy balls cast long, eerie shadows across the corridors. His heart pounded as he stopped at a damaged iron door, its surface rusted and worn.

"It's here... This was Feng Deming's cell," he murmured.

Hesitating for a moment, he pushed it open with a creak. Darkness filled the large cell inside, but his keen eyes adjusted. Remnants of glyphs surrounded the center of the cell, scattered on the floor and glinting in the faint light.

Flashes of that dreadful day barged into his mind. The sight of Feng Deming deciphering the twenty seals and breaking those powerful chains, his golden eyes glowing red before he blew up most parts of the dungeon, haunted him to this day.

Yize scanned the room until his gaze landed on a stone slab in the corner, its surface worn down by years of use. "What's that?"

He approached the slab, his fingers brushing against something beneath it. With a grunt, he lifted the heavy stone, revealing a hidden compartment.

'What is this place?' Inside, he found a small chest in the corner. Running his hand against the rough surface, he opened it. "Did someone forget to secure this?" He discovered a bundle of letters and a small journal, the pages yellowed and brittle with age. He opened the journal with care, his eyes widening. "This handwriting... Lord Muchen?"

Leaning against the wall, he skimmed through the pages, each word adding to his unease.

"Starvation... thousand lashes... keeping him awake for days..."

His resolve hardened, his stomach knotting as a bitter taste crept up his throat, his mind circling back to Muchen.

A particular passage caught his eye: "Today, I tested the limits of the demon's endurance. The chains held him well, but he remains alive. I must try harsher methods."

Yize's stomach churned as he read the accounts of Muchen's involvement in every act of cruelty and the methods he used.

"Break him, bend him, make him obedient."

Yize's grip tightened on the journal, his knuckles tense. "Why? This isn't the behavior of a noble leader, but of a..." he whispered as a wave of nausea surfaced. "I should... make a replica of this."

He emanated a yellow light in his palm, forming a copy of the journal before placing the original back inside the chest. Just as he turned to leave, a hidden panel in the wall caught his eye.

"Is that...?" He pried it open to reveal an old, rusted dagger and a blood-stained cloth. "These..." Ache gripped his heart, telling him stories of the suffering endured in this sinister place. "I shouldn't stay here!"

He stepped back, his breath ragged. The clues in the cell painted a disturbing picture. He turned and left the dungeon, the door creaking shut behind him, the darkness of the cell now mirrored in his heart.

~*~

Hours had passed, and the team still practiced with intensity, keyboards tapping and mice clicking.

Ningshun chuckled, his gaze locked on the screen as he leaned back in his chair. "Just don't miss your skill shots, or I might have to find someone who can handle them."

"Replace me, I dare you," Meilin shot back, her fingers flying over the keys, turning an enemy ambush to her advantage.

"Nice gank, Meilin! You're amazing. That was perfect timing."

Flashing a warm smile, she exclaimed, "Thanks, Kaili! Couldn't have done it without you."

"Careful, Kaili. Don't let your admiration show too much."

"Shut up, Hooman," Kaili grinned.

"I'd rather not lose this match because of your... never mind." Hooman rolled his eyes. 'What a simp.'

Han interjected, "Can we focus on winning, please?"

"Yes, focus on the game, Kaili. Stop drooling," Ningshun muttered as he rolled his eyes. Taking a peek at Meilin's amused reaction to Kaili, his finger slipped onto a random key, using Flash to reposition. 'Dammit,' he thought, his ears picking up on her snickering.

Kaili laughed with mockery. "Nice moves. Did you mean to flash into the wall?"

Ningshun sighed, his smirk cutting like a blade. "Absolutely. I was... making sure it's still solid. Can't have those walls sneaking up on us."

"Good to know you're on wall duty, Ningshun. I'll handle the actual gameplay... Keep up the funny fails, though. Meilin's reactions are priceless!" Kaili chuckled.

Ningshun flashed a smile, sleazy and slick. "Hmph. Guess I'm just here for her entertainment."

Meanwhile, having just outplayed the enemy Jungler, Meilin continued navigating the jungle and headed toward the mid-lane.

"Uh, Meilin, did you just gank me?" Ningshun teased.

Giggling, she tossed a playful taunt, "Just testing to see if you're paying attention!"

Ningshun chuckled, his tone a steady anchor. "Stay focused on the objectives instead, rookie."

"At least I'm not flashing into walls."

Rotating his head, Ningshun glimpsed her sticking her tongue out like a daredevil. Scoffing, his eyes hinted at roguish secrets. "Better that than owning a half-naked body pillow of Zayn."

Kaili's laughter exploded like a firecracker. "Wait, you actually have one?"

'That... Ningshun!' Scoffing, she drew in a breath like a sigh of wind before a storm. "It's called dedication! Not like I cuddle with it every night or anything..."

"Are you sure it's just dedication and not an obsession?" Kaili questioned.

"Hey, it's all about comfort, okay? Plus, it's a limited edition!"

Ningshun shook his head, tutting. "I don't know whether to be impressed or worried."

With an impish grin, Hooman added, "Why do you seem to know more about her bed than any of us in the first place, Ningshun? Are you jealous of her body pillow?"

"Are you crazy?" Ningshun chuckled, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think you've been hit by too many of Kaili's pranks, Hooman."

Meilin laughed. "Hey, Ningshun, if you ever feel lonely, I'm sure my body pillow wouldn't mind some company."

'That's not... what Hooman meant.' Ningshun leaned back. "I prefer to keep my distance from that... thing," he replied with the ease of a maestro, earning chuckles from the team.

"Meilin, their Jungler is headed toward Dragon!" Han interrupted.

"On it." She adjusted her path.

Ningshun's eyes widened. "Meilin, watch out!"

"What's wrong?"

"It's a trap. They're after your bounty."

"But that doesn't make sense, I—" her voice cut off as enemies closed in, escaping with her life by a narrow margin. 'I should have predicted this... This hardly ever happens!'

"Forget about Dragon. Hooman and Kaili have their base covered. Meilin, wait for my signal to attack," Ningshun instructed, focusing on the map. "Han, stall their top laner."

"Got it," Han confirmed.

"Three... two... one. Go!"

Seizing the moment, she sprang into action and disabled the enemy ADC with a paralysis ability. Ningshun joined the fight, preventing the enemy team's escape until Hooman and Kaili breached the enemy base and initiated their final assault.

Inside the enemy base, Hooman and Kaili coordinated without error. "Almost there," Hooman encouraged as they attacked the enemy's core structure, dismantling it. "Keep it up, Kaili. We're nearly done!"

Kaili nodded. "Just a bit more. Almost there! It's impossible for them to win now."

'I can't believe how strong Ningshun is. It's like he has everything under control, no matter what. He's just... amazing,' Meilin thought as the large Victory sign emerged on the screen.

Kaili leaned back, basking in the glow of their teamwork. "Good game. We really pulled through."

Han turned to the newest member, his expression softening. "You did awesome out there, Meilin. Impressive teamwork." Catching her clenched jaws and tensed hands, he blinked. "You okay?"

She met his gaze, her dim eyes now lighting up with joy in an instant. "Thanks, Han. I appreciate the support."

"Sure..."

Her heart pounded as she let her smile dissolve, straightening her mouth. 'This should never happen again... I can't risk losing this career. I should be perfect at this game at all times... I must be perfect.'