Trapping the Villainess?

[Nighttime, Unknown Location around Serenity Hollow]

"Eyo buddy, nature calls!" An unassuming man called out to his colleague on guard duty.

"Brother, you gotta take your job more seriously." The colleague answered with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Don't worry! Nobody knows about this small entrance, and I have never lifted a finger against an intruder before. It's free money for us. Just take it easy!" The first man retorted and whistled while searching for a spot to relieve himself.

After walking into the forest, the man deemed a crooked tree good enough to do his business.

'Ah! That hits the spot! There is nothing be-'

But sadly, he could not finish his business. Darkness washed over him before he could finish his last thought.

The shadowy figure pulled down her mask, and other shadows quickly appeared beside her.

"We have to move swiftly and quietly," Seraphina reminded them, her voice low and determined. "Sona, guide us through the hidden pathways you've scouted. Isabella, be ready to use your connections to ensure the evidence we gather reaches the right hands."

Isabella's eyes sparkled with resolve. "I've already alerted my contacts. They're on standby."

Sona nodded, her stance poised and ready. "Once inside, I'll lead us through the least guarded routes. We'll stay vigilant for any surprises."

With a final exchange of determined glances, they moved into action.

The rugged cave entrance was narrow and damp but quickly widened as Seraphina walked further inside. Sona led the way, her knowledge of the facility's layout guiding them through hidden passages and dimly lit corridors. They moved like shadows, their steps silent and purposeful.

After walking a while, they arrived at a big stone gate with four people guarding the entrance.

"Let's get to work," Seraphina whispered, her voice carrying anger and resolve.

Seraphina nodded and swiftly drew intricate symbols on small pieces of paper. These were poison seals she had prepared beforehand. With a careful flick of her wrist, she sent the seals flying towards the guards.

The guards barely had time to react before the seals emitted a soft, eerie glow upon impact. Within moments, their eyes drooped, and their movements slowed as the effects of the sedative poison took hold. One by one, they collapsed onto the ground, deep in slumber.

Sona approached the now-sleeping guards and checked their pulses to ensure they were unconscious. She gave a nod of approval to Seraphina.

"Nice work," Sona whispered, a hint of admiration in her voice.

With the guards incapacitated, the path lay clear for Seraphina and her team to proceed further into the facility, their mission cloaked in secrecy and purpose.

Seraphina and her team proceeded further into the facility. Their steps remained quiet, and their movements were coordinated, ensuring they wouldn't accidentally alert any other personnel. Finally, they reached a chamber that emanated an eerie, otherworldly energy. A massive crystal structure dominated the room, surrounded by a complex array of machinery and cultivation tools. Seraphina could feel the sinister aura - Malevolent Qi - the very source of the Duskin's creation. Different kinds of organisms were put in a stasis and surrounded by green liquid in big glass containers.

'Hm, it seems that this is not the main facility. I can't feel the Cipher's presence here.' Seraphina thought as she looked around. But she felt that removing this facility was needed, fewer of these around will save more lives. As for the Cipher, Seraphina placed the Untracing Seal on it, making her the only person to be able to sense the seal. But it has a range limit, so she can't feel it if its too far away from her.

"We need to dismantle this," Seraphina whispered urgently. "Sona, do you know how to disable it?"

Sona nodded, her eyes focused on the intricate machinery. "I've studied the schematics. If we disrupt the energy flow and sever the core connection, it should render the crystal inert."

Working with practiced precision, Sona and Seraphina began dismantling the machinery, disconnecting wires, and destabilizing energy conduits. Isabella stood guard, her senses alert for any approaching threats.

Working with practiced precision, Sona and Seraphina began dismantling the machinery, disconnecting wires, and destabilizing energy conduits. Isabella stood guard, her senses alert for any approaching threats.

As the last connection was severed, the crystal's eerie glow dimmed, and the room's malevolent energy began to dissipate. They had prevented the creation of more puppet humans, averting the potential catastrophe these artificial beings could have unleashed upon their world.

"Let's get out of here," Seraphina said, but her sense told her that something felt wrong. They had planned well, but the whole operation still felt too easy.

The night air was crisp after they made it out, and the moons cast a faint glow over the surrounding landscape as they stepped outside.

Just as they reached the mouth of the cave, a sudden and unexpected force struck them like a tidal wave. A blinding flash of light enveloped them, disorienting their senses and throwing them off balance. Before they could react, an invisible barrier slammed shut behind them, sealing off their escape route.

Seraphina's heart raced as she assessed their situation. "We're trapped by a Binding Seal! Stay alert!"

As their vision cleared, they found themselves surrounded by a group of shadowy figures. These new arrivals were skilled cultivators, their garments adorned with symbols that marked them as members of the Covenant.

"It seems we've caught some uninvited guests," one of the cultivators sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You trespassed where you shouldn't have."

Isabella's expression hardened, and she subtly activated a concealed array of protective barriers around the team. "We won't let you stop us. We've uncovered your sinister plans."

The lead cultivator chuckled darkly. "You've uncovered much, but you won't leave here to share your findings."

Without warning, the assailants lunged forward, their movements precise and ruthless.

Seraphina's fists crackled with energy as she engaged in close combat, her strikes a blend of precision and power.

"We can't keep this up," Isabella panted, sweat glistening on her forehead as she deflected a barrage of attacks.

Sona's voice was resolute. "We need to find a weakness, a way to break free from this seal."

Seraphina's mind raced, searching for a solution amidst the chaos. Then, it struck her – the sealer must be inside the seal along with them. Otherwise, it won't work. She must quickly locate the hidden sealing expert to end this madness.

"Cover me!" Seraphina shouted, her voice cutting through the din of battle.

Isabella and Sona nodded, redoubling their efforts to fend off their attackers as Seraphina darted around, her cross-shaped pupils scanning for any sign of the source of the altering seal.

Finally, she spotted a faint shimmer of energy emanating from a corner of the cave.