Crimson & Light

The hall of Eclipsevane buzzed with an odd mixture of excitement and tension as Merrick unrolled the mission map on the wide oak table. The flickering chandelier above cast strange shadows across the room, and Changra couldn't help but feel like this moment was bigger than it seemed. His fingers tapped nervously on the edge of his seat as he glanced at the others gathered around the table.

Jane sat to his right, clutching her sketchbook tightly, her eyes darting between Merrick and the map. Across from them sat Liora, Callen, and Tessa, each of them radiating a different kind of energy. Berethia leaned casually at the far end of the table, her chin resting on her clasped hands, her emerald-green eyes glinting with what could only be described as excitement.

Merrick cleared his throat, pulling everyone's attention back to him. "Alright, listen up. This isn't a beginner's job, so you'll need to keep your wits about you. Rivermist, a village just on the outskirts of our territory, has gone quiet. No trade, no travelers, nothing. Livestock's gone missing, too."

Changra frowned, leaning in to study the map. The village was marked by a small black dot at the edge of a dense forest. The way Merrick spoke about it made it seem like a speck on the map, insignificant yet dangerous.

"This isn't just wolves or bandits. Villagers fled, talking about something inhuman. Something dark." Merrick's words hung in the air, heavier than they should have been.

Liora, a petite girl with fiery auburn hair, clapped her hands together. Her wide grin contrasted sharply with the grim mood. "Well, sounds like fun! I mean, how scary could it be?"

Changra raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. Fun? What part of "dark and inhuman" sounded like fun?

Callen, sitting beside her, shook his head. "You're not taking this seriously enough, Liora." His voice was calm but carried an edge of authority. Callen's tall, broad-shouldered frame and sharp eyes gave him the look of someone who'd been in more battles than he cared to count. "If an entire village ran for the hills, it's not something to laugh about."

Tessa, sitting on the other side of Liora, adjusted her silver hair and gave a small, knowing smile. "Don't mind her. She gets like this before missions. You'll get used to it."

Changra studied Tessa for a moment. There was something about her calm demeanor that felt... safe. Like she was the one who'd hold everything together when the world started to fall apart.

"You're no fun, Callen," Liora shot back, sticking her tongue out at him. "You worry too much."

"And you don't worry enough," Callen muttered.

Jane leaned closer to Changra, whispering, "Do they always argue like this?"

"I wouldn't know," Changra whispered back. "But I feel like it's going to be a long trip."

Berethia's voice cut through the chatter, smooth and warm. "We should use this as an opportunity to prove ourselves. Risks are necessary for growth."

Her words made Changra pause. Risks? Something about the way she said it felt... off. Did she really think now was the time to take risks?

Merrick didn't look amused. "You need to stay alive to grow," he muttered, glaring at Berethia.

As Merrick explained more of the mission details, Changra found his gaze drifting to the others around the table. This was his first time working with people outside his small circle of Jane and Berethia, and he wasn't sure what to make of them yet.

Liora practically radiated energy. She was small and nimble, the kind of person who could dart in and out of danger before anyone even realized she was there. Her wide grin and sparkling eyes gave her an air of confidence that was infectious, even if it bordered on reckless.

Callen, on the other hand, was her complete opposite. He sat with his arms crossed, his broad chest rising and falling steadily as he listened to Merrick. Everything about him screamed responsibility. His sandy hair fell into his sharp eyes as he studied the map, his expression unreadable.

And then there was Tessa. She sat quietly, her silver hair catching the light as she traced patterns on the table with her finger. There was a softness to her that was almost disarming, but Changra had a feeling she was the kind of person who could handle herself in any situation.

Berethia, of course, was a mystery. She stood at the far end of the room, her smile warm and inviting, but Changra had spent enough time around her to know that there was always more to her than what she showed.

"Alright," Merrick said, snapping Changra out of his thoughts. "That's enough talking. You've got the details. Now get your supplies and meet me at the gates in an hour."

The group dispersed, each heading off to gather what they needed. Changra found himself walking beside Jane, who was busy flipping through her sketchbook.

"You okay?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Yeah, just... nervous, I guess," Changra admitted. "This feels like a big deal."

Jane smiled softly. "It is. But we'll figure it out. Besides, we've got Merrick and Berethia. We'll be fine."

Changra nodded, but her words didn't do much to ease his nerves. He couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was going to be more dangerous than anyone realized.

When they reached the gates an hour later, Merrick was already there, his arms crossed as he waited. Liora was the first to arrive, bouncing on the balls of her feet like she couldn't wait to get started. Callen and Tessa followed, both looking calm and collected.

Berethia arrived last, her confident stride and easy smile making her look completely at ease. "Ready?" she asked, her eyes lingering on Changra for just a moment too long.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Changra muttered.

The sun was starting to set as the group left Eclipsevane, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink. The forest loomed ahead, its shadows growing longer with each passing minute.

Liora bounded ahead, her enthusiasm contagious. "Come on, slowpokes! Adventure awaits!"

Callen rolled his eyes but followed, keeping a protective distance behind her. Tessa walked beside Jane, the two of them chatting quietly. Changra couldn't hear what they were saying, but he noticed how often Jane glanced his way.

Berethia took the lead, her confident stride setting the pace. "Stick together," she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying a warmth that felt rehearsed.

As they walked, Changra couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was more than it seemed. The air grew colder the deeper they ventured into the forest, the vibrant colors of the trees dulling into muted shades of gray.

"You ever notice how everything here feels... alive?" Changra said aloud, trying to break the silence.

Jane looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

He hesitated. How could he explain it? On Earth, everything was just... normal. Dead, almost. But here in Elakia, even the trees seemed to hum with magic, like they were watching, waiting.

"Never mind," he muttered, feeling foolish. "It's nothing."

Berethia glanced back at him, her smile unreadable. "You're not wrong, though. Elakia is alive in ways most people don't understand."

Her words sent a chill down his spine, but he couldn't figure out why.

By the time they reached the outskirts of Rivermist, the sun had completely set, and the village was bathed in the cold, pale light of the moon. The place was eerily silent, the houses dark and lifeless.

"This is it," Merrick said, his voice low. "Stay sharp."

Changra's heart pounded as he looked around, his eyes searching for movement in the shadows. This was it—his first mission. He only hoped he was ready for whatever lay ahead.

As the group moved cautiously into the village, Berethia lingered at the back, her gaze fixed on Changra. Her usual warmth was gone, replaced by something colder. Something calculating.

The village of Rivermist was eerily quiet as the group ventured further into its center. The houses were small and worn, their wooden frames sagging under the weight of neglect. Doors swung lazily on their hinges, creaking softly with every faint breeze, while shattered windows gaped like hollow eyes. Changra's steps slowed as his mind raced, imagining what could have caused such devastation.

Jane clutched her sketchbook tightly, her knuckles white. "This place feels… wrong," she muttered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear. Her gaze darted from one shadow to the next, as though expecting something to lunge at them at any moment.

"I agree," Callen said, his voice steady but low. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as his sharp eyes scanned the empty streets. "Stay close and don't wander. If there's anything here, it knows we've arrived."

Liora, who had been unusually quiet since entering the village, crouched down to examine the ground. "No footprints," she said, brushing her fingers across the dirt. "Not even animals. It's like everything just… left."

"Or ran," Merrick corrected, his tone grim. "This isn't just abandonment. Something drove them out."

Changra shifted uncomfortably, the weight of his dagger pressing against his hip. He glanced at Berethia, who walked slightly ahead of the group, her confident stride unshaken by the oppressive atmosphere. If anything, she seemed calm—too calm. Her emerald-green eyes gleamed as she studied the abandoned buildings, as though she saw something no one else did.

"What are we even looking for?" Changra asked, trying to steady his voice. "I mean, it's not like the villagers left us a note saying, 'Hey, here's what scared us off.'"

Jane gave him a weak smile, but no one laughed. The tension was too thick, hanging over them like a suffocating fog.

Merrick stopped abruptly, raising a hand to halt the group. "Over there," he said, nodding toward a small building at the edge of the village. Its roof had partially collapsed, and the wooden door hung at an odd angle. "Looks like it might've been the mayor's house. If there's any clue about what happened here, it'll be there."

Berethia glanced back at him, her smile faint but polite. "Good idea. Let's split up and—"

"No," Merrick interrupted, his voice firm. "We stay together."

For the first time, a flicker of irritation crossed Berethia's face, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She nodded smoothly. "Of course. Lead the way."

The group approached the mayor's house cautiously, their footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path. Merrick pushed the door open, the hinges groaning in protest. Inside, the air was stale and heavy, the faint scent of decay clinging to the walls. The room was sparsely furnished—a table and chairs in the center, a few shelves lining the walls, and a fireplace filled with cold ashes.

Jane stayed close to Changra, her hand brushing against his sleeve. "This doesn't feel right," she whispered.

"It's not," he replied, his eyes scanning the room. Something about the silence felt… deliberate, as though the house itself was holding its breath.

Merrick moved toward the table, where a stack of papers lay scattered across the surface. He sifted through them quickly, his brow furrowing. "Most of this is just day-to-day records. Nothing unusual."

"Check the shelves," Callen suggested, his voice tense. "Sometimes people hide things in plain sight."

Liora had already moved to the shelves, her nimble fingers skimming over the dusty surfaces. She paused, her eyes narrowing as she pulled a small book from between two larger volumes. "This looks out of place."

She handed the book to Merrick, who opened it carefully. The pages were filled with hastily scrawled notes, the handwriting shaky and uneven. "It's a journal," he said, flipping through it. "Looks like the mayor's. Most of it's normal—crop yields, trade routes—but…" He stopped, his jaw tightening as he read one particular entry.

"What does it say?" Tessa asked, stepping closer.

Merrick's voice was low as he read aloud. "'They came at night. Shadows with glowing eyes. They took the livestock first, but now… now they're watching us. Waiting. I can feel them. We all can.'"

A chill ran down Changra's spine, and he glanced nervously at the others. Jane's face had gone pale, and even Callen looked uneasy. Liora bit her lip, her earlier enthusiasm completely gone.

"Shadows with glowing eyes," Changra repeated softly. "What does that even mean?"

"It means trouble," Merrick said, closing the journal. "And it's still out there."

Berethia's voice broke the tense silence, calm and composed. "We should investigate further. If the mayor knew something, there might be more clues elsewhere in the village."

Merrick nodded reluctantly. "Agreed. But we stick together. No exceptions."

The group filed out of the house, their unease growing with every step. The village seemed darker now, the shadows deeper and more menacing. The wind had picked up, carrying with it a faint, low hum that set Changra's nerves on edge.

"Is it just me, or does it feel like we're being watched?" Jane whispered, her grip tightening on Changra's sleeve.

"It's not just you," he replied, his eyes darting to the empty windows and darkened doorways around them. His hand rested on the hilt of his dagger, the weight of it both comforting and unnerving. Why does it feel like this thing knows more than I do?

As they approached another building—a small barn with its doors hanging open—Liora froze, her head cocked to the side. "Did you hear that?"

Everyone stopped, straining to listen. At first, there was only silence. But then, faint and distant, came a sound that sent chills down Changra's spine: a low, guttural growl.

"It's coming from the forest," Callen said, drawing his sword.

Merrick stepped forward, his stance defensive. "Stay together. Whatever it is, we're not facing it alone."

Berethia's expression remained unreadable, but Changra thought he saw the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. For some reason, it didn't make him feel any better.

As the growl grew louder, the group huddled closer, their weapons at the ready. The shadows at the edge of the village seemed to shift, twisting and writhing as though alive. Changra's heart raced, his grip on the dagger tightening.

And then, from the darkness, something emerged. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and its form was unlike anything Changra had ever seen. It was tall and hunched, its limbs unnaturally long and clawed. Its movements were jerky, as though it were a puppet on invisible strings.

Jane gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What is that?"

"I don't know," Merrick said, his voice steady despite the tension in his body. "But we're about to find out."

The creature let out a guttural snarl, its glowing eyes fixed on the group. It didn't attack, not yet. Instead, it seemed to be waiting, its head cocked as though studying them.

Changra swallowed hard, his mind racing. I don't belong here. I'm not ready for this. What am I even doing?

But there was no time to dwell on his doubts. The creature lunged forward, and the fight began.