Visionless

Dyrk was in his office, awaiting the inevitable and finishing his last bit of paperwork before it all ended. His mood was solemn and calm, but his furrowed brow and the tight line of his mouth made it obvious that he was in a bad mood. The room was dimly lit, with stacks of paperwork cluttering the desk and floor, a testament to the chaos of recent events.

Dyrk hears a knock on his office door that opens before he could say anything. On the other side was Adam Terra, the newly appointed adventurer who had saved his life a few days ago during his most exciting job and, sadly, his last. Adam's youthful face showed a mixture of curiosity and concern, his eyes wide and his posture tentative as he stepped inside.

"Come in, sit. We have a lot to talk about and not nearly enough time," Dyrk points to the seat in front of his desk while straightening his back and correcting his posture, trying to maintain some semblance of authority.

Adam sits on the chair as Dyrk instructed, noting the older man's unusually melancholic tone. Adam collects his thoughts, his mind racing as he slowly formulates a proper list of questions and how to ask them properly. He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, trying to calm his nerves.

Adam sighs, "You wanted to meet me?"

Dyrk nods, not bothering to talk, his eyes briefly meeting Adam's before looking away, as if ashamed.

"Why? What's going to happen?" Adam asks, trying to understand the situation, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Dyrk responds, "The adventurers' guild of the town of Kedor is going to have all its employees removed and its adventurers reevaluated. That's us, if you didn't know." His voice is steady but filled with a heavy resignation.

"What?! Why?! What did you do?" Adam gives Dyrk an accusatory look, his voice rising in disbelief.

Unfazed, Dyrk explains, "Property damages. To be more specific, we destroyed a storehouse that belonged to the ruling noble of this town. Said storehouse contained valuable items such as clothes, wine, and jewelry that belonged to the noble baron—the same baron whose daughter almost got kidnapped." His voice carries a hint of bitterness, his eyes hardening at the mention of the baron.

Dyrk continues, "Also, a few houses and stores in the vicinity got caught in the crossfire. Not to mention, many of the other hideouts belonging to Blackclaw got burned down while they were being raided, causing a massive fire that spread to many houses."

"The major branches of the guild managed to lessen the punishment as much as they could, but they still ended up spending several thousand gold coins just to appease the baron for now. Since I was the one responsible for the raid, i and everyone that works in this guild is getting fired," Dyrk says this while rubbing the back of his head with his eyes closed, the weight of responsibility clearly visible in his tense shoulders.

"Don't worry, you're not getting involved in this. I made sure of that, but you're gonna have to get out of town and go somewhere else. I recommend going to the city. It will give you many opportunities, and you have more than enough gold to survive for a few months. I'm sure you can figure something out during that time," Dyrk takes out a map from a pile of paperwork and hands it to Adam. The map has a certain area circled, likely pointing to the city.

Dyrk then points to an unmarked area and says, "That's where we are," and then points to the circled area, saying, "That's where the city is. Make sure to get there."

"I have already sent over all the coins you managed to collect. They are currently at the major branch in the city, so go there to collect it. Now go and say your goodbyes and leave the city while you can before stylas gets here."

Adam looks at Dyrk, speechless. (Those were pretty much the questions I was going to ask, and now I just feel awkward.) Not wanting the awkward silence to continue, Adam tells him his name, "My name is Adam, by the way."

Dyrk laughs, the sound a rare and surprising relief in the tense atmosphere. He stretches his arm over the desk and says, "Nice to meet you, Adam. I'm Dyrk. Now take my hand and get out of here, or I'll throw you out the window."

Adam takes his hand and shakes it, then stands up from the chair and makes his way out of the office and downstairs into the main area of the guild. He sees many adventurers drinking and eating, their faces a mix of worry and forced cheer. He spots Ms. Varin sulking near the reception desk, her usual bright demeanor replaced with a shadow of gloom. (It's been a long while since I've seen her; might as well say goodbye.) Adam makes his way over to her and taps her shoulder to get her attention.

She seems to snap out of her sulking and looks at him, her eyes red-rimmed but trying to muster a smile. "Oh, hey, little guy. It's been a while since we've seen each other. Anything I can do for you?" she says with her usual enthusiasm gone, which makes Adam laugh for some reason, the absurdity of the situation hitting him.

"No, I'm just here to say thanks and goodbye," Adam says with a smile on his face, trying to bring some brightness to the moment.

Ms. Varin collapses on the desk and sighs, "I can't believe I'm getting fired already. I've only been here for like five weeks. This is so unfair! What did I even do?!" Ms. Varin starts throwing a minor tantrum, her frustration spilling over. (Poor her, she really didn't deserve this. Hopefully, she can find a new job soon.)

As Adam continues to watch Ms. Varin sulking, he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns around to see Ms. Eldez, her usual calm and composed demeanor unchanged. Her face, always a mask of serene indifference, now showed a faint glimmer of something more.

Ms. Varin notices this and says, "At least someone is in a good mood. Say, Ms. Eldez, what will you do now that the guild is firing us?"

Ms. Eldez responds, "I'm going on a picnic. Would you like to join me, Varin?" she offers, her tone as flat and unchanging as ever, but with a hint of genuine invitation.

Varin seems to think about it for a second before responding, "Sure, why not? It's not like I have anything to do now."

Ms. Eldez smiles and nods, a rare sight. Then she looks at Adam, "Mind coming with me for a second? I have a gift I'd like to give you." She walks away, and Adam follows her, curiosity piqued.

"What is it?" Adam asks her once they reach one of the storage rooms in the guild. The room is cluttered, much like the rest of the guild, with crates and barrels stacked haphazardly.

Ms. Eldez takes out a suitcase from nowhere, a trick that Adam could never quite get used to. She opens it and then takes out a small wooden box from the suitcase, handing it to Adam.

"This is my gift. It's a necklace that will help you understand the language—a translator of sorts to help you. But beware, it only lasts for five hours and will need to recharge once it runs out. Don't worry, it'll recharge on its own, but it will take at least twelve hours to get back to full," she explains, her voice as calm and steady as ever.

Adam looks at her and opens the box to see a green gem attached to a necklace. The gem seems to have some sort of liquid inside, swirling gently as he tilts it.

"Ms. Eldez, this... this is amazing. Thank you so much!" Before Adam can say anything else, she silences him with her finger and says, "Now get going. The city is waiting for you."

--------

Ms. Eldez watches Adam leave the storage room and head outside the guild. Once he's gone, she makes her way back over to Varin, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Varin, still looking dejected, turns to face her.

"Come on, let's go. It's best we leave now, or else we'll be late for the picnic," Ms. Eldez says, her tone unusually gentle.

Varin sighs and replies, "Sure, just let me go back home to grab some things. I'll meet you near the town gate." With that, Varin heads out of the guild building towards her home, her steps slow and heavy.

Ms. Eldez smiles, then suddenly disappears, reappearing in a dense, quiet forest. "Now, let's see where she put it," Ms. Eldez mutters to herself as she walks through the eerily silent forest, devoid of any animal sounds. She stops and sighs. "This will take too long. I'll just speed it up."

She snaps her fingers, and as if by some miracle, the world darkens, mimicking the onset of night. "There, that should do it. You can come out now, right?" Ms. Eldez speaks aloud.

A voice responds, "Leave this forest and never come back!" The ground beneath her starts shaking as something massive moves in the distance. A grotesque, pale, rotting mass of flesh, covered in bulbous growths, makes its way toward her. The mass splits in two, forming a grotesque mouth complete with sets upon sets of razor-sharp teeth.

Before the monster can complete its form, a black cloud emanates from Ms. Eldez, enveloping the beast and slowly melting it. "I don't have time to play, little one. I'm trying to find my sister," she says calmly. The beast roars in pain, unable to move even a muscle to escape the black cloud that is melting it alive. Eventually, the beast is completely dissolved, but it continues to speak even without flesh and bone.

Ms. Eldez disperses the cloud and marches over to inspect the remains, finding a skeleton with carvings in some ancient text on its bones. She smiles. "Ah, so you were what was making that noise. Were you one of the beast's victims who managed to survive long enough to put a spell on yourself to warn others when the beast got close? How heroic of you!" She steps over the still-talking skeleton, dismissing it entirely, and continues to search the forest.

Eventually, she reaches a clearing that seems different from the rest of the forest, ancient and filled with magical energies that she recognizes. Before she can take another step, the ground around her starts moving and writhing. A familiar mass of pale flesh emerges, now much larger and more menacing.

This one does not speak. Ms. Eldez sighs, not bothering to take her time. "Let's just get this over with before I miss my picnic," she says, raising her hand. Instantly, the beast turns to dust, disintegrating in the powerful surge of her magic. She continues her search, determined to find what she came for and return in time for her planned picnic with Varin.

Eventually, Ms. Eldez finds what appears to be a throne made out of a living tree. "Ah, so that's where she put it," she says, her eyes narrowing with fondness. The throne is massive, its branches and roots intertwining to form an intricate, almost majestic structure. The bark of the tree shimmers with an ethereal glow, hinting at the powerful magic contained within.

Ms. Eldez makes her way over to the throne, her footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor. As she approaches, the living tree seems to react to her presence, undulating under her touch. The bark parts smoothly, as if recognizing her, and makes way for her hand. She pushes her hand deeper into the tree, feeling around until her fingers brush against something hard. With a firm grip, she grabs it and twists. A resonant breaking sound emanates throughout the forest, and all at once, the oppressive, cursed atmosphere dissipates. The monsters vanish, their roars and howls ceasing abruptly, and the air becomes clear and fresh once more.

In her hand is a twig that feels oddly smooth, its surface cool to the touch. The handle, made of a different material, is intricately carved with runes that pulse faintly with residual magic. Ms. Eldez brings the twig, or rather the wand, closer to her and gently rubs it. "Dear sister, I have finally found you," she whispers, her voice full of love and fondness.

As she says this, a mass of black tentacles emerges from her free hand. The tentacles, dark as night and slick with an unnatural sheen, wrap around the wand. They pulsate and writhe, almost alive with a sinister energy. As the tentacles work their way around the wand, the once-thriving forest begins to rot and decay. The vibrant greens and browns of the trees fade to ashen gray, and the life force of the forest is sucked out, leaving it a barren wasteland.

Ms. Eldez's eyes gleam with satisfaction as she feels the wand respond to her touch. The connection with her sister's essence within the wand is palpable, a deep, resonant hum that she can feel in her very bones. The power it holds is immense, and she knows she can harness it to achieve her goals.

She lets go of the wand, now completely rotten and withered, its once vibrant energy drained. As she does, her form begins to change. Her skin grows paler and paler, taking on an almost translucent quality. Her eyes, once a sharp, piercing black, darken to the void of space, their depths unfathomable. Her height increases, her frame elongating to an unnaturally tall and slender figure.

Her clothes transform as well, shifting from her usual attire to a flowing, dark robe that seems to absorb the light around it. The robe is adorned with ancient symbols that glow faintly, hinting at the dark magic she now wields. Her presence becomes even more imposing, a dark aura emanating from her that makes the air around her crackle with energy.

Ms. Eldez smiles, a slow, cold smile that sends chills down the spine of anyone who might see it. "Now, let's go home," she murmurs to herself, her voice echoing with an eerie calmness. She turns and walks away from the clearing, leaving behind the decaying remnants of what once was a thriving forest. The air around her crackles with energy as she prepares to return to Varin and the town gate, her mission accomplished and her heart set on the next steps of her journey.

Once Ms. Eldez exits the forest, her form returns to normal. Her skin regains its usual hue, her eyes shift back to their typical, piercing black, and her height decreases to its regular stature. Her dark robe transforms back into her familiar attire: a beige button-up shirt and a dark green long skirt. Her demeanor also changes, becoming calm and composed, as if the events in the forest had never happened.

She slowly makes her way to the town gate, her steps deliberate and unhurried. The town gate is bustling with activity, merchants and travelers going about their business, unaware of the dark power she had just wielded. Ms. Eldez finds a spot near the gate and waits for her picnic partner, her expression serene.

After a short while, she sees Varin approaching, laden with what appears to be her entire house packed into various suitcases. Varin, with her usual enthusiasm, albeit slightly dampened by the recent events, is struggling to manage the load. Her face lights up with a mix of determination and exhaustion, her bright eyes scanning the crowd until they land on Ms. Eldez.

"Ms. Eldez!" Varin calls out, her voice carrying a note of relief. She hurries over, nearly stumbling under the weight of her baggage.

Ms. Eldez watches her approach, a small smile playing on her lips. "Varin, you seem to have brought quite a bit with you. Are you planning to move permanently?"

Varin laughs, a light sound that contrasts sharply with the heavy burden she carries. "You never know what you might need on a picnic, Ms. Eldez. Besides, I didn't want to leave anything behind."

Ms. Eldez chuckles softly. "Well, let's get going then. We don't want to be late." She reaches out to help Varin with one of the suitcases, her demeanor as composed as ever.

Together, they make their way out of the town gate, heading towards their picnic spot. The contrast between Ms. Eldez's calm, collected presence and Varin's lively, slightly chaotic energy is stark, yet they complement each other perfectly. As they walk, the sun begins to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape, a fitting end to the tumultuous day.