As the night goes deeper, the tavern became livelier. People got drunk some were even already sprawled on the corner of the tavern and some were just knocked out on their seats.
It was truly a sight to see. It was as if the townspeople were never concerned by all those rumors running around town.
"This looks like the incidents that happened, never happened. I mean this place got livelier don't you think?" Oswald said as he observed the people as he himself enjoyed his drink.
It has been a while since they arrived at the tavern. During their stay, they acquired some more information regarding the incidents from the previous days. It turned out that people started missing a year ago. They learned that at first just a few people were missing and those people were either criminals or just plain runaways but recently even first-time travelers went missing some came back but they were out of it and even more recent people with magic started to disappear.
It was true that a tavern holds the most information there is apart from the guild but Oswald cannot help but notice that whenever they would inquire about the disappearances people seemed fidgety or they have this feeling that they wanted to avoid the topic even if they were being asked in accompaniment with alcohol. He was sure that even though this place got livelier, the events before did seep into people's lives slowly.
This town sure was very suspicious then again they were able to hide it until recently. Oswald can't help but think that there's more to it than just disappearing as his head started to ache from all the thinking he turned to Rem. Oswald frowned and sighed as he turn on his chair and looked for Rem.
"Clearly, he was just here a while ago. Where could he have gone?" He sighed and downed in his drink before he lazily stood up from his chair and looked for Rem. Not long did it take for Oswald to find him. Rem to Oswald's surprise was sitting in front of a burly guy that seemed like he was about to kill someone and chummily conversing with him.
Oswald moved his feet quickly to prevent Rem from doing something outrageous or embarrassing but before he could reach him a shrill that made his bones cold echoed throughout the whole town. It was a mixture of a cry, a laugh, and something that he had never heard before. It was truly frightening.
He was stunned for a while but was able to regain his composure. He looked at where Rem was but he was not there anymore. He cursed and looked for him again finding him beside the two children with a tense look on his face as he gave the children instructions. He walked towards them maneuvering his way through the frightened panicking customers. For the people of Louka, that sound was a signal that someone will be taken again.
Like him, the people inside the tavern were also stunned for a while but when they gained themselves back they weren't like Oswald. Some were panicking, some looked like they don't care as long as it was not them being taken, some moved as if ready for a war and some just stood there or cower in a corner. It was disorder.
"It's time," Oswald said as he reached them. Rem looked at him and nodded his head before he turned back to the children, "Remember what I told you. Now go." The two nodded their heads before transforming and walking out through the window. The owner was surprised, he looked at the two and was about to ask something but he heard Rem speak, "Do you have anything to protect the tavern and yourselves?" the owner looked at the two alternately before he called one of his helpers and showed them their arms.
Rem acknowledged this before continuing, "Once we go out lock yourselves in never go out at least not after everything was quiet."
"Who are you people?" the owner can't help but question them it was obvious what they should do but these people in front of him, instructed him and asked as if something big will happen.
"That is not important just know that we came here to help." Rem said and a small smile appeared on his lips. He turned to Oswald, "Let's find them and finish this." Oswald nodded and followed Rem to where Leon and Clive were. They can hear the owner instruct his people to follow what he said and ask them to advise the customers to stay in.
The owner gave weapons to anyone who was willing to participate and protect the tavern and the people in it. Not many joined but it was enough to hold and protect the place at least that was what the owner thought.
Meanwhile, Leon and Clive were talking to old man Yershie when the cry was heard. "It's here again to take another one", the old man said covering his ears as he trembled in fear as if he will be the one taken. The two can hear the old man chant words of worship before asking for help in his prayers. It was clear that this old man was not crazy like the people thought but it was more like he had seen this creature before up close and was sure frightened the wits out of him.
According to his stories, the creature seemed to be human but with "enhanced" features. It was not clear if it was a man, a woman, a child, an older one, or even an old person like him. It was dark when he encountered him and being a very old man his eyes were no good but one thing old man Yershie was sure of was that the creature seemed to know him.
Thinking that they can no longer get anything from the old man the two looked at each other briefly before they walked towards the door but were stopped by a man not much older than them but more masculine and taller just like those mercenaries he saw before, "Where do you think you two are going?" he looked at them questioningly and a hint of somewhat confusion in his voice, "Haven't you heard those cries? Even I who have fought monsters bigger than I am felt a chill down my spine."
The two just looked at the man blankly before Leon opened his mouth, "Yes, that was sure frightening even I haven't heard anything like that before but--," He trailed off before closing in on the man's ears and uttered "this is what we came here for." he smiled his usual for "business" only smiles before heading out of the tavern. Not long, they were followed by Rem and Oswald.
Outside was different, it was the definition of chaos. Screams and cries can be heard in any part of the town. People scurry their way to safety, some locked their doors and shut their windows hoping that the creature won't try to open them and take them away, children were lost or were being trampled as they all find a place to hide but everyone knew that in their futile way to save themselves there was no way out. The creature will still roam the streets and take people away they just hope it wasn't them that will be next.