As Sei entered the bustling medieval fantasy town, he was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of people filling the streets. The cobblestone paths were clogged with merchants hawking their wares, street performers putting on shows for coins, and locals going about their daily business. The air was thick with the sounds of clattering horse hooves, the chatter of people, and the cries of vendors.
Sei found himself unable to move forward, the crowd was so thick that it was almost impossible to navigate. He decided to take a step back and wait at the entrance gate, where the crowd was a bit thinner.
As he waited, Sei caught a glimpse of someone wearing a student-like outfit, the outfit was made of woolen robes that were adorned with intricate embroidery and had a hood that was pulled over the head. The person was carrying a worn leather satchel and a quill tucked behind their ear. They were making their way through the crowd, deftly dodging people and carts as they went.
The town was a mix of medieval and fantasy architecture, tall stone buildings, wooden cottages and thatched roofs, the streets were narrow and winding, making it difficult for the wagon and horse-drawn carriages to pass through. The smell of baking bread, roasting meats, and freshly brewed potions filled the air.
As Sei looked around, he saw a group of armored guards patrolling the streets, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd. The guards were clad in shining plate armor, adorned with the symbol of the kingdom, they were armed with swords and shields, they were making their way through the crowd, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble.
As he waited, Sei couldn't help but feel small and insignificant in the midst of the teeming mass of people. But he knew that he had a purpose in this town, and he couldn't stop now.
"..this place is too energetic."
After a while, his vision began to darken and blur. His hand shook as he lifted it to his face, trying to make sense of the strange sensation that had overtaken him.
"What's happening tho mhe..?" He muttered, confusion and fear creeping in.
But before he could fully grasp the situation, his legs gave out beneath him and he crumpled to the ground, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion and injuries from his recent battle with the guard.
He could barely remember the fight, only a flash of opportunity and a desperate surge of adrenaline as he took advantage of an opening to defeat the more experienced guard.
As he lay there, barely conscious and struggling to open his eyes, the distorted and chaotic noise of the surrounding town seemed to fade into a distant hum.
As Sei struggled to regain consciousness, he became aware of the chill of the night air against his skin. He slowly opened his eyes, only to be met with the dimly lit, deserted streets of the medieval fantasy town. The once bustling energy of the crowded streets had given way to an eerie stillness, with not a living being to be found.
As he tried to move, he realized that he was lying on a pile of filthy trash bags, the stench of rotting garbage filling his nostrils. With a groan of pain, Sei slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, taking in his surroundings.
The buildings loomed over him, their windows dark and empty, the only sound the distant howling of a stray dog. He could see no sign of the lively market or vendors he had seen earlier, only the eerie quiet of a town abandoned in the night.
"It's night already..?"
With great effort, Sei struggled to his feet, his body aching and his mind still foggy from his encounter with the guards. He gingerly ran his hands over himself, taking stock of his condition. To his relief, he found that his body was unharmed.
As he looked around, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The deserted streets, the abandoned buildings, it was as if the entire town had been deserted. He knew that he had to find a place to rest, and quickly, before the cold of the night set in.
With that thought in mind, Sei set off into the night, his footsteps echoing through the empty streets as he searched for a place to take shelter.
Sei wandered for a bit in the streets, before realizing that his horse and weapon is gone.
"..fuck." Sei muttered, "Fuck, this can't be happening!"
Sei cursed as he realized his horse and weapon were nowhere to be found. He was now completely unarmed and without any valuable possessions.
"Wait-!"
Sei slipped his hands into his pockets, searching for the letter. His fingers brushed against the familiar texture of the parchment and with a twisted sense of satisfaction, he pulled it out and examined the seal.
"Still here, good." He chuckled darkly to himself before tucking the letter back into his pocket.
Sei, now weaponless and vulnerable, decided to tread carefully and quietly through the deserted streets. He carefully scouted for a viable exit, peering around corners and cautiously leaning his head out to survey the main thoroughfares for any signs of danger.
He spotted a way out of the main road and approached it stealthily, peeking around the corner to see if the coast was clear. As he did, he caught a glimpse of a scuffle happening on the opposite side of the road, two men were cornering a young woman.
He didn't care about her plight, instead he used it as an opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Crouching low, he made his way to the opposite side of the street, trying to avoid drawing attention to himself.
But his plan was foiled when one of the men spotted him.
"There's someone!" the man shouted.
Sei knew he had been discovered. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned on his heel and fled, the men giving chase.
Not even taking a few steps, Sei stumbled and fell to the ground. His body was still reeling from the battle with the guard, yet the man was upon him quickly, attempting to deliver a crushing kick. Sei quickly rolled and regained his footing, his eyes alighting upon the glint of a blade in the man's grasp.
"Come on man, let's keep it cool, alright? No need for any trouble." Sei said, trying to defuse the situation. "I have no intention of getting in your way."
"Shut the fuck up, I don't give a shit. You saw us, you're a dead man." the man growled, sneering as he spit on the ground.
"Alright, alright. I'm not gonna cause any trouble, you can trust me." Sei spoke as he raised his hands in surrender. "Take my money, take whatever you want."
"Don't even think about trying no funny shit, motherfucker." the man snarled, as he closed in on Sei.
As the man got close, Sei quickly dropped to the ground, sweeping his leg out and connecting with the man's groin. The man let out a groan and collapsed to the ground, unconscious. His partner, who was holding a girl at knife-point, shouted in alarm.
"Don't nobody move or this bitch gets it!"