As Orin, Ein, and Zarr travelled through the forest, they came across a small village that appeared to be abandoned. The villagers seemed to have disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only their homes and belongings.
Orin, who was particularly attuned to the spiritual realm, could sense a strong presence of ghostly energy in the village.
Ein, who was more sceptical, couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary.
"I don't like this," Ein said as they entered the village.
"It feels like we're being watched."
"That's because we are," Orin replied.
"There are many spirits here. They're not happy about something."
"Can you communicate with them?" Ein asked.
"I'll try," Orin said, closing his eyes and focusing his mind. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, a ghostly voice filled the air.
"Who are you? Why have you come to our village?" the ghostly voice asked, its tone filled with suspicion and anger.
"We are travellers, seeking information about what happened here," Orin replied.
"We mean you no harm."
"It's too late for that," the ghostly voice said.
"You've already disturbed our peace. Now, you will pay the price."
Orin, Ein, and Zarr could feel the temperature in the village dropping rapidly, as the ghostly spirits grew angrier and more aggressive.
Ein drew his sword, ready for a fight, while Orin raised his hands, prepared to defend himself with magic.
As the ghostly spirits closed in on them, the travellers realized that they were in for a haunted night, in the abandoned village filled with vengeful spirits.
Suddenly, a small, glowing figure appeared before them. It was a faerie, with delicate wings and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She hovered in front of them, a bemused expression on her face.
"Well, well, what have we here?" the faerie said in a sing-song voice.
"Stuck in a haunted village, surrounded by vengeful spirits. How unfortunate for you all."
Ein stepped forward, his sword at the ready.
"Who are you?" he asked, wary of this new arrival.
The faerie let out a tinkling laugh.
"Oh, I am just a simple faerie, here to offer my assistance," she said.
"I could see that you were in a bit of a sticky situation, and I couldn't resist offering a helping hand."
Orin and Zarr exchanged a sceptical look, but Ein seemed intrigued.
"What kind of assistance?" he asked.
"Why, I can help you escape these vengeful spirits, of course," the faerie said, flitting back and forth in front of them.
"But in return, you must promise to take me with you on your journey. I am bored with the same old routine in the forest, and I long for adventure."
Ein looked at Orin, who nodded.
"Very well," Ein said, turning back to the faerie.
"We accept your offer. But be warned, our journey may be dangerous."
The faerie shrugged.
"Danger is my middle name," she said with a grin.
"Now, let us be on our way before those spirits catch up to us."
With that, the faerie led the way out of the haunted village, her glowing form illuminating the path ahead.
Ein, Orin, and Zarr followed closely behind, grateful for the unexpected assistance from the faerie.
Lilitha the faerie sat down on a nearby tree stump, and began her tale.
"Long ago, this village was thriving and prosperous. The villagers were happy and content, but then the curse of the ghostly spirits fell upon them."
"No one knows for sure what caused the spirits to rise, but many say it was the work of an evil sorcerer who sought to use the villagers' souls for his own gain."
"As the years passed, the spirits grew stronger, and the villagers became more and more afraid. Eventually, they abandoned their homes and fled, leaving the village to the mercy of the spirits."
"And now, no one dares to venture near, for fear of being claimed by the spirits themselves."
"But I, as a faerie, am not bound by the laws of this world. I can freely roam the land, and I have been drawn to this place by the memories of the villagers who once lived here." Lilitha finished her tale and looked up at Ein with a small smile.
"I sense that you are on a quest, swordsman, and I would be honoured to join you, to help in any way I can."
Ein was taken aback by Lilitha's offer, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew that having a faerie by his side would be an incredible asset, and he gratefully accepted her offer.
Orin looked at Lilitha, his eyes narrowed.
"I understand that you wish to join us, but I must refuse. Our journey is a dangerous one and I cannot risk having someone who is not fully prepared and capable to come with us."
Lilitha's expression became downcast.
"Please, I understand the dangers and I assure you that I am more than capable. I sense a strong connection between myself and the swordsman. I just want to follow him and be by his side."
Ein looked at Orin, then at Lilitha. He could see the determination in her eyes and he felt a strange connection to her as well.
"Orin, please. I trust her and I believe that she can be of help to us on our journey," Ein pleaded.
Orin thought for a moment, then sighed.
"Very well, Faerie. You may come with us, but you must understand that I will not hesitate to send you away if I feel that you are putting us in danger."
Lilitha smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thank you, O Great Sorcerer. I promise you won't regret this decision."
And so, with Lilitha joining their group, the journey continued with a new companion by their side.