"ZAID!" Standing just meters away from them, Zaid's figure emerged with an expression of confusion and a hand dripping with blood.
*Thud* ×5. The bandits crumpled to the floor as blood oozed from the punctured holes in their chests. The only one left was the bandit leader, trembling on unsteady legs. Fear consumed him as Zaid locked eyes with him. Attempting to flee, his body failed him, and all he could do was watch in terror as Zaid approached. A touch on the shoulder from Zaid marked his final moment.
Zaid collapsed limply, and Heidi, fortunately, was there to catch him. Gazing at his peaceful yet scarred face, a lump formed in her throat. The person they believed to be dead lay before them, transformed only by his now completely white hair and a few fresh cuts on his face.
"How? What happened to him?" Isabelle inquired as she assisted Heidi in lowering him to the ground. They carefully laid him down, resting his head on Heidi's thigh.
While the group felt the urgency to attend to Zaid's needs, Leo recognized the vulnerability of their situation. The recent confrontation with the bandits served as a stark reminder.
"We need to move, guys. Ethan, help carry Phil since he's still struggling to walk. Moris, you should be able to carry Zaid, right?"
They sprang into action, their roles assigned by Leo, who, for the moment, had assumed the role of the group's leader. Their connection to Zaid, a mere background concern amidst the immediate challenges they faced.
Determining their location and distance from their destination became the immediate task. The teens, guided by Leo, gathered their belongings and followed closely behind.
After three hours of continuous travel, houses emerged on the horizon. Leo's quick thinking had preserved the strange fruits Moris had brought earlier, saved for moments of fatigue. Relief washed over them at the sight of other people, fellow humans, prompting speculation if this was indeed the human settlement they sought.
"Stay here, guys," Leo instructed, setting aside his bag. Draped in a large hood, he emerged from the cover of bushes.
"Where are you going, Leo?"
"I'm going to gather information."
As Leo ventured out, Moris gently placed Zaid on the ground, the group's collective gaze lingering on him with a mix of awe and surprise. The violent passage through turbulent space had spared Zaid's life, albeit with visible scars, a testament to the struggles he must have faced to survive.
Isabelle and Eliza delicately worked on cleaning Zaid's face while the rest maintained a vigilant watch. An hour passed before Leo returned, his countenance betraying a mix of news.
"There's good and bad news, guys. The good news is this place is inhabited only by humans, and we can rent a house for the night. Everyone here is a traveler, renting accommodations for a night or a week. Now, the bad news... we aren't where we intended. We wanted the human settlement, but we've ended up in the underworld—a dangerous and lawless place."
The shock settled among the group as they absorbed Leo's revelation. However, Moris, his face devoid of blood, fixed a stern gaze on Leo, demanding more.
"There's more, isn't it?" Moris inquired grimly.
"Yeah, we can't go back," Leo replied solemnly.
"What do you mean we can't go back?"
"We've been trapped within the invisible walls of the underworld. We can't go back; we can only go forward from here on."
A stifled laughter escaped Tilly when she heard the term 'invisible wall,' finding it amusing and surreal. However, her mirth vanished when Leo locked eyes with her seriously.
"Y-You're serious?"
"I think we need to find somewhere to rest for the night, then we will discuss our next move."
With Zaid in their arms, Moris and Ethan stepped out of their cover, the rest following suit. Entering the town, the atmosphere felt surprisingly familiar, reminiscent of Earth's urban landscapes. The only distinguishing feature was the strong black substance used to build the structures.
What astonished the group was their arrival drawing no attention. The locals were engrossed in their activities, traders peddling their wares. It seemed that guests arriving in the town was a common occurrence.
"Hey, handsome brother. Come buy my product; I promise it's going to make you strong and durable in bed." An old man with entirely brown teeth beckoned Ethan, showcasing potions. Ethan instinctively took a step back, alarmed by the products.
"Old man, do you know of a place where we can sleep for the night?" Heidi inquired, kindly dropping two coins on the table. Fortunately, she had divided the money into two equal parts earlier before entrusting it to Ironhorn.
"You've come to the right person, hehe." The man swiftly pocketed the coins, guarding them from potential theft, before providing them with directions to a lodging place.