As the laughter intensified, mingling with the jeers of their men, it felt like my inquiry had become the punchline to a cruel joke. The realization that my quest for answers had only led to further mockery left me on the verge of tears. It seemed that the elusive truth of my predicament remained just out of reach, no matter how desperately I sought it.
The leader, still chuckling and wiping tears from his eyes, attempted to regain his composure. "Yes, our group is formidable," he declared, his laughter subsiding into a milder amusement tinged with condescension. "We can face even those of royal blood, but we're not capable of performing miracles." With a dismissive shake of his head, he chuckled once more, the humor laced with a hint of insult. "Human world? Ha!"
My voice trembled with disbelief as I struggled to comprehend their revelation. "Then..." I stammered, unable to form coherent thoughts. "How?" The words came out in a choked whisper, my mind reeling with confusion. I had been so certain that they were the ones who had taken me against my will.
"We were delivering artifacts and weapons to sell at Primotheus Capital when we stumbled upon you along the pathway, near the secret entrance of the Auction Hall," the leader explained, his tone tinged with reminiscence. "At first, we assumed you were working there."
Despite the overwhelming urge to lash out in anger and frustration, I knew I stood no chance against them, especially outnumbered and surrounded as we were. Feeling Ludwig's grip tighten on my wrist, I glanced at him, but he remained silent, his expression inscrutable.
Turning back to the men with blurred vision, I managed to muster a steady voice. "Didn't you know who brought me here to Quailsham?" I inquired, hoping for a shred of clarity.
"Why," one of the men replied, the remnants of laughter still evident in his voice, "are you not from Quailsham?"
The leader's words hit me like a heavy blow, shattering the fragile hope I had clung to. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as the reality of my situation sank in. I felt a surge of frustration and anger rising within me, threatening to overwhelm my senses.
"You were unconscious, Halfling," the leader continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "How could we have known?"
The word echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of my identity and the inherent limitations it carried.
"Halfling?" Liam's voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention. "What do you mean by Halfling?"
As Liam hovered above us, his presence adding to the tension in the room, I saw Ludwig's expression darken with concern. His forehead creased, and his lips quivered slightly before he glanced at me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions.
"Your girl, Ascendant," the leader growled impatiently, his gaze flicking between Ludwig and me. "She's a Halfling..." A moment of meditative silence filled the room before the leader spoke again. "You didn't know?"
The word "Halfling" echoed in my mind, leaving me reeling with confusion. What did it mean? How could I be a Halfling?
"Are you sure?" Liam questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "We know she's not human, as we couldn't sense her presence. But we had no idea she's a Halfling."
The revelation sent shockwaves through me. They knew I wasn't human? When had I stopped being human? I was certain of my own identity, wasn't I? What were these men implying?
"Are you insulting us, Fae?" the leader retorted arrogantly, his tone laced with disdain. "We are Werebeasts, possessing the keenest senses in Quailsham. And our senses unequivocally confirm she's a Halfling." He clenched his jaw, his demeanor growing more sinister. "However, it seems there's some sorcery masking her true nature. That woman is hiding something."
A heavy silence fell over us as the leader's words hung in the air, each one landing like a weight on my shoulders. He approached me, his eyes turning gray as he sniffed the air, but before he could get any closer, Ludwig swiftly positioned himself between us, a protective barrier.
"It's clear you're not a Ravager," the leader continued, his smile widening at our reactions. "Nor are you a Wyvern, lacking scales, and I couldn't sense your dragon. You're not one of us Werebeasts either. Your ears aren't pointed, and your appearance doesn't match that of a witch or an Elven. And since even they couldn't recognize you, you're not a Fae." His gaze bore into me, making me swallow nervously.
It felt as though he was dissecting me with his eyes, studying me as if I were some commodity to be bought and sold. His mocking smile sent a shiver down my spine, his sinister aura palpable in the room. I couldn't shake the feeling that he saw me as nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game.
"Who are you, really?" the leader pressed on, his smile widening. "A Moon-strider? Or... a Dreadspawn?"
Ludwig's grip on me tightened, his voice low and threatening. "Watch your mouth, dog."
The tension in the air became almost tangible, thickening as the surrounding Werebeasts began to emit low, menacing growls, their primal instincts awakening. I stood transfixed as their once-human features contorted into grotesque visages, their eyes swirling with darkness and their skin marred by protruding purple veins. From their mouths, long, razor-sharp fangs emerged, catching the faint light and gleaming ominously.
I stumbled back, feeling Ludwig steady me as I struggled to stand upright. My knees felt weak beneath me, shaken by the terrifying sight before me.
As the tension in the room began to ease, Ludwig remained relaxed, sporting a grin, while Liam seemed nonchalant, even yawning midair. The leader swiftly gestured for his followers to stand down, and though their sharp gazes remained fixed on us, the intensity began to wane, and the pulsing veins on their skin started to recede.
The temperature returned to normal, but I couldn't help but notice the faint scent of burning and the charred plants within the library, likely a result of Ludwig's power.
"There's another thing I wonder," the leader continued in a calmer, more cautious tone. His gaze rested on me, as if the recent display of aggression was merely routine in their interactions. "You were covered in blood when we found you," he remarked, a hint of amusement lacing his voice. "But I knew it wasn't yours. Your entire body was drenched in blood, so we couldn't tell... well, how attractive you are once cleaned up." He lowered his gaze, his eyes traveling over me from head to toe.
As the front of Ludwig's clothing ignited into blazing flames, I recoiled in shock, instinctively moving away from the fire's reach. Yet, amidst the inferno, a mysterious figure seemed to materialize, its brightness drawing me in with an enticing allure. Strangely, I felt no heat or pain emanating from the flames, compelling me to reach out and touch it.
Before I could succumb to the mesmerizing allure of the fire, screams erupted from outside, shattering the trance-like moment. The door burst open, revealing a panting, skinny figure, his body covered in blood and sweat.