Part 1
They returned to the Raven Guard headquarters, crossing the now quieter streets of the city. The rain continued to pour. When they arrived, Pallas stepped forward and called one of his guards.
"Helena, take our visitors to the guard dormitory." he said.
Helena was a short but sturdy woman with short black hair. Her brown eyes were sharp yet kind, reflecting her few years of experience. She wore the Raven Guard armor, made of hardened leather and metal, along with a long cloak, and carried a short sword at her waist.
"Yes, sir." Helena replied, giving a brief bow before turning to Wilde, William, and Ed.
"Please, follow me."
Wilde thanked her. "Thank you. We really need to rest and prepare."
Helena nodded and moved away, leading the trio to the dormitory. After a few seconds of silence, Don was the first to speak, breaking the tension in the air.
"Do you think those from the other side could be involved in this?" Don asked, his voice low and worried.
Pallas sighed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "We can't rule anything out yet. We'll have to ask them personally."
Part 2
Helena led William, Wilde, and Ed to one of the dormitories, guiding them down the corridor of the Raven Guard headquarters. The dormitory was simple but functional, with robust stone walls, beds lined up on one side, and a large wooden chest at the foot of each bed. There was a wooden table in the center of the room with some chairs around it, and a lit fireplace provided warmth and light.
"This will be your dormitory." Helena said, opening the door and letting them in.
"I'm Helena Markatos, and I'll be working with you. You can count on me for anything you need."
William extended his hand to shake hers. "William Haver. We appreciate your help, Helena."
Helena shook William's hand firmly, then turned to Ed and smiled kindly. "And you are?"
"Wilde Galloti, pleasure to meet you." Wilde said.
Ed, a bit embarrassed, responded timidly, "Ed... Ed Haver."
Helena continued to smile. "Nice to meet you, Wilde, Ed. If you need anything, just call."
She bid them farewell with a nod. "I'll leave you to rest. Good night."
"Good night." William and Wilde replied in unison.
Once Helena left, William, Wilde, and Ed entered the dormitory. The room was modest but cozy, with the crackling of the fireplace creating a warm atmosphere. The three settled in, each choosing a bed, and began thinking about what they would do the next morning.
Part 3
I woke up on a beach of black sand, the cloudy sky above me seemed to weigh on my shoulders. The putrid smell of dead sea animals and rotting birds filled my nostrils, making me nauseous. I slowly stood up, feeling the cold and damp sand sticking to my skin.
Looking around, I saw an old boat, with rotting and discolored wood. The structure looked ready to collapse, but something was drawing me to it, as if there was something between its decayed planks. I walked toward the boat, each step sinking slightly into the sand, as if the beach wanted to swallow me whole.
Just as I was about to search the boat, I heard a faint sound, almost like a sigh. I turned slowly and saw a figure emerging from the dark waters. It was a Water Demon, and I knew it by the long, wet hair cascading over its bare shoulders. Its skin was pale, almost translucent, and its eyes glowed with a bluish light that seemed to come from another world.
It walked calmly towards me, its bare feet barely touching the sand. Every movement was graceful, mesmerizing. I wanted to move, run, do anything, but my body was frozen in place, unable to react.
It approached so close that I could feel the chill emanating from its skin. Its eyes, now so close, seemed to pierce my soul. It whispered something, something incomprehensible that made me shiver. Its words felt like claws tearing at my spirit, filling me with a profound terror.
Suddenly, I woke up, sweating and panting. My heart was racing in my chest, and the room around me seemed suffocating. Shadows danced on the walls, and I could swear I still smelled the black sand beach and rotting carcasses. Trembling, I tried to convince myself that it had all been just a nightmare, but the fear lingered, like a silent presence watching me from the darkness.