Part 1
Ed still felt the terror of the nightmare clinging to his mind as he carefully got up so as not to wake his companions. He walked silently through the corridors of the Raven Guard, which were shrouded in the darkness of early morning, illuminated only by the faint light of the lamps.
Turning a corner, he encountered Helena, who appeared to be on patrol or perhaps just passing through the area.
"Ed? What are you doing up at this hour?" Helena asked, her voice low and concerned.
"I can't sleep…" Ed replied, trying to hide the discomfort in his voice.
"Oh, I see. If you'd like, I can make you some coffee. Sometimes it helps to relax."
"Thank you."
As they walked toward the kitchen, Ed searched for a topic of conversation, but the words seemed to escape him. The silence between them was comfortable, but Ed felt he should say something.
"How long have you been with the Raven Guard?" Ed asked, trying to start a conversation.
"About three years." Helena replied as she guided him through the corridors.
"It's a tough job but rewarding. And you? Where do you and the others come from?"
"We're all from Lancashire." Ed said, somewhat evasively.
"We've been at it for a while, at least… my father and Wilde have."
Helena smiled. "I imagine it's an interesting life."
Finally, they arrived at the kitchen. The space was small but functional, with stone walls and soft lighting provided by hanging lamps over several wooden tables arranged in the center. The kitchen was simple but well-equipped: a wood-burning stove in the corner, a shelf with utensils and ceramic pots, and a small sink with a faucet that dripped occasionally.
Helena went to the shelf and grabbed a small pot of coffee beans. Skillfully, she began to grind the beans in a stone mortar, the soft sound filling the room. She then placed a kettle on the stove, poured in water, and brought it to a boil. Once the water was bubbling, Helena added the ground coffee and stirred with a wooden spoon.
As the coffee brewed, she prepared a ceramic cup and watched as Ed sat at one of the large tables. His gaze was lost in the shadows of the kitchen, and he seemed thoughtful.
Helena poured the freshly brewed coffee into the cup and walked over to the table. "Here you go. I hope you like it."
Ed took the cup with a grateful smile. "Thanks. It should be good."
He took a sip, trying to hide the grimace that almost escaped. The coffee had a strong, bitter taste, quite different from the sweet milk he was used to. Helena sat down at the table, observing him with a curious look.
"So, Ed, you like coffee, huh?"
Ed hesitated for a moment, trying to find a diplomatic response. "Yes, I do. It's just a bit stronger than what I'm used to."
Helena noticed Ed's hesitation and smiled. "Ah, I see. This coffee comes from a small mountainous region to the east, where the climate is perfect for growing the beans. The flavor is a bit more intense due to the roasting method used. It's considered one of the best in the world."
Ed nodded, trying to look interested. "I see, it must be really special coffee then."
Helena noticed Ed's lack of familiarity with the topic and chuckled softly. "You don't seem too convinced, Ed. You don't look like a coffee expert, do you?"
Ed blushed slightly and tried to smile. "Well…"
Helena laughed gently. "Don't worry. Most people don't know much about coffee either. What matters is that we're here sharing a great cup."
After a few minutes of chatting and drinking coffee, Helena got up and gestured for Ed to follow her to the front of a large window. The glass was covered with raindrops streaming in an irregular pattern, creating a blurred view of the storm outside.
"Look at this…" Helena said, resting her hands on the window sill.
"Did you know? The rain never stops here."
Ed approached and looked at the intense storm falling, impressed by the strength of the winds and the amount of water coming from the sky. "It never stops? That's really something."
Helena smiled, appearing a bit nostalgic. "Yes, it's a fairly common feature here on the island. The rain is constant. It's as if it's part of the island's very essence."
Ed tilted his head, curious. "Do you know why that happens? Is there any explanation for it?"
Helena shook her head, looking thoughtful. "Actually, I don't know much about it. It's been around for so long that no one really remembers the reason. Even my mother didn't know for sure. They say it's just one of the island's ancient mysteries."
Ed looked at her, surprised. "That's interesting. There must be many stories and legends about this rain."
"No doubt." Helena replied with a smile.
"And everyone has their own theory. Some say it's a curse from the gods, others believe it's a punishment for the sins of the people here. Whatever the reason, it's an important part of our life here, and everyone hates it."
Ed smiled softly. "I understand. It must be tough living with rain that never stops. It must be quite a nuisance."
Helena smiled, appearing pleased with Ed's understanding. "So, Ed, tell me more about yourself. What makes a young mercenary like you get involved in such a dangerous life?"
Ed took a sip of the coffee, thinking for a moment. "Well, I'm not exactly a mercenary yet. I'm still learning. I started with basic training and some smaller missions. The idea is to gain experience and eventually become a full-fledged mercenary."
"That's interesting!" Helena said with a curious tone.
"What's it like being a mercenary apprentice? It must be full of adventures, right?"
"Yes, that's true." Ed replied, with a slight gleam in his eyes.
"It's a bit like school, but with more combat and fewer books. I learn about tactics, combat techniques, and how to handle different types of missions."
"Wow." Helena commented, impressed.
"That must be quite intense. And have you had any missions that stood out to you?"
Ed thought for a moment. "One of the first missions I did was helping defend some tourists from a band of thieves. It was quite a challenge, but it was also really cool. I learned a lot about teamwork and staying calm under pressure."
Helena laughed. "It sounds like you've already been through quite a lot for someone who's just starting out. And what do you think of being a mercenary? Is it what you've always wanted to do?"
"Actually, yes." Ed replied honestly.
"I've always liked adventures and challenges. Being a mercenary seems to fit with the idea of exploring and facing dangers."
"That's great." Helena said, still smiling.
"It must be nice to go out and meet new people, right?"
Before Ed could respond, someone called out to Helena from across the corridor. She looked up, recognizing the voice.
"Sorry, just a moment…" she said, getting up and heading toward the source of the call.
Ed watched as Helena spoke with a young man with light brown hair and curious eyes, who wore the standard armor of the Raven Guard. The young man seemed a bit nervous upon seeing Ed.
Helena returned to where Ed was, accompanied by the young man. "Ed, this is Liam. He's also part of the Raven Guard. Liam, this is Ed Haver, one of the visitors here to help with the monster problem."
Liam extended his hand, and Ed shook it. They stared at each other for a few seconds, the tension in the air palpable. Liam looked a bit uncomfortable, and Ed wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Nice to meet you, Liam." Ed said courteously, trying to ease the mood.
Liam forced a smile. "Likewise, Ed."
Helena, noticing the discomfort, decided to intervene. "Well, I think it's time we head back to the dormitory. Liam, if you need anything, just let me know."
"Sure, Helena." Liam replied, still a bit hesitant.
"See you later, Ed."
Ed gave a farewell gesture and, with a sigh, decided to head back to bed. "I'll try to get some more rest. Good night, Helena."
"Good night, Ed." Helena responded with a sympathetic smile.
"See you tomorrow."
Part 2
Pallas and Don dismounted from their horses in front of an imposing, dark steel wall. The rain fell relentlessly, turning the ground into a slippery mire. Water streamed down their hair and faces, but they did not let the weather deter them. The wall, old and weathered by time, stood like a silent sentinel, guarding the secrets of the city that lay beyond.
Pallas approached one of the guards standing in front of a large steel gate. The guard, imposing in his worn armor, gave a respectful salute.
"Let's get inside. Prepare the men." Pallas said firmly.
"Stay alert."
Don nodded beside Pallas, donning his helmet and preparing for what was to come. Pallas and Don moved away and returned to their horses, disappearing into the darkness of the night.
The steel gate creaked open, revealing a city in ruins, once grand and prosperous, with architecture reminiscent of ancient times. The streets were deserted, littered with debris and wreckage, while the rain continued to distort what remained of its former splendor. Broken columns and crumbling facades told tales of a more glorious era now submerged in gloom and abandonment.
The Raven Guard, now with their helmets on and armor gleaming even under the rain, advanced in formation. The sound of their heavy boots mixed with the relentless rain, creating a symphony of steps and droplets. Despite the city's obvious abandonment, it seemed unsettlingly alive.
As the group approached the city center, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The silence typical of desolate places was interrupted by indistinct murmurs and strange sounds echoing from the shadows. The sensation of being watched was palpable, heightening the tension among the guards.
Eventually, they arrived at the central square, a vast open area surrounded by ruined buildings and broken statues that still seemed to guard the city despite its decay. The rain formed deep puddles in the cracks of the stone floor. However, what caught everyone's attention was a sharp scream that cut through the air with unsettling clarity.
"It's the Raven Guard! Run!"