Part 1
The boy who had screamed turned and ran through the empty streets, his small figure disappearing into the shadows and torrential rain. The sound of his feet splashing in the mud mixed with the continuous roar of the storm.
One of the Raven Guard, a tall man with a scar running across his face, raised his sword and prepared to follow the boy. "Wait! We can't let him escape!"
Pallas, with a firm and authoritative voice, stopped him. "No, we are not here to kill anyone. Let him go."
The guard hesitated, his posture still tense, but he obeyed, sheathing his sword. Pallas turned to the group and, with a commanding tone, shouted into the emptiness of the city:
"Listen! We are the Raven Guard, and we are not here to cause harm! We have come in search of the marchioness. If anyone is listening, show yourselves!"
The silence that followed seemed even heavier, interrupted only by the incessant sound of rain hitting the ground and the walls of the ruined buildings. The atmosphere felt thick with tension, as if the city itself was waiting for a response.
After a few moments, Pallas and Don signaled for the others to move forward. They proceeded cautiously through the narrow streets until they reached one of the most imposing ruins of the city. The building, an ancient Greek-style edifice, stood out among the debris, even in its deteriorated state. Broken marble columns, now covered in moss and rainwater, supported what remained of a largely collapsed roof. Fragments of statues and pieces of friezes adorned the floor, forming a trail.
The group approached the entrance of the building, a large opening where a majestic gate once stood. The interior of the building was a vast hall, with smooth stone floors covered by a thick layer of pooled water. The light from the Guard's lanterns reflected off the puddles, casting dancing shadows on the damaged walls.
Pallas advanced to the center of the hall, water splashing under his boots, and looked around, examining the remnants of the old decoration. The environment was enveloped in a respectful silence, as if the place awaited the arrival of an important visitor.
The mark of an old tapestry, now tattered, was still visible on the walls, offering a glimpse of a past opulence. The ceiling, supported by robust columns, seemed ready to collapse completely at any moment, adding to the atmosphere with a sense of fragility and decay.
Pallas raised his voice again, breaking the silence. "We are here to speak with the marchioness! If anyone is present, make yourselves known now!"
The response came as an echo from the empty walls, a weak and distant voice that seemed to emanate from within the building itself. "I am the marchioness. What do you want?"
Pallas and his men cautiously advanced through the vast hall until they found the source of the voice. A side room was shrouded in even deeper darkness, illuminated only by the weak lanterns they carried. The environment was covered in shadows that danced on the walls, created by the flickering of the lights.
Upon entering, they were met with the sight of an impressive figure, despite her debilitated condition. The marchioness was reclining in a high-backed chair, with worn red velvet cushions. Her face was covered by strips of cloth, leaving only her piercing and defiant eyes visible. Her exposed skin looked almost melted and translucent, marked by dark veins, giving her an extremely frail appearance.
She observed the intruders with a gaze that, despite her condition, conveyed an indomitable confidence. As Pallas and his men adjusted to the darkness, they could see a group of other elderly individuals, all equally debilitated, seated in chairs and cushions scattered around the room. Alongside them were some adults and young people, with expressions of hatred and concern, watching the scene with caution.
The marchioness, with a voice blending weakness and authority, spoke: "The Raven Guard is not welcome here."
Pallas, maintaining a firm posture despite the situation, replied: "We have come because of an urgent problem. There is someone from your side causing deaths on our side."
The marchioness frowned, her gaze becoming even more piercing. "I am not aware of such a problem. It has been a long time since anyone from our side ventured to the other side. You know that yourself."
Pallas kept a serious expression. "I know. However, unfortunately, someone has managed to cross over and is causing a great disturbance. We need to eliminate him before more damage is done."
The marchioness seemed to ponder the information, her gaze still fixed and filled with an energy that contradicted her debilitated physical state. "If what you say is true, then this problem needs to be resolved quickly. But I cannot allow the Raven Guard to enter without any assurances that this action will be taken with due consideration of our rules."
Pallas gave a slight nod. "We understand the gravity of the situation. Our goal is to ensure the safety of both sides, and we will do so with the utmost care. Can we count on your cooperation to locate and deal with this individual?"
As Pallas awaited a response from the marchioness, one of the young people, visibly distressed and with a strong look of distrust, interrupted: "Why should we help you? Why should we believe that you really want to help both sides?"
The young man made a sweeping gesture that seemed to indicate the precarious condition they were in. The marchioness turned her attention to the young man, but her gaze remained unperturbed, as if she was preparing for something.
Pallas remained calm, his voice firm and controlled. "Marchioness, at some point you will have to tell the truth about what is happening here."
The marchioness made a slight movement with her head, indicating that she was aware, but did not offer any further details. Her gaze remained fixed and impassive, a reflection of the weariness and experience she carried.
Pallas continued, his voice full of determination: "Marchioness, how long do you want the young people to stay here?"
The marchioness did not answer immediately, her eyes continuing to observe the scene with an intensity that seemed to weigh on every unspoken word. Finally, she merely tilted her head slightly, as if the question was not new to her.
Seeing that the marchioness would not respond, Pallas proposed a solution. "I have a proposal. Help us find out how this monster managed to cross to the other side so we can solve this problem. In exchange, we will help heal the young people and take them to the other side, where they can surely find a better and safer life."
The marchioness looked at Pallas, her eyes shining with skepticism. The atmosphere seemed to be in a delicate balance, the tension in the air making each word even more significant.
Finally, the marchioness spoke, her voice weak but firm: "You are making a fair offer. If by some miracle you can truly fulfill what you promise, then I accept your proposal. But remember, your word is all we have to trust at this moment. Do not fail us."
Pallas made a respectful bow. "We will do our best to resolve this situation and fulfill our promise. Thank you for your trust."
The marchioness made a slight gesture with her hand, signaling that the meeting was over. She then reclined back in her chair, her eyes closing.
Part 2
The relentless rain continued to hammer the small port town, its unyielding rhythm providing a backdrop to the morning. The sky was heavy with clouds, casting a gray and muted light over the landscape. Ed and William emerged from the dormitory, their boots sinking into the mud. The air was sharp, filled with the smell of wet earth and the occasional distant flash of lightning.
"Let's head to the field." William said, his voice firm despite the storm. His cloak was stuck to his body, drenched by the rain, but his demeanor remained resolute.
Ed nodded, pulling his cloak tighter. "Alright. Let's do this."
They walked through the sodden streets, their figures barely visible through the dense rain. Arriving at a small open field in the middle of the town, William stopped. The ground was a quagmire, with puddles forming irregularly. The storm made the field a treacherous place, but it was the perfect setting for what William had in mind.
"Alright, Eddy. There's no time for new lessons right now. Let's reinforce what you already know." William said as he prepared for the training.
"Today, we'll focus on technique and endurance."
Ed adjusted the scimitars in his hands, his stance determined. William, with his short sword in hand, began to move, outlining the attack pattern that Ed knew well. The rain fell incessantly, turning the field into a real challenge for practice.
"Get ready." William ordered, assuming an attack position.
"Keep up the pace. The mud might be an obstacle, but it's also a chance to refine your technique."
Ed swung his scimitars, starting to move according to William's instructions. The blades cut through the air, his movements adjusted to the slippery ground. The technique was familiar, but the difficulty of the mud made the practice more demanding.
William advanced, attacking with his short sword. The strikes were quick and precise, requiring Ed to defend and counterattack with agility. The torrential rain mixed with sweat and determination, making the training even more intense.
"Don't hesitate!" William shouted, delivering a quick strike.
"The mud might slow you down, but you must maintain fluidity!"
Ed blocked William's strike with his scimitars, the force of the impact making him slip slightly. He adjusted his stance and launched a counterattack, his movements precise despite the difficulty.
"Good work." William praised, observing Ed's reaction.
"Keep it up. Practice will make you stronger."
As Ed began to sheathe his scimitars, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Wilde appeared in the field, his face drenched by the rain, but with a look of satisfaction.
"Ed, Billy." Wilde called, waving at them.
"Ed, you've improved a lot. Pallas wants to talk to us now. He said it's urgent."
William raised an eyebrow and turned to Ed. "Looks like we're in for an important discussion. Eddy, continue with your training."
Ed paused for a moment, understanding the message. "Got it, Dad. I'll keep at it."
Just as Ed was about to resume his training, he saw Helena approaching. Her hair was tied up in an improvised bun, and she wore a short cloak that was soaked by the rain, but her gaze was determined.
"Are you going to continue training alone?" Helena asked, a mix of curiosity and interest in her voice.
Ed, surprised by the approach, gave her a faint smile. "Yes, I am. But you can join me if you want."
Helena nodded, a glint of determination in her eyes. "Great. I think a bit of training won't hurt anyone."
She approached and drew a small sword from her waist, adjusting her stance with a focused look. Ed raised his scimitars, preparing for the new training session.
"Shall we start?" Helena suggested, enthusiasm evident in her voice.
"Sure." Ed replied, raising his scimitars and assuming a combat stance.
"Are you ready?"
Without further delay, Helena advanced with a quick combination of strikes, testing Ed's defense. He blocked the attacks skillfully, moving sideways to dodge the blows. The rain continued to fall, making the field slippery, but both seemed unaffected by the discomfort of the weather.
Helena feinted, trying to divert Ed's attention and strike an opening in his defense. Ed reacted swiftly, spinning and slicing the air with his scimitars to neutralize the attack.
"Good reflexes!" Helena praised, taking a break to catch her breath.
"You're better than I expected."
Ed smiled, sweaty but satisfied. "You're not too bad yourself."
As they continued to spar, Liam watched from afar, hidden under the shadow of a large rock.