Chapter 148: Silent Shores of Zisteria
Scene: The ship sails into calm, shining waters, the group finally laying eyes on Zisteria after a grueling month-long journey. The landscape is breathtaking—rolling hills, serene blue waters, and a town nestled amidst the greenery. Yet, an unsettling silence lingers, dampening the beauty of the scene.
Narrator: At long last, the heroes have reached Zisteria. But their relief is short-lived. What should have been a thriving town is eerily quiet, its streets empty and its lights extinguished.
Commander Elara: (standing at the ship's bow) There it is… Zisteria. But why does it feel so... lifeless?
Kirito: (quietly) This isn't right. It's never this quiet.
Kirito's eyes scan the distant town, a pang of unease mixing with nostalgia as he takes in the familiar sight. Ryu stands beside him, his expression unreadable as memories of his home flood his mind.
Ryu: (softly) It's strange to be back. But something's wrong here.
As the ship docks, the group disembarks, taking cautious steps onto the soil of Zisteria. The quiet weighs heavily on them as they move through the streets, their eyes darting to every shadow.
Aria: (looking around) There's no one here. Not even a bird. Did… did we come too late?
Zarek: (gruffly) The houses look fine. No signs of a battle. So where is everyone?
Kirito: (pointing) Let's head west. My old home is there, and it'll give us a place to regroup.
The group follows Kirito's lead, passing untouched homes and pristine streets that seem frozen in time. The stillness gnaws at them, but they press on, eventually reaching a modest but sturdy house tucked away at the edge of the town.
Ryu: (gesturing to the door) This is my old home. It looks… untouched.
Eren: (nodding) At least we have shelter. Let's get inside and figure out our next move.
Inside, the house is remarkably well-kept, almost as if it had been waiting for them. Ryu moves through the rooms, his hand brushing familiar furniture as memories resurface. Meanwhile, Aria volunteers to return to the ship for leftover supplies.
Aria: I'll grab what's left of the food. We could all use a real meal.
Commander Elara: (nodding) Be quick, Aria. I don't like the feeling of this place.
While waiting, the group begins tidying the house and unpacking what little they have. Kirito notices the group's tattered clothing, the wear and tear from their battles evident.
Kirito: (holding up a folded shirt) These might not be your style, but they're clean.
He tosses a few outfits toward the group. The heroes begin changing into Zisteria's casual, modern clothing. Aria and Commander Elara emerge in flowing, elegant dresses, their skirts swaying as they twirl in admiration.
Aria: (grinning) These are beautiful. I feel like royalty!
Commander Elara: (smirking) It's a nice change from armor.
The boys step out next, dressed in comfortable tracksuits. Eren looks amused, while Zarek frowns, tugging at the fabric of his sleeves.
Zarek: (grumbling) I feel exposed. This doesn't feel like something a warrior should wear.
Rylan: (laughing) You're just mad you can't look casual and cool like me.
The lighthearted banter lifts their spirits briefly as Aria returns with the food, and they settle down for a long-overdue meal. The warmth of the food eases their fatigue, but Eren quickly shifts the tone back to the task at hand.
Eren: (seriously) We've finally made it here, but we still don't know what's going on. Kirito, where can we find the man who summoned us? The leader of the Shadow Troupe?
Kirito leans back, exhaling heavily as he rubs his temples.
Kirito: (sighing) That's the problem. The Shadow Troupe's hideout doesn't stay in one place. It moves around Zisteria, hidden by a special mana technique.
Ryu: (nodding) It's why the troupe is so elusive. They're impossible to track unless they want to be found.
Eren: (frowning) So what are we supposed to do? We can't just wander aimlessly.
Kirito: (hesitant) There is a way. But it'll take a huge amount of energy—more than any one of us can manage alone.
The group exchanges concerned glances, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Ryu breaks the silence with a suggestion.
Ryu: (calmly) Let's rest first. We've been through a lot, and we're not at full strength. Whatever we do next, we'll need to be ready for it.
Narrator: Though the group is eager to move forward, they know that exhaustion will only hinder them. They agree to spend the night recovering, each one silently reflecting on the strange emptiness of Zisteria.
The scene shifts to the dimly lit house as the group begins to settle in. Commander Elara, still weak from her poisoning, rests in one of the rooms. Rylan stands by the window, staring out at the silent town, his mind racing with questions. Eren sits cross-legged on the floor, his sword resting beside him, while Aria hums softly, organizing their supplies.
Narrator: The night grows quiet, the silence of Zisteria echoing through their minds. Questions remain unanswered, but one thing is clear—their journey is far from over.
The chapter ends with the group resting in Ryu's home, the weight of their mission heavy upon them as they prepare for the challenges to come.