Dakota, Henry, Ava, Amelia, Mia, and Jack make their way to the small, remote village nestled between rugged mountains. The journey has been long, and they've discussed the mission along the way, each sharing thoughts on what to expect. They reach the village as the sun dips low, casting warm light across the silent, empty streets.
The group stepped into the village just as evening fell. Small wooden houses lined the narrow road ahead, their windows dark. Not a single villager was in sight, and the air was eerily still, as if time had paused here. Dakota and Henry exchanged glances, both sensing something was out of place. A village this size should have had children playing, the smells of cooking food, sounds of laughter – but instead, there was only silence.
Dakota: mutters to Henry
"Doesn't this feel... off to you?"
Henry: nodding, eyes scanning the area
"Definitely. You'd think at least someone would come out to see who's visiting."
Ava: frowning, her eyes narrowing as she studies the nearby buildings
"Maybe they're just cautious around strangers. Or… maybe something happened here."
Jack: shrugs, trying to lighten the mood
"Maybe they're all just shy. But I agree, this place feels weird."
Amelia: looks around, a faint glow of her light magic subtly illuminating their path as night settles in
"Let's try the inn first. Someone has to be there to greet travelers, right?"
The group nods, and they make their way down the path toward a modest building with a faded sign reading "Inn." The place looks worn, as though it hasn't seen visitors in a while. Dakota opens the door cautiously, and they step inside. The inn is dimly lit, with only a single lamp flickering on the counter.
Inside, the inn is just as silent as the streets. Dust particles drift in the faint light, and there's an unmistakable smell of stale air. Chairs are stacked against the walls, and there's no sign of the innkeeper or any patrons. Henry's eyes roam the room, his fingers flexing at his side as he mentally prepares for anything that could come next.
Mia: whispers
"This place... it feels abandoned."
Dakota: running a finger along a dusty countertop, frowning
"If it weren't for that lamp still burning, I'd say no one's been here for days."
He turns to the others, a thoughtful look on his face.
Dakota:
"Let's split up and check the area. Maybe we'll find someone who can explain what's going on."
Everyone nods in agreement, and they decide to split into pairs. Dakota and Henry move towards the outskirts of the village, where the fields begin. Ava and Amelia head to the village center, while Mia and Jack check the homes closest to the inn.
Scene: Dakota and Henry walk past several houses, some with doors slightly ajar. They look carefully at each one, noticing the lack of personal belongings or signs of life.
Henry:
"It's like they all just… disappeared."
Dakota:
"Or left in a hurry. Whatever it was, I don't think it was voluntary."
They pass by a small field, where crops have started to wither, left untended. Henry bends down to inspect some overturned soil.
Henry:
"Look at this. This soil's been disturbed recently… maybe someone tried to bury something?"
Dakota: raises an eyebrow
"Or dig something up. Either way, it looks like someone was in a hurry."
The two share a concerned look, then move back toward the center of the village, where they meet up with Ava and Amelia.
Ava:
"We didn't find anyone, but… Amelia and I heard something. A strange sound, coming from near the well in the center of the village."
Amelia: nods, looking unsettled
"It was faint, like someone was whispering. But when we approached, it stopped."
Mia and Jack: joining the group with similar expressions of confusion
"We checked all the houses on our side. Same thing – empty, with no signs of anyone around. It's as if everyone just vanished."
The group gathers around the well, cautiously peering down into the darkness. Dakota kneels down, focusing as he extends his senses.
Dakota:
"There's something… odd down there. It doesn't feel like water, more like…"
Before he can finish, a faint, eerie whisper echoes from the depths of the well, sending a shiver down everyone's spine.
Henry:
"Did anyone else hear that?"
Jack: nervously
"Yeah. And I don't think it was just the wind."
Ava: her hands instinctively flickering with fire magic, illuminating their surroundings
"I think we're in for more than just a simple mission here."
Dakota: standing up, his gaze serious
"Alright, everyone. Whatever happened here, it's not normal. Stay alert, and stick close."
They form a tight circle, each scanning the surroundings with heightened senses. As they begin to discuss what to do next, they hear the faint sound of footsteps. Everyone tenses, weapons and magic at the ready.
Voice: from the shadows, sounding tired but somewhat relieved
"Who… who are you?"
The group turns to see an old man standing at the edge of the village square. He looks worn and frail, his clothes tattered, and his eyes holding a haunted look.
Dakota: stepping forward, speaking calmly
"We're here from the Academy. We heard rumors of trouble in this village. Can you tell us what's been going on?"
The old man looks around nervously before nodding, his gaze shifting to the well and then back to the group.
Old Man:
"You shouldn't have come. The danger here... it's not something you can face easily. Most of us left days ago, but those who stayed…" he trails off, looking into the well with a fearful expression.
Amelia:
"What happened to them?"
Old Man: his voice barely above a whisper
"They're gone. The mage took them, one by one. He... he said he needed something from them."
Mia: furrows her brow
"A rogue mage?"
Old Man: nodding, trembling
"Yes. He came a few weeks back, saying he was looking for something 'precious.' When the villagers refused to help him, he… he used dark magic. People started disappearing. It's why I stayed, hoping someone would come, but I feared..."
Dakota:
"You did the right thing. We're here now, and we'll handle this."
The old man gives Dakota a faint nod of gratitude, though he still looks unsettled.
Dakota: addressing the group, his tone confident
"Alright, everyone. We know what we're up against. Let's keep our guard up, and search for clues on where this rogue mage might be hiding. We don't know when he'll be back."
Henry:
"We need to move carefully. He could be watching us right now."
The group nods, each understanding the gravity of the situation. They decide to search the village thoroughly, hoping to find any sign of the rogue mage or clues about his motives.
As the night settles over the village, they begin their search in earnest, each taking a different part of the village. A sense of unease lingers, but together, they are determined to solve the mystery of the vanishing villagers.