The Wraithwood Tavern was a world away from the lively village of Valewood. Situated on the outskirts of a dense, ominous forest, the tavern was infamous for its shady patrons and secret dealings. The structure itself was old, its walls creaking with the weight of years, and a perpetual mist hung in the air around it, giving the place an ethereal, almost ghostly appearance.
Void and MiraNight stood at the edge of the Wraithwood Forest, the shadow of the tavern visible through the thick trees.
"I still don't like the idea of going in there alone," MiraNight said, her voice low but firm.
"I'll be fine," Void reassured her. "ShadeHawk doesn't want trouble. He's a businessman, and we're his clients."
"I know, but you can never be too careful. Especially in this game." MiraNight crossed her arms. "I'll lend the Spirit Cloak to you incase something bad happen. Just send me a message if things get weird. I'll be close."
Void nodded, appreciating her caution. "Don't worry, I've got this."
With that, he adjusted his Spirit Cloak around his shoulders, feeling its light, protective aura surround him, and made his way toward the tavern. The faint hum of whispers and faint music filled the air as he approached, but the closer he got, the more those sounds faded into an eerie silence. There was no mistaking it: this was not a place where players came for fun.
The doors creaked as he pushed them open, and a dozen pairs of eyes turned to size him up. The patrons of the Wraithwood Tavern were a mix of players and NPCs, each wearing the look of someone deep in secret business. Conversations were hushed, drinks passed without ceremony, and the whole place reeked of hidden agendas.
Void ignored the stares and made his way to the back, where ShadeHawk had promised to meet him. The figure was already seated in a dimly lit corner booth, a hood covering his face and the name ShadeHawk flickering faintly above him in blue letters.
"Void, I assume?" ShadeHawk's voice was smooth, calm, but carried a slight edge to it. He gestured for Void to sit.
Void slid into the seat across from him, careful to keep his expression neutral. "That's right. You're ShadeHawk?"
ShadeHawk gave a small nod, his face still hidden in the shadow of his hood. "I hear you're looking for information on the Silver Fangs. Ironclad's been making waves lately."
"More than that," Void said, leaning forward slightly. "I need to know their movements. Plans. Where they're going to strike next. And I need it fast."
ShadeHawk chuckled softly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "Information like that doesn't come cheap."
Void wasn't surprised. "Name your price."
ShadeHawk paused for a moment, then spoke slowly. "200 gold, upfront."
Void narrowed his eyes. "200? That's steep."
"Not for what you're asking." ShadeHawk leaned back in his chair, his fingers still drumming on the table. "You want to know Ironclad's next move before it happens. That's dangerous knowledge. Dangerous for me to share, and even more dangerous for you to use."
Void hesitated, weighing the cost. 200 gold was a significant amount, but the information could give him and MiraNight the edge they needed. After a moment, he reached into his inventory and transferred the gold to ShadeHawk.
"Done," Void said. "Now talk."
ShadeHawk grinned beneath his hood, his fingers stopping their tapping. "You're going to like what I have to tell you."
He pulled out a parchment from his inventory and slid it across the table to Void. The map was crudely drawn but detailed enough to reveal key locations where the Silver Fangs were rumored to be planning their next attack.
"Ironclad has been rallying his forces near the Blightwood Ruins, just east of Valewood," ShadeHawk explained. "They're planning a full assault on the ruins to claim it as their new base of operations. Once they control the ruins, they'll have a foothold in this region, and from there, they can start expanding."
Void studied the map, his mind already racing with possibilities. The Blightwood Ruins were an important location in the game, offering access to rare resources and strategic positioning for any guild that controlled it. If Ironclad succeeded, the Silver Fangs would be nearly unstoppable in this part of the world.
"So, they're planning to take the ruins," Void said. "When?"
"Two days from now," ShadeHawk replied, his voice lowering to a whisper. "They've been recruiting mercenaries and gathering supplies. They're going to hit the ruins hard and fast. If you want to stop them, you'll need to act quickly."
Void nodded, absorbing the information. "And how do I know this isn't a setup? That you're not just feeding me false intel to get me killed?"
ShadeHawk chuckled again, this time more softly. "That's a fair question. But think about it—if you die, you won't be able to pay me for future information. It's in my best interest to keep you alive, as long as you keep paying."
Void's eyes met ShadeHawk's through the darkness of his hood. It was a cold logic, but it made sense. Still, there was something unsettling about the way ShadeHawk handled himself—always one step removed, never fully revealing his intentions. It was clear he wasn't someone to trust lightly, but for now, Void needed the information.
"Fine," Void said, pocketing the map. "Two days. Anything else I need to know?"
ShadeHawk leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper now. "Watch your back. Ironclad has already caught wind that someone's been snooping around his operations. He won't take kindly to interference."
"I'm counting on it," Void said, standing up from the table.
Before he could leave, ShadeHawk added one final comment. "There's one more thing. Rumor has it, the Silver Fangs aren't the only ones interested in the Blightwood Ruins. There's another guild moving in, one you probably haven't heard of yet—Nightfall Syndicate. They're quiet, but dangerous. You'd be wise not to underestimate them."
Void froze for a second. The last thing he needed was another faction getting involved. "Nightfall Syndicate?"
ShadeHawk nodded. "They're after something in the ruins. Something valuable. I don't know what it is, but if they're involved, things are about to get a lot more complicated."
Void thanked ShadeHawk and made his way out of the tavern. His mind was racing as he stepped into the cool night air. Two days. Two days to prepare for a battle that could change the course of the game in this region.
-----
MiraNight was waiting for him at the edge of the forest, her arms crossed as she leaned against a tree. "So? How'd it go?"
"We've got two days," Void said, handing her the map. "The Silver Fangs are going to attack the Blightwood Ruins. And there's another guild—Nightfall Syndicate—getting involved too."
MiraNight's eyes widened as she looked over the map. "This is big. We'll need to gather more allies if we're going to take them on."
Void nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. "We'll start by reaching out to some of the smaller guilds. If we can convince them to join us, we'll have a fighting chance."
"And if we don't?" MiraNight asked.
Void smiled faintly. "Then we'll just have to be smarter than them."
As they made their way back to Valewood, Void's thoughts shifted to the upcoming battle. The Blightwood Ruins held the key to controlling the region, but more than that, they represented the next step in his journey. With each victory, he grew stronger, more influential. The game was changing, and Void was determined to be at the center of it all.
The countdown had begun. Two days until the assault. Two days until he faced Ironclad and the Silver Fangs again.
And this time, he wouldn't be the underdog.