Ethan followed Nyssa out of the Guild, their steps blending into the bustle of the small town, accompanied only by the sounds of life around them.
The atmosphere began to shift as dusk approached, cloaking the stone buildings and streets. Though the sky appeared calm, there was still an unspoken tension between them.
Nyssa, with her confident and steady posture, moved with the assurance of someone who had been on countless similar journeys.
Ethan, on the other hand, remained alert, sensing that every movement Nyssa made had a purpose.
"We're heading to a place where they usually train or rest after a mission," Nyssa said flatly without turning around. "The siblings are hard to find, but if they're in town, they'll be there."
Ethan listened carefully. Nyssa wasn't one to speak much, but every piece of information she shared felt valuable.
The siblings, consisting of a skilled archer and a three-circle mage, seemed like the perfect addition to their team. Ethan had never worked with a mage who had mastered three circles of magical power, but he knew that such a level was no small feat.
A mage of three circles meant they had control over advanced magic and exceptional abilities.
They walked through the narrow streets of the city, passing several shops and taverns that were just beginning to open as the day approached noon.
Soon, they arrived at an open field on the outskirts of the town, a quiet place that showed clear signs of activity.
Footprints in the dirt, arrow-riddled targets, and small debris scattered around indicated that the area was frequently used for training.
"They're here," Nyssa said confidently, her gaze fixed on a small but sturdy hut standing not far from the field. "They often rest there after their training."
Ethan surveyed the area cautiously. The air felt different here, as though a faint magical energy lingered.
It wasn't ordinary magic this was the kind of energy that signaled the presence of a powerful mage.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind from the whispers of Valdraxx that began to stir.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Valdraxx's voice whispered slyly in his mind, full of observation.
"That mage isn't ordinary. Be careful, Ethan. You may be able to use them, but don't trust anyone too quickly."
Ethan nodded slightly to himself, silently agreeing with Valdraxx's advice.
Nyssa knocked on the hut's door, and within seconds, it opened, revealing a young man with a bow slung over his back. His dark brown hair and sharp blue eyes immediately fixed on Nyssa and Ethan with a curious look.
"Nyssa," the man greeted in a familiar tone. "What do you need this time?"
Nyssa stared at him impassively. "We need two more for the Trakan Village mission. You and your sister interested?"
The man, whom Ethan quickly realized was the skilled archer Nyssa had mentioned, raised an eyebrow.
"Trakan Village? That's no ordinary place. Plenty of adventurers went there and never came back."
"We're aware of the risks," Nyssa replied curtly.
"But with the right team, we can complete it. Besides, the reward is substantial, and the information we could gather from that place is invaluable."
The man seemed to consider this for a moment, then turned toward the inside of the hut. "Lina, come out! There's an interesting mission you might want to hear about."
Footsteps sounded from within, and soon after, a young woman with long blonde hair and striking green eyes emerged.
She wore a simple mage's robe, but the aura emanating from her told Ethan she was no ordinary mage. There was a great power, carefully controlled, radiating from her.
"This is about Trakan Village?" Lina asked, her voice soft but firm.
"Yes," Nyssa replied. "We need two more to meet the Guild's minimum requirement. You and your brother are the perfect choice. Ethan and I will lead the expedition."
Lina glanced at Ethan briefly, sizing him up with a look similar to Nyssa's. Ethan resisted the urge to react, standing calmly though he felt as if he was being evaluated by two seasoned veterans.
"You trust this guy?" Lina asked Nyssa bluntly, as if Ethan wasn't even there.
Nyssa simply nodded. "He's got skills. Besides, we don't have much time to search for another team. This mission has been left idle for too long, and the longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes."
Lina gazed at Ethan one more time, then shrugged. "Fine, I'm in. But remember, if any of you mess up, I won't hesitate to back out."
The archer, whom Ethan now knew as Draven, chuckled softly at his sister's comment. "Lina's stubborn, but she's right. Trakan Village isn't a place for fooling around. If we're going to take this mission, we need to be ready for anything."
Ethan felt a slight relief after hearing their decision. "We won't let you down," he said confidently. "Trakan Village is full of mysteries, and I'm certain what awaits us there is more than just a typical problem."
Nyssa stepped forward. "Good, now we have our team. We'll meet here tomorrow at dawn. Bring everything you'll need; we don't know how long we'll be in that village."
Draven and Lina nodded in agreement before heading back inside the hut to prepare. Nyssa turned to Ethan.
"Tomorrow, we'll find out if this team can survive. Don't make me regret bringing you along, Ethan."
Ethan gave a faint smile. "We'll succeed. Trakan Village might be dangerous, but I believe we have what it takes to complete this mission."
Nyssa didn't respond, only giving him a long look before turning to head back to the inn to prepare.
Tomorrow would be the beginning of an adventure that would test their limits and reveal more of the secrets hidden behind the ever-growing power of the Devourer within Ethan.