"When we first set foot in Trakan Village, I felt something strange in the way the villagers looked at us," Nyssa muttered softly, her voice low but clear. "They didn't seem happy about our arrival."
Ethan nodded quietly, his eyes remaining alert, scanning every corner of the road. "I felt it too. They looked scared, but not because of the gray werewolves. There's something else, something deeper."
Nyssa paused for a moment, recalling the blank, suspicious stares of the villagers when they arrived. There was a sense of unease hidden behind their gazes, as if the villagers were hiding something big or were being forced to.
"Their looks weren't those of people seeking help. They seemed afraid, but more of us than of any outside threat."
Ethan took a deep breath and spoke in a low tone, "We need to move quickly, but act naturally. We can't draw too much attention, at least not until we figure out what's really going on here."
Nyssa nodded in agreement, though the growing sense of unease gnawed at her. She mulled over the situation, trying to formulate a plan.
"Let's find Draven and Lina first. They might have gathered more information. If it's true that Village Chief Ralnor is involved, we need to be careful. He might try something before we can act."
They continued down the village road, acting casually despite the suspicions swirling in their minds.
The stares from the villagers they passed became more intense, with every person they encountered looking anxious and nervous, as if they were waiting for something terrible to happen.
Some even shut their doors as Ethan and Nyssa walked by, avoiding eye contact entirely.
After searching for Draven and Lina for some time, Ethan and Nyssa started feeling frustrated. The siblings were nowhere to be found, and the escalating tension was making Nyssa more agitated.
"Where could they possibly be at a time like this?" Nyssa muttered, her tone reflecting her anxiety.
"Stay calm," Ethan replied in a soothing voice, trying to ease his companion's nerves. "It's getting late. Maybe they've already returned to the inn."
Nyssa nodded, though she couldn't shake the suspicion that Draven and Lina might be slacking off somewhere. In silence, they made their way back to the inn, which now seemed eerily quieter than usual.
Upon arriving, something felt off. The normally bustling inn was unusually silent. Before they could fully process the strangeness, a woman emerged from the kitchen the same one who had greeted them when they first arrived.
"Welcome back, dear travelers," she greeted them with a smile that seemed overly friendly. "We've prepared some food for you. Please, have a seat at the dining table."
Still frustrated by Draven and Lina's absence, Nyssa immediately asked, "Thank you, but where is everyone? And have you seen our two friends?"
The woman smiled again, her expression calm despite the emptiness in her eyes. "Since the werewolf attacks, the villagers have been advised to stay indoors after sunset. As for your friends, they've just had their meal and have gone to their rooms to rest."
Nyssa huffed in annoyance. "I knew it. They're probably lazing around again." But Ethan didn't react to her words. His instincts were telling him something was wrong. Draven and Lina weren't the type to abandon a mission so easily.
As they reached the dining table, the food looked delicious, but the unsettling atmosphere made Ethan uneasy. The woman spoke again, her voice soft yet chilling. "Please, enjoy your meal. I hope it suits your taste. If you need anything, I'll be in the kitchen."
The woman turned and walked back into the kitchen. At that moment, Ethan heard Valdraxx's voice in his mind. "Wait, Ethan. Something is wrong with the food. I sense traces of a weakening poison in it."
Ethan reacted immediately. "Nyssa, don't eat that!" he shouted, stopping her just as she was about to take a bite.
Nyssa looked at him with a frown. "Come on, I'm starving. We've been running around all day," she grumbled, irritated.
Ethan stared at her seriously. "Hey, remember Tof and Ralnor? I think they've poisoned the food. And Draven and Lina might be in danger."
Nyssa paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. My emotions got the better of me." She then looked at Ethan with confusion. "But how did you know there was poison in the food?"
Ethan cut her off quickly. "I'll explain later. Right now, check their rooms. Make sure Draven and Lina are safe. I'll go check on that woman in the kitchen."