After the intense battle with the Razorback pack and an exhausting journey through the Death Forest, Ethan's group finally arrived at the edge of Trakan Village.
The sun was beginning to set, its light piercing the thin clouds on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the small, isolated village nestled among thick trees. The peaceful sight of the village stood in stark contrast to the dangerous journey they had just endured.
Nyssa, leading the way, carefully surveyed the surroundings. "We've finally made it," she said with a tone of relief, though her guard remained up.
Trakan Village was encircled by a simple wooden fence that appeared to have been standing for a long time.
Some villagers were working in the fields, while others observed Ethan's group with curious eyes.
Although the village was small, there was a subtle tension in the air, as if a shadow loomed over the villagers' lives.
At the gate, a village guard approached them. "You must be the group sent by the guild to deal with the problem here," he said politely, though there was a hint of worry in his voice. "The village chief has been expecting you. Please, follow me."
They followed the guard down the dirt paths lined with modest wooden houses. Many villagers eyed them with a mix of anxiety and curiosity, some whispering among themselves.
The low murmur of rumors filled the air like an unspoken warning.
After a short walk, they reached the largest house in the center of the village.
It was made of thick wood with a thatched roof, appearing better maintained than the other structures.
Standing in front of the house was an elderly man with white hair and a face deeply etched with wrinkles. His tired eyes still held wisdom and strength, shaped by years of leadership. He was Ralnor, the chief of Trakan Village.
"Welcome to Trakan Village," Ralnor greeted them, his voice calm yet firm. "I've heard about the arduous journey you've been through. You must be exhausted, but I believe we need to speak before you rest."
Nyssa offered a respectful greeting, followed by the others. "We've come under the guild's orders to resolve the issue plaguing your village. We are ready to hear any instructions or information that may help."
The village chief nodded slowly and gestured for them to enter his house. Inside, they were greeted by the warmth of a fire crackling in the hearth. A long wooden table stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs.
They all sat down, feeling a bit of comfort after their long journey.
Once seated, Ralnor began to speak. "Our village has lived in peace for many years, but in the past few months, everything changed. There is a creature... a Werewolf, but not an ordinary one. It's gray, larger than any werewolf we've ever seen. It has evolved into something more powerful and intelligent. Every full moon, it appears and terrorizes our village. Our people now live in constant fear, and every full moon, we lose loved ones or livestock."
Draven nodded, listening intently. "A gray werewolf? That's rare. Such evolution usually happens only in creatures that survive extreme conditions or are influenced by magic."
Ralnor continued, "We don't know the source of its newfound power, but this is no ordinary werewolf. Its claws can tear through steel, and it's smart enough to avoid traps and even kill trained soldiers we sent to fight it. No one has been able to stop it."
Lina, who had been quietly listening, asked, "Is there any pattern or something that might give us an advantage? How does it usually attack?"
Ralnor nodded. "It always comes at night, mostly during the full moon. When it attacks, it strikes quickly and disappears before dawn. We suspect it hides near the Death Forest, but no one dares venture there."
Nyssa pondered for a moment, piecing together scenarios in her mind.
"The Death Forest? If this creature evolved, there must be something influencing it, something making it stronger. Has anything unusual happened before its appearance?"
The village chief thought for a moment before replying, "A few months before it first appeared, there were rumors about something falling from the sky in the northern woods. Some curious hunters went to investigate, but they never returned. We don't know if there's a connection, but it happened around the same time."
Ethan, who had been quietly observing, asked, "Did anyone see the object or get close to it?"
Ralnor shook his head. "No, we only heard a loud explosion and saw strange flashes of light in the sky that night. But no one came back to report what happened."
After hearing the explanation, Nyssa exchanged glances with her companions. "This is more complicated than we thought. The creature evolved, likely due to the influence of something from outside. That means the power we're up against could be greater than we anticipated."
Ethan nodded, feeling a surge of tension within him.
The Gorgonor horn he had hidden beneath his cloak felt heavier, as if responding to the energy around them. He sensed something wasn't quite right with Trakan Village, especially with Chief Ralnor.
Sensing their fatigue, Chief Ralnor smiled faintly. "But you've just arrived and must be exhausted. I suggest you rest for the night. I've prepared a place for you at the village inn. You can start your search tomorrow morning when you're fully recovered. You'll need all your strength and clear minds to face this creature."
Nyssa offered a small smile. "Thank you, Chief. That's a wise decision. We'll use the night to recover."
Ralnor stood and guided them out of the house. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow may be a long day. I'll provide further guidance once you're ready."
Ethan's group followed Ralnor to the inn, located not far from the chief's house.
As they entered the cozy wooden building, they were greeted by the friendly innkeeper, who served them warm food and drinks. After their long journey, the meal felt like a blessing.
After eating, they retreated to their rooms, trying to recover their energy for the big battle that might await them the next day.
Despite his exhaustion, Ethan's mind lingered on the village chief's words and their mission. The village's silence and the cold night felt heavy, but he knew that tomorrow would be a crucial test for all of them.
And so, Ethan's group rested, preparing themselves to face the evolved gray werewolf that now threatened the peace of Trakan Village.
Tomorrow would bring challenges, and they had to be ready for whatever awaited them.