Chapter 4: Secrets of Verdis Village
The tavern was warm, bustling with noise and chatter. Villagers sat around wooden tables, sharing meals and drinks while a faint tune from a bard in the corner added a lively backdrop to the scene. Fushou and Aya found a table near the back, away from the largest crowds. They ordered a simple meal—stew and bread—and took in their surroundings as they ate.
Fushou's eyes darted around, his mind still restless. He couldn't help but wonder if the people here knew more about this "dark force" the guard had mentioned. Aya, always more composed, calmly sipped her drink as she studied the room.
After a while, Aya leaned in and spoke quietly. "We should talk to someone who knows this place well. A village elder, maybe. They might have information we can use."
Fushou nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Maybe the innkeeper knows something. She seems friendly enough."
Aya stood up, leaving her half-finished drink on the table. "Let's ask now, before it gets too late."
Together, they approached the bar where the innkeeper was cleaning mugs. The woman smiled warmly when she saw them.
"How's the stew?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Delicious," Aya replied, always polite. "But we were hoping you could help us with something else. We heard some rumors about strange occurrences—monsters appearing more frequently, and some talk of a dark force in the north. Do you know anything about that?"
The innkeeper's smile faltered for a moment, and she glanced around the room as if to make sure no one was listening. Then, she leaned in closer, lowering her voice.
"You're not the first travelers to ask about that," she said, her tone serious. "There have been strange happenings, especially in the northern forests. Monsters that don't belong to this region have been showing up. Bigger, nastier creatures. And the villagers say they've seen shadows moving in the night—things that shouldn't be there."
Fushou felt a chill run down his spine. "Shadows? Like, monsters?"
The innkeeper shook her head. "Not exactly. These shadows... they move differently. Some say they're spirits, others say they're something worse. But whatever they are, they're scaring the villagers. People don't travel north anymore. And the few that do… well, some never come back."
Aya exchanged a glance with Fushou, her expression grim. "Has anyone tried to figure out what's causing this?"
"Once," the innkeeper said, her voice even quieter. "A group of adventurers came through here a few months ago. They were seasoned fighters, strong and confident. They headed north to investigate. But none of them ever returned."
A heavy silence fell over the conversation. Fushou swallowed hard, trying to shake off the rising anxiety. This was starting to feel more and more like a real-world nightmare than the kind of fantasy adventure he'd once dreamed about.
"Thank you for telling us," Aya said, her voice steady. "We'll be careful."
The innkeeper nodded, her eyes full of worry. "Just be mindful, travelers. This world isn't as forgiving as it might seem."
They returned to their table, both lost in thought. Aya was the first to break the silence.
"If adventurers didn't come back, that means we're dealing with something more dangerous than just a few stray monsters."
Fushou frowned, resting his chin on his hand. "Do you think the shadows are connected to why we were summoned? It feels too coincidental. Monsters showing up, dark forces in the north… It's like something is building up."
Aya tapped her fingers on the table, thinking. "Maybe. Or maybe the dark force is just one part of something bigger. Either way, we need more information. We're not ready to face whatever's lurking in the north yet."
Fushou knew she was right. They couldn't rush into danger blindly. But every passing moment made him more aware that time might not be on their side. If something truly dark was growing stronger, they would have to act sooner or later.
Before they could continue their discussion, the door to the tavern swung open, and a new figure stepped inside. He was tall and lean, with silver hair tied back and sharp green eyes that surveyed the room with purpose. His clothes were worn but well-kept, and a short sword rested at his side. He looked like a seasoned traveler—someone who had seen more of the world than the average villager.
The stranger made his way to the bar, ordering a drink, but his presence didn't go unnoticed by the patrons. Whispers started spreading through the tavern, and Fushou caught snippets of conversation.
"That's Alric… the bounty hunter…" "He's been up north… they say he's one of the few who came back…"
Aya, always sharp, noticed the murmurs too. She turned to Fushou, a spark of interest in her eyes. "If anyone knows what's really going on in the north, it's him."
They waited a few moments before approaching. When they finally did, Aya spoke first.
"Excuse me," she said politely. "Are you Alric, the bounty hunter?"
The man turned to face them, his green eyes studying them with mild curiosity. "I am. And who might you be?"
"We're travelers," Aya said, choosing her words carefully. "We've heard about the strange things happening up north, and we're trying to figure out what's causing them. People say you've been there and came back."
Alric raised an eyebrow. "Curiosity or a death wish?"
"Neither," Fushou replied, surprising himself with the confidence in his voice. "We're just trying to understand what we're up against. We've been summoned to this world, and it sounds like the north might be part of the reason."
Alric's expression softened slightly at the mention of being summoned. He took a sip of his drink and gestured for them to sit down.
"Summoned, huh? That explains the look in your eyes. You're new to this world. But if you're smart, you'll avoid the north. It's not like the rest of Zephira. Dark things are stirring there—things no one understands."
Fushou leaned forward. "But you've been there. You survived."
"Survived, yes," Alric said, his voice low. "But barely. The forests up north are different. They twist and change, and the deeper you go, the more the world warps around you. There's something ancient there. Something that doesn't want to be found."
Aya frowned. "What do you mean by 'ancient'?"
Alric's eyes darkened. "A ruin, deep in the heart of the northern forest. Old magic, older than this world. The shadows you've heard about—they come from that place. Whatever is in that ruin… it's waking up. And when it does, it'll be more than just monsters we have to worry about."
Fushou's heart pounded in his chest. A ruin filled with ancient magic? Shadows spreading across the land? It sounded like something straight out of a story, but the fear in Alric's voice made it clear this was no fantasy.
"Is there any way to stop it?" Fushou asked.
Alric met his gaze, his expression grim. "If there is, I don't know it. But one thing's certain—whatever is in that ruin is tied to the fate of this world. If you're serious about figuring out why you were summoned, that's where you'll find your answers. Just be prepared to face the consequences."
Aya and Fushou exchanged a glance, the weight of his words settling in. The northern forest wasn't just dangerous—it was the heart of something far larger than they had imagined. And now, it seemed their journey was leading them straight toward it.