The fortress stood like a dark scar against the desolate landscape of the Blighted Lands. Its tall stone walls loomed over the land, as if trying to block out the decaying world around it. The closer they got, the heavier the air felt, thick with the smell of rot and death. Yet inside the fortress walls, there was a strange sense of safety—like a small flicker of light in a dark world.
Razen studied the fortress carefully, his eyes scanning for any danger. He didn't trust places like this. Fortresses on the edge of civilization often had secrets hidden within. But after days of running and fighting off those they'd outsmarted, they had little choice. A safe place, even one that felt off, was better than nothing.
Sarajin broke the silence first. "Well, it's better than sleeping under the stars... or in that mess of thorns we passed earlier," she said, grinning. Her hand rested on her bow, always ready. "It's not much, but at least we get a warm meal and a bed that doesn't make your back scream."
"Food and a bed," Bunzer echoed, his voice light and carefree, even in the face of danger. He swung his twin daggers at his sides, the soft click of metal almost musical. "This is the most civilized place we've seen in days. And if it all goes south, we'll blame you, Razen."
Razen stayed quiet, his eyes still searching the fortress. Something didn't feel right. Too clean, too perfect for this forsaken land. But the weariness in his bones outweighed his gut feeling. They needed rest.
"We could use a rest," Kyprosa said, her voice steady but cautious. She didn't trust easily, but even she could admit that a bed and food sounded like heaven. Her sharp eyes scanned the people in the courtyard, always alert.
They passed through the gates and into the courtyard. Merchants called out their wares, and the chatter of travelers filled the air. The sound of clinking armor and loud voices was a sharp contrast to the silence of the Blighted Lands. For a moment, it almost felt like a normal place, a forgotten part of civilization.
"The merchants here are livelier than I expected," Sarajin said, her eyes darting between the various goods. "At least someone isn't as broke as we are." She glanced at Bunzer, who only shrugged with a grin.
Kyprosa looked back toward the Blighted Lands, a frown on her face. "It's... unsettling to see so many people in one place. Something feels wrong. But for now, we need supplies." She kept her voice calm, but there was an edge of concern in her eyes.
A guard led them into the inn. His smile seemed friendly, but his eyes were too wide, a little too eager. Inside, the warmth from the hearth greeted them. The smell of roasted meat, stew, and a hint of wine filled the air. The inn was busy, but not overcrowded—just enough to feel alive. Travelers and soldiers talked about their journeys, their voices creating a strange sense of normalcy that almost felt comforting.
"Food's on me," Bunzer said with a grin, waving them over to a table near the fire. "We need to recharge, and you look like you might collapse any second, Razen."
Razen's body ached with exhaustion. His muscles protested every movement, but the thought of a warm meal and a bed made it feel like a distant dream. Still, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something wasn't right. "Thanks," he muttered, easing himself into the seat with a grunt. "But I'd rather get back on the road sooner rather than later."
Sarajin snorted quietly, though her voice was light. "Yeah, yeah. The brooding thing suits you. But honestly, I think we're all ready to stop running for a bit."
Bunzer leaned in, grinning. "Come on, Razen, you're making this place seem worse than it is. Let's just rest for one night, get some food, and we'll go."
Before Razen could respond, a loud crash came from across the room. Shouts followed, and the room fell silent as everyone turned toward the noise.
Razen's hand instinctively moved toward his swords. His body tensed, every sense on alert. "Stay sharp," he muttered under his breath.
Kyprosa's eyes narrowed as she stood and made her way to the window. "We have company," she said quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "And I don't think they're here for a friendly chat."
Sarajin stood, already drawing her bow. "I was starting to think we might catch a break," she said, her voice light, but there was an edge of sarcasm. "Guess this place isn't as cozy as it seems."
Bunzer leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Let me guess. You've got a plan?"
Sarajin nodded, steadying her grip on her bow. "Oh, you bet I do. You're the sneaky one, Bunzer. I'm going to need you to stay quiet."
Kyprosa's voice was low, her gaze still on the door. "I don't like the way this feels. Stay sharp."
Razen was already moving toward the door. His instincts screamed that something wasn't right. The noise outside was growing louder. The sound of metal scraping against stone filled the air.
"We should leave. Now," Razen said quietly, his hand on the door.
Before anyone could react, a figure clad in dark armor crashed through the door, sword raised. But he never got far.
Razen moved in a blur, his twin blades flashing. The man's sword flew from his hands, and before he could do anything else, he was on the floor, unconscious.
Bunzer laughed as he walked past, heading for the back of the inn. "Next time, I call dibs," he said with a grin.
Kyprosa shot a quick glance at the door. "Something's coming. Stay sharp."
They quickly gathered their belongings, ready to leave before things escalated. But as the tension continued to rise, Razen found his body unable to move from the chair, exhaustion hitting him all at once. A storm of thoughts and anxiety swirled in his head, but the weariness, the hunger, the need for rest—he couldn't fight them all.
Sarajin, ever the pragmatist, broke the silence with a low chuckle. "Look, we've been running for days, fighting non-stop. Maybe this is the universe giving us a tiny break. A moment to breathe, huh? And it's not like we're exactly surrounded by a hundred enemies. You can hear a pin drop out there right now."
Kyprosa's sharp eyes scanned the room once more, but the tension in her shoulders slowly released. "Fine," she said, with an edge of reluctant acceptance. "We'll stay. But one night. After that, we leave."
Sarajin raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. Bunzer was already helping himself to a mug of ale, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, they could almost forget the horrors waiting outside.
Razen exhaled, slowly leaning back in his chair, the weight of the journey pulling at him. "One night," he repeated softly.
Outside, the Blighted Lands still stretched on endlessly. But for now, the fortress, despite its dark history, provided a fleeting moment of peace. It was a small thing in a world of chaos. A brief reprieve that allowed them to catch their breath before whatever came next.
And perhaps, for the first time in a long while, they could afford to believe that there was still a shred of hope.