With his orders given, Jack Ryder set off. His first stop was the Thighs, and then he worked his way up through the Intestines. Jack Ryder enjoyed the long journey, especially on sunny days. Up in the Ribcage, the air was crisp and clear, and one could even see the ground below.
As Jack Ryder was delivering an order to a shop selling fine perfumes, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
"Hey, Jack Ryder! Long time no see."
"Hey, Marlon. How've you been?"
"Can't complain," Marlon said, "but I was thinking of visiting the old place. Do you think it's worth it? It's a long trip just to visit some ruins."
"Definitely," Jack Ryder said, nodding. "If you're interested, I'd love to tag along. We could meet up there sometime this week?"
"Sounds like a plan," Marlon said. "See you around, Jack Ryder."
Jack Ryder continued his delivery, smiling as he imagined the journey ahead. It had been some time since his last visit to the Ankles.
The Alchemist was reading a book on advanced potion-making when Jack Ryder returned. She looked up from her reading as Jack Ryder walked in.
"I've finished with the deliveries, Alchemist," Jack Ryder announced.
"Thank you," the Alchemist replied, and closed her book with a soft thud. "Now, Jack Ryder, I want to test your potion-making skills."
The Alchemist handed him a piece of paper.
"We'll be making a healing salve today. Let's see how well you do."
Jack Ryder accepted the challenge, and soon the two of them were brewing the ingredients.
"What kind of injuries do you think this salve would be used for, Alchemist?" Jack Ryder asked as he watched the cauldron.
"It is a versatile salve," the Alchemist said, "with many uses. But it is most commonly used for healing light injuries."
"How about something more specific, like burns?" Jack Ryder suggested.
"You might be right," the Alchemist agreed. "That is one way it can be used. It can also be used to heal scrapes and cuts."
Jack Ryder had the sudden impulse to reach for his pocket, and he realized that he was reaching for the scar on his palm. He stopped himself before the Alchemist could see.
"That's good," the Alchemist said, checking the contents of the pot. "But make sure you don't put too much firewood in the cauldron. We don't want the salve to boil too much. We want to keep the temperature low."
"Of course, Alchemist."
Eventually, the concoction was ready.
"Well done, Jack Ryder," the Alchemist said, lifting a small container to the light. "Now, how do you feel about running another errand for me?"
"I'd be happy to," Jack Ryder said, eager for some fresh air.
"Good," the Alchemist said, handing him a list of supplies. "There's a merchant in the Ankles who sells the best potions. I'm going to need some more materials for a special project. Bring this list to him and he'll get the materials for us. You can also pick up some groceries while you're down there."
"Yes, Alchemist."
With his new orders, Jack Ryder set off, walking down the twisting stairways, bridges, and ladders that led down into the lower levels.
Once in the Thighs, the area surrounding Arcfall's main trading hub, Jack Ryder quickly navigated through the crowd, careful not to knock into anyone. He made his way past the crowds, past the warehouses and factories, until he finally reached the Ankles.
It was dark down here, and Jack Ryder had to squint to see the narrow alleys. He was immediately struck by how different the Ankles looked from his memories. Where before the Ankles were always bustling, now there was an eerie silence. The Ankles were completely empty, and Jack Ryder felt a chill run down his spine.
He had just made it out of the alleys and onto a bridge when the silence was shattered by a horrible shriek.
"HALT! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"
A pair of armored men appeared on the opposite end of the bridge.
"I don't know how you got out," the taller of the two soldiers growled. "But it's over now."
Jack Ryder took a step back, his heart hammering in his chest. What were the guards doing here? Were they after him?
"You have nowhere to run," the guard said, taking a step forward.
"I-I-I have an order!" Jack Ryder cried, holding out the piece of paper.
"We've received word of a dangerous criminal in the Ankles, and we're conducting a search. No one's allowed to enter or exit the area," the soldier said, looking down at the order.
"That's ridiculous," Jack Ryder said. "There's no one left here. Everyone's gone. Why are you doing this?"
"Those are our orders. We've got a whole company searching the area," the guard said, shaking his head.
"I need to see the Captain," Jack Ryder insisted.
"He's busy," the soldier said.
"Well, when will he be done?"
"Soon. He'll be here soon."
"You've been saying that all morning. Look, I have a job to do," Jack Ryder said, frustrated.
"Sorry, but you'll have to wait," the soldier said, looking at the sky. "Shouldn't be too long."
Jack Ryder stared at the soldier, his eyes widening. "Look up!"
The soldier looked up, and his jaw dropped.
"The sky's falling," the soldier said, stunned.
Jack Ryder didn't waste a moment. He took the opportunity to make his escape.
"Stop him!"
Jack Ryder sprinted down the alleyways, leaping over crates and ducking under low-hanging beams. The shouts of the guards followed him, and Jack Ryder knew that his freedom would be short-lived.
He reached the apothecary just as the door opened.
"Jack Ryder, what are you doing here?" the Alchemist asked, surprised.
"There's a company of soldiers," Jack Ryder gasped. "They've cordoned off the area."
The Alchemist frowned. "This isn't good."
"Do you have any idea why they're here?" Jack Ryder asked, glancing back at the alley.
"No, but we'll have to leave now," the Alchemist said, grabbing a pack from behind the counter. "We can't afford to get caught."
The two of them crept down the alley. They kept to the shadows, moving as silently as they could. Jack Ryder strained his ears for the sound of approaching soldiers, but there was no sign of them.
"Wait!" the Alchemist whispered.
Jack Ryder froze. He couldn't hear anything.
"Do you see that?" the Alchemist pointed to a shadow in the alley.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure," the Alchemist said, studying the object. "It doesn't look natural. I've never seen anything like it before."
"Is it dangerous?"
"No, I don't think so," the Alchemist replied. "Let's get a closer look."
Jack Ryder nodded and followed the Alchemist.
The two of them approached the object.
"What is it?" the Alchemist wondered.
Jack Ryder stared at the shadow. It was a black oval shape, with a hole in the middle. It seemed to be made of a black substance.
"I've never seen anything like this before," the Alchemist said. "Do you know what it is?"
Jack Ryder shook his head.
The Alchemist knelt beside the shadow and touched it.
"What is that?" Jack Ryder asked.
"I'm not sure," the Alchemist admitted. "It feels strange. Almost like clay."
"What should we do?"
"I'm not sure," the Alchemist said, frowning. "I've never seen anything like this before, and I can't begin to guess its properties. But I can't help but wonder... Could this be the reason for the soldiers?"
"I don't understand," Jack Ryder said, confused.
"Maybe they're not here to look for criminals," the Alchemist said, standing. "Maybe they're here to look for something else."
Jack Ryder's mind raced. Was it possible? Could this black shadow have caused the soldiers to come here?
"We should report this," the Alchemist said.