The Voice of Dread
Lara sat beneath the familiar old tree in the town square, her fingers lightly grazing the fabric of her dress as she observed the small crowd gathered around her. The atmosphere was vibrant, though a subtle tension lingered in the air. People, drawn by her presence, had started to make it a ritual to share tales of the city's mysteries during these moments.
Today, the group was slightly larger than usual, their voices a mix of curiosity and unease. Among them sat a young girl, no more than twenty, with strikingly sharp features. Her hair, a cascade of raven-black waves, framed her pale face. Her presence was magnetic yet unsettling, and when she finally spoke, her voice carried a weight that silenced the chatter.
"My name is Lyn," she began, her tone steady but heavy with an unshakable sorrow. "And I need you all to listen very carefully."
Lara leaned forward, sensing the urgency in her voice. The crowd followed suit, their earlier lightheartedness replaced by a quiet apprehension.
"Not every building in this city is linked to the Heart," Lyn started, her gaze sweeping across the group. "Most of them are traps. Designed to mislead, to confuse. But… there are five." She held up her hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Five buildings that hold the truth, the key to understanding the city and breaking its chains."
The crowd murmured in confusion, but Lara silenced them with a raised hand. "Go on," she urged.
Lyn nodded. "The first is Sujay Psychiatry Hospital—the biggest hospital in the city. It's not just a place for the mentally ill; it holds secrets… experiments conducted on patients who knew too much." Her voice faltered, but she pressed on. "Then there's the Redwood Boarding School. Children disappeared there. Teachers, too. It's a place steeped in whispers of the unimaginable."
"The third?" Lara asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to break the intensity of the moment.
"The Vines Estate," Lyn continued. "An ancient family once lived there, tied deeply to the city's origins. Their mansion holds records—maps, journals—but it's guarded by things you can't comprehend."
A shiver ran through the group as Lyn's voice lowered further. "The fourth is the Lost Town. It's not on any map, but it exists. I've seen it. It's… alive. Moving. Breathing. And it knows you before you even step foot in it."
"What about the fifth?" someone from the crowd asked, their voice shaking.
Lyn hesitated, her eyes darting to Lara. "The fifth is the Heart of it all. The Dunehall. It's where everything converges. The north, east, south, and west—all roads lead there. And it's where the final battle will take place."
Lara leaned back, her expression one of cautious curiosity. "You've clearly been through a lot," she said. "But how do you know all of this? Who are you, really?"
Lyn's shoulders slumped slightly, as though the weight of her memories bore down on her. "I was fifteen," she began, her voice trembling. "The city was the most populated in Zegal—a beacon of life, culture, and innovation. My parents were proud citizens, and we lived peacefully. Then, things started to change."
"What do you mean by 'change'?" Lara asked, her brows knitting together.
"People vanished," Lyn replied, her gaze distant. "Not kidnapped. Not killed. Just… gone. My parents were among them. I searched for them, thinking they were dead. But I found something worse."
She paused, her breath hitching. "They weren't dead. They were trapped. In another town—a bigger one. A place beyond this city. And I couldn't reach them."
Lyn's voice grew steadier as she continued. "I've spent years piecing together the truth. There are four towns surrounding this city. Arcane Falls to the north, Clover Hill to the south, Beacon Hillside to the east, and Dunewalk to the west. Each of them is… safe. But only for now."
"Safe from what?" someone asked, their voice filled with dread.
"From the forces that control this city," Lyn replied. "But even those towns are vulnerable. And when the time comes, they'll all meet at Dunewalk"
"What's Dunewalk?" Lara asked, her voice sharp with urgency.
"It's where the prophecy ends," Lyn said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Bloodbath. That's what they call it. The final battle. And if we're not ready—if we don't find the clues and unite the towns—we'll lose everything. Everyone here will either die or become prisoners in that town ."
The crowd erupted into murmurs, fear and disbelief evident in their voices. Lara raised her hand again, silencing them.
"What do you suggest we do?" Lara asked, her tone resolute.
Lyn met her gaze, her eyes brimming with desperation. "You need to prepare. Now. Gather everyone tonight for a meeting. Tell Tobias. Tell Elias. If you don't act soon, this part of the town will fall, and we'll all be doomed."
Lara studied Lyn, the girl's trembling hands and tear-streaked face a testament to the horrors she had witnessed. "Why are you telling me this now?" Lara asked.
"Because I've tried before," Lyn admitted, her voice breaking. "I've gone to Tobias, but he never believed me. He said I was too young, that I was just scared. But I know what I've seen. And I can't do this alone."
Lyn stepped closer, her voice barely a whisper. "Take me with you. Let me join your group. The more knowledge we have, the better chance we have of surviving. Please."
Lara felt the weight of the moment settle on her shoulders. She knew she had to act, but the responsibility of leading others into the unknown felt heavier than ever.
After a moment, she nodded. "Alright. I'll take you to Elias. But you need to be ready to tell him everything you just told me."
Lyn nodded, relief washing over her face. "Thank you. You won't regret this."
As the sun began to set, Lara led Lyn to the town meeting hall. The weight of Lyn's words hung heavy in her mind, her determination growing with every step.
This was no longer just about survival. It was about understanding the city's secrets, facing its horrors, and preparing for the battle to come.
Inside the hall, Elias waited, his sharp eyes meeting Lara's as she entered. "Who's this?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.
Lara took a deep breath. "Someone who might just help us save everyone."
The journey into the unknown had begun, and with it, the stakes had never been higher.