The city walls loom larger as the first hints of dawn paint the eastern sky. Porthaven, usually bustling with activity even at this hour, feels strangely quiet, almost subdued. The usual cacophony of merchants hawking their wares and the rhythmic clang of blacksmiths' hammers are muted, replaced by an unsettling stillness. The silence puts the three on edge, with Rex and Ronan's ears perked and alert, constantly observing the surroundings. Nina feels a prickling sensation on her skin, a sense of being watched, even though she sees nothing. The woods' oppressive weight seems to linger, clinging to her like a shroud.
As they approach the city gates, a lone guard stands watch, his face etched with weariness and concern. He barely glances at Nina and Ronan, his eyes scanning the shadowed corners of the streets beyond. He doesn't offer the usual greeting. Instead, a grim silence hangs between them, broken only by the creak of the gate as Nina and Ronan pass through with Rex trotting at their heels.
The streets, usually teeming with people, are almost deserted. Closed shops stand dark and silent, their windows reflecting the pale light of the dawn. A few hurried figures scurry through the alleys, their faces drawn and anxious. A palpable sense of fear permeates the city, a chilling undercurrent that runs beneath the surface of the apparent calm.
Nina leads the way towards the Adventurers' Guild, the familiar building seeming smaller, more vulnerable than she remembers. As she approaches, she notices a group of guild members huddled outside, their faces pale and etched with worry. They fall silent as she draws closer, their eyes widening with a mixture of fear and a strange, unsettling relief. A grizzled veteran, his face scarred and weathered, steps forward. "Nina," he begins, his voice low and grave, "You're back. We... we thought..." He trails off, his gaze sweeping over Ronan, who stands silently beside Nina, his imposing form casting a long shadow in the dim light. "Master Elara... she's missing."