The guild hall buzzed with the usual chatter, but there was a noticeable shift in the air when Evan and his team entered.
Their faces were weary, and the heavy atmosphere clung to them as they made their way to the meeting table.
Dyeva was the first to stand, her eyes scanning the group with a sharp, inquisitive gaze.
"You're all back," she said, her voice firm but tinged with emotion. "No injuries? No casualties?"
Yvette smirked. "Nothing, a bath and some good food won't fix it."
Runa exhaled softly, her shoulders relaxing. "I'm so glad you're all safe."
"Ourra's saddle sores don't count as casualties, right?" Ourri added with a teasing grin, earning an indignant glare from his twin.
But Evan's face remained tight, his thoughts elsewhere. He barely registered the teasing as he glanced at Gerrard, his gaze lingering on the older man.
Something was nagging at him—something he couldn't shake. He took a breath before speaking, his voice steady but serious. "We need to talk."
Dyeva's brow furrowed. "What happened out there?"
Evan took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight on his shoulders. "Alright, here's what happened..." He began recounting their journey—starting with the encounter with the mysterious Silas by the lake as they track the energy.
He told them about the rift that appeared after Silas dispelled an illusion, leading them into the ruined chamber.
He spoke of the colossal golem they fought and defeated, and then he detailed the elf squad's sudden appearance—pursuing a dangerous fugitive illusionist.
Runa leaned forward, intrigued. "A Huge golem and An illusionist? That's terrifying"
Evan nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah, but that's not what's been bothering me. It's something else."
Gerrard, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "What's that Evan?"
Evan's eyes flickered to Gerrard, then away. He wasn't sure how to put it into words. "Silas. Something's off about him. I've been thinking about it, and... I don't know. It just doesn't sit right."
The room fell silent. Everyone was processing the weight of what they'd heard. Finally, Gerrard's voice broke the stillness, low but deliberate.
"Evan, something doesn't sit right with me too... I think Silas has been using us."
Evan's eyes narrowed, the suspicion he'd been holding back bubbling to the surface. "What do you mean?"
Gerrard leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together.
"You guys helped him defeat that Huge golem, but what did we get out of it? Maybe he's been manipulating this whole encounter all along. The rift wasn't just some random anomaly, maybe it's a portal. Silas likely created it, dragging us into his game. For all we know, the golem may have been part of his plan or goals."
Evan clenched his fists, a knot of anger forming in his chest. "I've been feeling that way too," he said, his voice low and tight.
"Ever since we met him, something about the way he handled things... like he was waiting for us to catch up, always one step ahead.
Ourra crossed his arms, muttering, "I knew it. We were just helping him take down that huge ass golem, he never told us what he was really up to and just disappeared like that."
Evan met his gaze. "The question is, why? What's the end game?"
Dyeva, who had been quiet until now, her voice tinged with concern. "Evan, we have to face facts. If Gerrard's right... we've been manipulated. And that's a dangerous situation to be in."
"But... the elves were after him," Ourri added, his voice distant, as if lost in thought. "If Silas is the one they're hunting... then everything that's happened, it's all leading to this. What does it mean?"
Yvette rubbed her temples, clearly frustrated. "So, we've been stuck in the middle of elf politics and some illusionist's schemes, and we don't even know which side we're on?"
Ourra held his head in both hands, frustration evident in his tone. "Argh... Maybe my intuition was right from the start..."
Gerrard's expression hardened, his tone steady but firm. "We can't let this out yet. Spreading rumors about Silas could start a war we're not ready for. For now, we keep this between us."
The silence that followed was thick with unease. Everyone processed the revelations in their own way, and the weight of what they'd uncovered hung over them.
Finally, Dyeva broke the silence, her voice sharp. "That's the second most important thing right now. The first is that you all made it back safely. Do you think I wouldn't worry after what happened to our comrade a few days ago?"
Evan's chest tightened, the weight of it all crashing down on him. "I've put us all in this position," he said, barely above a whisper.
"We're involved in something that could tear apart everything we've worked for. The guild... the kingdom... the peace between races. It's my fault. I didn't think it through. I didn't see how dangerous it was."
Runa stepped forward, concerned in her eyes. "Evan, we'll figure this out. Together." She reached out but stopped short, sensing it wasn't the right time for comfort.
Evan gave a small nod, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.
Dyeva stood, her expression resolute. "Meeting dismissed. Rest up. We've got a lot of work ahead, and this is just the beginning."
As the team began to leave the guild hall, there was an unspoken understanding between them. They had faced danger and survived, but now a new, far more dangerous challenge loomed. One involving manipulation, deceit, and a far-reaching conflict they hadn't seen coming.
Silas was still out there, and the team couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the tip of the iceberg.
Later that evening, Evan sat alone at the bar on the third floor of the guild hall, the cool rim of his ale cup grounding him as his thoughts churned. His fingers gripped the cup tightly, his frustration threatening to boil over.
A soft, familiar voice pulled him from his reverie. "Evan?"
He looked up to see Runa, her gaze hesitant yet filled with concern. She fiddled with the hem of her cloak before stepping closer.
"You're drinking alone up here?" she asked lightly, but there was a hint of worry in her tone.
Evan glanced at her, then at the empty stool beside him. "Looks that way," he muttered.
Runa didn't wait for an invitation. She slid onto the stool beside him and placed her own cup of ale on the counter. "Mind if I join you?"
He shrugged. "Suit yourself."
The silence stretched between them, comfortable but laden with unspoken tension. Then, unexpectedly, Runa pressed the cold rim of her ale cup against his cheek.
"Hey!" Evan jumped, startled, his hand instinctively going to his face as he glared at her.
Runa grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"This isn't like the Evan I know. The Evan I know doesn't sulk. Sure, you're quiet, and yeah, you didn't exactly chat with me on the way back to Kubu Fort—"
Evan raised an eyebrow. "Understatement of the year."
"Let me finish!" Runa huffed, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration before her tone softened again.
"But you're the guy who always puts the guild first. You're reliable, even when you don't feel like it. And you carry everything on your shoulders, even when you don't have to. That's not a bad thing, you know."
Evan stared at her, her words loosening something tight in his chest. "You're drinking ale now, huh?"
Runa rolled her eyes. "I'm not a kid, Evan. I'm only two years younger than you. Besides, I thought you'd appreciate the company."
"Fair enough," Evan said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
They sat in a more comfortable silence, the earlier tension giving way to quiet camaraderie. Runa began to share anecdotes from her time at Kubu Fort while the others had been on their mission.
"Did you know Gerrard tried to enchant a broom to clean the common room? It worked—for about five minutes. Then it caught fire, and Dyeva walked in just as it was happening."
Evan snorted at the thought of their fierce leader facing off with a flaming broom. "Sounds about right for Gerrard."
Runa laughed, her voice warm. "It was chaos. I thought Dyeva was going to throw him out, but she just banned him from using alchemy for a week."
"Generous of her," Evan said dryly, taking another sip.
"Well, I think he bribed her with some fancy wine he was saving," Runa added, grinning. "Anyway, it's been eventful here too. But it's not the same without you and the others."
Evan glanced at her, surprised by her sincerity. "You missed us?"
Runa flushed slightly but didn't look away. "Of course. You're my team. And... well, I missed you. You might not say much, but when you're around, everything feels in control."
For a moment, Evan didn't know how to respond. Her words settled deep, unexpectedly comforting.
"Thanks," he said softly, his voice quieter than usual.
Runa smiled, her earlier shyness returning as she fiddled with her cup. "You're welcome."
They stayed there for a while longer, exchanging quiet words, the rare peace settling over them.
It wasn't much, but for Evan, it was enough to remind him he didn't have to face everything alone.
And for Runa, it was a step closer to breaking through the walls Evan had built around himself.