She took the alleyway without a second thought.
It was just a shortcut — one she'd taken many times before. The shop would close soon, and she didn't want to waste time weaving through the busy evening traffic of the main road. The alley cut through a block and opened just near the back entrance of the general store. The light of the setting sun spilled weakly over the rooftops, casting long, creeping shadows into the alleyway.
Her footsteps echoed softly along the cobbled path. She clutched a small basket in both hands, filled with cloth and spices she needed to exchange.
"Almost there," she whispered to herself with a faint smile, glancing toward the narrow sliver of open street ahead.
Then she heard it.
A shuffle.
She paused and turned.
"Hello?" she called out, her voice uncertain.
There was no answer. Just stillness.
The alley was empty, the air growing colder with the shade. Her eyes lingered on a pile of crates near the wall, but there was nothing there.
She shook her head. "You're just being jumpy."
She turned to walk again—
Something slammed into the side of her head. A white-hot pain burst through her skull. The basket dropped with a clatter, its contents scattering across the stones. She gasped, her knees buckling beneath her.
Two figures stepped from the shadows.
"Quick. Don't let her scream."
"I got her. Move!"
Hands grabbed her roughly, yanking her limp body into the shadows.
She tried to cry out, but the world spun. Darkness seeped in.
No one saw.
No one heard.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside Lord Halric's Office.
The sky was a canvas of oranges and purples as Vel, Shin, and General Vahn stood before the wrought-iron gates of Lord Halric's estate.
The evening air carried a crisp chill, and lanterns along the walls of the mansion were already being lit by servants preparing for nightfall.
Vel adjusted the collar of his dark cloak. "So?" he asked, his tone low and steady. "Did any of them talk?"
General Vahn's expression remained impassive. "After four days. We pushed them as far as we could. They talked but not much, but what they gave us only deepens the mystery."
"They all say the same thing," Vel muttered.
Before Shin could chime in, the steward arrived. He gave a formal bow and motioned for them to enter. They followed the servant through grand hallways lined with tall windows and noble crests, finally stopping at a heavy oak door.
Lord Halric sat behind a large desk of polished darkwood, illuminated by the golden hue of a crystal chandelier overhead. He looked up as the trio entered.
"General Vahn. Vel. Shin," he greeted, setting down his quill and folding his hands atop a stack of parchments.
"My lord," they said in unison, bowing slightly.
Vahn stepped forward first, removing a sealed document from his coat. "The captives from the city incident eventually talked. They were hired by a man in a long cloak. Said he carried strange bottles filled with liquid and used elemental birds to communicate with others."
"Bottles…?" Shin echoed, glancing briefly at Vel.
A memory surfaced—Shuri's voice, analytical and firm. She had spoken of the frog monster, how it could have been stored in a container using powerful dark dimensional magic. Shin clenched his jaw, unease rising in his chest.
"They didn't know his name," Vahn continued. "Didn't ask questions. Their task was clear — retrieve specific artifacts. Nothing more."
Lord Halric frowned. "They weren't local?"
"No. Trained, maybe mercenaries. But not Algoran." Vahn replied.
The nobleman's gaze shifted to Vel. "And your findings?"
Vel stepped forward and handed his folder to a servant. The attendant quickly took it and placed it on the desk.
"That contains our full report," Vel said. "Details everything from the forest anomaly and the Giant creature sighted in the city. We also encountered a large-scale bandit operation along the northern route. With the help of the Sharp Fang party, we crushed their encampment and rescued several captives."
Halric skimmed the first few pages. "Were they connected to the disappearances?"
Vel shook his head. "Unlikely. The captives were travelers—merchants, villagers headed toward Eldora. No match with the posters. The bandits had been quiet for months but suddenly became bold. We found old military gear and stolen city cargo. Signs suggest external support—possibly someone arming them."
Vahn added, "The timeline overlaps. These bandits were no ordinary raiders. And it's too clean. Someone's been feeding them and keeping them hidden."
"Any leads on the real abductors?" Halric asked.
"Nothing solid yet," Vel said. "But I doubt the bandits were acting alone. They might have been a front—or a tool. Something bigger is at play."
Lord Halric leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. The room fell into thoughtful silence as the light dimmed further, the last rays of sun slipping beyond the city skyline.
"This is a dangerous threat," he said finally. "One we can't afford to ignore."
He turned to Vahn. "Increase city patrols. Triple the watch near all the routes. I want checkpoints active at all gates."
Vahn bowed his head. "Understood."
"And Vel…" Halric's gaze settled on the elf. "I want you to dig. Quietly, if you must. Find the truth."
Vel nodded. "Understood. I'll get to the bottom of it."
Halric nodded, then leaned back in his chair, "Let's find whoever's taking our people… before more vanish."
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside Guild.
The Guild's familiar stone façade came into view as the carriage turned the final corner. But something was off.
A white-painted carriage, bearing the crest of the Algora's Church, stood parked just outside the entrance. The horses, draped in ceremonial silk, pawed lightly at the ground.
A woman in white robes stood beside it—tall, with her hood down, revealing her soft features and silver-blonde hair. She turned the moment she noticed the incoming carriage.
"That's from the Church," Shin noted, brows furrowing.
The carriage came to a halt. Vel stepped out first, adjusting his cloak. Shin followed, ever watchful.
The Church representative approached with graceful urgency. She offered a polite bow and spoke with a clear, composed tone.
"Guild master Vel, Deputy Shin. I am Sister Arienne, envoy of the Church of Algora."
Vel gave a nod. "What brings the Church to the Guild tonight, Sister?"
She folded her hands. "The High Maiden requests your presence at the Grand Chapel. An urgent matter has arisen—she asks to speak with you both directly."
Vel's expression sharpened. "Concerning matter?"
Arienne gave a slow, grave nod. "Yes. She asks you to come as soon as you are able."
Vel exchanged a glance with Shin, who simply gave a small nod.
"Understood," Vel said. "We'll come immediately."
Without further words, Sister Arienne stepped back toward her carriage, climbing aboard as her driver stirred the reins. The holy vehicle turned quietly and rolled away, its white frame catching the last rays of the sun.
Vel looked up at the fading sky.
"Looks like today's not over yet."