Delythena's POV
The family wept as they embraced their child, then turned to look at me.
"Did you healed us?" the mother asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
I nodded.
To my surprise, they stepped closer and knelt before me.
"Thank you so much. You are so kind" the mother said gratefully.
"We thought we were going to die... Our child would have been all alone without parents," the father added, his voice filled with sorrow.
I couldn't help but feel sympathy for their situation.
"Please, don't kneel" I said, helping them stand.
"What exactly happened to you?" I asked.
They took a moment to calm themselves before the mother spoke.
"The last thing I remember was that my husband and I were selling fruit when a woman approached us. We couldn't see her face because she wore a veil, and her entire body was wrapped in a green cloak. But even then, her beauty was undeniable.
She offered us gold, saying she would lift us from poverty. We had never held something so valuable before, so we eagerly accepted it. But the moment we touched the gold, we felt our strength being drained... until we ended up like this."
Hearing this, I was completely taken aback.
"And I've also heard, big sister, that my parents weren't the only victims. Other poor people here have been tricked too," the child added.
That confirmed my suspicion whoever was behind this was stealing people's energy.
Savena was right. A deceiver was at work.
"We're just grateful that we got to see our child again. We thought they would take her away," the father said, making me frown in confusion.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"There have been kidnappings in this village children have been disappearing. Many have gone missing, and no one knows where they are or why this is happening" he explained.
"Thank you for telling me," I replied.
The mother hesitated before asking, "May we know who you are? We've never seen someone like you before."
"You must be a noble. Why have you come to our village?" the father added.
"I am an enchantress from the Grimaldi family. My group was assigned here to provide protection" I explained.
Their eyes lit up with hope.
"Thank you, lady! We owe you our lives" they said gratefully.
"There's no need to thank me. It's my duty to help" I assured them.
An idea struck me. I conjured seeds of various fruits and handed them over.
"Plant these for your livelihood" I told them.
The family burst into tears again.
"Thank you so much! You're a blessing from the heavens!" they said.
"Thank you, big sister." The child hugged me, and I couldn't help but smile.
"We're sorry, my lady. We have nothing to offer you in return" the mother added.
"It's all right. Just take care of yourselves," I replied. "I should get going now."
As I stepped outside, they called after me.
"Take care, lady!"
"Where have you been?" Shamera asked as soon as I rejoined them.
"I just helped someone and got some useful information" I replied, immediately catching their attention.
"And what gossip did you pick up this time?" Crisella asked, raising an eyebrow.
I just rolled my eyes at her.
"I came from a family of victims" I explained. "They said there's a woman offering gold, but in exchange, she drains people's energy. And aside from that, children are also being taken."
Everyone looked shocked except for Crisella, who seemed to have already suspected something.
"So, it's true that people are being drained of their strength and children are going missing... We thought those were just rumors" Haden said.
Shamera crossed her arms, her face full of concern. "If that's the case, then we need to do something about it. We can't just ignore this."
Terrence nodded in agreement. "But the question is, who is behind all of this? And why are they taking people's strength and abducting children?"
Azmier looked at me. "Delythena, you said the victims described the woman as wearing a green cloak, right?"
I nodded. "Yes. They couldn't see her face because of the veil, but they said she was undeniably beautiful. And when they accepted the gold, they started losing their energy."
Crisella scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Obviously, whoever she is, she's using magic. The question is, what kind?"
Haden furrowed his brows. "And where are they taking the children? There have been so many missing cases, but no one has ever found them."
The atmosphere grew heavier. We had just arrived, yet the village was already proving to be full of mysteries.
"We should inform the caretaker about this" Shamera suggested. "Maybe they know more than we do."
I agreed. "And we need to investigate more. We can't let this continue."
Crisella smirked at me. "At least we agree on one thing."
I ignored her remark. There were more important things to focus on now.
We headed back to the caretaker's place, our minds filled with questions. Upon arriving, the caretaker greeted us with a curious look.
"You're back early. How was your tour?" he asked.
Shamera stepped forward. "We found something troubling. There are reports of people losing their strength after accepting gold from a mysterious woman. And worse, children have been disappearing."
The caretaker's expression darkened. He let out a deep sigh and motioned for us to sit. "I was hoping you wouldn't get involved in this matter so soon, but it seems fate has other plans."
Azmier leaned forward. "So, you knew about this?"
The caretaker nodded. "Yes, but we have very little information. People speak in hushed tones about the disappearances, afraid that if they talk too much, they might be next. As for the woman in the green cloak... she's been spotted before, but no one knows who she really is or where she comes from."
"Do you have any idea where the missing children might be?" I asked.
The caretaker hesitated before responding, "There is a place... deep within the northern forest. Some say strange things happen there, whispers in the wind, shadows moving unnaturally. But no one who enters comes back to tell the tale."
Terrence crossed his arms. "Sounds like exactly the place we need to check out."
Crisella smirked. "Finally, something interesting."
I shot her a look but didn't comment. Instead, I turned back to the caretaker. "Then that's where we'll start."
The caretaker looked worried. "Be careful. This is no ordinary mystery you might be dealing with something far more dangerous than you realize."
I nodded, already feeling the weight of the mission ahead. Whatever was lurking in that forest, we were going to find it.
That night, I couldn't sleep. The caretaker's words echoed in my mind this is no ordinary mystery. Something about this entire situation felt wrong, like we were stepping into a trap.
I got up from my bed and walked towards the window, staring out into the quiet night. The village looked peaceful, but I knew better. Darkness lurked beneath the surface, hiding secrets yet to be uncovered.
A faint rustling sound caught my attention. My eyes darted to the trees at the edge of the village, where a shadow moved unnaturally fast. My instincts flared someone was watching.
Without wasting time, I grabbed my cloak and silently left my room, making my way outside. The cold night air sent chills down my spine, but I pushed forward, following the direction of the movement.
I reached the outskirts of the village, my senses heightened. Then, I heard it soft whispers carried by the wind, almost like a chant.
"Tch! Even at this hour and outside, you're still the one I run into."
I turned around and saw Crisella behind me.
Crisella crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me.
"And what exactly are you doing out here at this hour?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
I sighed, not in the mood to argue. "None of your business," I replied, turning my gaze back to the dark sky.
She scoffed. "Sneaking around, are we?"
I rolled my eyes. "If I were, you'd be the last person to know."
She stepped closer, her piercing eyes studying me. "You're hiding something," she accused.
I met her gaze, unfazed. "And you're paranoid."
Before she could retort, a sudden rustling came from the trees nearby, making both of us tense.
A few moments later, two people came running toward us. They looked familiar they were the couple I helped earlier.
They ran straight to me, crying.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Lady, they took our child!" the mother sobbed, her voice trembling with fear.
I was shocked.
"Do you know them?" Crisella asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They're the ones I helped earlier," I answered.
"Who took your child?" I asked urgently.
"Not who what" Crisella interjected.
"It was those people... the ones dressed in black. The same ones who have been taking children" the father said, his voice filled with despair.
I glanced at Crisella, and judging by the serious look in her eyes, she must have come to the same suspicion.
"Tsk. No wonder I felt something strange earlier" she muttered, glancing toward the direction the couple had come from.
I turned back to them. "Where did they take your child? Did you see which way they went?"
"They went into the forest" the father answered, his voice still trembling with fear.
"We can't waste any time" I said firmly. "We need to go after them before it's too late."
Crisella scoffed, clearly annoyed. "Looks like we're in for a fight tonight."
"That's fine with me" I replied. "What matters is that we save the missing children."
Crisella and I exchanged a determined look before sprinting toward the forest, ready to face whatever awaited us.
"Ugh, I can't believe I'm stuck with you at a time like this, in a fight like this" she huffed as we ran.
"We're in the same boat, so just shut up," I shot back, annoyed.
Crisella clicked her tongue in irritation but didn't say anything else. We continued running through the dense forest, the trees casting eerie shadows under the moonlight. The sound of rustling leaves and distant whispers filled the air, making it clear that we weren't alone.
We stopped in our tracks as we spotted a cave ahead, a strange energy emanating from within.
"Let's go inside" Crisella said, and I nodded in agreement.
Just as we were about to step in, the cave suddenly vanished before our eyes, and a group of enemies appeared out of nowhere just like the ones who had attacked us before, their hands covered in glowing green veins.
"Damn it!" Crisella cursed.
Then it hit me this wasn't the real hiding place of the enemy. It was just an illusion.
"This is an illusion," I muttered, realization dawning on me.
Crisella clenched her fists, clearly frustrated. "Tsk. So they're just messing with us?"
I narrowed my eyes, focusing my energy. "Yes. This cave isn't real it's a trick to lead us away from the real hiding spot."
As soon as I said that, the hooded figures lunged at us. Their glowing green veins pulsed eerily, radiating an ominous energy.
"Whatever! We don't have time for this!" Crisella growled before charging forward, conjuring a burst of magic to strike the enemies.
I followed suit, summoning vines from the ground to trap some of them in place. "We need to break the illusion first! Otherwise, we'll just keep running in circles."
Crisella clicked her tongue. "Then let's take them down fast."
Without hesitation, we engaged in battle, determined to shatter the illusion and find the real location where the missing children were being kept.
As Crisella and I continued fighting, I suddenly realized that I could no longer see her. The illusion had shifted, and before I knew it, I was in an unfamiliar place.
I found myself in the middle of a dense forest, unfamiliar and eerily quiet. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness, and the towering trees cast long, shifting shadows under the dim moonlight.
"Crisella?" I called out, my voice barely echoing in the vast silence. No response.
I took a cautious step forward, my senses on high alert. The ground beneath me felt strange almost like it wasn't real. It was then that I realized something crucial.
Not far from where I stood, a cave loomed in the distance. At first, I hesitated to approach, unsure if it was another illusion meant to deceive me.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused my power, letting my energy flow outward to sense any distortions around me. Unlike before, the cave didn't waver or flicker it felt solid, real.
"This one isn't an illusion" I muttered to myself.
With cautious but determined steps, I moved closer, ready to uncover whatever secrets lay hidden within.
Before entering the cave, I cast an invisibility spell to ensure that no one could see me.
As I stepped inside, I immediately noticed how vast the cave was. Unlike the usual dark and damp caves, this one was well-lit, with numerous torches mounted on the walls, casting flickering shadows across the stone.
Moving cautiously, I advanced deeper. The further I went, the more I saw the hooded figures clad in black the same ones with glowing green veins on their hands.
What kind of place is this? I wondered, feeling a chill creep down my spine.
Reaching a corner, I halted abruptly. My breath caught in my throat at the sight before me.
A large cage sat at the center, filled with young children huddled together, their faces streaked with tears as they sobbed quietly. Their small, frightened eyes darted around, looking for a way out.
A deep sense of anger and pity surged within me. They're just kids... Who would do something this cruel?
I clenched my fists. I have to get them out of here.
I took a deep breath, steadying my emotions. I have to be careful. If I rush in recklessly, I might put them in more danger.
Observing the guards, I noted their movements. They were stationed strategically, ensuring that no one could approach the cage without being detected. Their glowing green veins pulsed faintly under the dim torchlight, a sinister reminder of the unnatural power they possessed.
I needed a plan.
Slowly, I scanned the area, searching for any weak points. Then, I noticed it an old, rusted lock securing the cage. If I could break it without alerting the guards, I might be able to free the children and get them out unnoticed.
But just as I was about to make my move, a chilling voice echoed through the cave.
"You should not be here."
I froze.
Someone no, something had sensed my presence.
"Intruder!"
The moment those words echoed through the cave, my invisibility spell shattered, leaving me fully exposed.
"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath.
The guards immediately lunged at me. Without hesitation, I unleashed my magic, dissolving them just as I had before. But no matter how many I struck down, more kept appearing.
An endless illusion.
"You will never defeat my illusions," a voice taunted, its tone eerily distorted neither fully male nor female.
I clenched my fists. So, this is the real enemy.
If I kept fighting the illusions, I'd only waste my energy. I needed to find the caster behind them fast.
I gritted my teeth. An illusionist...
If these enemies were just illusions, then no matter how many I defeated, they would keep coming back. I needed to find the caster and stop them at the source.
Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I focused on sensing the real presence behind the magic. The air around me shimmered, the illusion twisting and shifting, but there at the far end of the cave I felt it. A strong, pulsating energy.
Found you.
I opened my eyes and dashed forward, ignoring the endless waves of fake enemies attacking me. Their strikes passed through my body like mist, proving that they were nothing but mere tricks.
"You're clever" the voice sneered, the tone amused yet threatening. "But it won't be enough."
The ground beneath me trembled. The cave walls flickered as if reality itself was bending.
Just as I was about to break the illusion, a massive dragon suddenly materialized before me its entire body engulfed in roaring flames.
My breath hitched. A fire dragon?
"Venim, take care of this nuisance" the mysterious voice commanded before vanishing into thin air.
The dragon let out an ear-splitting roar, its blazing eyes locking onto me with deadly intent. The heat radiating from its body made the air around me waver.
I took a deep breath, tightening my grip. "So, you're my next opponent, huh?"
This just got a whole lot more complicated.
No matter what attack I launched, the dragon remained completely unscathed.
Fire?
I froze for a moment, considering my options. Summoning the fire spirit was out of the question its cost was too high.
I need to think of another way.
Before I could come up with a plan, the dragon suddenly unleashed a massive wave of fire toward me. My instincts screamed at me to move, but before the flames could reach me, a brilliant flash of light erupted in front of me, forming a shield that blocked the attack entirely.
Startled, I turned to see the source of the light.
"Zadkiel?" I murmured in disbelief.
"And what exactly is my fiancée doing in a place like this?"
Zadkiel's voice was as calm as ever, but there was an undeniable sharpness beneath his words. His red piercing eyes glowed faintly in the dim cave, reflecting the firelight from the dragon still looming before us.
I scoffed, regaining my composure. "This is hardly the time for that conversation."
He tilted his head slightly, as if unimpressed. "And yet, you still have time to get yourself into trouble."
I clicked my tongue. "If you're here to scold me, save it. We have a dragon to deal with."
Zadkiel let out a quiet sigh before stepping forward. "Very well. Stay behind me."
"Like hell I will."
His lips twitched slightly, almost as if he was amused, but his focus never wavered from the massive beast before us. The battle was far from over.