As night fell over the village, the festive atmosphere from earlier faded, replaced by an eerie silence. The warm glow of lanterns flickered in the cool breeze, casting long shadows on the cobbled streets.
Saanvi, Devran, Tianlan, Vihaan, Wei Zhan, and Xie Lian sat around a fire, enjoying a simple meal provided by the villagers. The villagers had been extremely hospitable, but their constant glances toward Saanvi made Devran suspicious.
Wei Zhan, ever the sharp observer, leaned forward. "You all noticed it too, right?" he asked in a low voice.
Tianlan smirked, swirling his drink. "Noticed what? That the villagers are ready to worship Saanvi? Or that they're hiding something?"
Vihaan, who had been mostly silent, placed his cup down and spoke calmly, "It's not just admiration. It's fear. They're scared of something… or someone."
Saanvi, who had been pretending to ignore the stares, sighed. "I told you, I don't remember saving anyone here."
Xie Lian, the ever-diligent bodyguard, glanced at Wei Zhan, who nodded. "I think it's worth investigating. A whole village doesn't just 'mistakenly' believe in a savior."
Before anyone could respond, a sudden wailing sound filled the air.
A woman's voice screamed in the distance, sending chills down everyone's spines. The villagers immediately rushed into their homes, locking their doors and windows. The group stood up, their instincts kicking in.
Devran grabbed his sword. "Looks like we don't have to look for trouble—it just found us."
Tianlan, unfazed, stretched lazily. "Great. I was getting bored."
Wei Zhan and Xie Lian exchanged glances before swiftly moving toward the direction of the scream.
Vihaan gently placed a hand on Saanvi's wrist. "Stay behind me," he said in a low voice, his gaze unusually intense.
Saanvi blinked, feeling an odd familiarity in his touch, but there was no time to think. Something was coming.
From the darkness beyond the village, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared. A sinister growl echoed through the air as a shadowy figure emerged from the mist.
Tianlan's playful smirk vanished. His demonic energy stirred slightly, responding to the ominous presence.
Devran stepped forward, sword raised. "Guess we're fighting after all."
---
The village was unsettlingly quiet. The wind carried a strange chill, and the flickering lanterns cast eerie shadows on the old wooden houses.
Devran crossed his arms. "We should split up and investigate."
Wei Zhan smirked. "Good idea. I'll take Xie Lian with me."
Xie Lian, who was casually polishing his sword, immediately looked up. "…Wait. Why are you deciding for me?"
Wei Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Because I'm the Prince."
Xie Lian sighed and mumbled, "Why did I even take this job…"
Saanvi turned to Vihaan. "You're coming with me."
Vihaan grinned. "Oh? You finally admit you need my protection?"
Saanvi rolled her eyes. "No, I just need a human shield."
Vihaan gasped dramatically. "Saanvi! How could you?!"
Saanvi patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll write a song about your noble sacrifice."
Vihaan held his chest. "A love song?"
Saanvi pretended to think. "…A tragic ballad."
Vihaan sighed. "I'll take it."
Tianlan, meanwhile, stood awkwardly next to Devran, staring at the ground.
Devran cleared his throat. "You okay?"
Tianlan nodded quickly. "…Yes. Let's go."
But his golden eyes flickered strangely under the lantern light.
---
Devran & Tianlan – Shadow Trouble
The fields at the edge of the village were unusually still. The air felt thick, like a storm was about to break.
Devran scanned the area. "See anything?"
Tianlan hesitated. "…Something is watching us."
Devran turned sharply. "Where?"
Tianlan opened his mouth to answer— but suddenly, the ground beneath them gave way!
Devran and Tianlan dropped like bricks into a deep pit!
THUD.
For a moment, there was silence. Then—
Devran groaned. "Ow… Tianlan? You good?"
Tianlan's voice was muffled. "…You're on top of me."
Devran froze.
Tianlan lay beneath him, his face completely red.
Devran jumped off immediately. "S-Sorry!"
Tianlan sat up, brushing dust off his robe. "…It's fine." But his ears were still pink.
Devran cleared his throat. "Forget that. What just happened?"
Tianlan's golden eyes narrowed. "That was no ordinary hole. Something pulled us down."
They both turned slowly. The darkness in the pit shifted—like it was breathing.
Devran reached for his sword. "This is bad."
Tianlan exhaled shakily. "…Very bad."
---
Saanvi & Vihaan – The 'Sacred Maiden' Disaster
Saanvi and Vihaan had barely walked two steps before a group of panicked villagers surrounded them.
"It's her! The Sacred Maiden has arrived!"
Saanvi blinked. "…Huh?"
Vihaan gasped. "Saanvi! You're a chosen one?!"
Saanvi elbowed him. "Shut up! What are they talking about?!"
The villagers bowed deeply. "The Seer told us that a Holy Woman would come to save us from the darkness!"
Saanvi held up her hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's get one thing straight— I am not a holy anything."
Vihaan smirked. "You're holy to me, dear."
Saanvi stepped on his foot.
Vihaan wheezed. "Hngh—!!"
The villagers weren't listening. "Please, Sacred Maiden! You must perform the purification ritual!"
Saanvi rubbed her temples. "…What kind of ritual?"
An old woman stepped forward. "You must dance under the moonlight and sing a hymn of light."
Vihaan clapped. "This just gets better and better."
Saanvi turned to him with a murderous glare. "One more word, and you'll be part of the sacrifice."
Vihaan grinned. "As long as you promise to mourn me beautifully."
Before Saanvi could strangle him, a loud scream echoed from the village center.
The villagers froze. "…It has begun."
Saanvi's face darkened. "Tch. Guess I'll have to purify things my way."
She pulled out a concealed blade, flipping it easily between her fingers.
Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The Sacred Maiden uses knives?"
Saanvi smirked. "I prefer more 'direct' purification methods."
---
Wei Zhan & Xie Lian – The Creepy Kid Encounter
Wei Zhan and Xie Lian stood near the temple ruins, keeping watch.
Xie Lian yawned. "This is boring."
Wei Zhan grinned. "I thought you liked your job?"
Xie Lian gave him a blank look. "…I was misled."
Suddenly, a small boy appeared in the shadows of the temple.
Xie Lian tensed. "…Where did he come from?"
The boy's face was eerily blank.
Then, he smiled.
"You can't stop it."
Wei Zhan's expression darkened. "…Stop what?"
The boy tilted his head unnaturally. "You're all going to disappear."
And then, he vanished.
Xie Lian and Wei Zhan stared at the empty space.
Xie Lian slowly exhaled. "…Okay. That was creepy."
Wei Zhan crossed his arms. "I don't trust kids."
Xie Lian nodded. "Agreed."
Wei Zhan looked at him. "…Wait. Aren't you, like, twenty?"
Xie Lian shrugged. "And I still don't trust kids."
---