Catherine & Niha
Catherine's eyes flickered with unease.
The air around her felt heavier than it should, every breath carrying the weight of uncertainty. A faint tremor lingered at the corner of her lips, betraying her inner turmoil.
She suddenly stopped, turning sharply toward Niha. Her voice carried a note of disbelief, edged with impatience.
"Where are Michael, Chris, Louis, and Lily? Where could they possibly be?"
Niha, who until now had failed to grasp that something was truly amiss, lowered her gaze. Her words came softly, uncertain.
"How could I know, Catherine? I've been with you the whole time, haven't I? There's no way I could know where the others are."
Catherine furrowed her brows and fell silent.
Her eyes drifted into the distance, as if invisible roads and paths were drawing themselves in her mind—yet none of them led anywhere.
The same thought echoed again and again:
How do I find them?
Niha broke the silence.
"We landed close to the city. If they were caught in the same teleportation magic, maybe they ended up on the other side of town?"
Catherine's lips pressed into a hard line.
"That cursed witch… she scattered us with teleportation."
Niha nodded, her tone low and serious.
"Yes. But since we were caught within the same spell, the range should be limited. The others shouldn't be too far away."
Catherine clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. Her voice hardened with resolve.
"Then we have no choice. We'll search the city."
---
The City's Empty Shadows
The two women pressed on toward the city.
Tall stone walls loomed over them, lanterns glowing faintly with magical light. In some streets the crowd bustled with unfamiliar faces, in others an eerie silence dominated.
Their first stop was the guild.
Inside, warriors and adventurers filled the hall, maps scattered on tables, quest scrolls pinned to the walls.
Catherine asked one after another, searching for any sign of the missing four. Some shook their heads, some dismissed her with irritation.
No one knew. No trace.
They tried the old city square next.
Once, magicians held their councils here.
Now only empty stone seats remained, dust clinging to the air, the echoes of their footsteps hauntingly loud. The city seemed to be playing with them, throwing their voices back at them with a cruel indifference.
After that, they moved on to the merchant quarter.
Noise filled the air—bargaining in elvish, dwarvish, and other tongues. Colorful stalls lined the streets. Yet despite the noise, despite the endless crowd, there was still no clue.
Every inquiry ended the same way—frustration, futility, emptiness.
Time stretched. Night deepened.
At last, both Catherine and Niha were worn down by fatigue and defeat. Catherine exhaled a long, tired sigh.
"This isn't working… We're only exhausting ourselves."
She turned to head home, her steps heavy.
Niha followed, but then hesitated. She slowed, fidgeted, and finally placed a hand on Catherine's shoulder. Her voice was uncertain, almost timid.
"If you don't mind… there's something I need to tell you."
Catherine turned back.
"What is it?"
Niha lowered her eyes, shame flushing her cheeks.
"The truth is… I don't have anywhere to stay."
Catherine blinked, startled.
"What? Then all this time—where were you living?"
Niha forced a small, embarrassed smile.
"I was… staying at an inn. With Chris."
For a moment, Catherine just stared at her oddly.
Then she sighed, voice softening.
"…I see. Well then, come with me. What else can we do?"
The two resumed their walk, silence falling between them. Only the faint city lights and the cold night air accompanied their path.
---
Meanwhile… Nixon, Michael & Chris
Nixon led the way along a narrow mountain path, Michael and Chris following close behind.
Above them the night sky glittered with stars, while strange birds called from the forest shadows.
As they entered the village, it was immediately clear—this was no ordinary settlement.
Shops lined the streets, their signs glowing faintly, their shelves filled with unfamiliar goods. But the merchants were nearly all elves or dwarves.
Humans were almost nonexistent here.
"This mountain has no human settlement," Nixon explained.
"Only two or three peaks away, there are small human villages. But here? Only elves and dwarves."
Michael scanned the surroundings, his expression caught between awe and suspicion.
It felt like another world altogether.
Nixon pointed ahead.
"That's the house of our village chief. If you want a way out, that's where you'll find it."
Chris frowned, doubt in his tone.
"Are you sure he'll help us? We're strangers to him."
Michael's voice cut in, cold and sharp.
"If we waste too much time worrying, we'll never move forward."
Chris shook his head, eyes closing briefly before he muttered,
"Not everything is that simple, Michael."
Nixon lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug.
"Maybe he'll help. Maybe he won't. That's his decision."
Michael sighed, his voice low but firm.
"Whatever happens, happens. We're not thieves or criminals. We were attacked and dragged here—nothing more."
At last, they reached the village chief's home.
It wasn't lavish, not a palace of gold and marble. But the constant movement of villagers, the air of respect and authority—it was clear this place held weight.
Nixon approached an elven guard, leaning close to whisper urgently.
"I must speak with the chief. It's important. If this news reaches the kingdom before you hear it, you'll face the consequences first."
The elf's face hardened. Without a word, he clamped a hand over Nixon's mouth and hissed.
"Don't delay. Get inside—now. I'll follow."
Nixon's chest tightened at the reaction.
Releasing himself, he quickly motioned to Michael and Chris. Together they stepped forward.
They pushed open the heavy doors.
The council chamber lay before them—broad, dimly lit, lined with wooden beams.
Yet the silence within was oppressive, unnatural.
It was as if the walls themselves were breathing, waiting.
Invisible chains seemed to coil around them, drawing tighter with every step.