Chapter 6: Shadows of Valmez

After the Rescue of the Spirit Kingdom

After rescuing the Spirit Kingdom, the group returned to the Forest of the Elves.

Golden rays of sunlight slipped through the thick canopy, scattering across the weary faces of the heroes who had just come back from a long and grueling journey.

Y sat down on a slanted tree trunk, wiped the sweat from his brow, and let out a heavy sigh, as though exhaling the weight of the days gone by.

Y (in a low voice):

“I think I’ll need some rest… at least for a few days.”

L approached, her arms crossed, her tone a mixture of seriousness and concern.

L:

“Yes… ever since we met, you’ve been fighting without pause.”

Anna, her expression tinged with curiosity, leaned forward slightly.

Anna:

“That’s true… you still haven’t told us—how did you meet Y?”

Both L and Ash lowered their gazes, answering at the same time.

L & Ash:

“In prison.”

Anna’s eyes widened in surprise, and she recoiled slightly.

Anna:

“Prison?!”

She hesitated for a moment, then asked again, her voice softer, almost reluctant.

Anna:

“But… tell me, why did you become Hunters in the first place?”

L stepped forward, taking a seat on another fallen trunk. Her eyes gleamed with a resolute light.

L:

“It’s simple… I am from a clan of vampires. My people are under threat. I became a Hunter to gain the strength to protect them.”

Ash spoke next, her voice quieter, but heavy with sorrow.

Ash:

“I only became a Hunter to survive. My mother and I were captured by humans… but then a great beast attacked us. My mother… shielded me with her own body. She died that day. Since then, I swore I’d rely only on myself.”

A heavy silence settled over them. Only the distant songs of birds broke through, weaving a mournful melody against the backdrop of painful memories.

Liecht approached Y, who was still staring at the sky, and leaned closer.

Liecht:

“Your thoughts seem… troubled, don’t they?”

Y (softly):

“Yes… too much has happened in such a short time.”

Then, with effort, he rose to his feet. His voice, though quiet, now carried weight and command.

Y:

“Can you gather everyone? I want to speak with them.”

Liecht:

“Consider it done.”

The Campfire Meeting

The group gathered around a small fire, its flames dancing within a circle of stones. The flickering light cast warmth upon their faces, yet at the same time laid bare the tension in their hearts.

Y stood at the center, his voice low but carrying a heavy gravity.

Y:

“As you know… I have no clear goal. Even now, I still haven’t found what I truly seek.”

He paused for a moment, then lifted his gaze to meet theirs, his eyes clouded with both exhaustion and mystery.

Y:

“But everything that has happened lately… made me realize we need to decide. That’s why I want to hear from you—what should our next step be?”

L studied him closely.

L:

“You look exhausted, Y.”

Ash nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on him without wavering.

Ash:

“Yes… and perhaps more than you let on.”

But Anna interrupted softly, her words direct and sharp as an arrow.

Anna:

“You need to go to the Kingdom of Valmiz.”

Y raised an eyebrow, his tone cautious.

Y:

“Valmiz? Why?”

Anna’s features softened with both longing and worry.

Anna:

“I’ve heard recently of a healer… someone who treats people free of charge. She appeared two years ago—just as I once did.”

Y’s eyes widened slightly, the connection striking him at once.

Y:

“You mean…?”

Anna lowered her gaze for a moment, then lifted it again with steady resolve.

Anna:

“Yes. My elder sister, Lara, is there. I haven’t seen her myself, but from the descriptions… I knew it was her.”

Silence fell. Surprise was etched into every face as Anna continued, her voice heavy with unease.

Anna:

“But recently… she suddenly stopped treating people. No one knows why.”

Y lifted his head, his voice now firm, sharp as steel.

Y:

“Then I’ll leave at once.”

He turned to his companions, his eyes cutting through the firelight.

Y:

“Who will come with me?”

L and Ash spoke in unison, without a shred of hesitation.

L & Ash:

“We will.”

Anna sighed, her voice barely audible.

Anna:

“Forgive me… I can’t go.”

Liecht stepped forward with steady confidence.

Liecht:

“I’ll go with you. I’ve been to Valmiz before. As for Deona… she’ll stay here.”

He paused, then added in a grave tone:

Liecht:

“But a warning: don’t act recklessly. Valmiz is no ordinary kingdom—it’s a den of corruption. I think we should keep our numbers low. Just you and me. If L and Ash show themselves there, they’ll draw far too much attention.”

Anna nodded in agreement.

Anna:

“I agree with that plan.”

Y studied them for a long moment before answering, his tone calm yet resolute.

Y:

“Very well… we leave now.”

He and Liecht walked off toward the edge of the camp with steady steps, while the others remained behind, watching them go in silence.

Y:

“Now you can speak freely.”

Leicht let out a deep breath before replying in a grave voice:

Leicht:

“Forgive me… but you know how it is in Valmeez. Slavery thrives there. A band as diverse as ours would draw too much attention—especially with someone as rare as Ash among us.”

He fell silent for a moment, then pulled off his shirt, revealing a body marred by scars and disfigurement. The marks of torture spoke louder than any words.

Leicht:

“I was imprisoned there once… I know exactly how things work.”

His gaze dropped, his next words almost whispered as if spoken to himself:

Leicht:

“My purpose in the Elven Forest is to save every elf I can—including my wife… if she’s still alive.”

Y answered calmly, his voice steady and his eyes sharp:

Y:

“No need to apologize. You’re right… we must carry out the plan quickly.”

He took a step closer, his tone turning firm, almost cutting:

Y:

“But let me make one thing clear… I’m not the kind who stays silent when I see something I despise—even if it ruins our cover.”

A genuine smile of respect spread across Leicht’s face. He extended his hand firmly toward Y.

Leicht:

“I once thought all humans were the same… until I saw some enslave their own kind. That’s when I realized there are good humans too… and you are the kindest among them. With every day that passes… my respect for you grows.”

Y clasped his hand with equal strength, the silence between them saying more than a thousand words.

Then Leicht stepped back half a pace, a playful challenge in his eyes as he spoke with a grin:

Leicht:

“What do you say… shall we race to the edge of the forest?”

Y’s reply was cool and confident, his voice unwavering:

Y:

“Agreed.”

In the Elven Forest, Ash, L, Freya, Diona, and Anna watched from afar as Y and Leicht prepared to depart.

Freya leaned closer to Anna, her voice soft yet pressing:

Freya:

“Are you certain you don’t want to go with them?”

Anna clutched her own arm, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. Her voice trembled between longing and fear:

Anna:

“I want to… I want to help her. But I’m afraid… afraid I’ll find her and her family already dead. With every elf I see fall, my fear only grows stronger.”

Diona gently took Anna’s hand, her words soothing, steady as a calm stream:

Diona:

“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”

⸻

Arrival at Valmeez

The two shot through the forest like arrows loosed from the string, devouring the distance as though the ground itself slid beneath their feet. Days of relentless running and travel passed swiftly until, at last, they stood before the colossal gates of Valmeez.

Y slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the surroundings with sharp caution, as though his heart could read the secrets hidden behind the stone walls.

Y:

“Now I understand what you meant… there’s something wrong here.”

Leicht’s face grew grim, his voice carrying the weight of one who had tasted the bitterness of this place:

Leicht:

“Valmeez is built on a brutal hierarchy. Palaces rise above slums the way gold gleams atop pools of blood. The real power lies with the Golden Guild, pulling strings from the shadows—here, the law itself is bought and sold like any other commodity. Its upper streets are paved with false marble, its markets roar with shady deals and ruthless auctions, while the lower levels suffocate under smoke, hunger, and despair. Valmeez is no true kingdom… it’s a marketplace, disguised in royal trappings.”

Y clenched his fist, his voice firm, carrying a clear rejection:

Y:

“I don’t like it… I want to find Lara. Should we return to the old plan?”

A crooked smile crept across Leicht’s face, edged with dark irony:

Leicht:

“Yes… it’s time to play the tune.”

Inside the Tavern – The Starting Point

The two slipped into a rundown tavern at the edge of Valmeez. Dim lights barely pierced through the haze of smoke, and the air was thick with the stench of sweat and regret. They sat at the far end of the bar, where an old barkeep, well into his fifties, polished a glass with the weary air of someone who had seen enough of life to topple a kingdom with a single glance.

Leicht wasted no time. He fixed the man with an unwavering stare, his tone cutting and firm:

Leicht:

“I want information.”

The barkeep arched an eyebrow, still polishing the glass with slow, deliberate motions. His voice carried a cautious edge:

Barkeep:

“What kind of information?”

Leicht:

“I’m looking for a healer… she became known over the past two years, then suddenly vanished.”

The man lowered his head for a moment, then spoke with a wary tone:

Barkeep:

“I see… that sort of knowledge comes at a price.”

Leicht drew out a leather pouch heavy with gold coins and set it on the counter with calm assurance.

Leicht:

“All of this is yours. But in return… I expect accuracy.”

The barkeep loosened the pouch, let the coins run across his calloused fingers, then exhaled a long, tired sigh:

Barkeep:

“Her name is Lara. She used to heal the poor for free—even my nephew survived a fatal illness thanks to her hands. But… something changed about a year ago.”

His voice dropped suddenly, almost a whisper, as if the weight of his words could not be spoken aloud:

Barkeep:

“Some wealthy men tried to exploit her gift for profit. They offered her a place among them, but she refused. Not long after, she stopped treating people altogether—no explanation. Then she disappeared.”

He reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small folded map, setting it carefully before Leicht.

Barkeep:

“This marks her last known location. If you intend to save her… do it. I owe her the life of someone dear to me.”

Y lifted his gaze, his voice sharp as steel:

Y:

“We will.”

The two turned toward the door and left, their footsteps fading into the night. The barkeep remained where he was, lit a cigarette with slow precision, his eyes glimmering with old memories. Under his breath, barely audible, he murmured:

Barkeep:

“…Lara, the one you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.”

In Front of the Abandoned House – Midnight

Y and Leicht stood before a half-abandoned house, its silence guarded by watchful eyes and pillars that resembled shackles more than protection.

Leicht (whispering):

“We have to be sure… is she really inside?”

Y:

“We’ll know soon enough.”

They waited until midnight. The city fell under a suffocating silence, like a prison of stillness, broken only by the faint murmur of water echoing through the alleys.

Suddenly, a small window on the upper floor creaked open, slowly, as if the one behind it awaited someone promised by the heavens.

Y (in a whisper):

“There.”

Leicht’s lips curved into a faint smile:

“It’s your sister… seems she hasn’t forgotten the midnight tale.”

Y:

“Stay here.”

Leicht:

“Be careful.”

⸻

In Lara’s Room – The Reunion

Lara stood near the window, her eyes fixed on the moon, her thick brown hair swaying with the night breeze. Her face seemed bathed in the moonlight itself—a reflection of serenity and longing, as though she were listening to an ancient prophecy unfolding before her.

She turned suddenly, a quiet smile touched with sorrow spreading across her features:

Lara:

“I’ve been waiting for you… all this time.”

She stepped forward with hesitant steps, then opened her arms and embraced him tightly, her tears mingling with her trembling breath:

Lara:

“Two whole years… every night I told myself: he will come. He will find me.”

Y bent slightly, placing his hand gently on her forehead, as if to calm her heart before her mind. His voice came low and deep:

Y:

“Thank you… for waiting.”

He stepped back, his tone firm despite the warmth of the reunion:

Y:

“I came to take you out of here. But first… I need to understand what’s happening.”

Lara lowered her head, silent for a moment as if fighting her tears. Then she lifted her eyes again, her voice trembling between strength and despair:

Lara:

“A year ago, some men came… they took my husband and my daughter, Leona. They threatened to kill them unless I stopped healing people. I had no choice… I withdrew from everything.”

For a moment, Y’s breath faltered, but his expression remained unyielding. He stepped closer, his voice carrying the weight of an unbreakable vow:

Y:

“Everything will be fine.”

He turned toward the window, his eyes shining with unwavering resolve:

Y:

“But now, you must stay here a little longer… until we rescue them.”

Lara (her voice caught between hope and fear):

“Very well… but promise me you’ll be careful.”

Y gave her a faint smile, his words sharp and steady as a drawn blade:

Y:

“Don’t worry. We’ll save them… even if it means standing against the whole kingdom.”

The forest swayed gently, its leaves whispering in the aftermath of a distant farewell.

Y stood before Leicht, his gaze steady, his voice low but clear as he laid out the details with precision.

Leicht listened in silence, his face hardened, shadows cloaking his features. Then he lifted his head, his tone strong and unwavering:

“I understand… I have a plan, but it requires Ash.”

With measured speed, he pulled out a small sheet of paper, his hand moving without hesitation as he scribbled a few brief words.

The scratch of pen against paper broke the silence for a fleeting moment, before he raised his hand and gave a sharp whistle.

From between the trees, a swift bird descended—its feathers gleaming, its eyes sharp and alert.

Leicht tied the message securely to its leg, then released it into the night sky. The beating of its wings tore through the stillness.

“I’ve sent it… she must arrive within three days.”

The message arrived in the Fairy Forest.

Birds chirped softly above as Anna sat among the group, her hands trembling slightly as she held the note.

She read aloud, her voice tight with unease:

“We need you in the capital within a day. It’s urgent.”

Anxiety clouded her face as she turned toward Ash, searching her expression for certainty.

“Can you do it?”

Ash smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with determination.

“I might be a little late… but I’ll make it.”

Before Anna could answer, L rose quietly to her feet. Her steps were light, her voice calm yet laced with mystery:

“I have a way to get there quickly.”

All eyes shifted to her, the air growing heavy, as though the entire forest itself had drawn in a breath and held it.

The Dark Alleys

Night swallowed the streets, the wavering glow of oil lamps casting long, crooked shadows across the western district.

L and Ash halted before Y and Licht.

Licht’s lips curved into a half-smile, as if a weight had just lifted from his chest.

“You made it quickly.”

Ash glanced at L, her eyes gleaming, and whispered:

“She can fly.”

Y raised an eyebrow, his calm voice tinged with curiosity:

“Flying? Impressive… but I’ve never seen you take to the sky.”

L met his gaze with her cool, unreadable eyes, answering softly:

“I’d rather walk at your side than fly above.”

The silence was cut by Ash’s sharp, focused tone:

“What’s the plan?”

Licht pulled out a folded map, setting it on a weathered crate by the wall. His finger traced the paths with practiced precision as he laid out the details in a low, steady voice. The others listened intently, determination hardening their expressions.

At last, Licht spoke with unwavering firmness:

“We strike tonight… at midnight. We only get one chance.”

⸻

Midnight – Inside the Mansion

Darkness smothered the corridors, footsteps so light they barely disturbed the silence.

Y and Ash slipped forward, easing open the door to Lara’s chamber.

But before relief could reach them, the door burst wide!

A guard stormed in, his eyes widening—only to freeze at the sight before him.

There, a young girl stood trembling, a blade pressed to her throat, Y holding her in an unyielding grip.

Y’s voice was cold, dripping with menace:

“Seems you have a lovely daughter…”

The guard staggered back, panic flashing across his face. He opened his mouth to shout—

but Y’s cutting words struck first:

“One sound, and she’s finished.”

Tears welled in the man’s eyes. He collapsed to his knees, his voice broken:

“Please… don’t hurt her… take me instead, do what you want, just not her.”

Y’s gaze pierced him, unflinching:

“All I want is one answer… Where are Lara’s husband and daughter being kept?”

The guard hesitated, breathing ragged, then finally broke:

“North… deep in the forest. An abandoned manor… you’ll find them there.”

A faint smile tugged at Y’s lips. His whisper was like a blade drawn in silence:

“Thank you.”

“Now release her,” the guard begged, voice trembling.

But the girl’s tone shifted, sharp and mocking:

“I suppose I can return to my real form now.”

Before his horrified eyes, the child’s figure melted into Ash’s—her hair cascading, her smirk laced with irony.

The guard recoiled, limbs quaking, nearly losing his balance.

From the shadows, Lara stepped forward, her expression heavy with regret.

“Forgive us… but there was no other way.”

They slipped out of the house with quick, silent steps, night wrapping them in its dark shroud.

Y glanced toward Licht, his tone calm yet edged with certainty:

“The guard’s timing… and Ash’s disguise—clever plan.”

Licht answered with a faint smile:

“Even if I hadn’t, you would’ve found a way yourself.”

Y gave a silent nod, then lifted Lara gently into his arms. His voice, however, was firm:

“Now… to the manor.”

Moments later, they stood before a towering structure, shrouded in darkness, trees pressing close around its iron gates.

Licht studied the entrance with a grim expression:

“This place is vast… searching it in secret won’t be easy.”

Lara pointed toward Y, her voice carrying quiet confidence:

“Don’t worry… just watch him.”

Licht’s brow furrowed as he observed Y circling the perimeter, eyes tracing every angle.

“Why is he inspecting it like that?”

Lara’s lips curved into a proud smile:

“He’s analyzing the manor in his mind—mapping its weak points from the outside.”

Licht’s eyes widened in disbelief:

“You mean… he can sketch the interior just by looking at the exterior?”

Lara nodded:

“Yes. He grew up on a survival game that revolved around storming enemy strongholds. He mastered the art of locating resources and hidden chambers… simply from the outside.”

Licht exhaled, impressed:

“That cuts down time… and effort.”

Minutes later, Y returned, crouched low, and traced a miniature map in the dirt with his finger.

“There’s a cellar… and a hollow space behind certain walls—it could be a hidden lab. Two staircases, one on each side, leading down. I’ll take the secret chamber. You head for the cellar. We have fifteen minutes—no more.”

⸻

Inside the Manor

They moved like shadows, silencing guards one by one, until they reached the staircase. There, they split—Y ascending to the upper floor, while Licht and L descended into the cellar. Ash remained near the exit, guarding Lara.

Y stepped into a dark, chaotic chamber. The room was a mess—papers scattered, shelves overturned—yet the desk stood perfectly neat.

A faint smirk touched his lips as he slid it aside, revealing a hidden door.

“Bingo.”

In the Cellar

The darkness was suffocating, the stench thick in the air. Licht and L pressed forward through the narrow passageways, until L froze—her eyes falling on the lifeless bodies scattered in rusted cages.

Her voice trembled:

“They died under torture… I hate prisons. Would that have been my fate too… if Y hadn’t appeared?”

Suddenly, Licht’s shout echoed through the gloom:

“Here!”

She rushed to his side—there lay a girl barely breathing, and a man shackled high against the wall.

Licht cursed under his breath:

“The door is warded… we’ll need an anti-magic key!”

But L’s tone was calm, unwavering:

“No need.”

With a precise, focused strike, the iron gate shattered into pieces.

Licht stared, astonished:

“Where did you learn that?”

Her lips curved into a confident smile:

“From Y.”

The girl stirred, her voice frail but filled with fragile hope:

“Y… Mother told me you would come… she told me not to give up.”

L knelt, drawing the girl gently into her arms:

“Don’t worry… everything will be fine now.”

They hurried out, where Lara rushed to treat them with trembling yet steady hands.

⸻

In the Hidden Laboratory

Meanwhile, Y prowled through a shadowed chamber—glass tubes lined the walls, journals stacked in disarray, grotesque tools of experimentation scattered across blood-stained tables. In the corners, rusted cages held the twisted remains of half-formed creatures, their silence screaming of unfinished horrors.

Muttering as he flipped through the brittle papers:

“An experiment… to create a beast that devours magic.”

His eyes hardened. With a flick of his hand, fire consumed the documents, climbing higher until the entire lab roared in flames.

“Your time… is over.”

The firestorm spread, and moments later, an explosion thundered through the manor just as Y emerged, cloaked in smoke and embers.

⸻

They seized a carriage and sped into the depths of the forest, the burning manor fading behind them like a collapsing nightmare.

When they reached the elven woods, Anna was already waiting, her heart pounding as she spotted them.

Lara stepped forward, tears shining in her eyes as she embraced her sister with trembling arms:

“No matter how cruel this world becomes… you will always remain beautiful.”

Anna broke into tears, clutching her tightly:

“Thank goodness… you and your family are safe.”

And there, in the quiet heart of the forest, the two sisters wept and clung to one another—while the fire of their pain slowly gave way to the fragile warmth of peace.