Volume 2 - Chapter 18 – Threads of the Missing

Xanathis and Ash finally arrived at the general store. The moment they stepped inside, the door creaked and a small bell chimed overhead, its metallic ring echoing faintly through the air. The shop smelled faintly of fabric dye and old wood polish, shelves lined with folded clothing and scattered supplies. A young woman in a plain apron approached them quickly, offering a polite smile.

“Can I help you with something today?” the lady asked, her tone rehearsed but friendly.

Ash answered without hesitation, already knowing what he wanted. “Get me a shirt with no sleeves, a jacket, and some pants. The more pockets the better.”

“Any color preferences?” the lady asked, tilting her head.

“It doesn’t matter,” Ash replied, his voice steady. “Just not too bright.”

Before the worker could move, Xanathis stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over the shelves. “I’ll pick them out. You just wait here and find whatever else you need,” she told Ash, her tone leaving little room for argument. Then, to the worker, she added, “Show me the clothes, and I’ll decide.”

The woman led Xanathis to a section where the requested clothing was neatly arranged. After a moment of silence and careful inspection, Xanathis picked out a black shirt, matching black pants, and a brown jacket of simple design. She held them up, frowning slightly as her fingers brushed over the seams.

“What’s with the quality of the clothing?” she asked bluntly. “Do you have anything better?”

The worker’s expression faltered, her composure slipping into a nervous smile. “Unfortunately, no. About a year ago, all the master craftsmen in the city disappeared one night. Their apprentices took over, but…” she hesitated, lowering her voice, “it doesn’t matter which shop you visit. The quality of everything in the city will be similar now.”

Xanathis narrowed her eyes, then gave a small nod. “I see. We’ll take these then.”

When they returned to Ash, he was holding a pair of boots and a new belt with a small pouch. The leather looked decent at a glance, but the stitching betrayed its mediocrity.

“I’ll take these as well,” Ash said.

The worker nodded quickly. “Would you like to try them on first?”

“I want to change into them and get out of these clothes,” Ash replied bluntly.

The woman led him to a changing room. The curtain swayed shut behind him, and after a few minutes, Ash stepped back out, now dressed in the new attire. The clothes fit, but he could feel their weakness in the material—thin stitching, fragile seams, cloth that would fray too quickly.

They paid and left the store, the bell chiming behind them. The instant Ash stepped outside, he grabbed the jacket’s sleeves and tore them off with a swift motion, letting the fabric drop into the street. He rolled his shoulders, testing the fit.

“I don’t think these clothes will last long,” Ash muttered, frowning. “The quality isn’t that great.”

Xanathis walked beside him, her arms folded. “Well, I may have found a lead from the worker,” she said as she relayed the story about the vanished craftsmen.

Ash’s brow furrowed. “Could this be the beastmen?” he wondered aloud. But then he shook his head. “No… beastmen target anyone they can. This feels like a targeted abduction. All the master craftsmen taken at once? That sounds like slavers. But who would be bold enough to carry out something this big inside the city… and get away with it without anyone noticing?”

For now, Ash shoved the thought aside. Supplies were still needed. They continued onward, the stone-paved streets of the city stretching before them. The buildings were tall but weathered, many of them leaning slightly from age, their once-bright banners faded to dull cloth. The smell of coal smoke from nearby chimneys mixed with the sharper tang of oil from tinkers’ stalls. Merchants called out their wares in the distance, their voices half-drowned beneath the steady hum of footsteps and wagon wheels over cobblestone.

Ash and Xanathis moved through the crowd, talking quietly as they passed shops with worn shutters and stalls covered by patchy tarps. The weight of the city’s decline was visible everywhere—cracks in the walls, chipped stone, half-repaired bridges. Ash bought a handful of core orbs and various tools from the next store, the exchange brisk and uneventful.

But then he came to a stop when he saw a shop selling soul capacitors. “We should all get one of these,” he said as they entered the shop and looked around. A lady with glasses approached and spoke, “You looking for a soul capacitor?”

Ash responded, “Yes. My last one broke, so I would like to get a new one—and some for my friends.”

The lady nodded. “Well, come take a look. We have various designs now, as the technology has advanced.”

Ash asked, “So I can get something besides a bracer?.”

The lady responded with an affirming nod. “Yes, come right this way.”

Ash and Xanathis looked through the different designs, which now had a greater variety: hair clips, necklaces, little charms—various styles for different tastes.

Xanathis spoke, “This one should be good for you,” as she held up a long necklace that could be hidden under his shirt and kept out of the way.

Ash then looked through and saw a triangle charm with tassels that looked like it would suit her. He grabbed it and handed it to her. “Here. This could easily be hung from one of your belts.”

Xanathis gave him a big smile. Then they grabbed Karna a hair clip before paying for the items and exiting the shop.

As they finally finished, Xanathis suddenly grabbed him by the arm with a grin. “Alright, enough shopping. Let’s eat. That restaurant is calling my name.” She tugged him along, the scent of roasting meat drifting temptingly from down the street. The air grew warmer as they approached, the noise of clattering dishes and laughter spilling from open windows.

Just as they turned the corner, weaving through a press of villagers carrying baskets and children darting about underfoot, they nearly collided with Karna. She was stepping out from a side street, the sunlight catching faintly on her armor as she paused in surprise. Ash raised his hand slightly in greeting.

“We’re going to eat now. Want to join?” he asked.

Karna gave a small nod, her voice calm. “Yes. I can eat.”

Xanathis smirked and glanced her way. “So, what did you do?”

Earlier that day, Karna had been walking along one of the busier paths, her eyes scanning the crowded street. Spotting an elderly woman hunched over a basket of vegetables, she stopped her with a polite bow of her head. “Excuse me, is there any magic user in this city?”

The old lady looked up at her, wrinkles creasing as she offered a gentle smile. “Check the doctor’s offices, child. That’s usually where you can find magic users—they tend to make their shards with healing magic.”

Karna tilted her head slightly. “Are there any doctor’s offices around here?”

The granny pointed a crooked finger down the lane. “There’s one up that way. Ask around there, they might have your answers.”

Karna thanked the woman and moved on, her boots clicking against the cobblestone as she followed the directions. The street grew narrower, busier, with merchants calling out and carts rattling past until she came to a run-down building tucked between taller shops. Its wooden sign swung weakly on rusted chains, and when she pushed the door open, a tired bell gave a hollow chime.

The interior was dim, lined with shelves of dusty jars and books. No one was immediately in sight. Karna’s gaze wandered across the neglected space until a door creaked open. A girl stepped out, a few years younger than Karna, dressed in black and purple garments. Her brown hair was tied into twin tails, with twin braids trailing down her back, and her bright blue eyes carried both energy and caution.

“How may I help you?” the girl asked politely, brushing dust from her sleeve.

Karna met her gaze evenly. “I was told magic users often work at doctor’s offices, so I was hoping to see one about a problem I have, Miss…?”

The girl dipped her head. “My name is Kris. Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s no one here with magic anymore. My father used to run this clinic, but on a quest about ten years ago, he and his party vanished. Since then, I’ve been the only one here. Can I help you instead?”

Karna’s voice lowered. “No… I need someone with magic.”

Kris’s expression softened, though there was a trace of pity in her eyes. “That will be hard. Almost all the magicians have left with adventuring groups, trying to recover the kidnapped villagers from the abominations. There’s nobody left in the town who can help you—unless your problem can be solved without magic.”

Karna’s gaze fell to the floor, frustration tightening her jaw. “No. It must be a magic user. I’ll be on my way, then. Thank you for the information.”

She left the building, the bell chiming weakly behind her, and wandered down the alleys, her mind churning. Irritation burned in her chest. Sealed memories… I thought maybe a healer or mage could tell me something. Remove it, or at least explain. But Xanathis won’t help… so I’ll have to try my luck in the next town.

Her footsteps echoed through the narrow alleyways, weaving back toward the busier streets. Just as she emerged into the open road, her thoughts heavy with frustration, she almost walked straight into Ash and Xanathis.

Now, as the three of them walked side by side toward the restaurant, Karna mentioned what Kris had told her. “Her father vanished ten years ago, along with his whole group.”

Ash’s expression grew darker. That could have been the beastmen, he thought grimly. Back at Bernswick’s guild there were so many missing-persons quests that never got completed. Let’s just hope the Seekers can help…

The streets grew livelier as they approached the restaurant, the air thick with the scent of spiced meats and baked bread. Lanterns flickered in the windows, and the muffled sounds of clinking mugs and laughter spilled into the street. Finally, they reached the front steps of the establishment, its weathered sign swaying in the evening breeze.

As they entered, a waitress noticed them walk in and acknowledged their arrival with a nod. “You may sit wherever you want. I’ll be right there to help you.”

They picked a table in the corner, away from the noise and bustle, and took their seats. After a short while, the waitress approached, took their orders, and Xanathis spoke, “I want one of everything—we can all share.”

Karna glanced at Xanathis with curiosity. “You ordered a lot of food for us. I don’t think we can eat it all.”

Xanathis shook her head, a faint grin on her lips. “No, probably not. But I just want to taste everything to see if I like it.”

Ash leaned forward slightly, his tone thoughtful. “I’ve noticed you cut meat from every beast we kill… always testing everything. Is there a reason why?”

Xanathis’s smile widened. “Good. You finally want to know about me. Well, I’ll tell you. As you know, I’m only part human. I grew up on my mother’s world. On the surface it looks barren, a dead planet… but underground it’s completely different. Massive cities, towering giants, and all the races of the planet. And they all ate the same thing. A green moss that grew all over the walls and ground. That’s what everyone survived on. There were no meat-eaters there.”

Her eyes glimmered faintly as she spoke, memories surfacing. “But I was born different. As a child, I grew extremely weak. My body couldn’t handle that moss. I took too much after my father and needed meat like him. So… we hunted my mother’s people and ate them. That’s what I lived off for so many years. And now, no longer bound to that planet, I want to try all the tastes the worlds have to offer.”

Ash studied her carefully. “I see. So how did your father end up on that planet?”

Xanathis gave him a sly smile. “Ohh, so you want to know more? That’s fine. My—”

She stopped as the waitress returned, placing dishes on the table with a cheerful, “Here you go. I’ll be back with the rest.”

Xanathis’s attention shifted instantly, her eyes locked on the food as her mouth watered. She glanced back at Ash, a small droplet of drool forming at the corner of her lips. “We’ll continue this conversation another time. For now, let’s eat.”

The three of them dug into the meal, flavors rich and varied compared to what they were used to. Laughter and chatter from other tables became little more than a distant hum as they focused on the food before them. They ate until they were satisfied, the plates left empty, and when the time came, they paid their bill and stepped back out into the night—ready to head toward the town hall meeting Garm had urged them to attend.

They eventually made it to the town hall, where a stage had been set up in front of the building. A swarm of people had gathered, the crowd thick with chatter and murmurs as they waited. Lanterns swayed above, casting warm light over anxious faces. When the meeting began, a beautiful woman stepped onto the podium. Her long brown hair was pulled up and secured by ornate pins, and she wore a purple dress embroidered with intricate patterns, accented by green jewelry and ornaments. Unlike the villagers around her, her extravagant appearance and high-quality clothing stood out sharply.

She raised her hands for silence and spoke. “For those who don’t know me, I am Evergreen, the mayor of this city. It is with a heavy heart that I must address you all. The massive group of adventurers, city guard, and volunteers who set off to try and save the villagers taken by the abominations… have yet to return. So, I hired this gentleman here, Bernard, to track them down and uncover what happened. I will let him speak on his findings.”

A tall man stepped up to the podium. He wore a weathered brown coat, his roguish appearance sharpened by black hair, dark stubble, and piercing red eyes that swept over the crowd. He inclined his head slightly to Evergreen before speaking.

“Thank you, Ms. Evergreen. Like she said, I was hired to investigate what happened to the adventurers who went out to rescue the villagers. I followed their tracks and found signs of battle… but no bodies anywhere. I snuck around the abominations’ territory, and there I witnessed something terrifying. An abomination with intelligence. It seemed to be giving orders to others. They may have taken the missing to their lair. With that information, I returned. That concludes my report.”

Evergreen stepped forward again, her hands resting firmly on the podium. “Thank you, Bernard, for your help in this matter. Now, due to the fact we lost so many adventurers and guards, I ask all of you—if you have even the slightest interest in protecting our city—sign up to become an adventurer or city guard. A booth has been set up over there after the meeting. I will also be paying the adventurers to train new recruits. If we are attacked again, we may not hold the city, so we must reinforce the hastily built wall until it can truly withstand another assault.”

Her voice carried authority, but a villager shouted out, voice heavy with grief and rage. “So are we just going to leave them to die?”

Evergreen’s expression dimmed, and she answered steadily. “I wish we could help them. But we don’t have the manpower. Too many of our strongest have already been lost. There are not enough highly skilled adventurers left.”

At that moment, Garm pushed his way forward and stepped onto the stage. “I will take it from here, Ms. Evergreen.”

Evergreen hesitated, but stepped back as Garm addressed the people. “We may not have the strength to mount a full rescue, but I will still post a job. If they are alive, someone must try. But due to the risk, this job will have a one-week deadline.”

Evergreen quickly moved beside him, interrupting. “If I may. Due to how many lives have already been lost, I demand one extra requirement. Anyone who takes this job must come to my manor, where Bernard will test them. If you fail, you cannot accept it. I am not willing to throw away more lives. Do you agree to this, Garm?”

Garm’s face remained calm. “That’s fine with me.”

Evergreen gave him a sharp glare before returning to the podium. “That will be the end of this meeting. Thank you for listening. Be sure to visit the booths if you wish to serve.”

The crowd buzzed as voices rose.

“At least she’s honest about it.”

“It’s heartbreaking, but better the truth than false hope.”

“I’m signing up to be an adventurer.”

“Me too.”

People began to disperse, heading toward the booths in small clusters. Ash glanced toward the others. “Guess that got them all fired up. Anyways, let’s look around a bit, then head to the adventurers’ guild.”

Just then, a faint static crackled from Karna’s communicator. “Keerr… zittt… Karna, you there? It’s Luke.”

Karna quickly pulled it out. “Krrrk… yes, Luke?”

“Krrrk… we arrived at a place called the Creaky Inn. It’s the nearest inn to the ruins, so it will be our temporary base. If you need to find us and we’re not at the ruins, we’ll be there…”

“Krrrk… alright. Take care, Luke. And stay safe.”

“Krrrk… you too.”

The communicator went silent. The three of them exchanged brief glances, then turned their eyes back toward the square. The booths were filling with volunteers, and Garm was still speaking with townsfolk near the stage. Ash folded his arms. “Let’s give him some time to finish up here. We’ll regroup at the guild after he’s done.”

Then Karna noticed Kris from the doctor’s office and approached her. “Hey Kris, what are you doing here?”

Kris replied, “I’m waiting to apply to be an adventurer, just like my dad was. I want to try and help find the missing adventurers and townspeople. They vanished just like my dad did, and I don’t want other children to end up like I did—alone and struggling every day.”

Karna nodded softly. “I see. Well, be careful. You’re still young, and it’s really dangerous out there. I’ve only been exploring for a short while, and I’ve already seen how dangerous it can be. Please, be cautious.”

Kris gave her a big smile. “I will.” The line moved forward, and Kris gave her a wave. “Looks like I’m next. I’ll see you another time.” She moved forward with the line as Karna returned to Ash and Xanathis.

Ash glanced at kris in the distance, “A friend of yours?”

Karna noded, “She’s the girl I met at the doctor’s office I told you about.”

Ash reached into his pocket, “Well, before I forget, take this,” as he handed the clip to Karna.

“What’s this for?” Karna asked curiously.

Ash responded, “It’s a soul capacitor, like mine. It will help us grow stronger, so keep it on you.”

Karna affixed it to her hair, and then Ash looked around, “This crowd is too loud. Let’s walk around the city a bit more, then head to the guild.”

The group wandered through the city, weaving through narrow alleys and busier thoroughfares, the glow of lanterns lighting their way as night pressed in. They stopped at a few more stores—an herbalist with shelves of dried roots and powders, a blacksmith whose forge still glowed faintly in the dark, and a stall selling simple charms that jingled in the cool evening breeze. The air was thick with the mingled scents of smoke, cooked food, and damp stone. After some browsing and idle conversation, the three finally made their way back to the adventurers’ guild, the familiar building looming ahead with its lanterns burning steadily like a beacon amid the restless city.

They entered the guild, which was bustling and crowded with the weight of everything that had happened. Voices filled the air, adventurers and townsfolk pressing in as news and rumors spread. Lina, spotting Ash among the flow, hurried over with a brisk step. “Follow me, I’ll take you back to the waiting room. Garm should be with you shortly.” She led them past the counter and down the hall, back into the familiar room they had waited in before. Time passed slowly, the muffled noise of the guild carrying through the walls until outside the window a night stone drifted into place, casting the city into an artificial darkness broken only by the lamps along the streets.

The door creaked open at last, and Helen entered with Garm close behind.

Garm wore a wide smile as he walked to his seat. “Ahh, you came back. I guess you’ll take me up on my request.”

Ash folded his arms, answering flatly, “Well, you’re helping me with the Seekers, and it’s better than sitting around here, so we’ll do it.”

“I see,” Garm said, nodding. “Then before you go, make sure you take the mayor’s test.”

Ash looked irritated. “Waste of my time.”

“I know,” Garm replied knowingly, aware Ash was far beyond such a trial. “But it will give me time to get some supplies ready for you. You’ll need them for this request.”

“Supplies? I thought the guild never supplied adventurers,” Ash said.

Garm’s expression turned somber. “Yes… normally we never provide supplies. But this is a special case. We’ve lost so many good adventurers and city guards that the town is weak. If the abominations attack again, we’ll have a hard time fending them off. If you find survivors, you’ll need the supplies to care for them and bring them back to safety.”

Ash nodded slowly. “Fine. I’ll do it. It’ll kill some time anyway. Got any good recommendations for an inn? It’s getting pretty late.”

Garm glanced toward the window, then pulled a scrap of parchment and began sketching a map. He wrote a short letter and pressed both into Ash’s hand. “There’s a good inn here. Show them this letter, and they’ll give you a free room for the night.”

“Thanks for the help. We’ll head to the mayor’s first thing tomorrow,” Ash said.

Garm gave them a warm smile. “Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow with the supplies you’ll need.”

Ash tucked the map away with a nod. “Alright. See you then.”

Helen then escorted them back out of the guild. The city had grown hushed, the once-bustling streets now thinned to the occasional passerby hurrying home. Following the map through the shadowed streets, the three moved under the glow of the city’s lamp light. Each iron lamp flickered faintly, casting long shadows across the cracked cobblestones, while the distant calls of night birds echoed between the alleys. Their steps rang softly in rhythm, the sound of leather boots tapping against stone carrying through the stillness. A cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth and smoke from the last of the forges, while shutters creaked on their hinges as the wind pressed against them. The silence between their words was filled only by the faint hum of the night stone above, bathing the rooftops in a dim, eerie glow as they made their way steadily through the darkened streets.