Vyvian, Faye, and Rem walked in quiet formation along the winding path toward Luxen.
The road had grown unfamiliar hours ago. Trees thinned unevenly, the land dipping and rising in unnatural curves, yet none of them had noticed when the trail truly left its course. It was only when the ground ahead suddenly fell away that they stopped.
Before them lay a vast hollow carved into the earth, shaped like a colossal crater. Stone stairs were etched into its inner walls, spiraling downward toward a village hidden at the bottom.
They stood there in silence for a moment.
"Well," Faye muttered, hands on her hips, "this definitely isn't on the map."
Vyvian leaned forward slightly, peering into the depths. A strange chill brushed his skin, subtle but persistent. "We went the wrong way."
Rem let out a quiet breath and nodded. "Yeah. Definitely."
With no other visible path forward, they began their descent.
Step by step, the air grew heavier.
The village revealed itself slowly as they moved lower. Houses clustered tightly together, their roofs worn and colorless. People walked the streets, yet something about them felt hollow. Adults worked without speaking, their movements mechanical. Children sat along the stone paths, eyes unfocused, staring into nothing.
No laughter.
No conversation.
Not even the sound of argument.
"This place feels…" Faye trailed off, her eyes narrowing.
"Empty," Vyvian finished.
He turned to Rem. "Do you know this village?"
Rem scanned the surroundings once more before shaking his head. "Never seen it before."
Hunger eventually forced its way through the unease. Faye pointed toward a modest teahouse near the center of the village, its wooden sign creaking faintly in the still air. "Let's eat. Maybe ask around after."
Rem nodded immediately. "I'm starving."
They stepped inside.
The teahouse was quiet, save for the faint crackle of a stove somewhere in the back.
"Is someone here?" Faye called out. "You've got three customers."
After a brief pause, a man emerged from the kitchen. His hair was slicked back with unnatural precision, and his eyes were large, almost sunken, giving him an unsettling presence. Despite this, his posture was relaxed, his expression composed.
"What would you like?" he asked, his voice calm and unfailingly polite.
"Three cups of tea, please," Rem said.
"Four," Vyvian added without hesitation.
Rem and Faye turned to him at the same time.
"What?"
"I'll drink two cups," Vyvian replied flatly.
A moment passed.
All three of them sighed.
The odd man returned moments later, placing the cups of tea on the table one by one. Steam rose gently, curling through the still air of the teahouse.
Vyvian watched the liquid settle before speaking.
"Is the village always this silent and mundane?"
The man paused, his large eyes narrowing slightly.
"The villagers work overnight shifts," he replied calmly. "They rest during the day. Exhaustion makes people gloomy. As for the children, a lack of proper care over time does this to them." His voice sharpened just a little. "Who they work for is unknown, and I suggest you do not stick your nose into their business."
"Oh. Okay," Vyvian said.
He lowered his head and muttered under his breath, "Boring."
The man turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
Faye leaned closer to Rem, her voice low. "Did you feel that?"
Rem nodded. "He got defensive immediately. That was not normal."
"This place feels wrong," Faye whispered. "And that man… he knows more than he lets on."
Before they could continue, a deafening screech ripped through the air outside.
All three rushed out of the teahouse.
Hovering above the village was a massive bird-like monster, its body nearly as large as the teahouse itself. Jagged teeth lined its beak, glowing purple eyes burning with malice. Its talons resembled twisted legs ending in vicious claws. Though its wings beat unevenly, it floated unnaturally, a thick purple aura leaking from its mouth as it screamed.
"Do not attack unless it does," Rem said quickly.
The creature answered by spewing a clumped mass of purplish feathers toward the teahouse.
Vyvian grabbed Faye and Rem and leapt away just as the projectile struck. At the same moment, the odd man burst from the teahouse, his body twisting mid motion as feathers erupted from his skin. In a blink, a massive owl took his place and shot into the sky.
The mass imploded on impact, releasing a violent flash of purple light.
"I feel drained just being near it," Rem said, breathing hard.
"We fight it together," Vyvian said firmly.
"Yeah," Faye replied, already steadying herself.
Screams echoed as villagers fled toward a tunnel carved into the crater wall.
"What is that tunnel for?" Rem shouted. "Why are they running inside?"
"Less talking," Faye snapped. "I do not want to die here."
Flames erupted around her as she transformed.
Her braided hair came undone, her face sharpening into that of a fox. Whiskers appeared, her eyes burned bright, her limbs twisted into clawed forms, and a tail burst free behind her. She immediately hurled roaring flames toward the monster.
Vyvian transformed next.
Blue scales spread across his skin, cold biting deep into his flesh. His eyes narrowed into those of a serpent, his hair spiked and lengthened to his shoulders, a small tail forming behind him. His tongue flicked out as his Qi surged violently.
He tried to channel it.
Nothing happened.
"Hurry up," Faye shouted, her voice strained. "I cannot keep this up much longer!"
Rem transformed last.
His body expanded, skin hardening into thick scutes. His jaw extended, revealing rows of sharp teeth even when his mouth closed. A massive tail dragged behind him, his legs bending into a crocodilian stance. His voice dropped into something deep and monstrous.
Faye and Vyvian stared.
"You look like a monster yourself," they said together.
Rem smirked. "Focus. Vyvian, calm your breathing. Do not force it."
The monster deflected Faye's flames and spewed another glowing mass.
Rem leapt.
Before it could reach them, he slammed his fist forward, releasing a powerful shockwave that redirected the attack back toward the creature. The explosion rocked its body, forcing it back.
Vyvian watched, half shocked, half impressed, jealousy twisting in his chest.
"Come on, Vyvian," Rem growled. "Do whatever you can."
"I am running out of energy," Faye said through clenched teeth. "Fast."
The monster suddenly stopped.
Its entire body glowed purple.
It charged while flying.
Faye screamed and raised a massive wall of flames. The creature flew over it. Rem unleashed shockwaves again and again, slowing it only slightly.
Vyvian's vision blurred.
Inside him, the frozen wasteland of his inner world cracked open. Ice spread endlessly, his Qi roaring like a storm trapped behind a breaking dam. Fear, desperation, and frustration collided.
"Get back!" Vyvian shouted.
Ice erupted from the ground in a violent surge. Towering spikes formed instantly, creating a massive barrier in front of them.
The monster slammed into it at full speed.
The impact detonated.
A blinding explosion of ice and purple light tore through the village, throwing everyone backward.
Silence followed.
Faye fell to one knee, flames flickering weakly around her before dying out. She did not speak, barely able to breathe.
Rem staggered but stayed upright, his transformation fading as he looked toward Vyvian.
Vyvian collapsed.
His body went limp, unconscious.
High above, the owl circled once before descending slowly. It landed near them and transformed back into the odd man.
He looked at the destroyed street, the shattered ice, and the fallen monster.
"…Impressive," he murmured.
He turned to Rem. "Your friend pushed himself beyond his limits."
Rem nodded, already lifting Vyvian's arm over his shoulder. "He will live."
"My house is nearby," the man said calmly. "We should not leave him here."
Together, they carried Vyvian through the silent village. Faye followed slowly, exhausted, saying nothing.
Inside the man's modest home, they laid Vyvian down.
Alexander poured water into a cup and set it beside him. "You all need rest. And food."
He looked at Rem and Faye. "I will prepare you a proper meal. You should regain your strength before leaving by evening."
Rem hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you."
Alexander's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer. "If I am correct, you are heading toward Luxen Village. For the tournament."
"Yeah," Rem replied.
Faye leaned back against the wall, eyes half closed, too tired to speak.
The smell of warm food slowly filled the house, grounding the chaos they had just survived.
As they ate, Rem studied Alexander carefully. "You knew that creature would appear."
Alexander did not deny it. "Yes."
The man smiled faintly. "You are observant."
After a pause, Rem asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Alexander," he replied. "This village is called Ephemer."
Faye finally spoke, her voice weak. "That thing out there… it was not a monster, was it?"
Alexander's eyes darkened. "No. It was not."
Few minutes later, Vyvian stirred.
"Did we… defeat it?" he murmured.
"Yes," Rem said. "Because of you."
Faye managed a tired smile. "You finally unlocked your power."
"Yeah," Vyvian whispered.
As evening settled, they thanked Alexander and continued their journey toward Luxen.
Only after they left did Ephemer awaken again.
At midnight, the villagers emerged from the tunnel and silently left the village together to resume their unknown work. The children slept peacefully.
Alexander walked toward the fallen body.
The monster dissolved, revealing Cherri, burned and unconscious.
"Father…" she murmured.
Alexander lifted her gently and carried her home.
What fate awaited Vyvian, Faye, and Rem next, and what secrets bound Alexander and Cherri together?
Only time would tell.