CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108 - THE MISSION IN PAIR (4)

"Ohh, quite a young couple we have here," The innkeeper said with a teasing smile, eyes twinkling as she closed her book. She looked just as a normal middle aged lady.

Selena visibly stiffened at the comment, her cheeks twitching faintly.

"We’re just travelers," Luca replied smoothly, offering a polite smile and nudging Selena slightly with his elbow to play along.

"Of course, of course," the innkeeper chuckled. "You wouldn’t believe how many ’just travelers’ come in pairs around this time of year. You’re lucky though—we’ve still got a room left on the second floor. Fresh sheets, good view of the town square, and no rats. Promise."

Luca reached into his pouch and placed two silver coins on the counter. "We’ll take it. Just for the night."

The woman nodded and slid over a worn key. "Room 7. You’ll find it up the stairs and to the right. And if you get hungry later, we serve stew till the bell tolls ten."

As they climbed the creaky staircase, Selena muttered under her breath, "A young couple... seriously?"

Luca grinned as he dangled the key. "You didn’t correct her."

"I was playing along," she snapped softly, rolling her eyes.

Their room was small but comfortable—two beds with woolen blankets, a simple desk by the window, and a ceramic basin filled with fresh water. Selena closed the door behind them and pulled back the curtain, glancing at the dimming village.

Luca walked to the window beside her, scanning the lantern-lit streets, then glanced toward the forest in the distance. Somewhere beyond that... lay the ruins. And likely, the cult.

"We’ll wait until dark," he said quietly. "Then we begin the real hunt."

Selena nodded once, solemnly. "Let’s find them... before they claim another victim."

Night fell.

The sky dimmed to a blanket of deep blue, scattered with cold stars. A chill crept in with the breeze as Luca and Selena stepped out of the inn, cloaks drawn close to their bodies. The village was quieter now—only the occasional clatter of shutters being closed and the distant bark of a dog broke the stillness.

At the edge of the square, they stopped beneath a flickering lantern.

"We’ll split up for now," Luca said quietly. "Try to blend in. Let’s see what the villagers know... or are willing to say."

Selena nodded, adjusting her hood to better shadow her face. "Half an hour. We regroup by the well."

With that, they went their separate ways into the shadows of the sleeping village.

Selena’s Side:

She headed toward the residential area—narrow alleyways winding between old brick homes, windows glowing with faint candlelight. Knocking wasn’t her style. Instead, she lingered near public gathering points—an old well, a communal oven, the baker’s porch where a few women sat chatting quietly while peeling vegetables under lanterns.

At first, the women eyed her warily. But she offered a soft smile and a casual question. "I heard something... about someone going missing recently?"

One of the women—elderly, with creased eyes and a crooked back—murmured, "Mm. Young Ralden’s daughter vanished three nights ago. Just gone. She was out fetching water. Nothing left but her bucket."

Another whispered, "And Merla’s son... he was last seen near the grain storage. Thought it was rats. But people don’t vanish without a trace."

They hesitated, then leaned in.

"There’s talk of something foul lurking in the village. The old well, the ravine path near the forest, even the church ruins... bad luck, all of them."

Selena frowned. "The church?"

"Aye," the first woman said. "No one’s set foot near it since the last priest died. But lights have been seen there... flickering at night. And once, smoke."

Selena thanked them quietly and moved on, her thoughts grim.

Luca’s Side:

Luca made his way toward the village outskirts, where a small apothecary stood nestled beside a crooked tool shed. Its door was still open, faint green light spilling through the slats of the wooden windows. He stepped inside to find an elderly man hunched over jars of dried herbs and powders.

"Evening," Luca said, feigning a casual tone. "Was wondering if you had something for headaches... or nightmares."

The old man gave him a look—measured, tired. "Plenty of those going around these days. Not much sleep in the village lately."

Luca leaned slightly on the counter. "Because of the disappearances?"

The apothecary didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out a small pouch of dreamroot and began tying it with a string. "Folk say it’s just wolves. But wolves don’t take grandfathers from locked homes."

Luca stilled. "A grandfather?"

"Two nights ago. Old Harlan. Vanished from his own bed. Window wide open, no signs of a struggle."

He glanced around, then lowered his voice. "Some think the land’s cursed. They talk of the old granary, the ravine trail, even the forest shrine near the cliff. And of course... the ruins of that damn church."

"Has anyone checked?"

The old man chuckled bitterly. "Checked? No one here’s brave or stupid enough. Not anymore."

Luca took the pouch and handed him a coin. "Thanks."

As he stepped out into the cold night air, his eyes drifted toward the distant hills. The old church ruins were only one piece of the puzzle. But something was definitely happening.

Something unnatural.

Back at the well:

Selena arrived first, her cloak pulled tightly around her, boots silent against the stone. Luca arrived moments later, his gaze sharp.

They exchanged a look.

"Any leads?" she asked.

He nodded. "A few."

Selena crossed her arms. "Same here. Several disappearances. Some recent, some whispered. No pattern... except they all vanished without a trace. I’ve heard of the forest trail, the old granary, the ravine path, and... the ruins."

Luca’s tone was grim. "The apothecary mentioned similar spots. Including the church."

They both turned toward the darkness beyond the village, where the silhouette of broken spires barely pierced the horizon.

"We don’t have a definite destination yet." Selena said after a pause.

The door to the inn creaked open as Luca and Selena stepped inside, the dim warmth of the common room a sharp contrast to the cool night outside. The innkeeper lady looked up from wiping down a mug and offered them a smile—mildly ambiguous, almost too knowing.

"Back already? Long night?" she asked, her voice light, almost teasing.

Luca returned a polite nod, and Selena gave her a thin smile, neither willing to elaborate. Without further questions, the woman gestured toward the stairs.

Room 7 welcomed them with the same stale warmth and dim lamplight. The silence between them felt heavier than before.

They pulled off their cloaks, brushing off the faint mist of night from the fabric. Selena placed hers neatly by the bed, while Luca fumbled with his, the air still tinged with the scent of smoke and damp earth.

As their eyes met, awkwardness bloomed.

Luca cleared his throat and asked, "Do you want to take a shower?"

Selena blinked, her cheeks coloring faintly. "No... do you?"

Luca, as if realizing something waved his hands, a little too quickly. "No—no! I mean, I’m fine."

"Then let’s sleep," Selena muttered, clearly trying to end the strange tension.

Luca gave a relieved sigh and turned toward his bed. With a small gesture, he summoned the baby dragon, who blinked into existence on the mattress with a plop. She immediately puffed her cheeks and crossed her tiny arms, looking absolutely betrayed.

"Sorry, little one," Luca said softly, crouching down beside her. "We’re on an important mission, you know? I promise—we’ll play as much as you want once we’re back at the Academy."

The baby dragon looked up at him with big eyes before slowly lifting her tiny hands, "Papa..."

Luca’s expression softened as he scooped her up, cradling her gently.

Selena watched from her bed, her gaze lingering a little too long. A shadow passed behind her eyes—melancholy, wistfulness. She lay down, turning to face the wall.

The baby dragon drifted off to sleep quickly, curled between her claws. But the room wasn’t truly silent. Luca lay on his back, eyes open, arms behind his head. Selena shifted in her bed, restless.

Then, her voice broke the quiet. "Hey... can I ask you something?"

Luca turned slightly. "Sure."

She didn’t wait for his answer.

"How is my mom... as a master?"