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Drifter, accompanied by Alma, Caelus, and Luna, journeyed to the northern region of Nethia, their destination the picturesque village of Cavelia. The settlement was renowned for its windmills adorned with spinning runes, sprawling ranches dotting the countryside, and breathtaking flower fields stretching toward the horizon in vibrant carpets of color.
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Their mission was straightforward: investigate the frequent malfunctions plaguing the village’s windmills. As they inspected the damaged structures alongside the village technicians, Drifter found himself engaged in casual conversation with Alma about academy life and an arcane network drama she favored—one about a sickly girl learning to love in a society where affection was forbidden for the ill and the weak. The title escaped him, but what caught his attention more was Alma herself. She seemed more cheerful than he had seen her in months. Yet, there was something peculiar about her newfound happiness—he recalled that even in the months following the Grakling accident, he had never once seen Alma and Nadia together as they always had been.
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One night, as they stood guard by a windmill perched on Cavelia Hills, northwest of the village, the air suddenly grew heavy with the fluttering of wings. A swarm of Cinderflit—large moths wreathed in purple flames descended upon the structure with frightening speed.
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The team moved with practiced precision. From the backline, Alma''s Exalt Missiles and Luna''s Ice Spears struck down the Cinderflit swarming above. On the frontline, Caelus moved with lightning speed, his Auralis black spear crackling with purple electricity—a blur as he thrust, charged, and cut down any that dared approach the windmill.
Drifter supported both lines as needed, wielding spectral swords with effortless control—his right hand slashing with Exaltare, a dark gray sword, while his left conjured Exalt Bolt, blue projectiles that struck enemies from a distance.
The Cinderflit retaliated, their flaming wings scorching the air around them. But Alma, with precise timing, cast Exalt Barrier, shielding the team just as a concentrated burst of fire threatened to engulf them.
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As they decimated the last of the Cinderflit, the team retreated and reported back to the village chief, then remained in Cavelia for a few days to ensure no further disturbances.
During their stay, Luna and Drifter barely exchanged a word. Meanwhile, Caelus, Drifter, and Alma engaged in their usual banter—though Alma, at times, seemed to direct her teasing toward Luna, as if trying to prod at the silence between her and Drifter. He couldn’t make out their conversation, but Luna remained as unreadable as ever.
After several nights without further attacks, they deemed the mission complete. The windmills returned to their steady rhythm, their runes glowing with renewed strength as they powered the village’s many functions.
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Another mission soon took Drifter to Stokirkbay, a bustling coastal town west of Nethia. The settlement, known for its thriving fishing industry, never slept—boats constantly coming and going, laden with catches that would feed half the region. This time, his team consisted of Jaxon, Alina, and, once again, Luna—her quiet presence a lingering shadow, a reminder of something he couldn''t quite place.
Troubling reports had reached the town: increased undead activity along the shore and sea monsters emerging at night, threatening both lives and livelihoods. Their mission was to escort the fishermen during their nighttime expeditions, ensuring their safe passage through waters that had grown treacherous in more ways than one.
On one particularly grim night, when the moon hid behind clouds thick as wool and the sea churned with unusual fervor, they encountered a sight that chilled even Drifter''s hardened soul. A fleet of spectral ships rose from the depths, their tattered sails catching a wind that did not exist. On their decks, undead sailors stirred—hollow-eyed figures, their gaze burning with an ancient hunger.
"No... they... they are coming!" a terrified fisherman cried.
The group instantly materialized their weapons and sigils: Drifter''s sword Exaltare, Luna''s sigils glowing in her hands, Alina''s ice greatsword forming from ice particles, and Jaxon''s twin bowguns appearing in a flash of flames.
The spectral undead poured from the ghostly ships in unnerving numbers. Jaxon and Luna remained on the fishing vessel, combining her Ice Bolts and Ice Spears with his Fiery Projectiles to demolish the approaching phantasmal fleet. Meanwhile, Alina and Drifter leapt to the offensive, clashing against the undead wielding spectral machetes.
Alina carved through the attackers with ease, her mighty swings too powerful for them to parry. Drifter overwhelmed the rest with a relentless onslaught of his Spectral Swords, while cutting down those who got too close with precise slashes of Exaltare and bursts of energy projectiles.
After what felt like an eternity, the last of the spectral forces fell. The team stood breathing heavily, exhaustion etched on their faces, while the fishermen looked on with expressions of profound relief as they steered the boat back to town.
Upon their return, they reported to the Grandmaster about the situation. The decision came swiftly—more teams would be deployed, working in shifts, with the next team scheduled to replace them the following morning. With their duties fulfilled for now, they retired to a hotel for much-needed rest.
As they ate together at the hotel restaurant, silence filled the air between them.
Jaxon and Alina had noticed the tension too. The way they glanced between Drifter and Luna, the weight in their expressions—it was clear they sensed the unspoken current passing between them.
When they left the hotel restaurant, Alina and Luna moved back to their respective rooms first. Jaxon fell into step beside Drifter, his tone casual but pointed.
"Hey, what happened, pal? Did she reject you?" he asked with a grin that didn''t quite reach his eyes.
Drifter responded with a neutral tone, keeping his emotions carefully in check. "She rejected my proposal to come back home," he said simply.
Jaxon sighed, then gave him a lighthearted wave as if to brush the subject aside.
That night, back in his quarters, Drifter lay awake, his mind a storm of memories and suspicions.
When sleep finally claimed him, his dreams were restless—filled with visions of purple flames and ships that sailed not upon the sea, but through the skies. At the helm of each one stood Luna, her gaze locked onto him as he ran across an endless beach that led nowhere.
He woke with a sigh. Why was he dreaming of this?
The next morning, they gathered in the lobby before departing for Nethia City and, later, returning to their respective quarters at the academy. Upon arriving at his room, Drifter glanced at his holographic calendar—it was the sixth day of Voltis, a weekend.
With a quiet exhale, he sank into his sofa, flipping through the channels on his large holographic display before settling on a comedy show featuring Mot and Reyjr. The momentary peace was abruptly interrupted by the sharp chime of his doorbell.
He opened the door, and there she was—Luna again. Drifter met her gaze with cold eyes.
"What?" he asked, his tone flat.
"There''s a situation in Azistile Town. We''ve lost contact with the investigation team," Luna said, her expression unreadable.
Drifter recalled what he had read in the arcane network database. Azistile Town—a peaceful settlement farther north in the Verm region, known for its beautiful agricultural fields. It seemed unbelievable that people could go missing from such a tranquil place.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention as Alina Walsh and Jaxon Virelli joined them in the corridor.
"Hey, pal—looks like the fearless four are back together again," Jaxon quipped, leaning against the doorframe.
Drifter set aside his personal feelings. Missing people. Likely dead. The situation was troubling, indeed.
"Lost contact? What exactly is going on?" His cold gaze remained fixed on Luna.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
"We''re not entirely sure yet. Reports of missing residents started coming in, and now the investigation team we sent has disappeared as well," she explained, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words.
"Come in. Give me a moment," Drifter said, gesturing for them to enter.
After ushering them into the living room, he ascended the stairs to gather his supplies, methodically filling his pouch with potions until it bulged. When he returned, his companions rose from the sofa, their attention drawn to his preparations.
Jaxon''s eyes locked onto Drifter''s belt, now heavy with bottles. "Is this some kind of tradition for every mission now? What''s the plan, pal? Thinking of opening a potion shop in Azistile?"
A thin smile crossed Drifter''s face. "Sure. But if you buy, it''ll cost you twice as much."
Jaxon let out a hearty laugh, giving Drifter a friendly pat on the back. "But seriously, pal—can''t your belt hold any more?"
"I didn''t expect you to be so obsessed with potions, Drifter," Alina said with a smile.
Drifter merely shrugged, securing the last vial to his belt.
"Lucky you''re not as much of a perfectionist as some people here," Jaxon added, smirking at Alina.
She shot him a glare that could have frozen the air between them.
"Okay, okay. Let''s go. We can''t waste any time," Jaxon said, rising from the sofa with raised hands in mock surrender.
From the academy, the morning sun touched Drifter''s skin as they boarded the Skyrail, its gray form cutting through the air toward the city''s outskirts.
As they arrive at Translocator, Without hesitation, Luna’s fingers danced across the holographic interface. Ancient symbols blazed to life, and a brilliant blue light enveloped their group.
Through the Translocator’s fade, Azistile Town materialized before them. Vast grain farms and orchards stretched out, while a river wound through lush greenery, flowing past buildings made of stone and wood, painted in weathered hues. The cobbled streets led to an aged bridge, with a stone sign proclaiming Azistile Town. Atop a distant hill, an old gray building stood as a sentinel.
A thick fog draped the silent streets, as if the very life had been drained from the air.
A wooden sign creaked in the whispering wind: Evergreen Potion Shop. Luna stood before it, her posture rigid as she studied the empty road.
The group moved toward the cracked bridge, Drifter following with careful steps. Beyond lay buildings like dark specters, their windows black and lifeless.
Drifter watched as Luna took the lead, her sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. To his left, Alina crouched, her fingers tracing the stone path. Her eyes gleamed as she activated Enchanted Sight.
"What happened? Nothing? No signs of an attack or any Evocyte traces," she murmured.
"Spread out. Regroup in fifteen minutes," Luna commanded.
They dispersed, but all returned empty-handed, drawn back together by the weight of their failure.
"There. The mansion on the hill. We haven''t checked it yet," Luna said.
Drifter’s attention fixed on the looming structure, its multiple stories barely visible through the thickening murk.
They ascended through the deepening fog, approaching their final destination.
Without further words, they pressed forward, navigating through the increasingly dense mist toward the mansion.
The mansion revealed itself in decay—walls split by cracks, draped in moss that wept down like verdant tears. Its pointed roof clawed at the gray sky, while a massive fountain stood dead, choked by years of neglect.
The fog writhed unnaturally around the structure, and Jaxon''s voice cut through the silence. "Well... here we are. Who''s going in first?"
Luna pushed open the heavy door, releasing a protesting groan. Inside, Evocyte lamps cast a feeble golden glow against the biting cold. Their footsteps echoed through empty halls.
The main hall centered on a dust-covered table surrounded by worn furniture. There, on an ancient sofa, sat a little girl with pointed ears and pink twin-tails bound in ribbons. Her black and red dress contrasted sharply with unsettling crimson eyes. A wide smile split her face—innocent yet wrong. Two animated skeletons flanked her, their movements deliberate and unnatural.
Luna halted abruptly.
Drifter stepped forward, studying the child. "Hi there. What''s your name, little one?"
The girl tilted her head, pink hair swaying without wind. She pointed a small finger. "I''m Vellya! Who are you? Are you here to visit me and my family?" Her cheerful voice carried an otherworldly weight.
The air grew colder as the skeletons bowed in greeting. Jaxon offered a slight bow in return. "Good afternoon, sir and madam," he said evenly.
Drifter kept his focus on the child. "Vellya, is this your home?"
She tilted her head, smile unwavering. "Hmm, no... Vellya doesn''t have a home. But that''s okay! I''m happy as long as I''m with Papa and Mama!"
"Why are you here, little girl?" Jaxon asked.
"Eh... Vellya doesn''t know either, hehehe. I just woke up here. So weird, right? One minute I was walking in a meadow and resting under a tree, and then—poof!—I''m here, hehe."
"When did this happen, Vellya? How long have you been here?" Drifter pressed gently.
"Hmm… I think yesterday morning? Yeah, that sounds right!"
Luna stepped forward sharply. "When you got here, was the town already like this? Empty and covered in fog?"
"Yep! It was all foggy and quiet, just like now. Papa and Mama told me to stay here, though."
"The report came in yesterday afternoon, and the team was dispatched immediately. But everything was already gone by morning? This started earlier than we thought," Luna muttered.
Silent understanding passed between them. Drifter turned back to Vellya. "Thank you, Vellya. We''ll be on our way now."
"Bye-bye! Come back soon!" she chirped.
Outside, the fog tightened around them as evening descended. Luna stared at the closed door. "Something''s not right with that girl. And those skeletons... she''s controlling them. How is she even here alone?"
"This doesn''t make any sense. None of it does," Alina said tersely.
"She''s just a kid, Alina. Whatever''s happening, we can''t just leave her here," Drifter countered.
Jaxon squeezed Drifter''s shoulder. "I mean, come on, Alina. Kid or not, she''s clearly in the middle of something weird, and weird''s kind of what we signed up for, isn''t it? We look out for people, period."
Luna sighed heavily. "You two… fine. But we need to be smart about this. No rushing in."
Inside, they found Vellya awaiting their return. "You''re back! Want to play now?" she asked brightly.
"Not right now, Vellya. Would it be okay if we looked around?" Drifter asked.
"I''ll ask Mama and Papa!" She paused distantly before her smile returned. "They said yes!"
The group dispersed through the mansion''s oppressive corridors. Ancient portraits tracked their movements while shadows danced in corners, bringing bone-deep cold. The wooden floors protested beneath their feet, echoing through the unnatural silence.
Jaxon found only empty rooms and decay. In the library, Alina pored through dusty books filled with mundane records. Upstairs, Drifter and Luna discovered a photograph in a crumbling bedroom—a silver-haired man and pink-haired woman, both with long ears and red eyes, captured in a moment of joy. Luna documented it with her Lumina Core.
They regrouped as darkness fell. Vellya sat playing with her skeletal companions, directing their movements without words.
"Anything?" Luna asked.
"Nothing. Everything''s empty," Alina replied.
"It''s just an old mansion. Nothing interesting here at all," Jaxon shrugged.
Suddenly, Vellya froze. Her eyes went vacant as the skeletons dissolved into crimson particles. She rose slowly, her voice flat and empty. "They''re here."
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Darkness consumed the mansion as every light flickered out. A whisper slithered through the silence: "...xsa...hra...vra..."
Dark figures materialized from the shadows—bipedal forms of pure blackness with gleaming red eyes. Their elongated arms ended in razor claws that struck with terrifying speed.
"What''s happening?!" Alina said.
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Drifter materialized his dark gray blade, Exaltare. The others followed—Luna with her blue sigils, Jaxon with his twin bowguns, Emberstorm Crossfire, and Alina with her greatsword, Frostshard Legacy.
"They''re the same as before..." Drifter murmured, memories of shadowy creatures aboard a doomed sky pirate ship flooding back.
His eyes darted to Vellya, still motionless on the sofa, her expression vacant.
Drifter instantly engaged the creatures, his Exaltare slicing through the air in streaks of blue. With each swing, spectral swords materialized, slashing in perfect sync. His left hand unleashed a relentless barrage of Exalt Bolt, blue projectiles tearing through the darkness.
Jaxon activated Ashen Blitz, leaving trails of flame as he glided across the battlefield. His Emberstorm Crossfire, spat crimson death, each shot detonating in an explosive fury.
Alina’s Frostshard Legacy carved great arcs through the air, its icy edge shattering shadows into frozen shards.
From behind, Luna stood unwavering, her hands weaving intricate sigils. Ice Bolts lanced forward, while Glacialis Lanzaris—deadly spears of ice—pierced through their foes with precise, unyielding force.
The creatures dissolved into nothingness under their assault.
Yet the shadows kept coming, their numbers endless, slowly encircling the group.
Jaxon''s grin widened, battle-light in his eyes. He raised Emberstorm Crossfire. "Volcanic Whirl!"
He spun, unleashing a circular inferno of projectiles that lit the room like a deadly fireworks display. But their triumph was short-lived.
A massive form of black mist appeared, its shapeless lower half trailing into nothing. At its center pulsed a purple core, wrapped in swirling darkness. Alina leapt at it with Frostshard Legacy, but her blade passed harmlessly through.
"Why isn''t this working?!" she shouted in frustration.
The creature''s response was a pulse of black and purple energy that shattered furniture into splinters. While the others dodged, Alina was caught in the blast, saved only by her protective barrier.
Luna unleashed more Ice Bolts as Jaxon''s Emberstorm Crossfire filled the air with explosions. Drifter''s spectral swords slashed through the mist—yet every attack passed through harmlessly.
"What is this thing?..." Drifter muttered, studying the seemingly invincible foe.