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The guard the hunter had spoken to was an imposing figure with a scaly face. [Lizards?] Yuna thought, staring up at him. His appearance was almost comical at first—a giant walking lizard on two legs. But as she looked closer, the sheer size and strength of the creature became evident. Horns sprouted from the top of his head, and his armor seemed to be made from the very scales covering his body. He was easily seven or eight feet tall, with a tail that stretched nearly three feet behind him. This was the biggest creature she had encountered so far. [Is he hiding his identity from them?]
The guard stood tall, maintaining a posture that demanded respect. His presence was enough to make Yuna pause. With a nod, he and his companion walked back toward the gate, and the massive doors creaked shut behind them.
Species: Draconian/Warrior
Skill Level: Inspect too low to view this target!
They must have been higher level than even the hunter.
The village they entered was surprisingly serene. The river nearby gurgled as it wound through the land, feeding the crops and fields that stretched for miles. The inhabitants, a tribe of lizards, had crafted a simple but effective way of life. They didn't possess advanced technology, but their knowledge of survival allowed them to thrive in this desolate wasteland. A thick forest surrounded the village like a natural shield, offering both protection and resources.
Walking through the streets, Yuna noticed children playing alongside their parents. The village was busy, yet peaceful—almost human-like in its activity. But the sight of all these lizards still felt strange. [Where are the humans? Why is he concealing his identity from them?]
Rite, unfazed by the surroundings, continued walking through the crowd without drawing attention. He moved with the grace of someone used to blending in. After a moment, he veered into a narrow alley, tucked away from the prying eyes of the village. The alley was adorned with symbols and markings that Yuna couldn't interpret. At the end of it, a wooden door reinforced with metal bracings stood hidden beneath layers of cloth camouflage, almost blending seamlessly with the surrounding clay bricks.
Rite raised his hand to touch the door, and with a soft glow, it swung open. Beyond it, a dark hallway led into the unknown. Yuna felt a chill creep up her spine as she followed him inside.
DING
Skill: Inspect, Blood Target, Reveal.
[Did someone just inspect me?] Yuna wondered, heart pounding as they stepped further into the darkened space. The door clicked shut behind them, and Yuna's unease grew. The air was thick with tension. [Did we just get trapped? Why isn't he trying to escape? Is he involved in some cult?]
A small light flickered to life, illuminating a wooden stairway leading down. The wood creaked ominously under their weight as they descended, the walls lined with ancient markings and letters Yuna couldn't make sense of. Everything around them seemed old, abandoned even. Yet the eerie silence made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
With every step, the lights above them flickered out, one by one, as if someone—or something—was controlling them. At the bottom of the stairs, Yuna felt a familiar presence, one that sent a wave of dread crashing over her. There was something in the darkness, waiting.
Rite stopped, his voice cutting through the silence. "Lisa."
A shadow moved in the darkness, and suddenly, the room erupted in blinding light.
"Lisa, I didn't tell you to turn on the light inside," Rite said, his voice soft yet sharp.
The woman standing before them was striking. Her skin was as pale as snow, and her emerald eyes shimmered brightly in the light. Her pointed ears marked her unmistakably—[Is that…an elf?] Yuna thought, her heart racing as she observed the unfamiliar face.
The elf's gaze locked onto Yuna. Without a word, she approached and lifted Yuna from the bag, placing her gently on a nearby table. Yuna recoiled, confusion and fear flashing across her face. The elf studied her intently, examining the injury on Yuna's leg.
Rite's voice broke the silence. "What are you doing, Lisa?"
The elf, Lisa, looked back at him, her expression serious. "Is she hurt?"
Yuna flinched, shrinking away from Lisa's touch. The elf's gaze softened, and she reached out with her hand, placing it gently over Yuna's wound. A warm, golden light enveloped her leg, and to Yuna's amazement, the pain vanished instantly. When she looked down, the wound had healed, leaving only a faint scar.
[Was that healing magic? That's far too powerful to be normal.]
Lisa smiled warmly at Yuna, a gesture that made Yuna feel oddly comforted despite her confusion.
"Okay, where did you find her, Rite?" Lisa asked, her voice filled with suspicion.
"I didn't steal her, and I didn't find a dragon's nest," Rite responded, his tone defensive.
"I found her while hunting," he added, though his eyes avoided hers.
Lisa didn't seem satisfied. "At least she wasn't stolen… but where are her parents? What if they're looking for her? This could end badly if a dragon shows up."
Yuna opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out—only small, unintelligible noises. She was still too weak to answer their questions.
Before anyone could continue, a sudden rumble shook the ground beneath them.
"BOOM!"
The three of them froze, fear written across their faces.
"What was that?" Rite asked, his eyes darting to the door.
"It could be her parents," Lisa said, panic creeping into her voice. She quickly summoned a glowing white orb, chanting something under her breath. The orb floated before them, casting its eerie light across the room. Through the orb, the scene outside the village became clear: a large section of the wall had been blown open, leaving a massive hole in its wake.
A new threat was approaching. They had no idea what it was, but it was coming for them.