Tired but with a sense of duty fulfilled, the adventurers entered the noisy Guild building. After the night's ordeal at the Old Mill and the unexpected victory over the necromancer, a hot bath and a soft bed now seemed like the pinnacle of desires.

  In the spacious hall of the Guild, the usual bustle for this time of day reigned: some adventurers were submitting reports on completed tasks, others were animatedly discussing fresh assignments, and still others were noisily eating. When Dex, Ellariel, Gimli, Zara, and Kyle, who was modestly trailing behind, appeared, many turned their attention to them.

  The noise gradually subsided. The gazes of those present were full of respect and even some envy. The news that some unknown group had not only repelled the goblin attack on the Old Mill but also dealt with the necromancer, albeit with losses (everyone could see their disheveled appearance), had already spread through the city. Necromancers were considered a serious threat, and only experienced and strong adventurers could handle them.

  "Look who's back, the heroes of the Old Mill!" a broad-shouldered warrior in gleaming armor exclaimed loudly from one of the tables. His companions rumbled in approval.

  Dex, straightening his shoulders and trying to hide the aching pain in his injured arm, smirked smugly. He loved being recognized. Ellariel merely nodded slightly in greeting, maintaining her usual calm. Gimli muttered something indistinctly under his breath, but his satisfied expression made it clear that he enjoyed the praise. Zara winked playfully at several handsome adventurers, catching their admiring glances. Kyle, on the other hand, tried to blend into the crowd, feeling awkward under all the attention.

  Approaching the registration desk, Dex proudly placed the battered mission report on the table.

  "Report on clearing the goblin camp and... eliminating the necromancer who attacked the Old Mill," he declared, coughing meaningfully on the word "eliminating."

  The woman accepting the report, who had seen many brave warriors in her day, raised her eyebrows in surprise.

  "A necromancer? Are you sure?" she asked, carefully studying the adventurers' faces.

  "Absolutely," Dex confirmed with an important air. "That vile sorcerer paid for his misdeeds."

  While the woman checked the report and prepared the reward, another adventurer, a young mage in a blue robe, approached the group.

  "Heard about your feat," he said with respect. "A necromancer is serious business. You did well to handle it." His gaze swept over each of them and lingered on Kyle, who was pointedly looking away.

  "It was a team effort," Ellariel said modestly, trying to smooth over Dex's excessive boasting.

  "Aye, those skeletons were crawling like cockroaches," Gimli grumbled, stroking his red beard. "Good thing my axe knows its business."

  Zara merely smiled enigmatically, as if hinting that her contribution was also significant.

  Finally, the woman behind the counter handed Dex a pouch of gold coins and several letters of gratitude from the residents of the Old Mill.

  "Here is your reward. The residents are very grateful to you," she said with a sincere smile. "Heroes like you are a rarity these days."

  Dex counted the coins with satisfaction, feeling his mood lift. "Well, not bad," he muttered. "We earned it."

  Emerging from the noisy Guild building into the evening street, Dex rubbed his tired shoulder.

  "Well, heroes," Dex grinned, looking smugly at his companions. "A couple of days of living like humans won't hurt. My shoulder's aching, of course, but it's a pleasant pain of victory."

  Ellariel glanced at the rooftops, her usually impassive face showing slight fatigue. "Rest will be welcome."

  Gimli yawned loudly, shaking his red beard. "The 'Merry Goblin' is where I'd like to be right now. Down a mug or two of ale and then crash for a couple of days. Every man for himself."

  Zara shrugged, adjusting the dagger at her belt. "Personally, I'd prefer the peace and quiet of my room."

  "Decided," Dex declared, chopping the air. "We're heading for the 'Merry Goblin'. We'll celebrate our heroism with a couple of drinks, and then everyone can retreat to their burrows to lick their wounds."

  And, like a pack of tired but satisfied wolves, they moved along the cobblestones in the direction of the familiar sign with the crookedly grinning goblin.

  Morning at the "Merry Goblin" began for Kyle as it always did. He opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. In all my... life... I have never truly slept. What is it like to fall into oblivion, to disconnect from everything? This thought, as usual, flitted by like a fleeting shadow.

  There was a quiet knock on the door. Kyle, feigning a slow awakening, threw on a worn shirt and opened it. Ellariel stood on the threshold. A light blush touched her high cheekbones, and in her deep violet eyes, something akin to embarrassment flickered.

  "Kyle," she said in a soft voice, pausing almost imperceptibly. "Forgive me if I woke you. Would you perhaps like to take a walk around the city? A little change of scenery after yesterday..."

  Meanwhile, on one of the bustling streets, Dex emerged from a weaponsmith's shop with a satisfied expression. In his hands, he carefully carried a small bundle.

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  "Excellent stuff!" he muttered to himself, glancing at the bundle. "This polish will make my armor shine so brightly that all the adventuresses in the city will swoon!"

  He looked around, as if searching for someone to show off his purchase to.

  Dex, pleased with his purchase, strolled leisurely down the street, glancing at the shop signs. Today, he had treated himself to new spaulders for his armor – sturdy steel plates adorned with modest engraving. They not only added protection but, in Dex's opinion, made his appearance even more heroic.

  Suddenly, his gaze caught two familiar figures walking towards him. Kyle and Ellariel. The elf was speaking softly, her silver hair swaying slightly in time with her steps. Kyle, as usual, looked a little detached.

  Dex grinned. "Well, look at this company," he muttered to himself.

  Coming level with them, Dex gave a friendly nod. "Ellariel! Kyle! How... strolling you are today," he said with a slight smirk, casting a fleeting glance at the elf's flushed cheeks. "Didn't know you two found common ground so quickly outside the battlefield."

  Ellariel shot him a quick glance that held a hint of disapproval. "We just decided to take a short walk," she replied calmly.

  Kyle shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, trying not to look at Dex.

  Dex shrugged, trying not to be too intrusive. "Well, well. Have a nice walk." With these words, he winked and continued on his way, patting his new spaulders.

  Ellariel sighed and looked at Kyle again. "Don't pay him any mind," she said quietly.

  Kyle merely nodded slightly.

  Kyle and Ellariel walked slowly along the cobbled streets of the city, trying to stay away from the noisy market rows. The conversation flowed smoothly as they reminisced about their shared adventures, starting from the day Kyle unexpectedly joined their group.

  "Do you remember that forest wyvern raid on the caravan?" Ellariel asked with a slight smile, her violet eyes sparkling with memories. "Gimli almost lost his beard trying to fight off their venomous spit."

  Kyle nodded, trying to force a small smile. "Yes, I remember. It was... lively back then." His voice sounded even, without much emotion.

  Ellariel fell silent for a moment, then turned her gaze to Kyle. "And you... you had only just joined us then. How did you even decide to join such a noisy company?"

  Kyle shrugged, looking away. "Well... it just sort of happened."

  A short pause followed, which Ellariel seemed to want to break. She leaned slightly towards Kyle and, as if casually, tried to touch his hand, which hung limply by his side. She simply wanted to express a fleeting friendly sympathy, but...

  Her fingers brushed against his skin, and Ellariel involuntarily flinched. Kyle's hand was icy. Not just cool, but as cold as a dead body that had lain for a long time in a damp dungeon.

  The elf frowned in surprise and quickly withdrew her hand, casting a quick, searching glance at Kyle. "Kyle... are you alright? You feel... cold."

  She looked intently at his face, trying to catch any emotion, but it remained, as usual, fixed in a slightly distant expression.

  Kyle flinched slightly at Ellariel's touch and her question. "Yes, I'm fine," he replied calmly, trying to keep his voice sounding normal. "Just... a little chilly today." He shrugged, looking away and stuffing his hands into the pockets of his worn trousers.

  Ellariel pondered for a moment, her perceptive gaze lingering on Kyle. But before she could say anything, their attention was drawn by a loud cry of a child.

  Nearby, at the edge of the bustling market square, stood a small boy of about five years old. His face was covered in tears, his little hands were twisting the hem of his dirty jacket, and from his interrupted sobs, only one word could be made out: "Mama... mama..."

  Ellariel immediately became concerned. Her usually calm face expressed sincere sympathy. "Poor little one," she murmured and, without hesitation, headed towards the crying child. Kyle followed her, trying to stay a little behind.

  Approaching closer, Ellariel knelt down in front of the boy. "Hey, little one, what happened? Are you lost?" she asked softly, trying to soothe him with her melodious voice.

  The boy looked up at her with tearful eyes. "I... I lost my mama," he sobbed. "We were buying buns, and then... then I didn't see her anymore..."

  Ellariel gently ran her hand through his tousled hair. "Don't worry, we'll definitely find her. What does she look like?"

  The boy tried to describe his mother through his tears: "She has... she has a beautiful dress... blue... and hair... light..."

  Ellariel exchanged a glance with Kyle. "We need to help him." She stood up and looked around the square. "Kyle, you look that way, and I'll go around the market. Maybe someone has seen her."

  Kyle nodded and headed in the indicated direction, trying not to attract too much attention. Ellariel began to question the merchants and passersby, describing the lost woman.

  They spent about half an hour asking people and carefully scanning the crowd. The boy was still sobbing, holding Ellariel's hand.

  Finally, at one of the fruit stalls, an elderly woman recognized the description. "Ah, that must be Anna. She was here buying apples recently. I think she went towards the temple."

  Ellariel thanked the woman and, taking the boy's hand, quickly headed in the indicated direction. Kyle followed them.

  After a few minutes, they saw a woman desperately looking around. Seeing the boy, she gasped and rushed towards him, embracing him tightly.

  "Son! Oh, thank you so much!" she said, tears welling up in her eyes, thanking Ellariel and Kyle. "I was beside myself with worry!"

  Ellariel smiled. "You're welcome. The main thing is that you're together again."

  The boy hugged his mother tightly, sobbing with relief. The woman thanked the adventurers once more and, taking her son's hand, hurried away.

  Ellariel sighed with relief. "It's good that everything ended well." She turned to Kyle. "Thank you for helping."

  "Yes, good," Kyle replied quietly to Ellariel's thanks, his gray eyes sliding over the receding figure of the mother and child. Inside him, there was neither joy nor relief – only the familiar emptiness.

  Ellariel turned to him, intending to continue their interrupted walk. "Well then..." she began, but suddenly faltered, her gaze becoming unfocused, as if she had missed something.

  "Kyle? Where are you...?" she murmured, slowly turning her whole body.

  But Kyle was no longer there.

  Just a second ago, he had been standing here, next to her, just as inconspicuous and silent as ever. And now... emptiness. As if he had dissolved into thin air.

  Ellariel looked around. The market square was still bustling with life, passersby hurried about their business, merchants called out to customers. Nothing unusual. No commotion, no struggle. Just disappearance.

  She frowned, trying to remember where he might have gone. He hadn't said anything...

  Suddenly, her gaze fell on a barely noticeable movement in a narrow alleyway between two trading stalls. A dark figure flickered there, too tall and unnaturally hunched. And for a moment, it seemed to her that she saw the edge of worn gray fabric, very similar to Kyle's clothes, disappearing into the depths of the alley.

  But it was so fast, so fleeting, that Ellariel doubted if she had really seen it. After all, just a second ago, Kyle had been right beside her...

  A feeling of inexplicable anxiety pricked her heart. This wasn't like Kyle. He never left like that, without saying a word.

  "Kyle!" she called out, her voice sounding a little shaky against the backdrop of the city noise.

  There was no answer. Only the hum of voices and the creaking of carts came from the square.

  Ellariel took a few steps towards the alley, her hand involuntarily reaching for the bow on her back. Something was wrong. And her calm, wise heart felt it very clearly.