“Astrologists from institutes around the continent have reported strange shifts in astral bodies as of late. While we remain unable to determine the cause of this phenomena as of yet. We have noticed fluctuations in the leylines and mana veins all across the land. Colleagues from Tosakura have also confirmed a rising level of disturbances to previously natural mana deposits. Though we will continue to investigate this matter, it is of our belief that national entities should begin preparing for potential damages in populated areas should the disturbances increase in intensity. ”

  - Astrologist Azar Kepler, Zephyr Astrological Research Society, “Bulletin To Associates”

  The expedition set up briefly outside the pathfinders guild hall to reconvene and share their own findings. While The Lily Knights were relatively unbothered by the city beyond Sophie and Mila. Based on the more ashen expressions on the faces of the saints and the lack of general spirit that had been present within them before they entered the city, Sophie could only imagine the awfulness of whatever they might have witnessed within the cathedral. Even Eva looked sullen, the destruction on display likely on a scale that she couldn’t have foreseen stepping into. And although Sophie was glad that there didn’t seem to be any additional signs of bodies or corpses beyond the ones back at the adventurers guild so far, the chaos didn’t leave much to speculate about beyond that it was a tragedy.

  Unfortunately however, it would seem that both Eva’s squadron and Sir Taurox’s had uncovered anything out of the expected. They knew better some of the defender’s last moments and speculations, but just like the relatively vague reports from Sophie’s team, it didn’t give them too much to work with. At least the address of the direktor was a lead that everyone could agree with pursuing. The downside of course, was that for someone of a rank akin to a guild director, they would live in the more dangerous area of the city. The Golden Quarter.

  It was their destination regardless, at least for Sophie. Though she found little comfort in the knowledge that she now had a clear goal within the area. After all, Sir Taurox had been the one to warn them about the lack of clarity from the Inquisition about the current state of the Golden Quarter. And given that there had been signs of people having remained in or near the city at some point, they would also likely have retreated to more defensive locations deeper in town if they hadn’t died or been driven out by now.

  “This is pretty sketchy, Soph.” Eva grumbled, “A single address and we barely know the streets.”

  “But it is something.” Sophie replied.

  “Sure. But we’ve now a proper address and location to examine. We can afford to back off a little. My household can still help supply you guys until you get into Melton proper. They can’t deny us that.”

  “It’s not that, Eva. I mean you’ve seen the place. Any longer and the rest of it might just fall apart on its own.”

  Eva let out a disgruntled grunt but did not actively oppose her. Instead choosing to adopt a more thoughtful pose instead. Sophie knew she wasn’t entirely opposed to her plan, but that Eva was simply trying to keep her safe in her own way. She hid a soft sigh from the others, even now, heh?

  “So what now? If you’re still going in then we oughta go in together, no? More eyes on the prize, especially now that we have a specific location instead of having to comb the whole district.” Eva finally continued with a knowing look.

  Before Sophie could reply however, a gruffer, more grizzled voice immediately interrupted.

  “I would still not sanction any more individuals into the Golden Quarters. The area is still full of too much uncertainty to have to worry about multiple groups.” Sir Taurox chimed in.

  “But it’ll be a joint operation, no splitting up.” Eva protested.

  “Sir Taurox is correct. That is out of the question. While we’ve already discussed this before, Lady Rosengart. While I am amenable to the idea of us operating within the city districts. Into even more uncertainties and unknown dangers ranging beyond the typical is still something I stand firmly against.” Inquisitor Janos supported his colleague, “I am willing to allow your operational parameters to continue within the main city squares provided the templar escort continues to go with you. But beyond that, I cannot.”

  “That’s…”

  “Out of the question, Ms. Rosengart. And I’d like to say I’ve been pretty lenient with my mandate so far.” He warned.

  “Tsk.” Eva scoffed.

  “It’s fine, Sir Janos.” Suzuki quickly stepped in, “We just want to help.”

  The inquisitor’s frown softened a little, the man evidently thought a little more positively of the saints themselves. He spent a moment glancing at the area around them before letting out a deep sigh. Readying himself to deliver what might be unpleasant words.

  At least he doesn’t seem like he’ll waver, Sophie thought to herself.

  In a way, she understood both sides but ultimately sided with Taurox and Janos. She would gladly take Eva’s help, but not for this. Not for the danger that is present here, even if it might be nothing at all. She had seen the true horrors of the cult and the dead first hand at both the barrows and the ruins of Saclia.

  “And you’ll all be helping plenty. There are still a few important buildings within these few districts that we have yet to search. The gatehouse to the Golden Quarter also needs to be secured. Tasks that Ms. Kastiane’s party will be counting on us to fulfill.” Sir Janos continued.

  It was essentially what they had all already agreed upon just worded differently. But Sophie nodded nonetheless, trying to offer her own admittedly weak affirmation of the Inquisitor’s statement even if she had her own reservations. Eva seemed a little disappointed, though considering the understanding the two had, finally seemed to accept the verdict that was given. Her features softening to a more annoyed frown than anything else.

  “Of course.” Suzuki answered in Eva’s stead, the saintess sneaking a quick glance at Eva who reluctantly nodded.

  Eva tried one last time to seek Sophie’s support. Sophie just gently smiled before shaking her head lightly. Letting out a dejected sigh, Eva finally acquiesced.

  Seeing her protestations come to a halt, Sir Taurox made a dramatic gesture to regain their collective attention.

  “Then the plan remains unchanged. Lord Janos, Lady Rosengart, and gathered saints. For now, our main goal will be to secure the gatehouse to the Golden Quarter as a unit while Lord Theodore’s soldiers keep our exit guarded. Any questions or objections?”

  This time, Eva definitively shook her head. The group was in agreement once more.

  “Good.” Sir Taurox huffed, “Then from here, we take the main road straight up to the Golden Quarter. Watch your angles and make sure to always stay in pairs. Move out!”

  The different teams quickly shuffled into formation. Sophie’s party took up the left flank while the saints and Eva held the right. Sir Taurox and a few templars led the advance towards the gate. Theodore’s knights and contingent were nowhere to be seen, having already ridden back towards the initial breach to screen it for additional traps in case of a rushed emergency extraction. Though Sophie knew it was mostly because neither Sir Taurox nor Eva wanted the potentially unpredictable variable to be interspersed with the advance. After all, while they were no doubt capable, it is unlikely that any of the knights or Theodore himself had ever had to navigate the treacherousness of urban environments. Particularly one so ruined and rubble strewn as Eichafen.

  The streets at least, appeared to still be mercifully clear of hostile factors. Any undead having yet to have made their presence known. Though Sophie couldn’t ever quite shake the feeling that they were being watched. Even if, fair being fair, she felt that icky sensation almost anywhere within the Mistveil. Like something was observing, studying them from the depths of the fog and shadow, only waiting for an opportune time to strike.

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  It almost saddened her how used to the dead city the saints and Eva had gotten. Their apprehension had given way to a grim sort of steadfastness as they grew more accustomed to the devastation around them. Her only spark of relief there being that based on their reactions, whatever scene that had been painted inside the church was still of magnitude less horrific than horrors she had unleashed within Melisgrad.

  They proceeded forward in a wordless march. Each squadron dutifully watched over their assigned flanks with the occasional nervous or uncertain glance thrown towards the others to make sure that no one was getting separated. The Red Hawks kept vigil over their rear a few extra paces back in case of an ambush. Though their presence was marked by the heavy clank of their metallic boots against the bruised cobbles. A reassuring noise given the eeriness of the city.

  Cutting their way through the rubble strewn streets, Sophie suddenly felt a chill run down her back. They were almost within the shadow of the small hill upon which the Golden Quarter sat upon. The richer district felt as if it were a silent watcher of those that toiled below its gaze. Something about it looked almost unnatural to her. Perhaps it was the ever so slight slant of its incline, or the way its walls seemed older than those that surrounded the other parts of town.

  Somber bell towers peaked just above the battlements. From afar, like little blocky sentries manning the abandoned walls. Beyond them, the distant turrets of the city’s keep also sat in stoic silence. Uncaring, unfeeling of all the suffering that had befallen its charge.

  Only when they got closer did Sophie find the words that encompassed the unease that wracked her body. Without even having to step foot into the Golden Quarter, the city’s wealthier district stood almost completely out of lockstep from the rest of it.

  Eichafen had died during the siege. Yet if one were to merely glance upon the walls of the Golden Quarter, decrepit as they might be from the mists. They still stood almost untouched by the siege. The walls stood firm, tall, unbroken. A few of the towers seemed somewhat broken, chunks of their structure having been nicked by stray projectiles, but they still stood tall. Despite that, the shadow they cast over the city swerved and rippled over the debris of the dead city. She knew it was an incorrect assumption, but she couldn’t help it. Just like back in Arteria when the demon burst forth, those in power hid while the rest suffered. Only the brave guards, adventurers, and other members of the citizenry stood firm against the horrors. And she even let the niggling thought in the back of her mind slip out. She imagined that they would’ve even persecuted whoever survived if only to find someone to blame. Just like the Chamber had done to her.

  Shaking off the uneasy feeling, she refocused her eyes on the path ahead. Winding pockmarked roads gave way to countless barricades and hastily built palisades. Each drenched with the scars, bloodstains, and scratches of a faltering defense that was pushed back step by step. The gatehouse itself loomed over the main road like a dying giant. Cast in a sickly grey brown haze of mist and moss as weathered stone remained standing where they had always been. The gate itself was the first sign of damage to the Golden Quarter, the large gates themselves having collapsed onto the nearby roads and houses in splintered fragments while the portcullis behind it had its bars forcefully pried open. The end result likely spawned from a creature born from brute strength with a likely even more horrific and brutish physique.

  Taurox halted the advance as he and his templars cautiously scouted out the area. The armored warriors spread out into a staggered line as they swept each corner and crevice that they saw before slowly beckoning for the others to follow. Eva’s party formed into a diamond of sorts while Sophie’s advanced simply as they were, their ideal attack strategy having been something that had never quite come up anywhere beyond idle talk during their preparations. Or at least, they never put in as much practice as the others.

  The minotaur motioned for the squads to take up the flanks, hastening both Eva and Sophie’s movements as they bounded forward to fill in the gaps in the street. He then had another templar assist him as the two threw their strength into prying away the few debris that still lingered on the path, clearing it for a smooth entry or equally unobstructed retreat.

  A distant clank made Sophie snap her gaze down the road. Though when she looked around, the others didn’t seem to notice it over the clattering of debris that Sir Taurox was clearing away. Turning back to squint down the road. At first she saw nothing, then what seemed to be a brief flicker as the silhouette of the city ruins seemed to shimmer a little as if disturbed. What the…?

  Taking a few more moments to study the scene, she ultimately saw nothing else, wondering if she had simply been hallucinating. Still, she could feel the hairs on her neck stand on end and body tensing up in anticipation of a foe. When none eventually came and the clattering of debris stopped, she finally allowed herself to be pulled away from the eerie shadow. It hadn’t seemed overtly hostile, but then again, she didn’t know what might be lurking within the city. Definitely not normal undead, they would’ve shambled out by now with the ruckus we’re making. No, people? The Mist? A monster? Gah.

  “Lady Rosengart, Lady Kastiane. Clear the interior, we will hold the road.” Taurox instructed.

  Torn away from her doubts, Sophie nodded and turned to meet Eva’s gaze. The two shared a quick nod and shuffled towards the doorways on the interior of the gatehouse. Though the Golden Quarter itself was covered by a series of debris from two collapsed houses. She could practically feel the mists here clawing at her, little wisps of air that dragged upon her clothing ever so slightly. Ignoring it, she stacked up alongside Mila on their side of the doorway before exchanging a grunt and rushing in.

  Almost immediately the two of them froze. If there had been any doubt that humans had been here at some point then there would be no longer. They didn’t even need to climb up to the top floor to find a skeleton. For pinned to the bloodstained walls inside the gatehouse were corpses. Now long since reduced to bone and rotted sinew.

  The rest of the party immediately dropped into a more alert formation, now keenly reminded of the impaled bodies left as a warning alongside the trap. Someone had expended the effort to pin these bodies to the wall.

  “Soldiers. But not all of them, look.” Mila hissed as she pointed to two half crumpled bodies plastered in a heap by the building’s stairwell.

  Sure enough, as her eyes swept over the bodies in question, she saw two bodies that didn’t wear the same colors as the Eichafen guard. But rather one with a singular metal plate and leather and the other with studded leather. Too disorganized but fancy to be part of the militia, definitely not standard guardsmen garb… adventurers?

  Though solo or even duo adventurer parties aren’t the most common given the dangerous nature of their occupation. They weren’t unheard of. However, these two seemed quite far from the guild. Which means they were either caught unprepared, on a quest within the city, or were part of a larger group. And if they were…

  Her eyes briefly flickered over towards the other bodies. Soldiers, no doubt. So unlikely to be traitors at least. But why leave them here? Who were they trying to scare? Unless…

  “Unless they were the ones betrayed.” Sophia finished her thought.

  Sophie could feel the air in the room grow just a little chiller. It was yet another possibility that they had to consider. Because whatever survivors held out against the initial siege had to result in such barbarity. Either they had seen someone or something that they wished to frighten away to keep themselves safe. Or it could be traitors that defected to the undead hordes. Sending a message to the unfortunate who would investigate the dead city like Sophie and the others.

  “Well. Shit.” Mila grumbled.

  “Mila?” Sophie queried.

  “I was hoping we won’t get dragged deeper into this quagmire. Too much trouble.”

  “What? Too much mystery even for you?” Elaria made an exaggerated gasp.

  “No. It’s just that I’ve seen first hand the darkness that enveloped Melisgrad. If this is in any way connected to it, we are not ready to confront such things.” Mila scowled and glared at the bard.

  The girl shot Sophie a dark look and she could only half heartedly nod. Only through sheer happenstance did her shattering of Melton’s Myndiri crystal did It have a chance to breach. That It could combat whatever ritual that the cultists had tried to do.

  Elaria seemed to pick up on her line of thinking. Her sister merely smugly grinning without offering much else in the way of comment.

  Taking the silence as tacit approval, Mila grunted, signalling an end to their discussions. With a gesture, she motioned to Sophie to continue.

  With a certain reluctance, she took the first step upwards, leading the way once again. Slowly but surely they made their way up the gatehouse, taking care to search for traps along the way.

  They arrived at the gate mechanism room where Eva and the saints were already waiting, her mistress casting a worried glance at her for her delayed arrival. Judging by how unbothered they seemed, Sophie suspected that they didn’t find any bodies on their side of the gatehouse. Which means that was definitely a targeted display for a reason.

  “Clear on our end, Soph.” Eva tepidly broke the silence.

  “Bodies on our end, but clear.” Sophie answered back.

  Upon hearing that, Eva’s squad seemed to stiffen up. Their attention and seriousness returned as this little moment of peace had passed with her words.

  “Bodies?” Suzuki unwittingly muttered.

  “Strung up for display. Like the ones near the square.” Mila answered, “Keep your eyes peeled everyone. Once might be a chance encounter. A coincidence that we just happened to run into. But twice? And here too? Someone or something else was definitely stalking the ruins at some point.”

  “Could even still be here…” Sophie mumbled under her breath, shivering as she recalled the strange shadow she saw earlier.

  “If there’s nothing on your end, then we should regroup with Sir Taurox and the others. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.” Mila continued.

  “Aye. I can agree with that.” Eva bobbed her head.

  I just hope things turn out to be that simple. Sophie kept the thought to herself.