Morning came swiftly. Axel and Matias wasted no time, heading straight for the guild. Inside, the air buzzed with the usual noise of adventurers, but their focus was only on the four waiting figures Dario, Mia, and Claus.
No words were wasted. A simple nod, a quick exchange of greetings, and they moved to the back office. Elsa barely looked up from her paperwork.
Dario placed the mission parchment on the counter. "We're confirming the escort job to the Elven Kingdom."
Elsa flipped through the records, her sharp gaze scanning the details. "Level 3, high reward, minimal risk." She looked at them. "You sure?"
Axel smirked. "Too late to back out now."
Elsa handed the official document over. "Then get moving. And don't come back in pieces."
Matias grinned. "No promises."
With that, they left the guild, stepping into the cool morning air.
---
At the City Gate
The scene before them exuded power and wealth. A grand, luxurious cart stood at the entrance, its trim catching the sunlight. Ten guards in fine armor surrounded it, their disciplined stances marking them as more than mere hired swords.
At the front, a warrior stood tall, a man of sheer presence. His hand rested on his sword, his gaze sharp as he whispered into the carriage.
Inside, behind a silk-draped window, a young woman sat, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, a delicate veil concealing part of her face. At the warrior's words, she turned, peering out at the five figures approaching the gate.
Axel and Matias shared a glance. Recognition flashed between them.
These guards… This cart… The girl…
Memories of the troll attack surged back. These were the same people who had barely escaped with their lives. The same girl they had saved. Yet, there was no sign of recognition from her or the guards.
She studied them carefully, her blue eyes calculating behind the veil. Then, she spoke, voice soft yet laced with authority.
"They don't look very reliable… but let's hope we don't need their help this time."
Matias smirked. "Charming."
The warrior stepped forward, cutting off any further words. His voice carried the weight of command.
"Welcome." His gaze swept over them, assessing, measuring. "Let's not waste time. Your job is to keep this cart safe no matter what." A pause. "Who's the leader here?"
Axel met his eyes, unflinching. He could feel the weight of expectation, the silent demand for someone to step up.
Matias leaned in slightly, whispering just loud enough for Axel to hear. "You want this one, or should I?"
Axel exhaled slowly before answering.
"We don't do leaders," he said simply. "We just get the job done."
The rest of the felt relieved, none of is used to learnership.
The warrior studied him for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Fine."
"Now let's get going".
-----
The city disappeared behind them as the road stretched forward, an endless path of dust and uncertainty. The horses moved in steady rhythm, their riders lost in thought. The guards kept formation around the carriage, disciplined, alert. The adventurers, less rigid, rode with a practiced ease that suggested comfort in chaos.
Troy broke the silence. "You all travel often?"
Axel smirked. "More than we'd like."
Matias nodded. "Roads are dangerous, but staying in one place is worse."
Troy gave him a sidelong glance. "You say that as if the roads aren't the real problem."
"They aren't," Matias said simply.
Troy let the words sit. "You think cities are worse?"
Axel chuckled. "Cities have rules. Roads don't. But rules only matter if people follow them."
Troy frowned. "And you're saying they don't?"
Matias sighed, adjusting his reins. "Rules are a myth. They're upheld when convenient and ignored when necessary."
Dario let out a short laugh. "That's a pretty grim outlook."
"Practical," Matias corrected. "A law only matters if there's someone willing to enforce it. Otherwise, it's just ink on paper."
Troy considered that. "Melania's safe enough."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Safe how?"
"Not much trouble lately."
Matias smirked. "Lately."
Troy exhaled. "It has its moments."
"Everything does," Axel muttered.
The group fell into a comfortable silence. The sun climbed higher, shadows shifting across the road.
Eventually, Troy spoke again. "You're an odd group."
Dario grinned. "We get that a lot."
"I mean it." Troy looked at each of them. "Summoner, rogue, knight, healer, whatever Claus is. Not a standard adventuring party."
Axel shrugged. "Not a standard job."
Troy studied him. "Summoner, huh?"
Axel nodded. "That's what they call it."
Troy didn't push. "Matias, then. What about you?"
Matias smiled, but there was nothing friendly about it. "I work with shadows."
Troy's eyes flickered. "Magic?"
"Something like that."
Troy didn't ask more. He turned to the rest. "Dario?"
Dario patted his shield. "Tank. Shield and sword."
"Mia?"
"Healing and restoration."
Troy nodded, satisfied. "And Claus?"
Claus didn't answer.
Troy gave him a long look before turning forward. "Quiet type."
Matias chuckled. "He listens more than he speaks. Useful trait."
Troy didn't argue.
They rode in silence for a while, the only sound the steady rhythm of hooves.
Axel glanced at Troy. "You're a warrior."
Troy nodded. "Simple, straightforward."
"Been at it long?"
"Long enough."
Axel let the words settle. "You said Melania's safe. That's not the same as saying you trust it."
Troy's jaw tightened. "I've been there plenty. I know what to expect."
Matias smirked. "Predictable danger is still danger."
Troy didn't deny it.
The city rose in the distance, shimmering in the afternoon light. As they approached the gates, Troy exhaled.
"Welcome to Melania," he said. "Try to enjoy the peace while it lasts."
Axel chuckled. "hahaha, We'll see how long that is."
----
The streets of Melania sprawled before them, busy but orderly. The city had a practiced efficiency—guards stationed at key points, merchants operating under sharp-eyed enforcers. It felt secure. Too secure.
Axel took in the surroundings. "Place looks like it's waiting for something to go wrong."
Troy kept his gaze ahead. "It's always waiting. It's just a question of when."
They moved through the streets without issue, arriving at a grand hotel near the city's center. The building loomed over the square, polished stone and reinforced doors marking it as a place meant for the powerful.
The moment they dismounted, Troy addressed them. "You're done riding for now. Rest, resupply, but stay close. We're leaving at first light."
Axel rolled his shoulders. "And the girl?"
Troy's expression darkened slightly. "Her Excellency Aeris will remain under guard." He turned to Aeris as she stepped from the carriage, her presence commanding without effort. "Mia will stay with her for the night."
Mia raised an eyebrow but nodded. "If that's what she wants."
Aeris studied Mia for a moment before speaking. "I prefer familiar company."
Axel smirked. "I see. And the rest of us?"
Troy gestured to a nearby tavern. "Rooms there. Unless you want to sleep in the street."
Matias smirked. "Tempting."
Dario stretched. "A real bed works fine."
Claus, as always, said nothing.
The group split—guards securing Aeris' room while the adventurers made their way to the tavern.
Inside, the place was alive with noise, but not chaotic. Conversations flowed, people drank, but there was an undercurrent of tension. No one was too loud. No one was too relaxed.
Axel and Matias took a corner table, Dario grabbed drinks, and Claus sat with his usual silence.
Dario returned, setting down a mug in front of Axel. "Here. Might as well enjoy it."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Trying to bribe me?"
Dario grinned. "Bribe, peace offering, call it what you want."
Matias sipped his own drink. "So. Melania."
Troy's words echoed in their minds. It's always waiting.
Dario leaned back. "It's clean. That's the first red flag."
Axel nodded. "Cities that are too orderly are usually hiding the worst kinds of problems."
Matias smirked. "You think Troy knows more than he's saying?"
Axel chuckled. "Oh, definitely. Question is, what's he holding back?"
Dario exhaled. "We'll find out soon enough."
The tavern door opened. A few men walked in—armored, confident. They weren't ordinary mercenaries.
Matias tilted his head. "Knights?"
Axel studied them. "Or something close."
The men scanned the room before taking a seat near the bar. Their presence shifted the air slightly.
Dario muttered, "Looks like we won't have to wait long for trouble."
Axel smirked, taking a slow drink. "No, we won't."
The tavern was alive with drunken voices, the thick smell of ale and sweat clinging to the air. Matias leaned back in his chair, drink in hand, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips. "This city's not so bad."
Axel smirked over the rim of his mug. "That the drink talking?"
Matias chuckled. "Maybe."
The door swung open, letting in the evening chill. A woman, her steps deliberate, her eyes sharp, drifted toward their table. She didn't hesitate, placing a hand on Matias' shoulder as she leaned in close. "You seem fun. Want to continue this elsewhere?"
Silence.
Then laughter.
Troy shook his head, grinning. "Guess stealth doesn't work on charm attacks."
Dario smirked. "Hope she knows what she's getting into."
Axel tilted his head. "You ever seen a spider caught in its own web?"
Matias, unfazed, smirked back. "Guess I'll find out." He rose, swaying slightly, but the dancer caught his arm, steadying him before leading him upstairs.
Claus said nothing, his expression unreadable.
Axel exhaled, knocking back the rest of his drink. "One down."
---
The tavern doors crashed open, spilling in a group of men—loud, staggering, reeking of liquor and sweat. Their armor, battered but functional, marked them as mercenaries. One of them, a broad-shouldered brute with a scar cutting through his cheek, let his gaze sweep over the room before locking onto Dario.
A slow, knowing grin stretched across his face. He nudged one of his companions before stepping forward, rolling his shoulders. "You look tough," he slurred. "How about this? You and me, fists only. Winner drinks free."
Axel sighed, already regretting staying this long.
Dario arched a brow, his smirk lazy. "You sure? Hate to ruin your night."
The mercenary chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "That's big talk. Let's see if you can back it up."
Chairs scraped as people moved aside, the room shifting to make space. No one in a tavern like this turned down a fight.
---
The street was colder than before, the flickering torchlight barely cutting through the night. The crowd formed a loose ring around the two men, the hum of anticipation thick in the air.
The mercenary spun his spear, light on his feet despite the alcohol in his system. "Hope you're ready."
Dario grinned, rolling his shoulders. "I was born ready."
The fight began.
The spear moved first, a blur of metal slicing through the air. Dario barely shifted, letting the strike clash against his shield. The impact rang out, but he didn't budge.
The mercenary smirked. "Not bad." He feinted left before lunging right, his spear tip glowing with a faint blue light. Charged magic. The kind meant to pierce through armor.
Dario didn't move.
The spear struck his barrier, magic crackling against an unseen force. Sparks danced across the metal, but Dario remained solid, unfazed. His great sword swung, a heavy arc of steel. The mercenary barely twisted away, forced back by sheer power.
The crowd murmured.
Troy whistled. "He's not even trying."
Axel watched, unimpressed. "He's toying with him."
The mercenary scowled, shifting his stance. "Fine. Let's get serious."
He moved. Fast.
A blur of speed, his spear charged with a sharper, deadlier force. He struck—once, twice, thrice. Each hit aimed for the gaps in Dario's defenses.
Dario let him.
The moment the spearhead connected, his body reinforcement flared. The blade barely nicked his skin.
Dario stepped in, swinging his shield with brutal precision. The impact sent the mercenary flying back, crashing into the dirt.
Silence. Then cheers and groans from the betting crowd.
Dario strode forward, smirking. "Guess I'll take that drink."
Axel exhaled, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease. "Alright. Fun's over. We should leave before.."
He stopped.
Claus was gone.
Axel's fingers curled into a fist. Why now? His eyes flicked to the rooftops, the alleyways, anywhere the man could have disappeared to. What are you planning?
He turned sharply. "We're leaving. Now."
Dario scoffed. "What, no victory speech?"
Axel didn't answer. He was already moving.
At this point Troy was worried and rushed to check on Aeris without anyone noticing.
Then the mercenaries stood, their bodies shifting to block the way.
One of them grinned, voice thick with malice. "Not so fast. Why not play with us a little?"
Axel's grip tightened on Grim Scyth.
Matias was gone. Claus had disappeared. And now this.
The night had just taken a turn.
And not for the better.
-----