The morning sunlight began to filter through the window of the inn's room. Clara stretched slowly, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She glanced to her side, where Leona lay fast asleep.
"Leona," Clara called softly.
Leona stirred, pulling the blanket closer before blinking awake. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Clara rose fully, stepping toward the window and parting the thin curtains. Through the morning light, she saw the street below gradually filling with people.
Moments later, Clara left the room and headed toward Liorin's door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
No response.
Clara knocked again.
Still nothing.
"Liorin wouldn't sleep in this late," Clara thought, resting a finger on her chin.
Lux, the fox, approached and stood before Clara, tilting its head as if trying to convey something. Its clear eyes locked onto hers for a moment before its tail flicked rapidly.
Clara knelt to stroke Lux's head, sensing its intent. "Is Liorin still out from last night?" she whispered.
Leona, now watching them, sighed deeply. "If she's handling her own business, we should wait. I'm sure Liorin knows what she's doing."
Clara nodded, though doubts lingered in her mind. Lux leapt onto the bed, curling up calmly but with ears perked, ever alert.
The scent of toasted bread and hot soup filled the air, mingling with the smoky aroma of a freshly lit hearth. Clara descended to the dining area, her hair slightly tousled, followed by Leona, who looked fresher but carried a somber expression, clearly troubled by Liorin's absence. Lux bounded down the stairs, its tail swaying lightly as if greeting the morning.
The innkeeper, an older woman with a warm smile, greeted them as she placed two cups of herbal tea on a wooden table by the window. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you, Mak Inya," Clara replied with a smile, petting Lux as it climbed into her lap. Leona answered calmly, "Well enough, thank you. The atmosphere here is soothing." Yet her tone remained cool, betraying the unease weighing on her.
At a nearby long table, a few guests were already chatting. Their voices were soft but audible to keen ears.
"Did you hear about last night? There was a strange light in the forest behind the town." "Yeah, they say a huge shadow was moving, definitely not human." "I heard a loud clang, like metal striking metal. Some say it's the work of dark creatures."
Clara froze, her ears catching every word. Leona glanced briefly at the group before lowering her gaze, sipping her tea slowly. Lux's ears twitched, its tail stiffening as if sensing the same unease.
Mak Inya noticed their change in demeanor and spoke softly, "Don't worry, people often exaggerate stories. But… I did hear an odd sound last night. Let's just hope everything's fine."
Clara stared out the sunlit window. A growing sense of unease tightened in her chest, and thoughts of Liorin's absence haunted her.
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The morning sun climbed higher, its rays piercing the thin mist lingering over Aeloria's streets. Clara and Leona walked side by side, leaving the inn with Lux faithfully trailing, its tail swaying lightly with each pause. The town bustled as usual, but an undercurrent of unease lingered after last night's rumors spread.
"I'm sure they were talking about the eastern edge of town," Clara said quietly, her eyes fixed on a path leading to the outskirts. "If something big happened, there'll be signs."
Leona nodded, her expression serious as she weighed Clara's words. "We need to be cautious. If this involves the Dark Organization, we might be walking into danger."
Their steps led them to an open area near small ruins outside the city walls. There, several figures in silver-gray robes were examining the ground, accompanied by heavily armed city guards, their faces tense and eyes scanning the surroundings.
A few locals and travelers paused to watch, whispering among themselves before moving on. Clara and Leona lingered at a distance, trying not to draw attention while keeping their senses sharp. Lux sat between them, its fur bristling as if sensing the strange atmosphere.
Clara leaned closer to Leona, speaking softly. "They're investigating something, maybe traces of magic from last night's fight. See that circle? It looks like a summoning glyph."
Leona frowned, her eyes following Clara's gesture. "I see it. That's no ordinary mage's work."
Just then, a soft voice caught their attention. Nearby stood a girl in a dark hooded cloak, half her face obscured, muttering to herself but loud enough for Clara and Leona to hear.
"They're mistaken… I need to find him there…"
Clara turned sharply, suspicion clear on her face. She stepped closer, her voice firm but measured. "Hey, wait. Are you… looking for someone? Liorin, maybe?"
The hooded girl stiffened, her bright green eyes visible despite the shadow of her hood. Her startled expression was unmistakable.
"How… how did you know?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
***********************************************
"…You're Liorin's friends."
Clara, Leona, Lux, and the hooded elf girl now walked together toward the city hall, where prisoners were typically taken for questioning. Their pace was brisk yet cautious. The girl finally spoke, introducing herself.
"My name is Elferia," she said curtly, her voice cool but confident. "I met Liorin last night. We… encountered a group from the Dark Organization."
Clara and Leona exchanged surprised glances.
"He saved me," Elferia continued, her eyes lowering as if recalling the moment. "I was nearly caught in their summoning ritual. If not for Liorin, I might've…" Her voice trailed off, unwilling to voice the grim outcome.
Leona remained silent, her gaze sharpening. "So he was involved in last night's fight," she said softly. "It's possible the city guards mistook his presence there."
Clara clenched her fists, her expression uneasy. "We need to confirm this. If he's been detained as a suspected member of the Dark Organization, we can't just stand by."
Lux let out a small sound, as if agreeing with Clara. Its tail swayed slowly, but its ears remained alert to their surroundings.
The group pressed on toward the city hall, their hearts heavy with the same question: Was Liorin truly there, and how could they prove he wasn't an enemy but a fighter against the darkness?
They reached their destination. Aeloria's city hall stood proudly at the end of the main street, surrounded by gray stone walls adorned with carved phoenix emblems. The tall building, with its pointed roof and stained-glass windows reflecting the morning light, exuded authority. Two black stone pillars flanked the main entrance, lending a somber air compared to the town's other structures.
Clara, Leona, Lux, and Elferia approached the large doors, guarded by two spear-wielding sentries. One raised a hand, halting them.
"What's your purpose here?" he asked sternly.
Clara stepped forward, her voice calm but confident. "We're here to see our friend. He was brought here last night."
The guard eyed them, his gaze lingering on Elferia's hooded figure. After a moment, he nodded and stepped aside. "Fine. Enter, but don't cause trouble."
They stepped inside.
The interior contrasted with the stark exterior. The marble floor gleamed with silver patterns, and the walls bore golden phoenix banners. The air carried the scent of wax and sandalwood, creating a serious yet elegant atmosphere. Long benches lined the central hall, where citizens waited their turn. Beyond, a large door led to meeting and interrogation rooms.
As Clara and the others entered the main hall, they paused.
Liorin stood before them, speaking confidently with several city officials, occasionally gesturing with small magical flourishes to illustrate his points. The officials listened intently, their expressions serious but no longer suspicious.
Liorin noticed them and offered a faint smile.
The officials also turned toward the group.
"They're my friends," Liorin said loudly, ensuring everyone in the room heard.
A female official rose from her seat and approached Clara and Leona. Her steps were graceful yet firm, her leather boots clicking on the marble floor.
Her appearance briefly captivated Clara and Leona. Her long, jet-black hair with a hint of bluish-purple cascaded to her waist. She wore a formal city guard uniform with a gothic flair: a black coat with silver lace trim, a high collar adorned with a red gem brooch, and dark leather gloves. A silver phoenix badge on her chest marked her as a captain.
She extended a hand, her fingers slender but strong. "I'm Seraphim," she said, her voice deep and calm, brimming with charisma. "Captain of Aeloria's city guard."
Clara shook her hand, slightly thrown by the situation. "I'm Clara. This is Leona, and this is Elferia."
Seraphim's gaze lingered on Elferia, her hooded appearance raising suspicion.
"She's a bit shy," Clara explained quickly.
Seraphim nodded, though her eyes remained wary.
"Captain Seraphim," Clara continued, redirecting the conversation, "what's happening here? What's going on?"
Seraphim gave a faint smile, her eyes sharp yet dim. "Initially, we misjudged your friend. He was found at the scene with suspicious signs. But after a thorough investigation, we found no malicious intent."
She glanced at Liorin before continuing. "In fact, he explained the Dark Organization's activities and their purpose in our city. His account aligns with the magical traces found at the battle site. He's no longer a suspect but a key witness."
Clara met Liorin's eyes. He nodded calmly, confirming Seraphim's words.
A sigh of relief escaped Clara. Though some worries remained, she was comforted knowing Liorin was no longer seen as an enemy.
Lux, curled at her side, let out a soft sound, its tail relaxed as if sharing her relief.