After the encounter with Zarek, the group returned to the temporary base on the outskirts of the village. The air was thick with tension, and the stranger's words still echoed in their minds.
"We can't just sit around doing nothing," said Aria as she sharpened her sword by the fire. Her gaze was fixed on the flames, as if searching for answers within them.
EMI nodded while flipping through a rune book she had brought along.
"That Zarek isn't just strong—he's smart. He was analyzing us, toying with us to gauge our capabilities."
Alex, sitting nearby still in his suit, fiddled with a piece of wood. Though he seemed calm on the outside, his mind was racing.
"Do you think he was just trying to scare us, or was he testing us for something bigger?"
EMI looked up from her book, thoughtful.
"Probably both. If the dark mage knows we're after him, he'll want to keep us in check while he finishes whatever he's planning."
As they discussed their next move, a black crow landed near the fire, a tiny note tied to its leg.
"A messenger?" Alex asked, cautiously approaching the bird.
Aria took the note and read it aloud:
"Come to the crossroads at dawn. There's something you need to see. —Z."
"He's got to be joking," Aria growled, clenching the note tightly.
"It's obviously a trap," EMI added, slamming her book shut.
Alex remained silent, staring at the crow, which stared back with gleaming eyes. At last, he spoke:
"Trap or not, I think we should go. If Zarek really wants us to follow him, this might be our chance to learn something."
"Are you insane?" Aria looked at him like he'd grown two heads. "That guy could wipe us out in a second."
"It's risky, but Alex has a point," EMI said after a moment. "If we wait too long, we might lose whatever edge we have."
After a heated debate, the group decided to accept the invitation.
At dawn, they arrived at the designated location—a crossroads between three paths, surrounded by dense forest. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the whisper of the wind through the trees.
"This screams 'trap,'" Alex muttered, adjusting his collar.
"Stay alert," Aria replied, hand on her sword's hilt.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the center of the crossroads, emerging from the shadows as if he'd been there all along. It was Zarek, wearing his usual grin.
"I'm glad you came. You're braver than I thought."
"What do you want?" EMI asked, arms crossed.
Zarek chuckled softly.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight today. I came to… show you something."
With a wave of his hand, the ground trembled, and an illusory image appeared before them. It showed a vast cavern illuminated by eerie dark light, where hundreds of hooded figures were performing what looked like a massive ritual.
"This is the future that's coming," Zarek said, his tone serious. "My master is gathering power. And if you do nothing, this will be your downfall."
"Why are you showing us this?" Alex asked, narrowing his eyes.
Zarek grinned again.
"Let's just say I enjoy watching people fight the inevitable. Besides, my master appreciates a worthy challenge."
Before they could respond, Zarek vanished once more, leaving the floating image lingering for a few moments before it too disappeared.
"This makes no sense," Aria muttered, staring at the spot where Zarek had stood. "Why would he give us such valuable information?"
"Because he's playing with us," EMI replied, clenching her fists. "He's using us for something we don't yet understand."
Alex stood silently, eyes fixed on the crossroads. Something in Zarek's words deeply unsettled him, though he couldn't quite say why.
"We need to report this to the Duke… and prepare for the worst," he finally said.
With the image of the cavern burned into their minds, the group returned to the village—uncertain, but more determined than ever—knowing that things were only going to get more dangerous from here on out.