The cart crested the winding hill, coming to a slow stop as the road opened up to a breathtaking view. Before them, carved into the side of the valley and stretching down to the shore of an enormous, shimmering lake, lay Silverlake City—its white stone buildings gleaming like polished pearls under the afternoon sun, with bridges spanning crystal-clear streams that fed into the main lake.
Hythesion climbed down from the driver's seat, walking to the edge of the cliff to take in the sight. He stood there in silence for a long moment, then drew in a deep, slow breath as if drinking in the very air of the place.
"It's nice to be back," he said softly, a gentle smile touching his lips.
Bayron trotted up beside him, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the sprawling city below. "How long since you've been here?"
"Six years…" Hythesion murmured, his gaze drifting over familiar landmarks—towering watchtowers, the grand marketplace dome, the stone pier that jutted far out into the silver-hued water. "Man… this is so nostalgic."
Geth leaned against the side of the cart, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "I heard they have the most amazing fish dishes here—something about the lake water making the fish taste sweeter than anywhere else!"
Akmenos's eyes lit up at the mention of food and drink. "And their ale! Oh, I've heard stories about their Honey Nectar brew—made from wildflower honey and lake water. Never got to try it myself, but they say it's like drinking liquid sunshine!"
Maitara perked up from where she'd been checking over their supplies, a small smile on her face. "Ooohh—I do like sweet drinks. That sounds perfect after all this traveling."
Bayron let out a hearty laugh, already moving to untie the horse and get them ready to descend. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!"
Hythesion lingered just a moment longer, taking one last look at the city he'd helped build so many years ago. The smile on his face was warmer now—filled with memories of better days, of friends and laughter, of the home he'd once called his own. With a final nod to the view before him, he turned and joined the others, ready to step back into the place that shaped so much of who he was.
The cart rumbled down the winding path to the city's small stone gates, where a weathered wooden sign arched overhead. In bold, carved letters it read: "Welcome to Silverlake City" – and beneath that, in smaller but no less proud script: "Birthplace of the great Silverlake Mercenaries".
Bayron pulled the horse to a stop, and Geth, Ethan, Maitara, and Akmenos all turned to look at Hythesion. Even from his spot on the driver's seat, his confusion was clear—his brow furrowed as he stared at the words he'd never seen there before.
"I… don't remember that part being there," he muttered, shaking his head slightly before climbing down to lead them through the gates.
Once inside, the city unfolded like a living tapestry. Cobblestone streets wound between buildings of white stone and dark wood, their windows adorned with bright blue and silver flowers that grew in hanging baskets. Fish stalls lined every corner—merchants calling out their catches of the day: shimmering silver carp, plump lake perch, and even rare pearl-eyed trout displayed on beds of fresh watercress. The air was thick with the clean, briny scent of the lake mixed with the savory aroma of grilled fish, melted butter, and herbs from the open-air eateries that lined the waterfront. Elves, humans, orcs, tabaxi, and more moved through the streets together—laughing, trading, and sharing meals at communal tables set out under colorful canopies. Children chased each other with toy boats made from reeds, while musicians near the lake played flutes and lutes, their music floating over the gentle lapping of water against the stone docks.
Hythesion guided the cart through the bustling streets toward the city center, where a larger, more ornate building stood at the heart of the marketplace.
"So, to be clear," Ethan said from the back of the cart, "this isn't where you were born?"
Hythesion shook his head, his eyes taking in every familiar and new detail. "No… but the idea of the Silverlake Mercenaries—it all started right here. There's a small tavern just around that corner there," he added, pointing toward a narrow alley.
As they pulled up in front of a sturdy two-story inn with a sloped roof and a sign depicting a silver fish leaping from water, the group climbed out. The sign above the door read simply: "Silverlake Inn".
"Silverlake Inn?" Ethan said, looking up at the sign with recognition. "That's the First."
Akmenos and Geth were already making for the door, their stomachs growling at the smell of roasted fish and fresh ale drifting from inside. But Maitara caught their arms, shaking her head gently.
"Hold on.. we should settle into our rooms first," she reminded them, her gaze briefly flicking to Hythesion's pocket where the pendant box was tucked away. "We don't want a repeat of what happened in Neverwinter. We need to make sure we have a safe place for our things, especially the pendant."
Hythesion nodded in agreement, placing a hand over his pocket to confirm it was still there. Together, they walked through the inn's heavy wooden doors and approached the front counter, where a friendly halfling woman with curly red hair greeted them with a warm smile. After securing two adjoining rooms—one for the men, one for Maitara—they gathered their belongings and made their way up the creaking wooden stairs to their quarters, ready to drop their packs.
The moment the door to their rooms clicked shut, Geth and Akmenos took off at a run down the stairs, nearly tripping over each other in their rush.
"Last one down pays for the first round!" Akmenos shouted over his shoulder.
"Like I'd let you win!" Geth shot back, already pulling ahead.
Maitara followed close behind, a bright smile on her face as she caught the mouthwatering scent of grilled fish wafting up from the tavern below. "Wait for me! I want to try their signature lake trout!"
Ethan adjusted his tunic, looking toward the door. "I'm gonna go outside to look for Bayron—make sure he found a good spot for the cart and horse. He might need help with the supplies."
Hythesion nodded, already making his way toward the stairs. "Okay—be careful out there. The city's safe, but better to be mindful."
As Hythesion stepped back into the main tavern room, the lively sounds of music and conversation washed over him. Tables were packed with travelers and locals alike—some singing along to a bard's tune, others raising mugs in toasts, children weaving between legs with baskets of roasted nuts to sell. It was exactly as he remembered: warm, loud, and full of life.
Then his eyes settled on a single table in the far corner, tucked away in shadow. A figure in a black hood sat alone, their back mostly to the room, eating quietly from a small plate. Without thinking, Hythesion made his way through the crowded room and stopped beside the table.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
The hooded figure didn't look up, but gave a slow nod of assent. Hythesion pulled out the chair across from them and sat down, flagging down a passing waitress with a wave.
"Two Honey Nectar ales, and a Luke-Zeph Fish Sisig please," he said, then added with a small smile, "Extra chili flakes, if you've got 'em."
The waitress nodded and hurried off, leaving Hythesion sitting across from the silent figure. The tavern's noise seemed to fade into the background as the two sat in quiet—Hythesion watching, the hooded person continuing to eat with deliberate, steady movements.
Finally, Hythesion broke the silence.
"Been so long… Janna."
The fork paused halfway to the hooded figure's mouth. Slowly, carefully, they set down their utensil and lifted their head, pulling back the hood to reveal her face. It was Janna—her dark blue skin catching the tavern's warm light, her glowing red eyes fixed on Hythesion with an unreadable expression. Her silver hair was tied back in a neat braid, and the familiar leather straps of her bow were visible beneath her cloak.
"Never thought I'd see you again," she said, her voice low and smooth—just as he remembered.
"Same here," Hythesion replied, leaning back in his chair as the waitress set down their drinks and food. The rich aroma of spiced fish filled the space between them. "Just came here to spend the night. Need to deliver a package to a certain place."
Janna picked up her mug, taking a slow sip. "I know… the Pendant right? Bound for Morea?"
Hythesion froze mid-reach for his ale, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. "Wait—how did you know that?"
Janna leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice to barely a whisper so only he could hear. "It's a World Rank artifact, Hyth. You don't just move something like that through the land without being seen. Every powerful eye in the realm is watching it now."
Hythesion sat still, his hand hovering over his mug as memories flashed through his mind—Ser Larry in the dungeon, asking about the pendant with that same strange certainty. He said nothing, letting Janna's words hang heavy in the air between them.
Then Janna leaned closer, her voice dropping even lower, barely audible over the tavern's hum. "You gotta be careful out here, Hyth. This city isn't what it seems. Bad omens have been showing themselves more and more lately." As she spoke, her left eye glowed a shade brighter red—its usual soft glow intensifying like embers catching wind.
Hythesion's expression grew serious. He knew what that meant—Janna's Sight was active. The rare ability that let her glimpse possible futures, to see the threads of fate weaving around those she cared about.
"What do you see?" he asked quietly.
Janna closed her eyes for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. When she opened them again, her red gaze was distant—as if looking through him to something far beyond the tavern walls. "Scales of a White Dragon… and the plague. So much sickness. Many will die when the beast is awakened from its slumber."
Hythesion leaned forward, his mind racing to connect the pieces. "White scales—plague, beast? What are you saying?
Before he could press further, Janna reached across the table and grabbed his hand—her touch firm and urgent, catching him completely by surprise. "I'm warning you, Hythesion," she said, her voice sharp with urgency. "That pendant you carry… it could be our salvation. Or it could be the very thing that brings about our destruction."
With that, she released his hand, stood up in one fluid motion, and pushed her chair back. She pulled her hood up over her head once more, casting her face in shadow. Without another word, she turned and made her way quickly through the crowded tavern toward the doors.
Hythesion was on his feet in an instant, dropping a few coins on the table to cover their meal before pushing through the crowd after her. But by the time he burst out onto the street, the sun was beginning to set over the lake—and Janna was nowhere to be seen. The street was busy with evening shoppers and travelers heading to their rooms, but there was no sign of the dark elf archer who'd been sitting across from him just moments before.
He stood there for a long moment, looking up and down the cobblestone road, his mind spinning with her warning.
Hythesion scanned every alley and side street Janna could have vanished into, his mind still reeling from her words. Just as he was about to turn back toward the inn, a voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hey, something wrong?"
He turned to find Ethan standing a few feet away, his arms crossed and a concerned look on his face. Beside him, Bayron beamed as he held up a massive silver carp—so large it nearly spanned the centaur's broad chest.
Hythesion stared at them for a moment, still processing everything Janna had told him. He shook his head slightly, forcing a calm expression. "Nothing—just... getting some fresh air."
Ethan studied him for a second longer, clearly not fully convinced, but didn't push. "Okay... we'll go inside now."
"Yeah yeah," Hythesion said, waving a hand as he took one last look down the street. "You go ahead. I'll—" he paused, taking a slow breath, "I'll catch up."
Bayron nodded enthusiastically, already turning back toward the inn door. "Hurry up then! I want to get this fish on the grill before it gets too late!"
Ethan gave Hythesion one more quick glance before following Bayron inside, leaving Hythesion alone on the street as the last rays of sun painted the lake in shades of gold and silver.
The next morning, Hythesion stirred awake to the sound of thunderous snoring—Geth and Akmenos were sprawled across their beds, limbs tangled in blankets, while Ethan lay curled up on the floor beside his pack, still fast asleep. Hythesion rubbed his eyes, feeling a strange heaviness in his chest as he climbed out of bed.
He made his way to Maitara's room next door, gently knocking before peering inside—she was still asleep, her face peaceful as she rested against her pillow. Just as he was about to head back to wake the others, a voice rang out from below.
"Hey guys!"
Only Hythesion seemed to hear it. He hurried to the window and looked down to find Bayron standing in the inn's courtyard, his face pale with panic.
"The people… they're gone!" he yelled up, his voice echoing in the quiet morning air.
Hythesion's heart jolted. He rushed back to the room and shook Geth and Akmenos awake, then banged on Maitara's door. "Everyone up—now! Something's wrong!"
Within minutes, they'd pulled on their clothes and raced downstairs. But what greeted them made their blood run cold. The inn that had been bustling with life just hours before was completely empty. Thick cobwebs draped every wall and window frame, tables and chairs were overturned and covered in dust, and the air smelled of mold and decay—as if it hadn't been touched in years.
"What happened here?" Geth whispered, running his finger through a layer of dust on the bar.
Akmenos looked around, his eyes wide with fear. "What's going on? We were just here last night—people were eating, laughing…"
Ethan drew his sword halfway from its sheath, his gaze sharp and alert. "Something is not right. This isn't possible."
They rushed outside, and the sight that met them was even more horrifying. The vibrant Silverlake City they'd seen the day before was gone. Houses stood in ruins, their walls blackened and cracked as if scorched by intense fire. Dark coal-like ash covered every surface—streets, rooftops, even the lake shore where water once sparkled now looked murky and dead. The air was still and silent, no birds sang, no children played—only the wind whispered through empty doorways and broken windows.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet began to shake. THUMP… THUMP… THUMP… Colossal footsteps echoed from the distance, each one sending tremors through the cobblestones. They looked up to see a shadow so massive it blotted out the sun—a titan-like beast taller than any mountain, its form nothing but dark smoke and twisted shapes that seemed to shift and writhe as it moved.
Geth cried out, dropping to his knees and clutching his head as if in agony. "It hurts… my head…" Maitara and Ethan rushed to hold him steady, their own faces tight with discomfort.
In the distance, at the city's main gate, dark shapes hung from the archway. Hythesion and Bayron ran toward them, their hearts pounding—but when they got close enough to see clearly, Hythesion collapsed to his knees.
Hanging from the gate were the bodies of Kaylla, Glynlie, Osmedious, Janna, and Dale—his friends, the Origin Six. Flies buzzed around their still forms, and crows pecking on their innards. The sight was so horrific that Hythesion doubled over, vomiting onto the ash-covered ground as tears streamed down his face.
"This can't be happening," Bayron whispered, his voice breaking. "They can't be… they were supposed to be alive…"
A jester's laugh echoed all around them—high-pitched, mocking, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. Then a deep, eerie voice boomed through the air:
"DIE"
The colossal shadow monster threw back its head and let out a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of the city—
Hythesion shot upright in bed, gasping for breath. Geth and Akmenos were still snoring beside him, Ethan still asleep on the floor.
"It was a nightmare…" he whispered, his hands trembling as he wiped sweat from his forehead. But even as he said it, the feeling of dread from the dream clung to him like smoke.
All of a sudden, an unfamiliar voice speaks, "It wasn't a dream, nor a nightmare…"
Hythesion whipped his head around at voice, his hand instinctively moving to his side as if reaching for a weapon he didn't have. Standing just beyond the foot of his bed was a figure he'd never seen before—one that made his breath catch in his throat.
It was a dragonborn, with scales as white as fresh snow, shimmering with an almost pearlescent sheen under the morning light. They wore flowing white robes embroidered with silver thread that seemed to shift like water, and carried a thick leather-bound book with a clasp shaped like intertwined wings.
"For it was the future—" they continued, their voice deep and resonant.