Secrets of the Townsfolk (Part 1)

Silver responded to Divine's message.

[To Divine:

In a Dungeon currently, will be there ASAP.]

Silver and Luna were led by the small girl. She weaved between trees with extreme proficiency. Even at a glance, one could tell she knew where she was going. She led the two of them to the side of a small hill. Turning around, she looked at Silver.

"I'll be right back. Griz will be happy to see you!" After saying that, the girl quickly dashed towards the side of the hill and seemingly walked right through it. There were no ripples, nor any hints about it being some kind of illusion. Luna looked shocked.

Silver chuckled at her daughter. The two of them waited patiently for the girl, Hephia, to re-appear.

It didn't even take a full minute. When she returned, there were two orc guards on either side of her. The guards were clad in shining plate mail armor and held strange spears that were somewhat curved. Silver recognized them as naginata.

Hephia smiled. "Griz will meet with you right away! Come on!" She merrily turned around, and the two of them followed behind her. The guards brought up the rear, following Silver and Luna at a distance.

Stepping through the wall of the hill revealed a large tunnel that led much deeper. It was wide enough to fit an ogre and illuminated by hanging magical torches. They passed through various liquid-like magical barriers before entering a large open room. A middle-aged orc was sitting on a rug. He had two large swords on his back.

Children's laughter could be heard coming from a nearby room. Griz sighed. He didn't stand but he spoke warmly to the little girl. "Thank you, Hephia, your siblings are waiting for you. We are happy to have you returned to us. A cause for celebration, but we will do that at a later date."

Hephia nodded and cutely wandered off toward the room emanating children's laughter. Griz turned to Silver and Luna. "So...what can I do for a pair of vampires?"

Silver spoke calmly. "I'm Silver, and this is my daughter Luna. We are adventurers sent here by the town. However, something felt off with it. We aren't sure what exactly is going on."

Griz nodded. "Well, that's something. It's not every day that a pair of strong vampires wanders around here. In fact, it's never happened before. Are you looking for something?" He asked, and there was a hint of anticipation, he wasn't expecting them to say yes.

Silver shook her head. "No. We aren't looking for anything. Just adventurers passing through. We were accosted by orcs and humans alike on our way through."

Griz sighed. "I apologize for that. My warriors are... short-sighted. I will give them a talking to. You're looking for answers, then?"

Luna nodded. "Yes, Hephia seemed scared, and I can't stand idly by."

Griz nodded. "The humans here have been...drinking the girls' blood. It's a grotesque act."

Silver's eyes widened. "They aren't vampires, why would they be doing that?"

Griz sighed, it was obvious this would be a long story. "Do you two have time? This might be a long story."

Silver looked at Luna, and she nodded resolutely.

Griz continued. "Long ago, in the village of Tarmac, an elder found a child. They raised her there, treating her like one of their own. Until she started to grow horns. They were appalled at such a development. Their ancient Goddess had spoken words of warning against demons and monsters that hide in human clothing.

Terrified, the village locked the child away, putting her in their dungeon. She stayed there for five years. Being fed the most meaningless of scraps, the worst quality of water. Despite it all, the village couldn't bring themselves to execute her.

It wasn't until five years later that her situation changed. On a whim, the village idiot, a man by the name of Toun. Infiltrated the dungeon, and attempted to harm the girl. She was eating up their precious resources, causing the village strain for the coming winter months. It wasn't a true statement at all, but he wanted someone to blame for their hardship.

He attacked her with a rusty knife, attempting to kill her. During the fight, the guards showed up, and in some twist of fate, her blood had entered his mouth by pure happenstance.

The blood caused his body to glow brightly, and he was rejuvenated. His aging was reversed, and the guards saw it all. Her situation changed that day. From then on, vials of her blood were distributed until she very suddenly died. It was suicide, or perhaps divine intervention. I prefer to think it was mercy granted to her by the Goddess.

Regardless, her death sparked a chain reaction. Throughout the nearby area, girls similar to her started to appear. Monsters that looked more human than any monsters. They were hunted by the village for their incredible blood. We showed up soon after and took them in as refugees. We've been locked in a bloody battle ever since. I believe this was not the goddess' intended result. The monsters in human skin she warned about are there in the village, and nowhere else."

Silver seemed to enter thought, and Luna took on an appalled expression.

"Y..They're targeting children?" Luna's voice was full of rage.

Griz nodded darkly. "They have enjoyed their time here. Hephia is a sly child, and she often sneaks out to search for others. I've tried to get her to stop, but she won't."

Silver smiled warmly as she placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "She cares for them too much. There's no way she could sit and do nothing. We won't either. Do you have any idea on how to stop them?"

Luna nodded firmly. "We're going to stop them. Even if we have to kill everyone there." Her eyes glowed an ominous color, and Silver took notice.

Griz nodded. "The goddess' temple is near the base of the mountain. The village has taken control of it, barring anyone from entering. If we get inside, we could make a plea to her. She would help us in our fight against the village."