Into the Depths

The village had grown eerily quiet after the battle. The unconscious villagers were gathered and placed in a safe spot, their faint breathing the only signs of life. Haizen, Talon, and Kenta moved with purpose, clearing the area of bodies while the Judge stood watch, his sharp gaze never faltering.

After ensuring the scene was stable, the Judge called everyone together. His tone was commanding yet calm. "This mission has taken a turn. The situation is far more dangerous than we anticipated. We need to locate the one responsible for this tragedy, but there's no guarantee all of us can face what lies ahead."

Kenta stepped forward, his posture tense but ready. "What's the plan, Judge?"

The Judge turned to Kenta. "You'll stay here and guard the villagers. Keep watch for any potential threats. If anything seems out of place, act immediately—but only if you're sure you can handle it. Your job is to keep the survivors safe."

Kenta nodded. "Understood."

The Judge then addressed Haizen and Talon. "The two of you will return to the Brotherhood base. Report everything that's happened here and request reinforcements. This is a bigger task than we can handle alone."

"But Judge—" Haizen began, his voice rising in protest.

"No," the Judge interrupted firmly. "You've done well so far, but we're not risking everyone here. This culprit is dangerous, and if we all fall, there'll be no one left to stop this. Go."

Reluctantly, Haizen and Talon obeyed. They gave one last look at Orion and Kenta before sprinting toward the underground passage hidden in the old house. The Judge turned to Orion, who stood silently, his hands clenched into fists.

"You have a plan, don't you?" the Judge asked.

Orion nodded. "I think I can track the culprit, but it's risky."

"Do it," the Judge said.

Orion closed his eyes and whispered a spell. The air around them grew heavy, a shadowy mist creeping from the ground and swirling toward the body of the hooded figure. The corpse began to thrash violently as the dark mist entered it, the unnatural movement sending shivers through Orion. His face tensed, struggling to maintain control.

Finally, the body fell still. Orion opened his eyes, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I've pinpointed the source," he said, pointing toward the forest to the north. "It's that way."

"Let's move," the Judge commanded.

The two entered the forest, the dense canopy above making it hard to distinguish night from day. Orion led the way, his senses sharp despite the oppressive aura around them. The Judge followed close behind, his chain coiled tightly at his side.

Meanwhile, Kenta remained vigilant in the village square, perched in a large tree that gave him a clear view of the surrounding area. From his vantage point, he could see the forest to the north and the river where Haizen and Orion had gone earlier. His eyes scanned the village, his senses heightened for any sign of danger. "No movement yet," he muttered to himself, though his grip on his weapon tightened.

Back in the forest, Orion and the Judge stumbled upon a concealed entrance, partially cleared of debris. It was an ancient tunnel, its worn edges suggesting years of neglect. "Someone's been here recently," the Judge said, noting the disturbed debris.

They entered cautiously, their light magic illuminating the dark passage. The air was thick with dampness and decay, the walls lined with splintered wooden supports. The deeper they went, the more the oppressive atmosphere grew, gnawing at their resolve.

At a fork in the tunnel, they encountered a strange sight—one path had a cobblestone floor, clean and well-maintained compared to the dirt-covered paths around it. "This way," the Judge said. Orion's tracking ability had begun to falter, the dark energy in the air interfering with his senses.

The cobblestone path stretched on endlessly, their footsteps echoing faintly. Lanterns lined the walls, their flickering light adding to the eerie silence. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a large wooden door marked with an ancient crest. Orion reached out, but the door wouldn't budge.

Without hesitation, the Judge struck the door with a powerful punch, shattering it. Orion gave him a surprised look, but the Judge merely said, "No time to waste."

The room beyond was massive, an underground basement that seemed to belong to a noble house. Dust-covered shelves lined the walls, filled with forgotten artifacts and cobwebbed portraits. As they ventured further, a faint sound caught Orion's attention—a soft cry, echoing from the far corner.

Orion veered toward the sound, his curiosity piqued despite the gnawing dread in his gut. He moved between shelves until he reached the source—a child crouched against the wall, her face buried in her hands.

"What are you doing here?" Orion asked, stepping closer.

The crying stopped. Slowly, the child raised her head, revealing a face twisted in a grotesque grin. Her neck stretched unnaturally, and her hair writhed like snakes. Orion froze, his magic faltering.

Before the creature could strike, the Judge's chain shot out, wrapping around its neck and yanking it back. With a swift motion, he severed its head. The creature dissolved into an inky black puddle, the Judge stepping forward to stand beside Orion.

"Don't wander off alone," the Judge warned.

Orion nodded, his face pale as they continued deeper into the basement. The sense of foreboding only grew stronger, and they knew whatever lay ahead would be far worse than what they had just faced.