Chapter 30: Encounter

[ ] = Doruuk's thoughts

I carefully pick up the stone wrapped in paper. The sheet unfolds between my fingers, revealing a message that leaves me in shock.

"Come behind the main cemetery after 10 at night, and if you refuse to come for any reason, we will come directly to you, and we know very well where you live."

Below the text, in precise and threatening handwriting, was my address. Exact, down to the last detail.

[Who are these people? And what do they want from me? Should I go or not? I'd better prepare for every eventuality.]

The dilemma torments me as I study the paper, looking for clues about its origin. Not many people know me in this city. And this makes me very curious.

After hours of reflection, I decide to show up for the appointment.

[Not many in this city know my name, let alone where I live. I want to see who is so interested in me.]

[It's a risky move, I know full well, and I'm doing it again. But something inside me whispers that this time will be different... better.]

As preparation, I leave nothing to chance. I open my trunk of potions and carefully select two vials: one of regeneration with crimson liquid pulsing with vital energy, and one of strength with an amber, dense color. I hide them in the inner pockets of my coat, next to my faithful dagger. Better safe than sorry.

And then, I wait for the night.

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The day passes slowly, each minute marked by the accelerated beating of my heart. Nervousness devours me from within as I remain confined to my room, trying to formulate theories about who might have sent that message. I can't connect the dots, too many variables, too many potential enemies.

In the end, I surrender to mental exhaustion and allow myself a few hours of restless sleep, until darkness falls over the city.

By 9:50 PM, I'm already on the street. The night air is cold and biting, but under my coat my body is warm, ready for action. I move toward the cemetery with measured steps, pretending a calmness I don't truly possess. My heartbeat betrays my apparent tranquility.

The main cemetery is located in a peripheral area, sufficiently far from homes to ensure privacy, but not so isolated as to be completely inaccessible. Perfect for a meeting that no one should witness.

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I arrive at the main entrance at 9:58 PM. I position myself strategically, my back against an old elm tree to avoid surprises from behind. My right hand rests on the dagger hidden in my coat, ready to unsheathe it in an instant. My eyes scan the shadows, looking for suspicious movements.

[Just a few more seconds and I'll know who's looking for me with such interest.]

The city clock in the distance strikes 10:00 PM precisely, and at that very moment I notice the silhouettes emerging from the darkness. They approach slowly, with confident and coordinated steps. There are four figures, arranged in formation: one in the vanguard, two at the sides, and one, the most imposing, slightly behind.

The tallest and most massive moves with a certain heaviness, while the two central figures advance with identical gait, like mirrors of each other. At the head of the group walks a more slender figure, who guides the others with confidence.

I prepare myself better, straightening my posture. My fingers tighten around the hilt of the dagger, ready to draw it at the slightest sign of danger. Muscles tense, on alert.

When they finally step out of the shadows and the moonlight illuminates their faces, a shiver runs down my spine.

[What! It's that woman with the eye patch!]

[What is she doing here?]

[What does she want from me?]

It's definitely her: the same woman who last night was imprisoned by those gangsters and was lying at their feet, with an expression that begged for help. But now there's something different in her bearing, in her expression. She's no longer the victim I saw yesterday. An unsettling, calculating smile hovers on her face. Her eyes shine with cunning.

[Better take note of the entire surrounding environment. I don't trust this.]

I observe her carefully. Her chestnut hair falls softly a little below her shoulders, moved by the light night breeze. The black bandana still covers her left eye, giving her face a mysterious air. Her slightly tanned skin shines under the silver light of the moon. Her body is young, but her sharp eyes tell stories of experiences far more mature than her appearance would suggest. At her belt, she carries an elegant but lethal sword. She's dressed practically, with clothes that wouldn't hinder movements in combat. A warrior ready for battle.

Behind her, as expected, there are three other people.

The massive man has a square face, with small, vigilant eyes that scrutinize the environment with suspicion. His stature is impressive, at least a head and a half taller than me. In his robust hands, he grips a shield of polished metal, and his fists are protected by reinforced leather gauntlets. He wears semi-heavy armor covering his torso and shoulders, while his feet are wrapped in sturdy leather boots. His expression is one of pure boredom, as if this meeting were just an annoyance keeping him away from his bed.

At the woman's sides stand the two identical figures – twins with the same sharp features and the same emerald green eyes that shine in the dark. The only difference between them is their hair: one has it streaked with red and white, the other with blue and white. Both wear elegant clothes, jacket and tie, in stark contrast to the nature of the meeting. Each carries a bow on his back, with a full quiver. Their expressions are mirrored but opposite: the red-haired twin smiles, a malicious and cruel grin that doesn't reach his eyes; the blue-haired twin maintains a serious, calculating air, as if he were evaluating my every move.

"Hello, dear," says the woman in a mellifluous voice, in a clear attempt at seduction that falls flat.

"What do you want?" ---> (sigma man).

"Can't you speak a little sweeter?" she asks, taking a step forward. Her scent of exotic spices and danger reaches my nostrils.

[What a horrible perfume]

"Get straight to the point. Why did you call me?" I insist, ignoring her attempt to soften me.

Then I add with a hint of sarcasm: "And I see you're free now, huh?"

A flash of irritation crosses her single visible eye before she responds: "Yes, you're right."

The tension in the air is palpable. The twins exchange a glance, while the giant snorts impatiently.

"Yesterday I was almost killed because of you, you know that, right?" I say, keeping my gaze fixed on her eye.

"Yes, I know," she admits without a shred of remorse.

"I'll repeat: what do you want from me? Why did you call me here? What are you looking for?" My patience is rapidly running out.

The woman takes another step forward, and I notice how her hand moves dangerously close to the hilt of her sword. "I saw that you had the entire gang caught by yourself, and that impressed me a lot."

"Answer my question, woman!" I exclaim, my voice hard as steel.

Her face hardens, the seductive attitude vanishing in an instant. "Stay calm! If we want, we can kill you here and no one will know anything."

An empty threat, I think. A cold smile forms on my lips, almost involuntarily. These four don't scare me. I've faced far worse situations.

"Woman," I say in a low, controlled voice, "I fought against more than twenty men yesterday, I won and I'm still alive. And you tell me that the four of you will kill me? You were at their feet, tied up and with the expression of someone who has already accepted their own death."

A flash of respect crosses her gaze. "You're right. Every person fears death, isn't that true?"

The question tears a bitter laugh from me, which resonates among the cemetery headstones. "Hahahaha!"

My amusement quickly fades, replaced by an icy seriousness. "Those who are afraid are not worthy of living in this world."

The woman stares at me intensely, and for a moment I see something new in her eye – ambition, determination, perhaps even admiration. "That's why I'm here for you."

"What do you want from me?" I ask for the umpteenth time, but now with genuine curiosity.

The woman's attitude changes drastically. Her posture becomes more erect, more authoritative. She is no longer the seductress or the threatening fighter from moments ago. Now she speaks like a leader.

"I want... actually, I have a proposal for you," she says in a firm voice.

"What proposal?" My interest is now completely captured.

"I want you to join us."

"For what?" I ask, trying to hide my growing curiosity.

A slow smile, laden with promises and dangers, forms on her lips. "We have in mind a plan so big that it can change everything. When I say everything, I mean everything."

A shiver of excitement runs down my spine. Finally, something worth listening to.

"Now we're starting to talk," I say with a smile on my lips, slightly loosening my grip on the dagger.

Chapter-End.