Chapter 15: The Silent Village

The convoy rode cautiously into Black Hollow, their horses' hooves echoing unnaturally against the cobblestone streets. The village looked pristine—too pristine. Houses stood intact, doors left ajar as if their owners had merely stepped out for a moment. Tables inside were still set for meals, beds left unmade. There were no signs of panic or destruction.

And yet, there was no one.

Leon scanned his surroundings, his grip tightening on his sword. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear, but from the sheer unnatural stillness of it all. The air was thick, oppressive, as if the entire village were trapped in an unseen force.

Rachel pulled her horse closer to his. "This place gives me the creeps."

"You're not the only one," Sophia murmured, her eyes darting from house to house. "It's like everyone just… disappeared mid-step."

Darius dismounted, his sharp gaze sweeping over the village. "We need answers. Search the area—carefully."

The knights obeyed, splitting into small groups to investigate. Leon, Rachel, and Sophia moved toward what looked like the village square, where a stone well stood at its center. Nearby, a wooden cart lay abandoned, its contents—sacks of flour and fresh vegetables—completely untouched.

Leon knelt beside a fallen basket of apples, picking one up. It was fresh. Whatever happened here, it wasn't long ago.

"This doesn't make sense," he muttered. "Where is everyone?"

Rachel pointed toward a small shop. "Let's check inside."

They stepped into the building, the wooden floor creaking beneath their boots. It was a simple tailor's shop, filled with neatly folded fabrics, unfinished garments still hanging on mannequins. A cup of tea sat atop the counter, long gone cold but otherwise untouched.

Leon's stomach twisted. It was as if time had stopped here.

Sophia ran her fingers along the counter. "No dust. No decay. As if the villagers could return at any moment."

"But they won't," Rachel muttered.

A sudden gust of wind slammed the open door shut behind them.

Leon's hand instinctively went to his sword. He exchanged glances with Rachel and Sophia, their muscles tensed, ready for anything.

Then, a whisper.

Faint. Indistinct.

But it was there.

Leon spun toward the source, his eyes locking onto a long hallway leading to the back of the shop. Shadows stretched unnaturally against the walls, twisting as if something unseen was moving within them.

Rachel unsheathed her greatsword. "I really don't like this."

Leon took a cautious step forward. The air felt heavier the closer he got, the wooden floor groaning beneath his weight. He reached the end of the hallway and pushed open a door.

The room beyond was a bedroom. A small, modest bed sat against the wall, a half-sewn dress draped over a chair. A doll lay abandoned on the floor. But what caught Leon's attention wasn't the objects—

It was the mirror.

It stood in the corner, old but well-kept, its glass clear. But when Leon looked into it, his own reflection wasn't what stared back.

Instead, it was something else.

A dark, shifting silhouette.

Its hollow eyes locked onto his.

Then it moved.

Leon stumbled back, drawing his sword in a flash. The moment steel left its sheath, the mirror cracked violently, web-like fractures spreading across the glass.

A chilling whisper filled the room.

"…Leave…"

Rachel burst in, greatsword at the ready. "What the hell was that?"

Leon didn't answer. His heart pounded in his ears. He turned back to the mirror, but it now reflected only his own wide-eyed face, the cracks running through it like shattered ice.

Sophia appeared in the doorway, her expression grave. "Something is watching us."

At that moment, a scream echoed through the village.

Not one of terror.

But of something far worse.

Agony.

Darius' voice rang out from outside. "To me! Now!"

Leon didn't hesitate. He turned and bolted out of the shop, Rachel and Sophia right behind him.

The knights had gathered near the well in the village square. One of them was on his knees, his entire body trembling violently. His face was pale, eyes wide with horror.

Leon reached Darius' side. "What happened?"

The prince's jaw was clenched. He pointed to the knight. "He looked into the well."

Leon turned his gaze downward.

The water inside was dark. Unnaturally dark.

And then—

A pale hand reached up from the depths.

Leon's blood ran cold.

The village wasn't empty.

It was waiting.