Attempting to Trust

Sana and Arga exchanged glances before shaking their heads. "We don't have a destination. We're all alone here. We just arrived," Arga replied, trying to put on a pleading expression.

Sana gently nudged Arga's shoulder with a small smile. "Don't go overboard, Arga. Ah, if it's too much trouble, we really don't mind," she said softly and politely.

Kirana squinted, pondering for a moment, then suddenly turned to them with a mischievous smile. "Hmm, do you know why I always carry this?" she asked, patting the hilt of the katana strapped to her back. "This city isn't exactly friendly to people like us. It's even scarier than Gotham City."

She laughed, but there was something in her eyes that made the laugh feel not entirely playful.

Arga and Sana froze for a moment, feeling a chill that didn't come from the night air. In their hearts, they wondered, "Is trusting someone we've just met really the best choice?"

Noticing their expressions, Kirana's smile widened. "Don't be so serious," she said, then suddenly asked in a teasing tone, "Do you two like parties?"

Sana and Arga were startled by the question but eventually nodded hesitantly.

"And what about gambling? Do you enjoy that?" Kirana continued, her smile turning a bit sly.

Arga looked unsure, scratching the back of his head. "Actually, I've never gambled because..." he began reluctantly, but before he could finish, Kirana acted.

With swift movements, Kirana wrapped her arm around Arga's neck in a playful headlock, surprising him. "Just go with it, you fool! I'll teach you how," she said with a hearty laugh, leaving Arga torn between fear and amusement.

Nico, who had been watching, simply shook his head with a chuckle. "Kirana loves making other people's lives more interesting," he said to Sana, who now laughed softly at Arga's expression. But deep down, she felt a twinge of distrust toward these two strangers. Still, being with someone who understood this world seemed like a safer choice than wandering aimlessly through a dangerous, unfamiliar city. "Better to follow them than get lost in invisible dangers," she thought to herself.

As the atmosphere grew more relaxed, they walked together through the increasingly chilly night. Along the way, Sana noticed a room illuminated by oil lamps hanging from the ceiling. Inside, a group of people sat silently with their heads bowed, hands holding books. In front of them was a photograph of someone.

Following Sana's gaze, Nico quickly explained, "They're praying."

Sana only nodded and chose not to ask further. There was a strange feeling in her heart, as if the more she knew, the greater the risk she would have to bear.

Their laughter and jokes echoed along the street, melting the coldness of the unfamiliar city. Gradually, however, the place began to feel warmer—not because of the weather, but because of the budding companionship among them.

Classic-style houses lined the streets, creating a stunning view under the dim glow of oil lamps. The city seemed to transport anyone walking through it into the past—no electricity, no motor vehicles, only the occasional horse-drawn carriage breaking the silence with its distinctive wooden wheels. The scent of damp wood and leaves carried by the night breeze added an intimate touch to the atmosphere.

Arga and Sana strolled slowly along the cobblestone path leading to the city center. Their footsteps echoed softly among the rows of old buildings. Eventually, at the end of the street, they arrived in front of a grand house with a sprawling garden beside it. Tall pillars supported the magnificent façade, while large windows reflected the dim light from the garden lamps. The house resembled a living painting, blending grandeur and warmth.

"Welcome to my home," Kirana said, pointing to the impressive building. Her voice was gentle yet firm, offering a sense of comfort. Without saying much more, she opened the iron gate, which creaked softly, and stepped inside. "Come on in. You can wait in the garden. I'll grab some drinks and snacks," she added before quickly heading toward the main door.

Nico, who had been silent, gave a small smile and motioned for Arga and Sana to follow him to the garden beside the house. The garden was spacious, with perfectly maintained green grass, surrounded by a tall iron fence that provided a sense of security. In several corners, oil lamps cast warm light, creating soft shadows on the leaves and blooming flowers. A wooden bench beneath a large tree invited anyone to sit and reflect.

"This garden is so beautiful," Sana whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the gentle night breeze. Her eyes were fixed on the clear night sky, studded with stars.

Arga nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's really stunning," he murmured, scanning the entire garden. Every corner seemed to hold its own charm, as if hiding little secrets that could only be uncovered by patient eyes.

Not long after, Kirana returned with a tray of drinks. Her steps were calm and confident. A small smile adorned her face, exuding warmth that wasn't entirely decipherable. Seeing her, Sana immediately stood up from her seat.

"Let me help you get the snacks from inside," Sana offered warmly. Kirana nodded slightly, handing over the task without hesitation. Sana quickly headed into the house, leaving Arga, Nico, and Kirana in the garden.

After a few sips of her drink, Kirana set her glass down slowly, almost theatrically. Her smile widened, and her eyes narrowed with an enigmatic gleam. The atmosphere shifted, as if the air that had been light and fresh now grew heavy and oppressive.

Kirana's voice rang out lightly, "Alright, the drinks are enough for now." Yet, her soft laugh that lingered in the air carried a different undertone—almost like a veiled warning. "Now comes the most exciting part."

Arga and Nico exchanged glances. Arga could feel his heartbeat quickening. The serene garden had suddenly turned into something foreign and faintly menacing. His instincts whispered that something undesirable was about to unfold.

Arga's eyes shifted to Nico, hoping for an answer. But the man merely shrugged, an ambiguous gesture as if to say, "Let's see what happens."