Chapter 25 – Something Is Wrong

The town looked normal. Too normal.

Cedric sat in the carriage, gripping his sword. He watched as Jorin and Lila spoke to the townspeople. The people smiled, their voices calm and friendly. They said the same thing.

"There are no demons here. You don't have to worry."

Jorin relaxed after hearing that. Lila seemed convinced too. They bought food, spoke to merchants, and acted like everything was fine.

But Cedric couldn't shake the feeling in his gut.

The world outside this town was chaos. People were running, hiding, dying. Yet this place had no signs of struggle. No fear. No damage. It was like the war never touched them.

That didn't make sense.

Still, he didn't argue. Jorin and Lila wanted to rest at an inn. The children—Sera and Kian—were exhausted. They needed sleep. Cedric refused to sleep inside a town that felt so strange.

"I'll sleep in the carriage," he said.

Jorin frowned. "You sure?"

Cedric nodded. "Yeah. Just be ready to leave in the morning."

Lila sighed. "You worry too much, Cedric. Nothing is going to happen."

But Cedric didn't trust this place.

He closed his eyes inside the carriage, sword close to his side. He listened to the quiet town, the soft sounds of people moving, the occasional footsteps near his carriage.

But nothing happened.

The night passed without trouble.

In the morning,

Cedric woke up as the sun rose. He stretched, rubbed his face, and checked his surroundings. The town was still there, peaceful, quiet.

Too quiet.

He climbed down from the carriage and made his way to the inn. Jorin and Lila should be awake by now. They needed to leave soon.

But when he got there, the innkeeper looked at him like he was a stranger.

"Looking for someone?" the man asked.

Cedric frowned. "Yeah. Jorin and Lila. They stayed here last night."

The innkeeper gave him a blank look. "No one by that name stayed here."

Cedric's stomach dropped.

"That's not possible. I walked them here myself."

The man shrugged. "You must be mistaken."

Cedric turned away, walking fast. Something was wrong. He checked the streets, looked for familiar faces. But Jorin and Lila weren't there.

He ran toward the market, scanning the crowd.

Then he saw them.

But something was very wrong.

Jorin wasn't alone. A woman stood beside him, holding his hand. She had a soft smile, eyes full of warmth. She was dressed like a normal townsperson.

"Jorin!" Cedric called out.

Jorin turned. His face was calm. But there was no recognition in his eyes.

"Can I help you?" Jorin asked.

Cedric froze. "What are you talking about? It's me, Cedric."

Jorin's face didn't change. "Sorry, I don't know you."

Cedric's heart pounded. "Stop messing around. Where's Lila? Where are the kids?"

Jorin looked confused. "Lila? Who is that?"

Cedric stepped forward, eyes wide. "You were just with us last night! We came here together! The kids—Sera and Kian—where are they?"

The woman beside Jorin tightened her grip on his hand. "Sir, please leave us alone."

Cedric clenched his fists. "Jorin, this isn't real. Think! You're not married! We were on our way to Milaria!"

Jorin's face darkened. "I don't know what you're talking about. I live here. Always have."

Cedric's breath caught in his throat. He stepped back, shaking his head. No. This wasn't possible.

He turned and ran, searching the streets.

Then he saw her.

Lila stood near a bakery, laughing. A man stood next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Cedric's hands trembled.

"Lila!" he shouted.

She turned, smiling.

But she didn't recognize him.

"Yes?" she asked.

Cedric swallowed hard. "What's going on?"

Lila tilted her head. "I don't know what you mean."

"You're Lila! You're traveling with us! You have a brother and a sister! Where are they?"

Lila frowned. "I don't have any siblings."

Cedric took a shaky breath. His vision blurred for a second. No. No, no, no. This was wrong.

He spun around, searching for the kids.

Then he saw them.

Sera and Kian stood in front of a different house. A man and woman stood beside them, looking like parents.

The kids looked happy. Carefree.

Cedric's voice was barely a whisper.

"Sera… Kian…?"

They turned.

And they didn't recognize him either.

Cedric stumbled back, gripping his sword. His breathing was heavy, sharp. His head spun.

This wasn't real.

It couldn't be real.

Cedric took a deep breath.

He forced himself to stay calm. Panicking wouldn't help. If he lost control now, he would figure out what was happening.

He looked at Jorin again. Jorin still had that peaceful expression, standing next to the woman who was supposedly his wife. Lila was nearby, chatting with her supposed husband. Sera and Kian were playing outside a house with two people acting like their parents.

None of them recognized him.

But Cedric didn't believe in coincidences.

Something changed overnight.

He needed information.

Cedric turned to the woman holding Jorin's hand. "How long have you two been married?"

She smiled. "Three years."

Cedric nodded slowly. "And you live here?"

"Of course. Jorin works at the stables. He's been here all his life."

Jorin just nodded along, as if that were true.

Cedric turned to Lila's supposed husband. "How long have you been together?"

The man gave a confused chuckle. "We've always been together."

Lila smiled. "Yes, we grew up in this town."

Cedric narrowed his eyes. That confirmed it.

Someone—or something—altered their memories.

He glanced at the kids. Sera and Kian were happy, playing without a care. The couple near them looked like a perfect picture of loving parents.

Cedric approached them slowly. "Hey, Sera. Kian."

They looked at him. Their expressions were polite but distant.

"Do I know you?" Kian asked.

Cedric crouched down. "I was traveling with you yesterday. You don't remember?"

Sera shook her head. "We've never traveled anywhere."

Cedric clenched his fists. This wasn't their fault. They weren't lying. Their minds had been changed.

Something—or someone—did this.

He needed to act like nothing was wrong. If he started yelling, he might make things worse.

"Right," Cedric said, standing up. "Sorry, must've been a mistake."

Kian smiled. "It's okay, mister!"

Cedric walked back toward the market, keeping his steps steady.

He wasn't sure how, but he was going to fix this.