Restless Roads and Silent Towns

The journey had been grueling. Dust clung to Elliot's clothes, his muscles ached from riding for days, and the Sandrunner—who he still refused to name—seemed to take pleasure in making his life difficult. But when the town finally came into view, a wave of relief washed over him.

Nestled between jagged rock formations, the settlement was fortified with thick wooden barricades reinforced by scavenged metal. The sight of people moving beyond the walls—traders, mercenaries, and guards—was a welcome change from the endless wastelands.

Aurelian, riding beside him, gave a small sigh of relief. "Finally. Civilization."

Elliot snorted. "Define civilization. Because that place looks like it barely survived a war."

Kieran, ahead of them, signaled for the caravan to halt. "We'll resupply here. Get what you need, but don't linger." His sharp eyes scanned the town. "Something's off."

Elliot followed his gaze. The gates were open, but the guards stationed there looked tense. The usual lively energy of a trading town was… muted. People moved quickly, avoiding eye contact. Shops were open, but their owners seemed wary. Even the air felt heavier, like the town itself was holding its breath.

[System Notification: Location Discovered – Ashvale]

[Population: 678 (Decreasing)]

[Threat Level: Moderate]

[Notes: Unease detected. Proceed with caution.]

Elliot frowned. 'Decreasing?'

Aurelian dismounted, stretching out his limbs before looking at Elliot. "Stay close. I don't like this."

"Noted," Elliot muttered.

As they entered the town, Elliot kept his senses sharp. Whispers drifted through the air—fearful murmurs of missing people, strange figures spotted at night, and an eerie silence beyond the town's borders.

The group split up—Kieran and a few soldiers went to negotiate supplies, while Aurelian led Elliot through the streets. Every few steps, Elliot felt eyes on him, though whenever he turned, the people quickly looked away.

Eventually, they stopped at a small inn. The owner, an older man with graying hair and a scar across his cheek, barely looked up as they entered.

"Rooms?" Aurelian asked.

The man hesitated. "…For the night?"

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "Is that a trick question?"

The innkeeper exhaled, his shoulders tense. "It's safer to leave before dark."

Aurelian frowned. "Why?"

The man glanced toward the boarded-up windows. "People disappear at night. No signs of struggle, no bodies. Just… gone."

Elliot felt a chill crawl up his spine. "Great. A haunted town. Love that."

Aurelian ignored his sarcasm. "Who's behind it?"

The innkeeper hesitated again, then leaned in. "No one knows. But some say the shadows take them."

[System Notification: New Event Triggered – The Vanishing]

[Investigation Recommended: Survivors may hold key information.]

Elliot groaned. "Of course, there's a mystery."

Aurelian crossed his arms. "We should look into it."

Elliot gave him a dry look. "Why? We could just… not."

Aurelian smirked. "You're curious."

Elliot hated that he was right.

Kieran entered the inn just then, his expression unreadable. "Supplies are handled. We leave at dawn." His gaze flickered between them. "What did you find out?"

Elliot leaned against the counter. "Oh, you know. Just your usual small-town horror story. People vanishing, whispers of something in the dark. Classic."

Kieran's expression didn't change, but his fingers drummed lightly against the hilt of his blade. "…We'll post night guards."

Aurelian nodded. "And we should investigate."

Kieran's jaw tightened. "We're not here to solve their problems."

Elliot sighed. "Yeah, but if this 'problem' decides to follow us out of town, we'll regret ignoring it."

Silence stretched between them. Then, finally, Kieran exhaled sharply. "…Fine. But we move carefully."

Elliot smirked. "When do we ever?"

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Ashvale, the air grew still. The town quieted, as if waiting for something.

And Elliot had the sinking feeling that they weren't going to like what they found.