The Search for Arlan

Tired and Frustrated, But Not Giving Up

The small restaurant was warm, a brief reprieve from the chaotic streets of Veyleigh, but the tired faces of Mira, Tomas, Leila, and Beren reflected the weariness of days spent searching for Arlan. They had spent hours scouring the city, following rumors and hoping for a sign. They had earned a little coin through odd jobs here and there, but it was never enough for more than a simple meal and a roof over their heads. Their resources were thinning.

Mira sat at the table, her face drawn with frustration. Her eyes constantly scanned the door, as if expecting Arlan to walk through at any moment.

"He's out there," Mira muttered under her breath. Her eyes darted to Tomas, who had his head down, clearly exhausted from their search.

Tomas, the ever-optimist, sighed and ran a hand through his messy sandy-blond hair. "Mira, we've been looking for days. Maybe... maybe it's time to move on."

Mira slammed her fist on the table, causing the empty plates to rattle. "Move on?" she spat. "How can we just leave him? I know I saw him—Arlan—in the square, just a few days ago!"

Tomas's face softened, but he remained pragmatic. "Mira, I'm not saying we forget about him, but we're out of food, and we're running out of time. We need to be smart. We can't keep chasing a ghost."

Leila, leaning back in her chair with a sigh, crossed her arms. "I agree with Tomas. We've done everything we can here. We're not getting anywhere."

Mira's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching. "You don't understand. He's not a ghost. He's our friend. I know he's alive. I know I saw him! I'm not giving up on him." Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the vulnerability that she had kept hidden for days.

Tomas placed a hand on her shoulder, his face filled with sympathy. "I get it, Mira. We all do. But if he doesn't want to be found, then maybe it's time we think about what's next for us."

A moment of silence hung heavy between them, until—

Screaming.

The piercing sound of civilians shouting echoed through the air, quickly followed by the thunderous crash of breaking wood and collapsing stone. The ground trembled beneath their feet.

"What was that?" Tomas stood up, his hand already reaching for Gerald.

Leila was already at the window, her green eyes scanning the streets. "Undead. They're rising."

The screams of panic intensified as more and more undead staggered into view—rotting corpses rising from the earth, their eyes glowing with the hunger of death. The streets were quickly descending into chaos.

Mira's heart raced as she stood, her staff instinctively in hand. "We need to help them. Now." Her eyes locked with Tomas, Beren, and Leila's. The decision was made in that instant. Their mission had shifted from finding Arlan to saving lives.

The Fight for Veyleigh:

The group rushed into the streets, the thick stench of decay filling the air. Undead soldiers shuffled towards them, their half-rotted bodies moving with unnatural determination.

Arlan's absence weighed heavily on Mira's mind, but right now, the fight was in front of them. She couldn't afford to dwell on it. Veyleigh was dying.

"Tomas, cover the civilians!" Mira shouted as she raised her staff, flames licking from its tip. Leila was already picking off the undead from above, her enchanted arrows making no sound as they found their marks.

Tomas held his ground, his shield raised, deflecting blows as undead tried to reach the frightened civilians scrambling for safety. His sword, Henry, flashed in the dim light, cutting through the undead as he shielded the citizens.

Beren charged forward, his Stonebreaker axe in hand. The massive weapon cleaved through the undead like they were paper, his powerful swings smashing through bones and bodies alike. Despite the carnage, he kept a grim expression, focused on his task.

The streets became a battleground as the group fought for the safety of the city. Mira unleashed fireballs, igniting the undead that were grouped too tightly together. Leila used her agility to move silently through the shadows, picking off the undead before they even knew she was there. Tomas was a wall of strength, using his shield and sword to protect everyone he could reach.

Beren's Stonebreaker cleaved through hordes with reckless abandon

The fighting continued, but in the midst of it, a sound rose above the chaos. A deep, monstrous ¨BACAAAWK!¨

It was familiar.

Mira's breath caught in her chest.

"That's Arlan's summons!" Mira said, her eyes wide. She looked towards Tomas and Beren. "That's Bones!" She knew it—the unmistakable sound of his battle cry.

"It's him. It's really him!" Leila's voice rang with disbelief. They'd been searching for days, but now, it seemed their persistence had paid off.

Arlan and his undead companions weren't far.

Mira's heart pounded in her chest. She had been right. Arlan was alive.

"We need to get to him, now!" Mira shouted, her voice full of urgency. "Let's go, now!"

They pushed forward, cutting their way through the horde of undead that filled the streets. Their steps were faster now, driven by the need to find Arlan. The sound of Bones battle cry led them on, each of them moving as quickly as they could.