Dining in the inn

They moved through the empty streets, the sound of their boots the only thing breaking the stillness. Buildings leaned close on either side, casting long shadows that seemed to watch them pass.

Ash stayed a few steps behind, eyes locked on the old man's back. His gut twisted. The old man's voice, the way he walked—too easy, too smooth. Like a trap waiting to snap shut.

Ash leaned toward Max, speaking under his breath.

"Are you sure we can trust him? He looks way too suspicious."

Max didn't even glance over.

"Relax. If he tries anything funny, we have Kael."

Ash flicked a look at Kael.

Kael was busy digging into his nose with one finger, then lazily flicking whatever he found into the street.

Ash sighed, heavy.

'Yeah. Real reassuring.'

The old man kept walking, leading them deeper into the town. The buildings around them stood firm, stone and wood holding strong against the desert wind. Yet not a single voice stirred. No children laughed. No doors opened. It was a town that looked alive but felt dead.

They reached a small inn, tucked between two taller buildings. A heavy wooden sign swung above the door, creaking when the wind caught it. The inn looked different. Lights glowed behind thick curtains. A faint smell of cooked meat drifted out.

The old man pushed the door open, stepping aside. "You boys can stay here for now. Your food will be brought soon. Get some rest."

Max let out a breath, rolling his stiff shoulders.

"Thanks, old man. We owe you."

The old man dipped his head once, then shuffled off into the street, the tap of his cane fading into the distance.

Inside, warmth wrapped around them. A thick rug covered the floor. Worn chairs lined the walls. A fire crackled in the stone hearth, throwing soft light across the room.

Kael whistled low.

"Well, damn. Fancy."

The inside looked like something pulled straight out of an old warrior's hall. Smooth stone walls rose around them, each one carved deep with battles—warriors clashing against towering beasts, swords flashing, monsters falling. Thick rugs swallowed their footsteps. Lanterns hung from wooden beams above, spilling a soft golden light across the room.

Even with the town's silence pressing in from outside, the air here felt solid, like the walls held stories too heavy to fade.

Ash swept his gaze across the carvings.

"No way they're letting us stay here for free."

Max flexed his fingers, glancing at his right arm. The new limb still felt unfamiliar. Lighter than his old one, but just as strong. He curled his hand into a fist, testing the smooth movement.

"Yeah. We need to pay them back somehow."

He turned toward Ash.

"You got your band?"

Ash shook his head.

"Left it back at the base. Didn't think I'd need it."

Max let out a sharp breath.

"Great."

His eyes shifted to Kael.

Kael stretched like a lazy cat, throwing his arms behind his head.

"Mine got wrecked when I transformed."

Max groaned and pressed his palm against his forehead.

"So we're stuck. No money, no food, no clue where we even are."

Ash leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed..

"I could try running back to base, but without knowing where we are, I'd just be running blind."

Max's jaw tightened.

"We're somewhere in sandworm Valley. That much I know. But where exactly?"

His fingers tapped a steady rhythm against his arm.

"We should ask the old man if they've got any kind of communication setup."

Kael yawned so wide it looked like his jaw might unhinge. He flopped onto the nearest bed without a care.

"Yeah, yeah. Wake me up when you figure something out."

Max rubbed his temples, slow and tired.

"Unbelievable."

Ash watched Kael spread across the bed like he owned the place and let out a sharp breath.

'Yeah... we're screwed.'

A knock slammed against the door.

Kael sprang up like a spring trap.

"Finally, food!"

He reached for the handle and yanked the door open without even checking.

A woman stood there, a heavy tray balanced in her arms. Metal bowls rattled slightly as she shifted her weight. Her smile stayed steady, too steady, like it had been worn into her face by years of practice.

"Apologies for the wait," she said. Her voice was smooth, almost rehearsed.

"We weren't expecting visitors, so we had to prepare something quickly."

She moved inside, each step careful and light, setting the tray down on the nearest table. The heavy covers lifted, and thick steam poured out, wrapping the room in the smell of cooked meat and warm bread.

The heat in the air shifted. Their empty stomachs tightened at the rich smell.

Max leaned closer, breathing deep. His shoulders dropped a little.

"That smells incredible."

The woman let out a small chuckle, light but careful.

"I hope it's to your liking."

She started to step away, but Ash's voice cut across the room.

"Wait."

His tone stayed calm, but his gaze sharpened, fixed on her.

"How do you grow food out here?"

The question dropped into the room like a stone.

Max blinked, glancing toward Ash. It hadn't crossed his mind either. All they had seen outside was endless sand. No fields. No gardens. Only the bones of dead things and the sound of wind.

Kael groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

"Oh, come on, man. Can you stop treating everyone like criminals? They gave us food. Maybe try being grateful?"

The woman's smile didn't change, but something in the way she stood shifted. Small. Easy to miss if you weren't looking.

"It's no secret," she said.

Her fingers brushed the edge of the tray.

"Old Man Mark is an expert earth user. He shifts the ground so we can farm, and he digs deep enough to find underground water. Without him, none of us would have survived out here."

Max nodded slowly, piecing it together.

"We owe him more than just a thank-you, then."

Kael had already grabbed a bowl. He shoveled a bite into his mouth without waiting. His jaw worked, and then his eyes widened.

"Holy hell, this is actually good."

The woman gave a small nod. No more words. She turned and slipped through the door, pulling it shut with a soft click.

Ash stayed still.

His hand hovered above the bowl, but his mind wasn't on the food. His eyes stayed locked on the door.

For a heartbeat, he caught it—a shadow flickering just beyond the edge of the doorway, too quick, too sharp.

His fingers tightened around the spoon.

Max leaned over, bumping Ash lightly with his elbow.

"Relax. Look—Kael's still breathing. That means it's safe, right?"

Kael shot him a look, cheeks puffed out from chewing.

"So I'm the test subject now?"

Ash didn't answer. His stare stayed on the door, his gut pulling tight.

Max chuckled under his breath, shaking his head.

"Man, I thought you'd be the hungriest one here. With how much you rely on speed, you should be starving."

Ash could feel it—the low ache deep in his stomach, the burn of empty energy reserves. Running at high speeds drained him faster than anything. Right now, every part of him screamed for food.

His gaze dropped to the bowl. The rich smell curled into his nose. The meat looked tender. The bread, warm and soft. Everything looked too good.

'Maybe I'm just being paranoid,' he thought.

Ash let out a slow breath and grabbed the spoon.

"Fine. Just a bite."