The Bell of Hallowmore

Out of nowhere, they materialized on the floor, and in that very instant, the scar she had received from one of the bone spectres began to throb crazily, almost as if it were alive. 

A chilling scream escaped her lips "Ahhhhhh!" as she felt a vein in her body creeping directly from the scratch, making its way towards her heart. However, amidst this terrifying sensation, something remarkable started to happen.

 Another vein from her body seemed to instinctively counter the dark one, moving in an almost calculated manner. This vein surged directly towards the scar she bore, effectively attacking the parasite that had settled there. 

Instantly it eradicated the threat but also sealed the wound, restoring her to a more stable state..

"Your curse appears to be intertwined with a peculiar blessing; it seems your child does not wish for your demise," he stated thoughtfully.

"My child," Jean echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," he confirmed, looking at her intently.

"My child is long gone, dead to me," she responded, her tone heavy with sorrow. "What remains isn't my child, but something far more sinister, something darker than the deepest shadows."

"I understand," he replied, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "But tell me, do you have any knowledge of that mark upon you?" 

"No, I only recall seeing it on members of the Ashura clan,a people that serves as a delicate balance between light and darkness. My husband once belonged to that clan," she explained, the bitterness of her memories evident in her voice.

"I see," Mr. Mu Kanjo replied with a nod, acknowledging the weight of her words.

"where exactly are we?" Jean inquired, glancing around as if she expected answers from the landscape itself.

"We find ourselves in a small village known as Hallowmore," he replied, gesturing wide to encompass their surroundings.

"Let's move out when the time is right, I will share the story of that mark; it first came to my attention three centuries ago," he added with a hint of urgency.

As they continued along the path, they spotted a woman by a well. Upon noticing them, she offered a warm smile and a friendly wave.

"Are there people living here?" Jean asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I had my doubts that humans resided in this village. The last time I passed through here was a century ago," he replied, half to himself and half to Jean. "Well, let's make our introductions, shall we?"

They approached the woman, who stood with a bucket of water in hand. 

"Ma'am," Mr. Kanjo began, his voice polite yet commanding. "Good morning. How do you do?"

"May we request your assistance in finding a place to rest? My companion is weary and could use a moment to rest before we continue our journey," he continued, gesturing toward Jean, who appeared fatigued.

"Oh, of course!" The woman responded cheerfully. "We have the best bar around and a cozy lodge for visitors. But if I may be so bold, how did you two arrive here?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

Before Jean could interject with an explanation, Mr. Kanjo swiftly interjected, "Ah, that's a secret we prefer to keep to ourselves," he remarked with a subtle smile.

The woman chuckled lightly and, with her water bucket in her hand, began to lead them along the path. As they walked, they encountered several villagers going about their daily tasks—some cultivating crops in the fields, while others tended to their livestock.

However, a towering structure in the center of the village soon caught their attention. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a bell tower, but conspicuously devoid of any bell.

Turning to the woman who was guiding them, Mr. Mu Kanjo asked, "What purpose does that tower serve?"

"The truth is, we're not entirely sure. It has stood here since we settled in this village. Many of us originated from various distant lands; some are merely travelers passing through," she replied, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and mystery.

"If you seek answers, you might want to consult Elder Mink. He is the oldest resident in this village and perhaps holds the key to many of its secrets," she suggested, her voice warm and inviting.

The three made their way down the street until they finally arrived at a pub that seemed to beckon them in.

 With a knowing nod, she gestured for them to enter and instructed them to ask for Madam Elsa, mentioning that Miranda had sent them. Grateful for her guidance, they stepped into the establishment. 

As they crossed the threshold, the lively music that had accompanied them outside suddenly began to fade, and the atmosphere transformed. 

An entire room full of men turned their attention toward Jean. She was impossible to ignore; her enchanting beauty, with hair as vibrant as crimson and captivating blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean, made her stand out starkly against the backdrop of the dimly lit pub.

 Her skin gleamed like freshly fallen snow, and the lingering gaze of some of the customers suggested that they were entranced by her beauty.

"Madam Elsa!" Kanjo called out, raising his voice above the murmurs of the crowd.

From behind the bar, a voice responded, "Who is inquiring?" 

"It's us, sent by Miranda," he informed her, trying to convey confidence.

"Oh, Miranda!" the voice replied with recognition. "Nick! Show them to the back!"

A tall, broad-shouldered man appeared and led Kanjo and Jean through the bustling pub and toward the rear. 

As they got there…"So, what brings you here?" Miss Elsa

Kanjo explained, "We are travelers in need of some food and a place to spend the night. My companion here is quite exhausted."

"And how do you intend to settle your bill?" Madame Elsa asked, an arched eyebrow hinting at her curiosity.

"I have some gold coins, if that's acceptable," he replied, presenting his proposition with a hint of uncertainty.

Madame Elsa's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she considered him. "Are you perhaps noblemen or just thieves trying to evade capture?"

"Neither, I promise!" he laughed lightly. "We are simply adventurers making our way back home."

"All right then," she said with a smile. "Would you like a room for two or just one?"

"One will suffice," he answered.

Leading the way, she guided them up the staircase to a corridor lined with doors opposite each other. She stopped at a room, opened the door, and handed them the key. 

"Your food and water will be sent up in about an hour," she said as she made her exit. "A maid will bring it to you."

Inside the room, the bed was neatly made, inviting, and distinctly comfortable. Jean, completely overtaken by fatigue, immediately sat down on the bed and fell into a deep slumber without even bothering to change her clothes.

Kanjo observed her with a look of concern. "Poor thing," he murmured to himself, "She must have been awake for far too long…" 

Feeling restless and eager to stretch his legs, he thought to himself, "It's been a while since I've had time to myself," and he resolved to go out for a bit. Besides, he was curious to meet Elder Mink; there was surely something peculiar about this land that he felt compelled to explore further.