Chapter 8 Missing Children

The group returned to their carriage after exploring the small, desolate town. Rhogan, the massive magical rhino, grazed nearby, his crystal-like horn gleaming faintly in the dim evening light. The oppressive stillness of the village seemed to cling to them, an unspoken weight that pressed down harder with each passing moment.

Yumi climbed into the carriage first, her movements subdued. She sat on the farthest bench, pulling her knees up to her chest. Normally quiet and reserved, her silence now carried a deeper heaviness that didn’t go unnoticed by the others.

Alessandra adjusted her shield as she entered, glancing at Yumi with concern. “You doing okay, Yumi?”

Yumi didn’t look up. “I’m fine sensei don’t worry,” she murmured, staring out the window as though she hadn’t heard the question.

Alessandra hesitated, her fingers tightening around the leather straps of her shield, but she decided not to push further.

Moments later, Iryoku returned, carrying a small bag of provisions. He tossed it onto the bench without a word before leaning casually against the side of the carriage.

“What’s that?” Alessandra asked, peering into the bag.

“Food,” Iryoku replied flatly.

“You bought this?” Alessandra smirked. “Didn’t think you had a generous side.”

Iryoku shrugged. “Don’t read too much into it.”

Alessandra handed out bread and dried fruit from the bag. Reika accepted hers with a polite nod, and even Yumi took a small piece, though she kept her gaze fixed on the window. Rhogan let out a low rumble, drawing Alessandra’s attention.

“You’re hungry too, huh?” she said with a small smile, tossing the rhino a handful of greens from the provisions. “Here, Rhogan. Sit.”

To everyone’s astonishment, the massive beast obeyed, lowering himself into a seated position with a heavy thud.

Reika blinked. “He listens to you?”

“Guess so.” Alessandra grinned. “Rhogan, stay.” The rhino remained motionless, his glowing horn glinting in the fading light.

“That’s… pretty amazing,” Reika said, her voice tinged with awe.

“Looks like you’ve got a new best friend,” Reika remarked.

Reika had been skimming the magical tome they had found earlier and now looked up with renewed excitement. “I think I’ve figured out something useful,” she announced.

“Yeah?” Alessandra asked, leaning forward.

"This book teaches techniques to enhance our physical strength and channel magic into our attacks. I believe we've already been using some of these methods without realizing it, and I think we can all learn to do it more effectively."

Alessandra frowned, gesturing at the runes etched on the pages. “How are you even reading that? It looks like gibberish.”

“It’s not that complicated,” Reika explained. “You just focus on the words. It’s like they translate themselves for you.”

“Sounds like a headache.” Alessandra waved her hand dismissively.

“Figures,” Iryoku quipped with a smirk. “You’re all muscle, no brain.”

Alessandra shot him a glare. “Excuse me? I’m a teacher, you know! I finished college.”

“A PE teacher,” Iryoku countered, laughing.

Alessandra slammed her fist against the carriage’s wall. “At least I went to class! Unlike someone who probably skipped everything!”

Iryoku shrugged. “Didn’t need to. For brainy stuff, we’ve got Miss Top Student here,” he said, nodding toward Reika.

Reika opened her mouth to say something but stopped, hesitating before returning to her book with a faint blush.

The bickering subsided as the conversation turned to their next destination. The group debated their options until they saw an old man approaching, flanked by several townspeople.

The group grew quiet, tension mounting as the elder drew near. The townspeople carried small sacks of food and coin, their expressions heavy with sorrow.

The old man stopped a few paces away and bowed deeply. “Noble warriors, forgive me for disturbing you. But we desperately need your help.”

The group exchanged glances, tension mounting as the man continued.

“More than ten children from our village have gone missing over the past month. We’ve searched everywhere—the forest, the caves—but we’ve found no trace of them.” His voice broke, and he bowed again, trembling. “The capital has sent no aid, and our strongest warriors were drafted into the king’s army, leaving us defenseless. Please, I beg of you—help us.

He gestured to the townsfolk, who stepped forward, offering their meager goods. “We have little, but please, take this as payment. We beg of you—save our children.”

The group froze, taken aback by the desperate plea. Alessandra and Yumi both looked visibly moved, while Reika’s hands tightened around her tome.

“We’ll help,” Alessandra said firmly, her voice cutting through the heavy silence. “You don’t need to pay us. Keep your supplies.”

The elder’s voice trembled. “Bless you, noble warriors. But please, be cautious. Some believe mercenaries might be capturing people to sell as slaves. Others think it’s the monsters. We don’t know for sure.”

As the townsfolk bowed again, Yumi glanced at Iryoku, expecting a sarcastic remark or protest. But he said nothing. Instead, he stood silently, his gaze sharp and unreadable.

After gathering their gear, the party set out on foot toward the forest, leaving their carriage behind in the village. Rhogan followed closely, his heavy footsteps thudding against the earth.

For a while, they walked in silence, the weight of the villagers’ plea hanging over them. Finally, Iryoku spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness. “You know, we can’t go around helping every single person we meet on this journey.”

Alessandra stopped and turned to him, her eyes narrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying we should’ve ignored them?”

"I’m saying," he replied, his voice steady, "that if we stop for every problem we come across, we’ll never get anywhere. You think this is the only town with missing people? The only place suffering?"

Yumi glared at him, her fists clenched. “You’re heartless.”

Iryoku met her gaze, unfazed. “And yet, here I am.

The girls exchanged uneasy glances but didn’t argue further. Even as Iryoku spoke harshly, his eyes darted around the forest, scanning for any signs or clues...

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The forest stretched on endlessly, its oppressive silence gnawing at their nerves. Rhogan, ever their stalwart companion, followed closely, his massive form a reassuring presence despite the eerie atmosphere.

To their surprise, there were few signs of wildlife—no birds chirping, no rustling of underbrush from small creatures. The absence of sound felt unnatural, as though the forest itself held its breath.

Iryoku, ever vigilant, climbed a nearby tree with deft precision, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. After several minutes, he descended, shaking his head. "Nothing. No tracks, no signs of the children—just more trees."

“We keep moving,” Alessandra said firmly, adjusting her shield as she took point.

They trudged on for hours, the forest growing darker and denser. The group’s unease grew with each step until, suddenly, a faint sound broke the silence.

A child’s laughter.

The group froze.

"Did you hear that?" Reika whispered, clutching her staff tightly.

Yumi nodded, her hand instinctively reaching for the small blade at her hip. “It sounded… close.”

The laughter echoed again, soft and fleeting, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere. They turned toward the sound, their steps cautious and their weapons at the ready.

As they followed the faint echoes, the laughter abruptly ceased. The forest around them seemed to close in, shadows shifting unnaturally under the dim light filtering through the canopy.

Then, a sweet scent filled the air—a rich, overpowering aroma, like stepping into a candy store bursting with sugary treats.

“That’s bizarre,” Alessandra muttered, her nose wrinkling. “What could be causing that?”

“Stay alert,” Iryoku said, his voice low. “Whatever it is, it’s not normal.”

They tightened their formation, falling into a defensive stance as they pressed on. The sound of their footsteps against the forest floor felt deafening in the unnatural stillness.

Eventually, they emerged into a clearing with barren, cracked soil. The air felt heavy here, as though the forest itself were watching.

“Look.” Reika pointed to the edge of the clearing, where a massive opening gaped in the ground—a dark, Uneven cave mouth that seemed to breathe with the forest’s unnatural rhythm.

Iryoku’s instincts flared. He stepped back, his hand raised. “We shouldn’t...”

Before he could finish, the child’s laughter echoed again, this time from within the cave. The sound sent chills down their spines, silencing any objections Iryoku might have voiced.

“We don’t have a choice,” Alessandra said, gripping her shield tightly. “If the children are in there, we have to go.”

Reika nodded, her expression determined, though her trembling hands betrayed her fear.

Yumi swallowed hard, her face pale. Despite her fear, she stepped closer, her grip on her weapon firm.

Together, they entered the cave, their footsteps echoing into the pitch-black void. The darkness was absolute, swallowing their forms as they descended deeper into the unknown.

The Blackness inside the cave was oppressive, swallowing all light and sound except for their own breathing and the shuffle of their steps. It pressed against them, disorienting and unnerving.

Rhogan let out a low rumble, and to their surprise, his body began to emit a soft, warm glow. The faint light illuminated their surroundings just enough to reveal irregular walls and the uneven floor of the cave.

“Good boy,” Alessandra said, patting the rhino’s side. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Thanks, Rhogan,” Reika added, her voice tinged with relief.

Yumi gave a faint nod, her expression still distressed. “Yeah… thank you.”

The cave was massive, its walls towering far above their heads. They walked side by side, their formation tight to guard against any surprises.

After a while, Reika frowned and closed her eyes, gripping her hand. “I should be able to do more than just this,” she muttered. Concentrating hard, she murmured an incantation under her breath. A soft orb of light appeared at the palm of her hand, glowing brighter until it illuminated the cave with a steady radiance.

“See?” she said, beaming. “I did it! I bet you all can do it too if you try.”

Iryoku glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Maybe later. For now, we’ll just use yours.”

Reika huffed but didn’t argue, holding her hand high to light their path.

Minutes passed in silence, the only sounds their breaths and the soft scuff of their boots on the rocky floor. The cave stretched on endlessly, with no signs of life—just the looming walls and echoes that mocked their every move.

Suddenly, Yumi froze, her head tilting slightly as she listened.

“Did you hear that?” she whispered.

The group paused, straining to listen. At first, there was nothing but the sound of their own breathing. Then, faint and distant, a child’s voice cried out.

“Help, Mommy... help...”

Yumi’s eyes widened. Without hesitation, she broke into a run, drawing her bow and notching an arrow in one fluid motion.

“Yumi, wait!” Alessandra shouted, her voice echoing sharply off the cave walls.

“Don’t run ahead!” Reika called, gripping her staff tightly as she hurried after her friend.

Iryoku cursed under his breath. “Damn it, shorty!” he growled, sprinting to catch up with the others.

Despite their warnings, Yumi didn’t stop. The desperate cries of the child grew louder as she raced deeper into the cave, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Hold on!” she shouted into the darkness, her voice trembling with both fear and determination.

Suddenly the ground gave way under Yumi’s step with a loud crack. Her scream echoed through the cavern as she plummeted into the void, disappearing from sight in an instant.

“Yumi!” Reika’s voice was shrill with panic as she ran to the edge of the hole.

“Yumi, answer us!” Alessandra shouted, her voice cracking. She knelt by the edge, peering into the void, but there was nothing—just an endless abyss.

Iryoku, without a moment’s hesitation, lunged forward. “Stay here. I’ll bring her back,” he commanded, his voice sharp and unwavering. He jumped into the hole after Yumi before either of the girls could stop him.

Reika and Alessandra froze, their breaths caught in their throats. Tears glistened in their eyes as they stared into the blackness.

“We... we should’ve stopped her,” Reika whispered, her voice choked with guilt.

Alessandra clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “He’ll bring her back. He has to.” Despite her strong words, her voice wavered.

Deep in the darkness of the pit, Yumi was free-falling, the wind whipping past her ears as tears streamed from her eyes. Her chest tightened with fear as the shadows seemed to close in on her. "Sensei, save me..."

Suddenly, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against a firm chest.

“Don’t go dying on me, shorty,” came a familiar voice, rough but steady.

Yumi gasped, her wide eyes meeting Iryoku’s serious gaze. Her tears blurred her vision, but she knew it was him.

Iryoku reached for one of his daggers with his free hand, his movements precise despite their velocity. With a powerful thrust, he drove the blade into the wall of the cavern.

The impact sent a jarring vibration through his arm, but the dagger held firm, halting their descent.

Yumi’s body pressed against his, her heart pounding against his chest. Her cheeks burned as she realized how close they were, her breath hitching at the feel of his solid grip around her waist.

Iryoku glanced down at her, his sharp eyes softening slightly. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

“N-No...” Yumi stammered, her voice barely audible as she clung to him instinctively. Her face was flushed, a mix of fear and embarrassment overwhelming her.

“Good,” he muttered. “Because I’m not in the mood to carry an injured idiot up this wall.”

Yumi managed a faint glare, but her trembling hands betrayed her.

Adjusting his grip, he placed her gently onto his back, her arms instinctively wrapping around his shoulders. Just as he began climbing, a faint light from above—the glow of Reika’s magic—flickered and vanished.

The darkness engulfed them.

“Reika! Sensei!” Yumi called, panic creeping into her voice.

“They’re not answering,” Iryoku growled under his breath, his voice tense. He tried again. “Oi! Can you hear me?”

Silence.

“Fuck,” he cursed, his tone sharp. He resumed climbing, his movements deliberate as the weight of the situation pressed down on them.

Yumi clung to him, trembling. “What… what if something happened to them?”

“Don’t think like that,” Iryoku snapped, though his voice softened after a moment. “They’ve got Roghan with them. Those two can hold their own.”

The reassurance steadied her, though her worry lingered.

As his eyes adjusted, Iryoku noticed a faint outline—a large opening in the cavern wall just ahead. “There,” he muttered, angling toward it. He swung himself into the ledge, landing with a soft thud.

Carefully, he set Yumi down, steadying her with a hand. “You okay?”

She nodded, though her gaze darted anxiously toward the void above. “But what about the others…?”

“We’ll find them,” he said firmly. “But right now, we keep moving. If we stop, we’re sitting ducks.”

Yumi hesitated, then nodded, trusting his judgment.

The passage ahead was narrow, the air growing heavier as they moved deeper into the rock. A faint, sickly-sweet scent began to tickle their noses again.

“Do you smell that?” Yumi whispered, wrinkling her nose.

“Yeah. Stay sharp,” Iryoku replied, his daggers drawn as they pressed forward.

The passage widened into a large cavern, its walls lined with Barbed spikes of stone jutting out like a giant spear.

At the far end of the cavern, a series of small, circular holes—each about a meter wide—dotted the rocky surface.

“That’s not ominous at all,” Iryoku muttered, his eyes narrowing.

The sweet scent intensified, almost overpowering. Suddenly, Iryoku’s instincts flared. Without thinking, he grabbed Yumi and pulled her behind a massive rock, clamping a hand over her mouth.

Yumi’s eyes widened, her heart pounding as she heard something emerge from one of the holes.

A massive, worm-like creature slithered into view. Its body was covered in dark, spiked flesh that shimmered faintly in the low light. Where its eyes should have been, there was only smooth, mottled skin. Atop its head dangled a glowing lure, like that of an anglerfish, pulsing with a strange, entrancing light.

The creature paused, the glowing lure swaying gently as it emitted a stronger wave of the candy-like scent.

Yumi and Iryoku held their breath, neither daring to make a sound.

The worm opened its enormous mouth, rows of serrated teeth glinting in the light. Then, from deep within its throat, a chilling sound echoed through the cavern.

“Help me... Please help me…”

The voice was high-pitched, childlike, and hauntingly desperate.

Yumi’s blood ran cold. A shiver coursed through her as she clutched Iryoku’s arm, her eyes fixed on the horrific creature.

Iryoku’s jaw tightened. His grip on his daggers was white-knuckled, but he didn’t move.

The worm’s mouth snapped shut with a sickening sound, and after a moment’s pause, it began to slither forward. Its movements were slow and methodical, the glowing lure bobbing hypnotically as it passed their hiding spot.

When it finally disappeared into another hole, the silence returned.