Knock knock

“Zero, are you there?” Lia asked, her voice accompanying a firm knock on the door.

Zero stirred, roused from his nap by the sound. Through the window, he noticed the sun hanging low on the horizon, its warm golden rays slowly giving way to the cool embrace of twilight.

“I’m coming.” Zero mumbled groggily as he pulled himself out of bed. He shuffled over and opened the door.

“Hehe ~ Did you have a good nap?” Lia asked, a playful grin lighting up her face.

“I guess so…” Zero replied, still half-asleep.

Lia stepped into the room, her curious eyes scanning its interior before settling on the window. She gasped softly, her expression brightening.

“Woahhh… This room has such a stunning view of the sunset.” she said, awestruck by the sight of the blazing orange sky.

Zero approached the window, his sleepiness melting away as he took in the mesmerizing scene.

“Yeah… it’s beautiful.” he murmured, his voice soft with wonder.

For a moment, the two stood in silence, basking in the serene beauty of the sunset.

“About the kidnapping case,” Lia began, her tone shifting to one of seriousness, “how do you think we should investigate it?”

“Hmm…” Zero pondered, tapping into his memories of games from his world. “If this were a typical quest in a game, there’d usually be some sort of hint to guide us.”

“Well, so far, our only lead is that underground tunnel.” Lia said thoughtfully. “And we know the guards of a noble family are somehow involved in this.” She paused. “The gate guards seem genuinely concerned about the kidnappings, so I think we can rule them out as suspects.”

“Since the noble’s guards are implicated, it’s pretty clear the noble themselves are corrupt.” Zero said, his tone hardening. “Wasn’t that the same family that wanted revenge on you for defeating one of their young knights?”

“True.” Lia said, her fist clenching as anger flashed across her face. “I can’t forgive them for that, and now this.”

“For now,” she continued, taking a deep breath to steady herself, “our best option might be to request help from the mercenaries’ guild. No one would believe us if we accused a noble outright, and doing so could reveal too much about ourselves.”

“A direct confrontation won’t do us any good either.” Zero agreed.

“Exactly. We’re basically in the enemy’s den right now.” Lia said grimly. “Who knows what kind of evil they’re planning?”

Zero nodded. “Should we explore the city first? We could talk to the locals and see if anyone has noticed anything unusual. Like the innkeeper, they might have insights into what’s going on.”

“Great idea. Let’s do it.” Lia said decisively.

The two made their way down the corridor to a round platform. Lia pressed a button, and the treescender smoothly descended them to the ground floor. Zero couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement at the experience.

At the ground floor, a path led toward the dining hall. The muffled sound of a woman’s sobbing reached their ears, growing louder as they approached.

Sobs

“My child… Where are you?” wailed a young mother, her grief palpable. She sat with swollen feet as a maid knelt beside her, gently pressing ice to the inflamed skin.

“What happened?” Lia asked, her voice steady and authoritative as she stepped forward, her knightly armor glinting faintly.

The woman’s sobs grew louder at the sight of Lia, mistaking her for someone else. “Wahhh, I thought you were my child!”

The maid, startled by their presence, quickly spoke up. “You’re a young knights? I’m sorry for the confusion. We’re travelers from another city, but two days ago, the young lady… my mistress’s daughter… vanished. We’ve been searching for her for three days now.”

Lia’s expression darkened, her thoughts flashing to the small feet she had glimpsed earlier with her abilities.

“Where was she last seen?” Lia asked, her voice tense.

“Near a dress shop at the corner of the row across from this inn.” the maid replied. “But I wouldn’t recommend going outside right now.” she added, her voice dropping into a cautious warning.

“Thank you for the information.” Lia said, excusing herself politely.

Around the dining hall, other guests sat at tables, their conversations tinged with unease.

“My nephew disappeared last week.” an old man lamented, his voice heavy with sorrow. “Although it happened in another city…”

“Did you hear about the monsters that prey on children?” someone muttered darkly.

“I don’t understand what’s going on lately.” a lady said with concern. “Our kingdom has never faced disappearances on this scale before.”

Lia and Zero exchanged grim looks as they pieced together snippets from the travelers. Most of them were wealthy, their polished appearances a stark contrast to the despair they carried.

“It seems this isn’t limited to this city.” Lia said softly.

“Yeah.” Zero agreed. “We need more clues. Let’s keep moving.”

“Let’s go.” Lia echoed.

The two walk to step out of the inn, determination in their eyes as they prepared to uncover the truth.

As they approached the door leading to the city, they were abruptly stopped by the grief-stricken young mother, her voice ringing out in desperation.

“No! Don’t go!” she shouted hysterically, her words trembling with anguish.

The sudden outburst startled the pair, making them pause mid-step. The young mother hurried toward them, her tear-streaked face etched with sorrow.

“No, no, no. Please don’t leave Mommy alone.” she pleaded, wrapping her arms around the two in a desperate hug.

The maid quickly approached, her expression apologetic. “I’m so sorry about this,” she said, bowing slightly. “I hadn’t expected my lady’s condition to deteriorate this much. Ever since her child disappeared, she’s been deeply affected. For now, it might be best if you didn’t go out.” she explained, her voice soft but firm.

Zero and Lia exchanged uncertain glances, both caught off guard by the situation.

“I think we should hold off on going out for now,” Lia said quietly.

Zero remained silent, nodding his agreement.

With no other choice, the two stayed and listened as the young mother poured out her story, her voice trembling with pain and regret. She recounted how she had lost her first child during a territorial war, a wound that never fully healed. Then, when she was blessed with another child—a beacon of hope in her dark world—she lost them again, this time blaming herself for a moment of carelessness.

As the minutes passed, her tears slowed, and her grim expression softened as she spoke to them. Grateful for their patience, she insisted on treating them to food and drinks, offering anything they might want from the inn’s menu.

“You’ve been so kind to listen to me.” she said as her composure returned, her voice steadier now. “Thank you… and I’m so sorry for burdening you with all this.”

She hesitated for a moment before taking out two small green pendant from her pocket. The delicate gem gleamed faintly in the light.

“Please, take this.” she said, pressing it into Lia’s hands. “This might be able to help you in some way.”

The two accepted the pendant, their expressions a mix of gratitude and curiosity.

“Thank you.” Lia said gently.

After bidding farewell to the young mother and her maid, Zero and Lia returned to their room, their minds weighed down by the encounter but more determined than ever to uncover the truth behind the disappearances.

* * *

“Do you know what this green pendant is for?” Zero asked, his tone laced with curiosity as he held the pendant up for a better look.

“Hmm…” Lia leaned in, examining the pendant closely as she brought it near her eyes. The faint glimmer of the gem caught the light. “No clue.” she admitted with a shrug.

“Are you going to wear it?” Zero asked again, his tone cautious.

“Sure, why not? It doesn’t look half bad.” Lia said with a grin as she looped the pendant’s chain around her neck. It rested snugly against her collarbone, its green hue contrasting nicely with her attire.

“What about you?” she asked, glancing at Zero.

“I think I’ll hold off for now.” Zero replied, his wariness evident in his voice.

“I don’t think that lady meant us any harm.” Lia said, hoping to ease his uneasiness.

Zero’s gaze lingered on the pendant in his hand. After a moment of silence, he nodded. “I know…” he said softly. He slipped the pendant into a pocket inside his clothes, patting it as if to reassure himself.

“Let’s investigate more tomorrow, okay?” Lia said, changing the subject.

“Yeah.” Zero agreed. Then, with a flicker of determination in his eyes, he asked, “Can you teach me how to protect myself?”

Lia blinked in surprise, not expecting the request.

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“Hehe ~ Alright.” she said, her grin widening. She reached into her dimensional space and pulled out two wooden spears. “Since this room is spacious enough, I don’t see any harm in starting now.”

With that, Lia began teaching Zero the basics of spearmanship, the same fundamentals taught to aspiring knights. She demonstrated clean, precise thrusts and how to maintain control over the weapon. Zero did his best to mimic her movements, but his inexperience showed.

Time and time again, Zero fumbled. He dropped the spear more than once and even managed to send it flying across the room a couple of times. Each mishap earned a burst of laughter from Lia.

“I understand now!” Zero declared hastily, trying to brush off his clumsiness.

“Do you?” Lia teased, still chuckling as she adjusted his posture again.

He gritted his teeth and tried once more.

Again, the spear slipped from his grasp during a thrust. “I still don’t get it…” he admitted, frustration creeping into his voice.

“It’s fine!” Lia said, her tone encouraging as she gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Don’t give up! Not everyone can master a skill in just one night.” Her grin was warm, her words a light for his spirits.

Exhausted, Zero collapsed onto the floor, staring up at the ceiling. His mind wandered, picturing a scene where he wielded the spear with effortless mastery, each move fluid and graceful, like water flowing through his hands.

“I guess this will be your first goal.” Lia said, snapping him back to reality. She raised her spear and demonstrated rapid, precise thrusts. “Start with a hundred thrusts a day. Focus on consistency first.”

“Got it,” Zero murmured as he lay sprawled on the ground, his body begging for rest.

“Be sure to get some sleep tonight, okay?” Lia said as she walked toward the door. She gave him a quick glance over her shoulder before stepping out, leaving him alone in the room.

For a moment, Zero closed his eyes, his thoughts swirling as he lay in silence. Then, as determination welled up within him, he rose from the floor, gripping the wooden spear tightly in his hands.

The first ten thrusts were clumsy, his grip faltering with nearly every attempt. Out of ten, only one thrust managed to stay firm.

Undeterred, he pushed on. The second set of ten was still unsteady, but this time, two of his thrusts felt solid.

By the third and fourth sets, his progress seemed to plateau, with only two steady thrusts each. But by the fifth set, something began to click. Slowly, his grip strengthened, and he managed three firm thrusts per set.

By the tenth set, his hands were sore, and his muscles burned. His arms trembled from the effort, but his eyes shone with unyielding determination.

“Is this all I’ve got?” he muttered to himself, his voice low as he clenched his fists around the spear.

Finally, exhausted and drenched in sweat, he let the spear drop gently to the floor. He stumbled to his bed, the soft mattress pulling him in like a warm embrace.

As his body relaxed and his breathing slowed, his eyelids grew heavier, until they finally closed.

As Zero closed his eyes, the world around him began to shift. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its form indistinct at first but growing sharper as it approached.

His eyes snapped open, his heart racing. The figure loomed before him, its eerie, twisted smile mocking him.

“Weak brat.” it sneered, its voice echoing in his mind like a haunting whisper.

Adrenaline surged through Zero as he bolted upright, gripping his wooden spear tightly. He sprang into a shadow-fighting stance, recalling the techniques Tommy had once shown him.

But the room was no longer the same. The environment shifted again, morphing into an endless, dimly lit expanse. The shadowy figure solidified, its form mimicking Zero’s appearance in unsettling detail. It wore his clothes, carried a wooden spear identical to his own, and moved with unnerving precision.

The sight ignited a spark of irritation within him.

“Copycat monster…” Zero muttered under his breath.

Before he could prepare, the shadowy figure lunged at him with shocking speed. Its spear thrust forward, striking him squarely in the chest.

Zero gasped as the impact sent him sprawling backward. He hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his body.

“Ouch…” he groaned, pulling himself back to his feet.

The shadowy figure stood silently, its eerie grin unchanged. With a mocking gesture, it beckoned him to attack.

Fueled by determination, Zero rushed forward. He leapt into the air and thrust his spear at the shadow figure with all his might, mirroring its earlier move.

But the shadow was ready. It deflected his attack effortlessly, throwing Zero off balance. Before he could recover, it countered with a powerful kick, sending him crashing to the ground once more.

“Ugh… you monster…” Zero spat, pushing himself up again.

His chest heaved with exertion, but the fire in his eyes burned brighter. The adrenaline coursing through his veins dulled the pain as he steadied himself. Slowly, deliberately, he advanced toward the shadow figure, assessing its movements and planning his next strike.

The shadow figure responded by spinning its spear with fluid, masterful precision, its movements almost hypnotic. It moved like water, each motion a display of control and finesse. Its sinister grin widened as if reveling in Zero’s struggle.

They closed the distance, and their spears clashed. Zero thrust, the shadow countered. Again and again, their weapons met in a rapid exchange, the air filled with the sound of wood striking wood.

Sweat dripped down Zero’s face as fatigue set in. His arms grew heavier with each strike, his breaths coming faster and shallower. The shadow figure, however, showed no sign of slowing down. It remained relentless, unyielding.

Spotting an opening in Zero’s defense, the shadow figure struck with a swift, decisive thrust. Its spear slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.

Zero groaned, his vision spinning as he lay on his back. When he opened his eyes, the shadowy battlefield had vanished. The familiar ceiling of his room at the inn greeted him. The cold wooden floor beneath him felt grounding yet utterly defeating.

Frustration swirled within him as he clenched his fists. “I swear, I’m gonna win next time!” he declared, his voice filled with resolve.

But exhaustion weighed on him like a heavy blanket. Too tired to move, he let out a sigh of annoyance and stayed where he was, staring at the ceiling.

Slowly, his eyes began to close, and the tension in his body eased as sleep overtook him, pulling him into its quiet embrace.

* * *

“Ugh… my entire body feels so sore…” Zero groaned, rubbing his stiff shoulders.

“Hmm? What do you mean?” Lia tilted her head, puzzled. “The bed took away all my fatigue. I feel great!”

“I fell asleep on the floor…” Zero muttered, his tone equal parts embarrassed and exhausted.

“Just how hard did you train that you didn’t even have the energy to crawl into bed?” Lia asked, her lips curling into a chuckle.

“I’m not sure myself…” Zero admitted, then clenched his fists with determination. “But I swear, I’m gonna beat that monster!”

“Monster?! Did some creature invade your room?!” Lia’s voice sharpened, concern flashing in her eyes.

“No, not like that…” Zero sighed, explaining the strange shadowy figure he had been encountering since his training with Tommy. “I’m going to get stronger, no matter what it takes, and finally defeat Dark Zero!” he exclaimed, fire brimming in his eyes.

“Eh, reallyyy ~” Lia teased, her voice light with amusement. “I almost forgot you’re still at that age. Hehe ~ good luck with that!” She chuckled, clearly entertained by his earnest declaration.

“What’s so funny about it?!” Zero complained, his cheeks flushing slightly.

“It’s nothing ~” Lia said, waving her hand dismissively. “That’s just… cute.”

Zero blinked, momentarily dumbfounded by her response.

The pair stepped into the city streets, the bustling main district alive with activity. Vibrant stalls lined the roads, merchants shouting their wares, and customers haggling loudly. Yet, amidst the lively scene, something was amiss—there wasn’t a single child in sight.

“Hey, kids, you shouldn’t be wandering around like this.” a burly mercenary called out, approaching them with a stern expression.

Lia rolled her eyes but quickly activated her transformation, her armor shimmering briefly before solidifying into her knightly form.

“Oh! A young knight!” The mercenary’s demeanor shifted to respect. “Sorry about that, but still, you really shouldn’t be roaming around carelessly.” He scratched his head awkwardly before gesturing toward a building down the street. “If you’ve got some spare coin, you might want to hire some mercenaries at the guild over there. They can help you out.”

“Yeah, yeah, go away already.” Lia said dismissively, brushing him off with a flick of her hand.

“No need to get mad, ha ha ha.” the mercenary chuckled as he walked away, continuing his patrol.

“Geez, people here are such busybodies.” Lia muttered, clearly annoyed. She glanced at Zero. “What do you think? Should we check out the mercenary guild now?”

“Yes.” Zero replied with a thoughtful nod. “Hiring a mercenary could give us access to more information, and it might stop people like him from bothering us.”

The mercenary guild was bustling with activity. The air inside was thick with the smell of sweat and leather. Conversations buzzed all around, warriors swapping tales of their exploits or bargaining for their next job.

When Lia and Zero stepped inside, their presence immediately drew attention. Lia’s full knight armor gleamed under the dim lighting, and Zero’s dark attire gave him a stark, enigmatic appearance. The two stuck out like a sore thumb, their entrance turning more than a few heads.

“Welcome. How can I help you?” the woman at the counter greeted them with a polite smile, her eyes scanning them curiously.

“We’d like to buy some information,” Lia said, her tone straightforward.

“What kind of information are you looking for?” the woman asked, leaning slightly forward.

“It’s about this city.” Lia explained. “I haven’t been here in months, but it feels like something significant has happened while I was away.”

“That’ll be one denar.” the woman said.

In an instant Lia summon a single denar from thin air. It fell onto the counter with a soft clink.

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, a Color Awakener! And so young, too.” She nodded thoughtfully, then closed her eyes. A soft, white glow emanated from her as she focused. “R, could you come to the guild? There’s a client for you.” she said telepathically.

Opening her eyes, the woman smiled at Lia and Zero. “Please wait a moment. Feel free to sit down, and you can order something to eat or drink while you wait.”

The pair found a table and settled in. Lia ordered drinks for them both and a bowl of peanuts to snack on.

Zero tossed a peanut into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as he looked around. The guild’s interior was alive with clinking mugs, hearty laughter, and the occasional burst of argument from nearby tables. But something felt amiss…

Lia leaned back in her chair, sipping her drink with an air of nonchalance. “You know, this place might actually be useful.” she said, her voice just loud enough for Zero to hear over the din.

Zero nodded, his gaze scanning the room, already curious about the information they were about to receive.

“I’m telling you, Baldric’s been missing since that day. You shouldn’t be wandering alone.” an older mercenary’s gruff voice echoed from the entrance of the guild.

“I know, old man. Give me a break. I’m investigating that case too.” a younger voice replied, irritation evident in his tone.

The guild receptionist perked up as they entered. “You’ve arrived. These two are the clients for R.” she announced, gesturing toward Zero and Lia.

“Oh? What do we have here?” The older mercenary’s eyes gleamed as he noticed the pair. “A young knight and a dashing boy around your age, eh, R?” he teased, slapping the younger boy on the back with enough force to make him stumble. “Now’s your chance to actually make some friends, you know!”

“Stop that!” R snapped, brushing off the older man’s hand, clearly unimpressed.

“So, what do you want to know?” R turned to Zero and Lia, his voice curt and no-nonsense.

“Hey, R, be a little nicer to your new friends!” a voice called out from somewhere in the guild.

“What do you mean ‘new friends’? They’re his best friends already!” another voice chimed in, laughter following the quip.

R’s face darkened as he shot the offenders a deadly glare. “I’ll kill you.” he muttered under his breath, his tone laced with menace.

Zero exchanged a wary glance with Lia, as if silently warning her that this “R” guy might be trouble.

Lia subtly nodded in agreement, her expression serious.

“We want to know what’s happening in this city.” Zero said, breaking the tense silence.

“Travelers, huh?” R muttered, crossing his arms. “Well, here’s the deal, most of the kids in this city have been kidnapped—taken to who knows where. And kids like you two? You’re the ones they’re after. My advice? Stay home, lock the doors, and don’t show your faces until this mess is over.”

“Hey! You’re a kid too!” Lia shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.

“Hah?!” R barked, his irritation flaring. “Who are you calling a kid?”

“You bRats.” Lia said, a mocking grin spreading across her face.

R’s eyes narrowed, and in a flash, he activated his mercenary class transformation. His aura flared, drawing attention from everyone in the guild.

“Want to take this outside, you wench?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

“Oh. My. I’m. So. Scared.” Lia replied, dripping with sarcasm. She smirked and cracked her knuckles. “Let’s go, you little bitch.”

The receptionist shook her head in disbelief, muttering under her breath about the chaos unfolding in her workplace.

The guild erupted into a frenzy. Mercenaries abandoned their drinks, and bets were being placed left and right as excitement filled the room.

“Woahh!!! A fight!” one mercenary shouted, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

“See? I told you—they’re already best friends!” a smug voice chimed in from the crowd.

“Ever since Baldric went missing, I thought we’d never see R fight again.” another said with a hint of nostalgia.

The old mercenary sighed heavily, shaking his head as if in despair. “Did I raise him wrong…?” he muttered to himself before clasping his hands together in mock prayer. “Oh Almighty, may you show R the right path...”

But in a split second, his mood shifted, his voice booming with renewed energy. “Alright, I’m putting my bet on R!”

Zero stood off to the side, utterly speechless. He opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it, and closed it again. Knowing Lia’s personality, there was no stopping this train wreck.

Instead, he sighed, pulled out a heavy bag of coins, and confidently placed it on Lia’s side of the impromptu betting pool. “This is all for the young knight.” he declared, his voice steady.

The mercenaries collectively gasped, their eyes darting to the hefty bag. Whispers rippled through the crowd as they marveled at the unexpected wealth of the boy in black.

Lia caught sight of Zero’s gesture and his big thumbs-up, her eyes lighting up with determination.

With a sharp grin, she cracked her neck, rolling her shoulders. The fire in her eyes burned brighter than ever.

Zero smirked and Lia is now motivated.