There's a sudden, heavy knock that echoes through the guild hall, cutting off our conversation. I freeze, my hand gripping the edge of the bar.

"Lady Elizabeth?" a deep male voice calls from the other side of the door. "May we have a word?"

I recognize it immediately. Captain Adolf. I glance over at Nikko, and her ears twitch, her expression changing. There's fear in her wide eyes, and I can tell something is wrong. She senses it, and so does Ryu. His muscles tense, his gaze sharp as he turns towards the door.

"Lady Elizabeth, wait!" Ryu shouts, his voice filled with urgency, but it's too late.

Elizabeth, already halfway across the room, reaches for the door. She swings it open, and Captain Adolf storms in, followed by a dozen or so soldiers. The clanking of their armor fills the air as they flood the guild hall. Two of them immediately grab Elizabeth by the arms, holding her tightly as she struggles to break free.

"What are you doing, John?" Elizabeth cries out, her voice sharp with anger and betrayal, but the soldiers' grip on her is too strong.

Ryu quickly ducks behind the edge of the tavern, pulling me, Nikko, and Apollo with him, staying out of sight. We crouch in the shadows, peeking out from around the corner, hearts racing.

I watch as Captain Adolf strides further into the hall, his cold eyes scanning the empty room. "It has come to my attention," he begins, his voice loud and authoritative, "that four adventurers snuck into the city. But not just any adventurers."

He retrieves a folded piece of parchment from a pouch at his belt, his eyes narrowing as he unfolds it. "Four wanted adventurers," he continues, holding the paper out for Elizabeth to see. She stares at it, her demeanor steely, showing no reaction.

"On what grounds are they wanted?" Elizabeth demands, her voice unwavering despite the situation.

Captain Adolf tucks the paper back into his pouch, his expression grim. "For releasing the plague that is afflicting this kingdom," he says sharply, folding his arms across his chest.

"That's nonsense, and you know it!" Elizabeth snaps, her voice filled with righteous anger.

Captain Adolf steps closer to her, his expression cold. "It doesn't matter what I believe," he says, his tone eerily calm. "These orders come straight from the king."

His gaze darkens as he glances around the empty hall. "And it has also come to my attention," he continues, his voice dripping with suspicion, "that these adventurers entered this guild hall not too long ago. Now, where are they?"

Elizabeth holds her ground, her jaw set. "They left," she says, her voice firm and unwavering.

For a moment, Adolf simply stares at her, but then he nods toward one of the soldiers holding her. Without hesitation, the soldier strikes Elizabeth in the gut with a powerful punch. She gasps in pain, her body collapsing forward, but the soldiers hold her up by the arms, pulling her back to her feet. Her face is twisted in agony, but she still refuses to give in.

Anger surges through me, and I instinctively want to leap from my hiding spot to help her, but Ryu holds me back. His hand grips my arm, shaking his head slightly. I can't see his expression in the dim light, but I know what he's telling me—charging in now would only make things worse. I clench my fists, swallowing my frustration, but I can't take my eyes off Elizabeth and Adolf.

"You've got quite the stone face," Adolf says, pacing slowly in front of her, his voice filled with venom. "But I know that's a lie."

He turns to his soldiers. "Search the guild hall," he orders, his voice booming. "Every room, every crevice. Leave no stone unturned."

The soldiers nod and begin to spread out. Two of them make their way toward the tavern, their footsteps heavy against the wooden floor. My heart pounds in my chest as they get closer. Ryu and Apollo exchange a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

Just as the soldiers pass our corner, an unseen force pulls them both toward us. Apollo wraps one arm around the soldier's neck, his other hand muffling the man's cries as he struggles. The soldier's movements weaken, and his body eventually slumps to the floor, unconscious.

Ryu moves swiftly, his hand gripping the other soldier by the forehead. The man instantly goes limp, and Ryu carefully lowers him to the ground. I let out a quiet breath of relief, but it's short-lived as my attention snaps back to Adolf and Elizabeth.

Captain Adolf paces in front of her like a wolf circling its prey. "I will ask you only once more," he says, his voice cold and calculating. "Where are they?"

Elizabeth remains silent, her fierce gaze fixed on Adolf. Her jaw tightens as she refuses to answer him.

"So be it," he says, his tone cold and devoid of any mercy. "Then I will consider you a conspirator and a traitor to the crown." He draws his sword, the sound of metal sliding against its scabbard sending a chill through me. His blade gleams in the dim light of the hall as he points it toward Elizabeth.

"Your sentence will be death." His words hang in the air like a death knell, his voice as cold as the steel in his hand. "Any final words?"

My heart races, and just as I'm about to act, Ryu steps out from the shadows, his voice clear and commanding. "That's enough!"

Adolf halts mid-step, turning sharply to face us. Nikko, Apollo, and I step out from behind the corner with Ryu, the tension in the room mounting as the remaining soldiers quickly stop their search, surrounding us with swords drawn.

A smirk crosses Adolf's face as he lowers his sword slightly. "There you are," he says, his tone almost mocking. The soldiers move into position, their blades gleaming threateningly under the dim lights. "Will you come peacefully?" he asks, his voice dripping with false calm as his men tighten their grips on their swords.

Ryu meets his gaze, his expression unyielding. "No, I won't."

Before any of us can blink, Ryu draws his blaster, moving so fast I can barely follow. A blue ring of energy fires from the barrel, striking Adolf in the chest. A wave of blue energy engulfs him, crackling around his body for a split second before he collapses to the floor, unconscious. His sword clanks loudly as it hits the ground. Shock ripples through the room. The soldiers, and even Elizabeth, stare in wide-eyed disbelief at what just happened.

Without hesitation, Ryu fires again, and Apollo raises his wrists. Together, they send out a volley of blue energy rings that strike each soldier in quick succession. One by one, they fall to the ground, unconscious like Adolf. The silence that follows is deafening, with only the sound of our ragged breaths filling the space.

Elizabeth remains standing, her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide as she looks at the fallen soldiers around her. She clutches her stomach where she'd been punched, still processing the swift turn of events.

Ryu holsters his blaster with a smooth motion and strides over to Adolf's limp form, crouching down to retrieve the folded parchment from his pouch. He pockets it without a word.

I step over to Elizabeth, concern etched into my face. "Are you okay?" I ask softly.

She nods, though she's still catching her breath, her hand pressing against her abdomen. "I'm fine," she says, though her voice is strained. Her gaze shifts to the fallen soldiers. "Are they... are they dead?"

Ryu shakes his head. "No. They're just unconscious. But we need to leave. Now." He turns towards the open entrance, Nikko, myself, and Apollo close behind.

Elizabeth lifts her hand, stopping him. "Wait," she says, her voice still shaky. "The streets are far too dangerous, especially for your little girl." She gestures toward Nikko, concern flickering in her eyes. "Follow me."

Without waiting for a response, she leads us behind the reception area to the back of the guild hall. I follow closely, my heart still pounding from the confrontation, as Elizabeth approaches a plain-looking section of the wall. She mutters something under her breath—a soft incantation—and the wall shudders. Slowly, a part of it pulls back, sliding aside to reveal a hidden tunnel, its entrance swallowed by pitch-black darkness.

"This will take you to the sewers," Elizabeth says, her voice low. "Follow them, and they'll lead you out of the city."

Suddenly, loud shouting echoes from outside the guild hall. My stomach tightens.

"Now go!" she urges, her voice more frantic. "I'll buy you some time."

Nikko, Apollo, and I step into the tunnel, the darkness pressing in on us like a suffocating blanket. But Ryu doesn't move. He stands at the entrance, his expression unreadable.

"That's a terrible idea, and you know it," he says firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "They'll either imprison you or have you killed."

Elizabeth lets out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping, just as the loud thud of footsteps echoes through the hall, closer now. Dozens of boots hitting the floor in quick succession.

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"Captain Adolf?" I hear a man's voice call out, his tone sharp.

"Search the guild! They can't be far!" another shouts, urgency in his voice.

"Just go!" Elizabeth snaps, pushing Ryu into the tunnel, but he reacts faster.

He grabs Elizabeth's arm and pulls her in with us just as the wall slides shut with a heavy groan, cutting us off from the shouting soldiers. The tunnel plunges into complete darkness, save for the faint muffled voices growing closer behind the wall.

"Why did you do that?" Elizabeth whispers, her voice tight with frustration. She sounds as though she's on the verge of panic.

A bright light from Ryu's glove cuts through the suffocating darkness, casting shadows across the damp, stone walls of the tunnel. "Because," he says, his voice calm but firm, "I wouldn't let you or anyone else sacrifice themselves for us."

Nikko grabs Ryu's hand, holding it tightly, her little fingers trembling. "Papa..." she whispers.

⚔⚔⚔⚔⚔

We begin our descent into the tunnel, the air damp and heavy around us. I summon a ball of light in my palm, casting a soft glow ahead of us, but it does little to ease the oppressive feeling closing in on us from all sides. The tunnel feels cold, the faint scent of mildew and rot lingering in the air.

Elizabeth walks behind us, her breathing shallow and uneven. I can tell she's still shaken, her steps unsure. But there's no turning back now. We'd draw too much attention, so the only way is forward.

As we descend deeper into the tunnel, the air becomes cold and damp, carrying the unmistakable stench of sewage. The narrow passageway is lined with rough stone walls, slick with moisture. The beam of light from Ryu's gauntlet casts eerie shadows, making the space feel even more claustrophobic. The ground beneath our feet is uneven, a mixture of slick stone and patches of muddy water.

Soon, the air grows thick with an unbearable stench, far worse than I could have imagined. It claws at my throat, making it difficult to breathe, and every step forward feels like a test of endurance. Nikko wrinkles her nose beside me, her ears twitching in discomfort, but she remains quiet, gripping Ryu's hand tightly.

The narrow passage begins to widen, the rough stone walls giving way to a larger, arched corridor. The ceiling stretches higher here, though the sense of confinement remains, the oppressive air pressing down on us. Ryu's glowing glove casts eerie shadows along the damp stone walls, the light reflecting off the slick surfaces that glisten with moisture. Dark water flows sluggishly through the channel beside us, its surface rippling with every drip that falls from above.

The sound of water dripping into the murky stream below echoes around us, creating an unsettling rhythm, each drop adding to the tension that fills the air. The water itself reeks of decay, a foul, sickly odor rising from it, thick enough to make my stomach churn. I instinctively cover my mouth, but it does little to block out the rancid smell.

As we move further, the skittering of small creatures catches my attention—rats, most likely—scurrying away from our footsteps, their tiny claws scraping against the stone. I can hear their quick movements, but I can't see them in the dim light, which makes it all the more unsettling.

The walls are uneven, carved long ago, now worn down by time and the constant flow of water. In places, the stone has crumbled, leaving gaping holes through which I can faintly hear the distant gurgling of water. Some parts of the tunnel are covered in a slimy green moss, clinging to the damp stone like a living organism. The ground beneath us is slick and treacherous, and I can feel the dampness creeping through the soles of my boots.

Every now and then, Ryu pauses, scanning the area ahead with a careful gaze. The further we go, the more I feel like we're descending into something ancient, forgotten—something that should have been left buried beneath the city. The faint echoes of water, the constant dripping, and the occasional scurrying of unseen creatures only heighten my sense of unease.

The air is thick with the scent of rot and waste, and it seems to cling to us, settling on our skin and clothing like an invisible film. Elizabeth, walking a few paces behind us, breathes heavily, though I'm not sure if it's from the smell or the weight of the situation. Nikko presses closer to Ryu, and I can't help but keep a watchful eye on every shadow that flickers in the dim light.

The passage seems to stretch on forever, and every step brings with it a new wave of the foul odor, but I know we have to keep moving forward. There's no turning back now, not with the city guard likely still searching for us.

Elizabeth began leading us with sure steps, her knowledge of the sewers evident as she navigates the twists and turns. "This way," she says, her voice steady but tinged with urgency.

We come to a junction where multiple tunnels converge, and Elizabeth hesitates for a moment, then takes the leftmost path. The space narrows again, forcing us to move single file. The light from Ryu's gauntlet flickers slightly, casting our shadows against the grimy walls.

Finally, we reach the exit, a large stone pipeline that opens to the outside. The tunnel widens here, and the flow of sewage is more concentrated, the sound of rushing water louder. But our way out is blocked by thick iron bars.

"These weren't here before," Elizabeth says, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Must be the Jarl's doing," Ryu says. "No one in or out, right?"

Elizabeth, looking defeated, asks, "Now what?"

"Now we escape of course," Ryu says. Elizabeth looks puzzled and was about to ask when Ryu raises his hand, concentrating. For a moment, nothing happens.

"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asks, confused.

"Just watch," I say, knowing what's coming.

The bars begin to creak and bend, the ends snapping one by one until the gate falls forward with a loud crash. Elizabeth looks shocked, and I can't help but smile a little.

We step into a large canopy of tents and huts, the ground wet and muddy beneath our feet. The air is thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and decaying refuse, an odor far worse than the sewers we just left. The makeshift village stretches out before us, a labyrinth of tattered tents and crudely constructed huts. People in various states of filth and hunger emerge from their homes, staring at us with hollow eyes.

Several villagers, upon spotting the sewer entrance now open, rush towards the opening, nearly bumping into us in their haste. Those who remain watch us with wary expressions, retreating into their homes, their faces etched with worry. The smell is almost unbearable, and I cover my nose, feeling a wave of nausea. Nikko, too, covers her nose, her face contorted in disgust as she clings to Ryu.

As we navigate the muddy path through the village, I spot various figures within the tents and huts, their eyes following us. The sight is overwhelming, and I feel a deep sense of pity for these people. Their suffering is palpable, and the hopelessness in their eyes weighs heavily on my heart.

More villagers step into our path, their grim faces hardened with despair, clutching rusty knives and crude weapons. Their numbers grow as they close in around us. They seem threatening, their expressions shadowed in the dim light of dusk. The gleam of steel catches my eye, and for a moment, it feels like we're about to be attacked.

Ryu, standing at my side, instinctively reaches for the hilt of his sword, his body tensing as if preparing for a fight. I follow his lead, my hand hovering over my short swords, and I see Apollo gripping his spear tightly, his eyes glowing faintly beneath his helmet. Even Elizabeth, normally composed, stiffens beside me, her hand inching toward a dagger she keeps at her waist. I glance at her face and see the faint twitch of her lip, the only betrayal of the tension coursing through her. She's quiet, but ready, her posture alert.

The air is thick with unease as the villagers advance. My pulse quickens, and I brace myself for the worst.

But then, Ryu hesitates.

His hand, already resting on his sword, pauses, and he doesn't draw it. Confused, I look to him, wondering why he's stopped. His gaze is fixed on the villagers, his posture no longer one of battle readiness but of caution. He doesn't seem scared, but something holds him back.

I glance at the villagers again, my breath catching in my throat. This time, I notice what I hadn't before. Beneath their grim expressions and dirty clothes, they don't look malicious. They look... afraid. Desperate. One man, gripping a knife, trembles visibly, his knuckles white. His eyes dart nervously between us, but there's no malice in them—just fear and hunger.

The woman next to him, clutching a dagger, doesn't have the look of a killer. Her eyes are hollow, sunken in her gaunt face, and her lips quiver as she tries to hold her weapon steady. I follow her gaze and see a small boy clinging to her side, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear.

Ryu lowers his hand, his fingers moving away from the hilt of his sword. The tension in his body seems to drain slightly, but his voice remains calm and steady as he speaks. "We just want to pass," he says, lifting his hands slightly in a peaceful gesture. His tone, though gentle, carries the weight of authority.

The villager who had been eyeing Nikko nervously steps forward, his grip on the knife still shaky. His lips tremble as he speaks. "Ha-hand over all of your supplies," he stammers, though the tone in his voice betrays him. He doesn't sound threatening—he sounds scared.

Behind him, I notice more villagers gathering, their eyes flickering with hunger and desperation. One woman clutches a ragged child to her side, her own eyes hollow from starvation. I glance at Elizabeth, whose tense posture remains, but her expression softens just slightly, as though she's beginning to see what we see. Her hand moves away from her dagger, and she watches the scene unfold in silence, her body still as a statue but her eyes shifting between the villagers and us.

I feel a tug on Ryu's cloak and glance down to see Nikko, her wide, innocent eyes looking up at her father. "Papa, please..." she whispers, her voice trembling. She's seen enough to know these people aren't enemies, and her plea tugs at my heart.

Ryu sighs softly, his hands still raised in a non-threatening gesture. "You don't have to do this," he says gently. "We just want to pass through. No harm will come to any of you if you just let us pass."

The man's hand shakes even more as he raises the knife, but I see the conflict in his eyes. He doesn't want to do this. "You must have food," the man says, his voice cracking. "Your clothes are clean, and you don't look... starved. Just give us all of your food and you can pass." His grip on the knife falters.

That's when I notice the small boy behind the man, his face gaunt and his eyes wide with hunger. My heart aches for him, for all of them. They're not trying to hurt us—they're trying to survive. Ryu takes a deep breath and slowly reaches into his cloak. The man jumps, panicked.

"Wh-what are you doing?" he cries, his voice shaky, as if fearing an attack.

"Relax," Ryu says calmly, his movements slow and deliberate. "I'm reaching into my pouch. If I give you half of our supplies, will you let us pass?"

The man stops, blinking in confusion. He glances back at the other villagers, who nod at him eagerly, their desperate eyes urging him to agree. He looks back at Ryu, his hand still trembling, but he nods. "Oh-okay," he stammers, his voice unsure. "But... but very slowly... or-or your little girl gets it," he adds, though it's clear he doesn't mean the threat.

Ryu moves carefully, pulling out his pouch of holdings and whispering an incantation. A blob of white energy flows from the bag, landing in front of the villagers. Slowly, the whiteness dissolves, revealing several large burlap sacks filled with food. One of them is the same sack Elandor had given us, filled with bread, cheese, and dried meat.

"Here," Ryu says softly, stepping back as the sacks manifest. "I wish I could give more, but—"

Before he can finish, the villagers rush forward, tearing into the sacks with frantic hands. Bread, cheese, and meat spill onto the ground as they claw at the food, stuffing their mouths with whatever they can grab. Behind us, more villagers run past, joining in the frenzy. It's chaos—desperation driving them to behave like animals.

I glance at the man who had threatened Nikko. His face softens as he hands the boy a loaf of bread. The boy tears into it ravenously, crumbs falling from his mouth as he chews. The man's eyes fill with tears as he watches his son eat. There's no joy in his expression, only a deep sadness mixed with relief. My heart clenches again, feeling the weight of their suffering.

"Let's go," Ryu says quietly, and we begin to move past the crowd of villagers. As we walk, I can't help but glance back at them, their desperate faces burned into my mind. I feel Elizabeth moving beside me, her eyes still trained on the villagers. Her expression is grim, but she doesn't speak, just nods faintly to herself as we pass by the chaos.

We continue onward, but the image of those starving people stays with me, gnawing at my conscience.