The girls hopped back onto Ysmor's back. Ysmor lifted off, soaring towards the heart of Cardana.

In the distance, a stone palace stood like a watchtower. Jany guided Ysmor toward it.

As they flew over the village, Rin noticed the wary gazes of Cardana's reclusive residents as they looked up. They all had concerned faces, their eyes following the drake every step of the way.

It was clear that outsiders were not a common sight here.

"We're definitely not blending in," Rin muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Eve, perched comfortably on Rin's lap, chuckled softly.

"I imagine we'd be pretty hard to miss here."

"Keep your eyes to yourselves once we're down there, same as before," Jany told them.

Ysmor landed gently in the courtyard of the stone palace, the structure imposing and ancient, its walls etched with weird runes and symbols. To Rin, the air was thick with an unspoken reverence.

[Somehow, this place looks older than half the Old World ruins I've seen.]

Jany dismounted first, motioning for the others to follow.

"This way," she instructed, leading them through the grand entrance.

The halls were lined with statues and tapestries, each depicting scenes from Cardana's rich history.

Rin's heart raced as they approached a large, ornate door. A couple of guards saw them and tensed up but then they exchanged a look with Jany and stepped aside.

She exchanged a glance with Eve, who gave her an encouraging smile. Lisa, looking like she was trying to remain composed, adjusted her healer's bag. Even Jany didn't look particularly comfortable.

Jany pushed open the door, revealing a circular chamber where the Elders sat in a semi-circle. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes sharp and knowing. The air in the room seemed to hum with anticipation.

Jany stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

"Elders, I bring Rin, Eve, and Lisa. Strangers from faraway lands. I brought them here so they might investigate the spreading sickness."

The Elders nodded in acknowledgment, their gazes turning towards the newcomers. Rin felt a mixture of awe and anxiety under their scrutiny, but she stood tall, determined to make a good impression.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

One of the Elders, an elderly woman with tanned skin and piercing blue eyes, spoke first.

"Welcome. Jany informed us of your recent actions against the shadows. Your bravery is commendable."

"Thank you," Rin said, figuring she may as well handle the talking. "We're here to help in any way we can."

Jany continued, her voice steady and clear.

"Elders, the illness spreading through Cardana is unlike anything we've seen before. It's not just a sickness of the body but of the spirit. These two," Jany gestured at Eve and Lisa, "are particularly attuned when it comes to matters of the spirit. I figured they could be of assistance if you'd share your knowledge with them."

The Elders exchanged glances, their expressions grave. The same Elder who had spoken before nodded slowly.

"We have been studying the illness, but our knowledge is limited. It seems to be connected to the shadows, as their attacks have suddenly become so much more frequent. We fear this may only be the beginning."

Another Elder, a man with a long white beard, added:

"The chances of there being a cure seem slim, but if there is a chance, and you three might help find it, we'd be happy to share what we know."

Eve, hovering by Rin's side, flew up closer.

"Well, we're here to help. Just tell us what you need."

The Elders began to discuss the details of the strange illness. Rin, Eve, and Lisa listened intently, absorbing every piece of information.

"It all began about three days ago," the elderly woman with the piercing blue eyes started. "At first, it was just a few isolated cases. Animals falling ill with strange symptoms."

"Strange how?" Lisa asked.

The Elder continued:

"The afflicted seem to fall into a deep lethargy initially, almost like a trance. Then, within a small amount of time, their behavior becomes erratic and violent. They attack anyone and anything around them. Even tamed beasts would begin attacking handlers they've had for years."

Lisa leaned in. Rin hadn't seen this side of her before. Gone was usual kindergarten teacher type of lady Rin knew her as and, instead, a scientist had taken her place.

"Are there any physical signs? Markings, rashes, anything we could identify early on?"

The Elder with the long white beard answered:

"Yes, there are. The afflicted develop a faint blue aura around them. Their eyes also take on a bluish tint, and their veins become more prominent, glowing with the same eerie light."

Eve nodded along.

"Yeah, that sounds like Essence. And, you really have no clue how the disease is contracted?"

"We have our suspicions," the elderly woman replied. "But nothing concrete. We believe it's connected to the shadows, as their attacks have increased in frequency and intensity alongside the spread of the illness. Perhaps this happens to monsters who survive encounters with them."

Lisa nodded thoughtfully.

"Have you noticed if this aura has any effect on any beasts around the afflicted? Could they be spreading the illness?"

The Elder with the beard shook his head.

"We haven't observed any direct transmission like that. However, the afflicted creatures' violence has resulted in many injuries and deaths. We're not particularly eager to stand next to them."

The elderly woman spoke again, her tone grave.

"We have a few of the violent afflicted beasts locked up in a secure area. We would like you to examine them. Perhaps with your unique skills and knowledge, you might be able to discern something we have missed."

Rin glanced at her friends, each of them nodding in agreement.

"We'll take a look," she said resolutely. "Maybe there's something we can find that will help."

The Elders guided them through another set of heavy doors, leading to a dimly lit corridor.

The air grew cooler, and the faint sound of growls and snarls echoed through the stone halls.

"Here we are," the Elder with the white beard said, stopping in front of a reinforced door. "Be careful. These creatures are extremely dangerous."