The drake's flight to Cardana was a spectacle in itself.

Its wings, bathed in moonlight, cut through the night air as it gracefully navigated toward its destination.

The city revealed itself gradually, nestled within the embrace of the dense forest, with a few small pillars of flame lighting it up.

Cardana, a rural haven of wood and stone, sat like a well-kept secret, hidden amidst the sprawling greenery.

As the drake touched down on the outskirts, Rin looked around.

In the distance, massive trees, their trunks adorned with glowing flora, towered over the rustic buildings. Stone structures seamlessly blended with the natural surroundings, their architecture mirroring the organic beauty of the forest. Lanterns dangled from the branches, casting a warm glow that danced with the shadows.

"Stay alert," Jany said as they got off the drake, Rin quickly carrying Lisa on her back once again. "There could be archers nearby."

"Are they going to shoot us on sight?" Alea asked.

"They could. Do not attack them, just let me know if you see any."

The air in Cardana was infused with the scent of earth and greenery. Even as human constructions became more noticeable.

There were a couple of Old World relics. A broken-down car, a billboard with a thick layer of grass wrapping around it. But, mostly, the land felt new.

The forest canopy stretched above, filtering the moonlight into an ethereal glow that bathed the surroundings in silver.

Suddenly, soldiers, clad in armor that mimicked the bark of the ancient trees, approached swiftly.

"Halt! Why do you bring strangers to Cardana? Are you mad!?"

Rin took a step back, away from the spears pointed their way. Xhez glared at them.

"These strangers need our help. They carry one who is Cursed, and we seek the aid of your healers," Jany explained, her words a delicate dance between urgency and respect.

The soldiers exchanged glances, their expressions guarded.

The idea of an outsider within their protected haven clearly raised some eyebrows, and their protective stance spoke volumes about the tight-knit nature of Cardana.

However, after a brief exchange, the soldiers reluctantly nodded, allowing the group to proceed.

"Make it quick," one of them cautioned.

"I will," Jany promised in return.

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On that note, they ventured inside the city itself.

The streets of Cardana were a maze of wooden walkways suspended among the colossal trees.

Buildings, intricately woven into the natural environment, stood as testaments to the coexistence between the city and the forest. The air buzzed with the subtle hum of Essence. Rin felt like she could almost feel it slipping into her lungs as she walked forward.

[Holy crap...] Rin thought. [I'm actually in Cardana right now. Wow.]

That was nothing to scoff at, given that nobody had heard from this place in years.

The people of Cardana moved around in attire that seemed an extension of the forest itself. Earthy tones and flowing fabrics blended seamlessly with the surroundings.

Market stalls lined the pathways, showcasing vibrant fruits, exotic flowers, and artifacts crafted with a delicate touch. Merchants, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion, observed the newcomers with a discerning gaze.

The girls, led by Jany through the enchanting streets, garnered a mix of whispers and intrigued glances.

"Keep your heads low," Jany whispered to them. "Try not to draw attention to yourselves."

They approached a central plaza adorned with a majestic tree, its leaves shimmering with a magical glow.

A gathering of residents, drawn by the unusual arrival, formed a quiet audience.

One of the individuals here, a tall man wearing white robes, walked forward.

Jany bowed to him.

"We seek healing for our friend. Once she's well, we'll leave without causing any trouble."

"Hm..." The man's eyes landed on Lisa quickly. It only took a couple of seconds before he nodded. "Come."

[Maybe he recognized Lisa's condition? I hope so...]

He took them to a small building with a blue X painted onto it.

Various sick individuals sat on white beds. Instead of using one of those, the man rolled out a mat for Lisa, positioning her carefully.

As the man began drawing intricate spellsigns in the air with practiced fingers, Jany gestured for the girls to exit.

Outside the healing chamber, Jany spoke to Rin, her voice carrying a mix of relief and concern.

"Your friend is in bad shape, but our healers are skilled. She should be fine."

Rin nodded, expressing gratitude, and then curiosity crept into her features.

"Why is there so much distrust of strangers here? I mean, we just want some help."

Jany's eyes flickered with a shadow of sadness.

"It is because of the shadows. The corpses of strangers can become conduits for the dark energy that birthed those creatures."

"What?" Rin asked. "Strangers? You mean, all those shadows we fought were made from outsiders?"

"Indeed. We do not know how or why it happens, but... You saw how hard those monsters are to kill for regular people. They cannot be allowed to multiply. We cannot allow strangers within our borders without great supervision and only briefly. It is a matter of survival."

[Huh... That's some pretty insane news. If that's seriously how those things came to be, then yeah, I get it. But, how could that happen?]

As Rin contemplated that question, she noticed something.

Xhez was still in the chamber.

---

{Xhez}

Inside the healing chamber, the man continued his spellcasting, his fingers weaving a tapestry of ethereal threads.

Naturally, Xhez committed every movement to memory.

The air shimmered with magic as he channeled the healing Spirit that Xhez had never felt before. It was different, likely unique to this part of the world.

Lisa lay on the mat, surrounded by the soft glow of this strange Essence.

Eventually, the man concluded the spell, his movements slowing.

He nodded in satisfaction as he observed the healing effects on Lisa.

[Her condition has improved dramatically,] Xhez noticed, as the darkness she'd felt from Lisa had all but left, though her eyes were still closed. [Why could my Spirit not help her?]

Xhez felt a probing gaze upon her that pulled her eyes up from Lisa.

The man, having finished attending to Lisa, turned his attention to the water sprite.

His eyes, sharp and perceptive, were fixed on her.

Xhez understood before he even made it clear.

"You are certainly no human. Who are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.