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Chapter 3 - Into the City Guard Headquarters

Sethius' friend's name was Felix. He was a tall and muscular man with short black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He had a friendly face and a warm smile, which made him popular among his colleagues. Felix had been working for the city guard for many years, and his dedication and hard work had recently paid off when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. With his new position came a small office on the third floor of the city guard headquarters, where he could work in peace and attend to his duties.

Felix and Sethius had become friends during their early years the city guard. Although they had gone their separate ways after Sethius retired, they had kept in touch and remained close. Sethius knew that Felix was obsessed with the ancient cult that used the amulet as a symbol. Felix had spent years researching the cult, trying to uncover its secrets and unravel its mysteries. He had even written a book about it, which he kept hidden in his office at the city guard headquarters. Sethius had come to the headquarters hoping to speak to Felix and get some information about the cult. He knew that Felix was the only one who could help him.

The city guard headquarters was a large building made of stone, with tall windows that allowed the sunlight to filter in during the day, unfortunately they lost their purpose since the start of the Eternal Night. The entrance was adorned with a grand wooden door that looked like it had seen better days. The steps leading up to the entrance were well-worn from years of use, and there were guards stationed on either side of the door, keeping watch over who entered and exited the building.

Inside the building, the walls were lined with various pieces of armor, swords, and shields. There were posters and flyers hanging on the walls, advertising events around the city or offering rewards for information leading to the capture of wanted criminals. The floors were made of marble, and they shone in the light coming in from the windows.

There was a large reception desk at the entrance, where visitors could check in and receive directions or assistance. The guard stationed at the desk wore a stern expression and kept a watchful eye on those entering the building. There were several doors leading off from the main entrance area, each with a sign indicating what was behind it.

Sethius walked through the main entrance area and made his way towards the offices of the higher-ranking members of the city guard. As he walked down the hall, he could hear the sound of armor clanging and swords being sharpened. The smell of metal and sweat filled the air, giving the building a distinct, musky odor.

As Sethius walked through the corridors of the city guard headquarters, he couldn't help but notice that the people there were acting strange. They seemed nervous and uneasy, avoiding eye contact and whispering to each other when they thought he wasn't looking. It was as if they were hiding something from him.

As he walked through the corridors, he could feel the tension in the air. The usually bustling headquarters was now eerily quiet, with only the sound of footsteps echoing through the halls. He could see the guards exchanging suspicious glances as he passed by, making him feel unwelcome.

Finally, he reached the third floor, where Felix's office was located. The door was closed, but Sethius could hear muffled voices coming from inside. He approached the door and pressed his ear against it, trying to listen in on the conversation.

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The voices were hushed and urgent, and Sethius couldn't make out what they were saying. He decided to try the door, but it was locked. He knocked on the door, hoping to get someone's attention, but the voices inside grew even quieter.

Sethius began to feel frustrated and angry. He knew that Felix was in there, and that he needed to speak to him. He decided to take matters into his own hands and began to search for another way into the room.

He explored the surrounding corridors and rooms, looking for a way to get into Felix's office. Finally, he found a small window at the back of the building that overlooked the courtyard. The window was locked, but Sethius used his magic to force it open.

He climbed through the window and into the room, landing softly on the floor. He looked around and saw that the room was empty. The voices he had heard earlier had gone silent.

Sethius felt a sense of dread wash over him. Something was terribly wrong, and he didn't know what to do. He decided to search the room for any clues that might help him figure out what was going on.

As he searched through the papers and books on Felix's desk, he noticed a small note that had been left on the corner of the desk. It was written in a shaky hand, and simply read:

"Stay away. Don't ask questions. It's not safe."

Sethius felt his heart sink. He knew that he was in over his head, and that he needed to get out of there before something terrible happened.

Sethius was startled by the sudden opening of the door. He quickly turned his head towards it, and his eyes met those of Jonas, one of Felix's subordinates. The expression on Jonas' face was a mix of surprise and apprehension. He quickly scanned the corridor and then stepped out of the door, closing it gently behind him.

"What are you doing here, Sethius?" Jonas asked in a low voice, looking around nervously.

"I'm looking for Felix," Sethius replied, his eyes fixed on Jonas.

"Well, he's not here," Jonas said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You shouldn't be here, either. It's not safe."

"What do you mean it's not safe?" Sethius asked, his curiosity piqued.

"There have been some strange things happening," Jonas said, his voice hushed. "People are disappearing, and no one knows where they're going. Felix has been investigating it, but he hasn't found anything yet."

Sethius felt a chill run down his spine. The thought of people disappearing without a trace was unsettling. He wondered if it had anything to do with the cult he was investigating.

"Do you know anything else?" Sethius asked, his eyes probing Jonas'.

Jonas hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I heard Felix talking to one of his informants about a meeting that was going to take place tonight. It's supposed to be in the lower district, but that's all I know."

Sethius nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to investigate this further, but he also knew that he couldn't do it alone.

"Thanks, Jonas," Sethius said, his voice quiet. "I owe you one." Sethius then left the room using the open window. Jonas nodded, closing the window.

Sethius knew he needed help if he was going to get to the bottom of this. He needed to find Felix and work with him to unravel the mystery of the disappearances. He turned on his heels and made his way back down the building, the sounds of the city guard headquarters echoing in his ears.

As he emerged onto the street, he took a deep breath of the cool night air. The street was quiet, save for a few stragglers making their way home. He glanced up at the sky, the stars twinkling in the darkness above.

As we walked through the dark streets, I could feel Sethius's tension growing. He knew he had to act fast. The meeting was tonight, and he had no idea what he was up against. He needed to find Felix and get to the bottom of this before it was too late.

We needed more information about the cult and the mysterious disappearances that Felix was investigating. Sethius knew just who to ask - an informant he had during his days in the city guard. This informant was a drug dealer who knew everything that happened in the lower city. Sethius trusted him, and he had never let us down before.

As we made our way through the narrow alleys, the smell of the lower district became stronger. The stench of garbage mixed with the scent of herbs and spices from the various shops and stalls that lined the streets. It was a stark contrast to the well-kept buildings of the upper city, but it was home to many people.

Finally, we arrived at a dingy looking building with a sign that read "The Black Lotus."