Sethius pushed open the door, and we stepped into a dimly lit room. The air was thick with smoke, and the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air.

As Sethius stepped inside the Black Lotus, he was greeted with a scene of opulence that he had never seen before. The room was dimly lit with the flickering of candles, casting shadows across the room. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries that depicted scenes of ancient battles and religious ceremonies. The floor was made of polished marble, reflecting the flickering light of the candles.

The air was thick with the heady scent of perfumes, incense, and burning herbs. The patrons of the Black Lotus were dressed in their finest silks and jewels, their faces painted with intricate designs. They lounged on plush cushions, sipping on glasses of rich red wine, and smoking pipes filled with sweet-smelling tobacco.

The sound of soft music filled the room, played by a small orchestra of musicians in the corner. The melody was sweet and haunting, echoing through the room and adding to the ambiance. The patrons chatted softly with each other, their voices a low murmur that mixed with the music.

As Sethius made his way through the room, he noticed that the patrons were not just ordinary people. They were merchants, nobles, and politicians. They spoke in hushed tones and exchanged meaningful glances, making Sethius feel like an outsider in their world.

The servers that glided through the room were dressed in immaculate black and gold uniforms, their movements graceful and almost hypnotic. They carried trays filled with exotic delicacies, from candied fruits to spiced meats.

Sethius couldn't help but notice the air of decadence that pervaded the Black Lotus. The patrons seemed to be living in their own world of luxury and excess, and the establishment itself seemed to cater to their every whim. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he made his way through the crowd, wondering what kind of secrets lay hidden behind the walls of the Black Lotus.

Despite the opulence of the establishment, Sethius couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He noticed a few patrons eyeing him with suspicion, their faces darkening as he made his way past them. He felt like an intruder in their world of luxury, a reminder of the harsh realities of the world outside.

Behind the bar was a heavyset man with a bald head and a thick beard. His name was Khael, and he was known to be the best source of information in the city's lower district. As Sethius approached him, Khael's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Khael," Sethius said, approaching him with a frown on his face.

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"Well, well, well, look who it is," Khael said, grinning widely. "What brings you here, old friend?"

"I need some information," Sethius said, getting straight to the point. "I'm looking for a cult, and I also want you to tell me anything you know about some missing people."

Khael's expression changed from amusement to greed in an instant. "Information isn't cheap, you know," he said, rubbing his hands together.

"I know," Sethius said, pulling out a small pouch of coins. "But I need this, Khael. Lives are at stake."

Khael weighed the pouch in his hand for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll tell you what I know. But it'll cost you extra if you want more."

Sethius nodded, and Khael leaned in closer. "I haven't heard anything about a cult, but I do know about some people who have gone missing recently. Some of them were regulars here. I don't know what's happening to them, but it's been going on for a while now."

Sethius frowned. "Do you know when it started?"

Khael shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe a few months ago. It's hard to keep track of these things."

Sethius sighed. "That's not much to go on."

Khael grinned again. "But I do have another piece of information that might interest you. I've heard some strange rumors about an old church outside the city walls. Apparently, some people have been going there for some kind of secret meetings. I don't know what they're up to, but it can't be good."

Sethius hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, tell me more about this church."

Khael leaned in even closer, his eyes gleaming with greed. "That'll cost you extra," he said.

Sethius scowled but reached for his pouch of coins again. I could feel his frustration and annoyance, but he knew he had no choice if he wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"The church is ancient, Sethius. It's been around since before the Great War. It was dedicated to a god of healing and mercy, but it's been abandoned for years now. Nobody goes there anymore," Khael said.

"Why not?" Sethius asked.

"Because outside the walls is no longer safe. The eternal darkness has brought all sorts of creatures out of hiding. There are rumors of beasts that roam the countryside, of demons and witches that haunt the forests. Nobody wants to risk going out there."

I nodded, understanding his concern. "But what about the hunters? Don't they go outside the walls to hunt?"

"They do. But they stick to the areas that are closest to the city. They know better than to venture too far out."

Khael then leaned in closer and said, "But I've heard stories, Sethius. Stories about strange things that happen at that church. Whispers in the wind, shadows that move on their own, voices coming from nowhere. Some hunters have even claimed to have seen ghosts lurking inside the church."

Sethius raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "Ghosts? Come on, Khael. You can't expect me to believe in that sort of thing."

Khael shrugged. "Believe what you will, Sethius. But I'm telling you, there's something strange going on at that church. And if you're looking for answers about the disappearances, that might be a good place to start."

Sethius thought about it for a moment, weighing his options. Going to the church would be risky, but it could also provide valuable information. "All right, Khael. I'll check it out. But if anything happens to me, you're going to regret it."

Khael just grinned, his eyes gleaming with avarice. "Of course, of course. But if you find anything valuable in that church, don't forget who gave you the information."

Sethius rolled his eyes, knowing full well that Khael was only interested in making a profit. But we had no choice. If we wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery, we had to take the risk. And so, with a heavy heart, Sethius got up planning to go towards the abandoned church outside the city walls.

As he made his way out of the Black Lotus, he couldn't help but feel relieved. The opulence and decadence of the establishment had left him feeling uneasy, and he was eager to return to the gritty reality of the streets. But the memory of the Black Lotus would stay with him, a reminder of the stark contrast between the worlds of the rich and the poor, and the secrets that lay hidden behind the walls of the city.