Maya looked at me in disbelief. "We just started walking through this amazing city, and all you can think about is Elyria. Is she really worth all this?"

"What do you mean?" I responded, my voice sharp.

"Well, we just got here, and I thought we agreed that you were going to talk to the mayor about the town management system in VERTEX that mirrors the real world?" She touched my upper arm then and rubbed it, almost a caress.

"Look, you've been a big help, and I probably do need to learn about the town management system, but she's my partner. She's given up a lot to be with me and try to help Earth. I know this is just VR, but I'm not going to just forget about her."

She gave me a hard look, but she softened quickly. "Okay, fine. How about this: we look for Elyria, but I also send word for the mayor and we can try to do both. Does that work?"

"Okay, sure, I guess, but Elyria gets priority. I mean it."

She held up her hands as if to say, "Okay, I give up."

I thanked her, and she gave me a smile and let go of my arm. I could still feel it burning as we made our way deeper into the city.

We asked around for any information about Elyria, describing her features to anyone who would listen: lithe, beautiful, smart, witty, with golden hair. The city's diverse inhabitants were surprisingly friendly and helpful. We stopped at various shops and stalls, inquiring if anyone had seen her. Maya seemed to be getting short with me, her patience wearing thin as we went along.

"How many more people are we going to ask?" Maya said, her frustration evident. "We've been at this for hours."

"Just one more," I insisted, scanning the crowd for someone who might know something. "Then we'll take a break."

"We're very close to the mayor's house," she suggested, her tone almost pleading. "Let's just go talk to him quickly. We can use a break."

"One more," I repeated, resolute.

We approached a small shop with a colorful awning, its shelves lined with various trinkets and baubles. An elderly elf sat behind the counter. She looked like what I pictured a standard old lady elf looked like, except for her eyes, there was a youthful shine to them that was appealing, she stood out.

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"Excuse me," I began, describing Elyria's features once again. The elf listened intently, her expression thoughtful.

"Yes," she finally said, nodding. "I saw her. She was heading towards The Giggling Goblin. It's easy to find. Just follow this main street until you reach the large fountain with the statue of a goblin that looks like it's giggling. From there, take a left and you'll see it down the second alley on your right."

Relief washed over me and I picked the elf up in a giant bear hug, giving her a twirl. I set her down and she appeared to be very flustered as she fixed her hair, the nice old lady was blushing profusely now. “It was nothing.” She said.

Maya hit me then. “Be careful.” She said.

“Sorry!” I yelled as I ran out of the store. We immediately made our way to The Giggling Goblin. After a few minutes heading in the direction she pointed we saw it… a comically exaggerated goblin with wide eyes and a huge grin, holding its belly as if it was laughing. I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it. The sight of the goblin was both absurd and endearing.

I wasted no time running into the inn, I had really missed Elyria. The inn itself was a charming, two-story building with a sign depicting a goblin with a wide, toothy grin, holding its belly as if caught in mid-laugh. The stone facade was covered in ivy, and warm light spilled from the windows, casting a welcoming glow onto the cobblestone street.

Inside, the inn was bustling with activity. The common room was cozy, with wooden beams across the ceiling and a large hearth crackling with a roaring fire. The scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and drinking. A few dudes from various races were even playing some kind of card game.

We approached the innkeeper, a stout dwarf with a thick beard and hard eyes. I described Elyria to him, her lithe figure, golden hair, and sharp wit. He nodded and admitted he recognized her.

"Aye, she was here," he said, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. "Left just a few hours ago, heading towards Ebonfall."

looked to Maya and saw a look of worry on her face. I ordered a drink and some food, then motioned for her to sit down. The innkeeper nodded and got to work as Maya and I found a quiet table in the corner.

Once we were seated, I leaned in. "Why did you make that face when he said Ebonfall?"

She shuddered slightly, her eyes avoiding mine. "I know of it. It's not a place you want to go."

I tried to muster some bluster, pushing down the fear that gnawed at the edges of my mind. "Out with it," I said, attempting to sound braver than I felt. "What do you know about Ebonfall?"

Maya took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Ebonfall used to be called Ebonspire. It was a thriving city, known for its ebony crafts and wealth. But something happened—some kind of curse or magical catastrophe. The ebony mines collapsed, the land withered, and a perpetual twilight descended over the area. They say the sky darkened and the air grew cold, like the land itself was dying."

I listened intently as she continued. "People started calling it Ebonfall after the disaster. Most of the population either died or fled, leaving behind a ghost city. The place is avoided by most everyone now. Sure the dumbest adventurers go there sometimes but they never go back. It's filled with dark magic, traps, and who knows what else."

As she finished, a question filled my mind. “Why would she go there then?”