The dim light of the oil lamp flickered softly, casting long shadows across the small room in Fanous Inn. Lira Avryon sat on the edge of the bed, her ruby-red eyes fixed on her brother, Kael, who stood by the window, his back to her.
The tension in the room was palpable, a quiet storm brewing between them. She had been searching for him for hours, her worry mounting with every passing minute, only to find him here, unharmed but evasive.
"Where were you, Kael?" Lira's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—a mother's worry mixed with a sister's frustration. She crossed her arms, her whip coiled neatly at her side, as if ready to lash out at his excuses.
Kael turned slightly, his crimson eyes meeting hers. There was a flicker of something in his gaze—guilt, perhaps, or maybe just reluctance. "I was meeting someone," he said simply, his tone neutral.
"Someone?" Lira raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Who?"
"A mentor," Kael replied, his voice firm but not unkind. He didn't elaborate, and Lira could tell he wasn't going to.
The way he held himself—taller, more confident—spoke volumes. He had changed. Grown. And while part of her was proud, another part felt a pang of unease. Her little brother was no longer the fragile boy she had sworn to protect. He was becoming something more, something she couldn't fully understand.
She wanted to press him, to demand answers, but the look in his eyes stopped her. There was a quiet determination there, a resolve that told her he wasn't hiding anything malicious. If he had found someone to guide him, someone who could help him grow stronger, then who was she to question it? After all, she had always wanted him to stand on his own.
"Alright," she said finally, her tone softening. "But next time, tell me where you're going. I was worried."
Kael nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I will."
The tension in the room eased, and Lira leaned back, her whip resting loosely in her lap. She studied her brother for a moment, noting the subtle changes in him—the way he carried himself, the confidence in his movements. He had always been strong in his own way, but now there was a sharpness to him, a readiness that hadn't been there before.
"Anyway," she said, breaking the silence, "I picked up a quest for us. A subjugation mission near Greythorne's supply lines. Routine stuff—rogue beasts causing trouble. But it's good experience, and we could use the rewards."
Kael turned fully to face her, his interest clearly piqued. "A quest? What kind of beasts are we talking about?"
"The usual," Lira said with a shrug. "Shadow wolves, maybe a few stray Darkspawns. Nothing we can't handle." She paused, then added with a smirk, "Though I'm sure you'll show off whatever new tricks your *mentor* taught you."
Kael chuckled, but there was a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Sounds like a plan."
Lira reached into her system interface, her fingers flicking through the menus with practiced ease. A moment later, a notification chimed in Kael's mind.
[System Alert:]
Lira Avryon has sent you a party invite. Accept?
Kael accepted without hesitation, and another notification followed.
[System Alert:]
You have been added to Lira Avryon's party. Party members: 2.
Lira stood, her whip uncoiling slightly as she stretched. "Let's get moving. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can get paid."
*********
The forest outside Greythorne was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife replaced by an oppressive silence. Lira led the way, her whip coiled loosely in her hand, while Kael followed a few steps behind, his sword resting at his side. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made the hairs on the back of Lira's neck stand on end.
"Something's not right," she muttered, her eyes scanning the shadows. "It's too quiet."
Kael nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "I feel it too. Stay sharp."
They moved cautiously, their footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor. The supply lines were just ahead, marked by a series of wooden carts and crates scattered along the path. But instead of rogue beasts, what they found made Lira's blood run cold.
A rift.
It was small, no larger than a man, but it pulsed with a malevolent energy that made the air around it shimmer. Dark tendrils of energy snaked out from its edges, twisting and writhing like living things. And from within its depths, Lira could hear the unmistakable sound of growling, snarling, and the clatter of claws on stone.
"Kael," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We need to—"
Before she could finish, the rift erupted. A wave of dark energy burst forth, and from its depths poured a horde of Darkspawns—twisted, grotesque creatures with glowing red eyes and jagged claws. They moved with unnatural speed, their forms shifting and blurring as they charged toward the siblings.
"Get ready!" Lira shouted, her whip snapping out in a wide arc. The tip struck the lead Darkspawn, sending it sprawling, but more were already closing in.
Kael didn't need to be told twice. His sword flashed in the dim light, cutting through the shadows with deadly precision. The two fought back-to-back, their movements perfectly synchronized despite the chaos around them.
But the Darkspawns kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Lira's whip lashed out again and again, each strike precise and calculated, but the creatures were relentless. She could feel her stamina waning, her movements growing slower with each passing second.
"Kael!" she called, her voice strained. "We can't hold them off forever!"
Kael didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. But even he was starting to falter, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he fought to keep the Darkspawns at bay.
And then, just as Lira thought they might be overwhelmed, the rift pulsed again. This time, something larger emerged—a massive Darkspawn, its body covered in jagged armor and its eyes burning with a malevolent light.
Lira's heart sank. This wasn't just a routine subjugation mission anymore. This was a full-scale invasion.
The massive Darkspawn lunged, its claws aimed straight for Kael. Lira's eyes widened in horror as she realized he wouldn't be able to dodge in time.
"Kael!" she screamed, her whip lashing out in a desperate attempt to pull him to safety. But it was too late.
The Darkspawn's claws struck, and the world seemed to slow as Lira watched in helpless terror.