Kade stood there, his eyes locked on the twin trees in front of him. Their aged trunks stood apart, spaced with a bit of distance like ancient guardians, protecting something hidden from view. Although it felt like there was still more ground to cover, the man had stopped, leaving Kade no choice but to halt as well.
The man began to speak, his voice a low murmur in a language too strange to comprehend. The atmosphere around him shifted slightly, carrying a strange heaviness. Kade, standing behind him, had his hands tucked into his pockets. Waiting.
While his eyes wandered to study the surroundings, something about the man captured his attention. His attire, though seemingly simple, had a distinct style—a black, well-pressed crepe long-sleeve shirt that hung loosely, complemented by matching trousers and tactical-style boots. The absence of style/accessories on the clothing only amplified its striking presence.
But it wasn't the outfit alone that piqued Kade's interest. As the man slightly turned his neck while chanting, Kade caught a glimpse of something at the back of his neck—a marking. It resembled the open jaws of a vicious snake, etched into his skin like a tattoo. Its intricacy made it appear alive, as if the serpent was frozen mid-strike. The black collar of his shirt concealed part of it, but the starkness of the design was unmistakable.
Kade's curiosity was short-lived as the man abruptly stopped chanting. His muscles tensed, sensing that whatever was coming next wouldn't be ordinary.
Then, without warning, the man raised his right hand. It moved as if slicing through the air, and for a brief moment, his hand seemed to vanish into thin air. The space before him rippled, undulating like fabric being tugged by an invisible force. The air shimmered unnaturally, bending light and perception.
The man turned his head slightly, his unsettling smile returning as he gestured for Kade to enter.
Kade paused, irritation flaring at the man's unyielding grin. Yet, he remained silent, pushing his thoughts aside as he moved forward. The crunch of leaves under his boots resonated in the quiet, blending with the subtle hum of the distorted air.
As Kade stepped through the rippling space, an unusual chill enveloped him, as if he had entered an entirely different atmosphere. The man followed closely behind, his hand steady as it kept the fabric of space open. Then, with a swift motion, he let go, the distortion seamlessly weaving itself back into the air as if it had never been there.
They now stood before an old, weathered building, its structure slightly leaning under the burden of time. Above the entrance, a faded emblem hung, its original design barely visible...a purpose long lost.
Kade instinctively scanned his surroundings and stepped back a bit, allowing the man to take the lead. Without hesitation, the man moved toward the battered wooden door, its surface marked with deep scratches and peeling paint.
Kade followed closely, the air thick with the scent of damp wood and earth. The man pushed the creaking door open and stepped inside, his movements as fluid as ever. Kade paused for a moment, his eyes darting around, catching the faint traces of magic still lingering in the air.
[Teleportation magic that smooth... interesting,] he mused silently, before stepping through and pulling the door shut behind him.
As the door closed behind them, the only sound Kade could hear was the steady echo of their footsteps on the wooden floor as they made their way down a dimly lit corridor. The walls were covered in faded wallpaper that curled at the edges, and with each step, the covered the distance
At last, they reached yet another door. The man opened it without any fanfare and stepped inside. Kade followed closely, his right foot crossing the threshold.
The instant Kade's foot touched the floor inside, he sensed it—a presence brushing against his awareness. It wasn't overwhelming, but it carried an undeniable weight. What disturbed him more was the odd familiarity of it, as if he had encountered something similar before but couldn't quite recall where. His instincts heightened, and he turned his head to the right with a smooth motion.
In the shadows sat a figure, his posture relaxed yet his presence subtly commanding. There was a quiet intensity about him that caused Kade's brow to furrow. He focused on the blindfold tightly wrapped around the man's eyes.
Despite the apparent lack of sight, the man tilted his head slightly, as though aware of Kade's attention. He offered a faint smile—not warm or welcoming, it was something unreadable, almost playful.
Kade shifted his stance subtly, keeping himself poised yet calm. The air between them felt still until a voice disrupted it.
"Him?"
Jingo's voice carried a hint of disbelief, breaking the moment and drawing Kade's attention back to the room.
Just then, Kade looked straight ahead and noticed them—Ghent and Ewald leaning casually against the wall. Jingo was now standing near the window, arms folded, his earlier question still lingering in the air, while Mark stood beside him, equally quiet and brooding.
Kade glanced around the room. [Why just them? Where's Haze?] he wondered silently. The question hung in his mind, but he decided to stay quiet. Someone would explain eventually, and as though answering his unspoken thoughts, the mindbugger finally spoke.
"Well, now that you're all gathered," he began, his voice smooth yet laced with mockery. "Well, all except for one," he added with a sly grin, his eyes settling on Kade for a moment too long.
Kade straightened a bit, his jaw tightening.
"You are to carry out a task. A difficult one," the man continued, his smile widening into something unnerving. "One that you might not come out of alive."
Kade turned his gaze slowly toward him, unimpressed. [Classic jester scheme.] He thought, brushing the statement off as exaggerated theatrics.
The mindbugger's grin never wavered. "Along the kingdom's borders, there lies a small army. Your mission is to annihilate every last one of them."