In the bustling market of Riverbranch Town, Aeron, Emma, Kael, Miley, and their escort, Leo, strolled through the cobblestone streets. Vibrant stalls lined the pathways, brimming with fresh produce, colorful fabrics, and trinkets unique to the region. The gentle murmur of the river in the distance mingled with the lively chatter of merchants and townsfolk.
"This town is beautiful," Emma said, her eyes sparkling as she admired the quaint charm of the place.
"It's the only town in this continent situated right by the river," Leo explained with a proud smile. "The grass, the trees, the flowers—everything you see here is unique to this land."
"Even the people seem nice," Kael added, glancing at the lively marketplace around them.
"And the air…" Emma took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. "It's so fresh. Unlike the polluted air back home."
Leo chuckled. "You'll enjoy it here."
Aeron, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke up. "Hey, mind if I ask you something?"
Leo turned to him. "Sure, ask me anything."
Aeron's eyes narrowed slightly. "There are a total of eleven continents, right? How come we can only travel to eight? What's on the other three?"
Leo's smile faded a little, and his expression grew serious. "I don't know much about them myself," he admitted. "We were taught to never go there."
"Why?" Emma asked, her curiosity piqued.
"They say that's where the Demon King originally came from. That place is said to be crawling with thousands of his kind… but for some reason, they never leave," Leo explained, lowering his voice slightly.
A chill ran through the group. The weight of his words lingered in the air.
Emma shivered. "That's… terrifying."
"It's just a myth, though," Leo quickly added, trying to lighten the mood. "At least, that's what most people believe."
Aeron, however, wasn't convinced. His expression remained firm as he asked, "What do you know about the Demon King?"
As they were talking, Emma noticed Miley stayed silent the entire time. "You're awfully quiet," Emma said, turning to her with a gentle smile. "Say something to proof your existence"
"I-I don't know what to say," Miley replied, her voice barely above a whisper, her shoulders tense.
Emma's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Just say whatever comes to mind! It doesn't have to be anything fancy."
Miley hesitated, biting her lip as she gathered her thoughts. After a moment, she asked, "Why does every Demon King have to be evil?" Her voice was soft and trembling, but the question hung in the air, drawing their attention.
Kael raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's the first thing you decide to say? What a silly question."
"They're called demons, Miley," Emma replied with a chuckle. "It's kinda in the name! Evil is part of the job description."
Kael shook his head, his smirk widening. "Looks like you're catching Mihon Virus," he teased. "Right now, he's probably out there making his entire group laugh in the middle of some serious situation."
Aeron turned to Kael, his curiosity piqued. "Were you friends with Mihon before coming to this world?"
Kael shook his head. "No, we met for the first time in that forest during the test."
The conversation continued, their voices mingling with the lively ambiance of the marketplace. Each word they exchanged carried the weight of their shared experiences and the growing bond between them, as they walked deeper into the heart of Riverbranch Town.
Among the bustling crowd of Riverbranch Town, Aeron's eyes caught a shadowy figure that made his breath hitch. His heart raced—it was him. The mysterious assassin who haunted his dreams. Without thinking, Aeron bolted, weaving through the throng, his eyes fixed on the fleeting figure.
He didn't stop to explain or call for his comrades. All that mattered was catching him. The assassin moved quickly, disappearing around corners with the ease of a phantom. Aeron pushed himself harder, his pulse pounding in his ears, but after several twists and turns, he found himself alone. The assassin had vanished into thin air, leaving Aeron standing in an unfamiliar part of town. His chest heaved as he realized the unsettling truth—he was lost.
As he strained his ears for any sound, a faint, pitiful sob reached him. A child's cry. Aeron turned toward the sound, his instincts on high alert, and cautiously followed it to a dimly lit alley. There, huddled in the corner, was a little girl, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her face.
"Hey, little one," Aeron said softly, crouching down to her level. "Why are you crying?"
The girl wiped her nose, her small frame trembling. "I… I lost my mommy," she replied, her voice breaking with sorrow.
Aeron's heart ached for her. "Do you know where your home is?" he asked gently.
The girl nodded, her teary eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.
"Alright," Aeron said with a reassuring smile. "Let's get you home, okay?"
The girl extended her tiny hand, and Aeron took it, his grip firm yet gentle. She led him through winding streets, her steps small and hesitant. They left the town behind, the comforting noise of the market fading into the quiet rustle of leaves as they entered the edge of a dense forest. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows that stretched across the path. Aeron's unease grew with each step.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Aeron asked, glancing down at the girl.
"Yes," she said softly, her tone unwavering. "This is the way."
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at an old, rusted house hidden deep within the forest. The house seemed to groan under the weight of time, its broken windows and warped wood radiating an unsettling air.
Aeron hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he studied the decrepit building. "Are you sure this is where you live?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
The little girl stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to him. A smile spread across her lips, but it wasn't the innocent smile of a child. It was something far more sinister. Her voice dropped an octave, chilling and mocking as she replied, "Why would I lie to you? Can't anyone live here?"
A wave of dread washed over Aeron. His grip tightened on the hilt of his knife as the girl's body began to twist and shift. Her limbs elongated grotesquely, her once-small frame growing monstrous. Her soft features melted away, replaced by a hideous, otherworldly flash eating monster named Morgra.
Morgra, a flash eating moster is tall and gaunt, with pale, mottled skin that seems to writhe as if alive. Veins pulsate beneath the surface, glowing faintly with an eerie green hue, and patches of flesh appear rotted and peeling. Her face is perhaps her most terrifying feature. It is partially human, partially skeletal, with elongated, jagged teeth that seem too large for her mouth. Black, soulless eyes void of pupils reflect a predatory hunger, and her hair is a tangle of oily, thread-like tendrils that move as if they have a life of their own. When she speaks, her voice carries a chilling resonance, echoing with malice. It's takes the form of human, lures them to isolated place and devours them.
Aeron stumbled back, his heart hammering in his chest. "What the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the icy fear gripping him.
The creature let out a low, guttural laugh, its voice echoing in the darkening forest. "I'm just a little girl who lost her mommy."
Before Aeron could process anything, a sharp blow landed on the back of his head, rendering him unconscious.