Inside the city, everything seemed peaceful at first glance. The usual activities of daily life were ongoing—merchants peddling their wares, children playing in the streets, and townsfolk going about their business. However, Lyra’s sharp senses detected something off. While outwardly calm, there was a palpable tension among the citizens, a quiet fear hidden behind their polite smiles and averted gazes as they watched the group of travelers enter. The weight of their eyes on her and her companions felt like a silent judgment.
Lyra exchanged a telepathic glance with Yoshi, who nodded in agreement. Despite the appearance of normalcy, something was amiss. The citizens’ fear was not born of any outward violence, but a deeper, more subtle anxiety that gnawed at the edges of the city.