Chapter 113: Bones of the Forgotten!

Chapter 113: Bones of the Forgotten!

At the outskirts of Southern-Hill, the air was thick with a strange mix of foreboding and commerce. Merchants lined the streets, displaying their wares—gruesome, bone-like materials that seemed to shimmer under the dimming sun. These bones were unlike anything the group had seen before, eerily white and disturbingly familiar.

"Are those not... human bones? Why would they be displayed here?" Abdel's voice was low, but the unease in his tone cut through the din of the bustling market. His eyes were fixed on a shop where bones, gleaming like polished ivory, hung like grim trophies.

Without hesitation, Ecdy strode toward one of the merchants, his curiosity mixed with a rising dread. "Why are you selling bones? Don't you have anything else to trade?" he demanded, a trace of impatience creeping into his voice.

The merchant glanced up from his stall, his eyes narrow and suspicious. "Are you new to this town?" he asked, his voice gruff and guarded.

Ecdy nodded stiffly.

The merchant leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper that sent a chill down Ecdy's spine. "Then let me give you a piece of advice: run. Run as far from Southern-Hill as you can. This city is not what it seems. Monsters lurk in every corner. The forgotten lands... they take no prisoners." The warning was cryptic but unmistakably laced with genuine fear.

Ashley Duve, who had overheard the conversation, dismissed it with a cold, disdainful glance. Her lips curled into a slight sneer. "We enter Southern-Hill City, get what we need from the Forgotten Lands, and we leave," she announced, her voice loud enough for the group to hear. She continued marching ahead, her back straight, not once looking back at her companions.

The merchant, having overheard Ashley's bold declaration, couldn't contain his disbelief. "Is she out of her mind?" he muttered, eyes wide in horror.

Ecdy, still unnerved by the merchant's words, sighed heavily. "Join the club," he mumbled. "We've known she's crazy for a while now."

The merchant's gaze darted between Ecdy and the rest of the group. "The bones you see here," he gestured toward the haunting displays, "are from the entrance of the Forgotten Lands. Every day, fresh heaps of bones are left there, remnants of those who dared to enter. People here make a living from crafting materials out of them. But mark my words—heading there is suicidal. Even Southernhill itself is a gamble. You're all walking toward your graves."

But Ashley pressed forward, undeterred. She led them into the heart of Southern-Hill, her pace relentless. Contrary to the merchant's warnings, the city bustled with life. Markets thrived, taverns were lively, and streets overflowed with traders and travelers. It was a thriving metropolis. Confusion washed over the group. Could a place so dangerous truly be so full of life?

Despite the apparent normalcy, the group was tense. Ecdy and Abdel scanned their surroundings, searching for any hidden threat, while Nymff, Nyala, and Lhize monitored the crowd, every stranger's gaze feeling like a potential dagger in their backs. Suspicion hung thick in the air.

Eventually, the group entered a small, dimly-lit tavern to rest. Even Ashley, who had been marching ahead with purpose, allowed a brief respite. The body she occupied—Tessa's—was dehydrated, and it was taking a toll.

Inside, they ordered food and drinks, as they had done under Tessa's guidance. But when the bar attendant asked for payment, a tense silence fell over the group. Everyone turned to Ashley, expecting her to handle it. They had grown used to Tessa's magic, the way she effortlessly conjured money when needed. But Ashley wasn't Tessa.

Ashley's eyes narrowed as she felt the weight of their stares. "What?" she snapped. "Don't you all pay for your own food? Or do you expect me to babysit you?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances. "Tessa usually... she handles it," Ecdy started, but Nyala quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, cutting him off.

Ashley's expression darkened, her eyes cold. "You fools. Comparing me to that girl? Just because you're still alive doesn't mean it's Christmas every day. Once I'm done with you, you'll wish you were dead," she hissed, her words a chilling promise.

The tension in the room thickened, but Nyala, who had secretly been given money by Tessa for such occasions, stepped forward. "Don't worry. Drink and eat as you wish. I'll handle the rest."

Though confused, the group followed her lead. They ordered modestly—some side dishes, water, and ale to quench their thirst. As they ate, they struck up conversations with the locals, subtly probing for information.

"We're curious," Adrian began, his tone casual as he addressed a short, hunchbacked man sitting nearby. "Where are the infamous Forgotten Lands located?"

The man, barely taller than the table, looked up sharply. His eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and dread. "You're not planning on going there, are you?" he rasped. "That place... only death awaits."

Adrian slid a few coins across the table. The man's expression softened at the sight of the money, and with a resigned sigh, he pulled out a worn map from his coat pocket. "In case you die, don't say I didn't warn you," he muttered, handing it over before quickly rising to leave.

"Is it really that dangerous?" Ecdy whispered, leaning closer to Adrian. "Should we reconsider?"

Adrian's gaze briefly flicked toward Ashley before returning to Ecdy. "We need Tessa back," he said quietly. "She might be our only hope in navigating this place."

Before any more words could be exchanged, Ashley stood abruptly. "It's time to go," she announced, her tone brooking no argument. She marched out of the tavern, not once looking back.

The group followed her reluctantly, dread pooling in their stomachs. Whispers followed them as they left.

"Those poor souls have no idea what they're walking into," one patron muttered.

"They'll be dead soon enough," another agreed.

A man in the corner, watching them leave, chuckled darkly. "Their bones will make for fine wares. They won't last long in Southern-Hill."

The door swung shut behind them, the chatter inside growing distant as they stepped back into the cold, dangerous streets. The journey to the Forgotten Lands was just beginning, but already, the weight of death loomed heavily on their shoulders.