The Unfortunate Maris (2) The Will for Vengeance

I pulled my hood lower, my heart pounding as I watched Professor Draven stride into the tavern. His presence seemed to suck the air out of the room, the dim light reflecting off his sharp, cold features. I didn't dare move, didn't dare draw any attention to myself. The professor's icy blue eyes scanned the room with a detached interest, finally settling on the bartender.

The bartender, a grizzled man with a scar running down his cheek, visibly paled at the sight of Draven. He muttered something under his breath, then spoke louder, "Then I guess you're not part of them, unlike the rumors said..."

To my surprise, Draven didn't react with anger. He merely nodded and sighed softly. "Rumors often contain half-truths. Now, let's discuss something more factual."

Draven's voice was cold and precise, slicing through the murky air of the tavern. He leaned on the counter, his posture relaxed but his eyes steely. "I'm looking for information about the Deadly Hollows."

The bartender's eyes flickered with fear, but he tried to maintain his composure. "The Deadly Hollows, eh? Dangerous group, that. Why would someone like you be interested?"

Draven didn't answer immediately. He let the silence hang, a palpable tension filling the space between them. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in their activities. Now, tell me what you know."

The bartender hesitated, glancing around nervously. Draven leaned in slightly, his gaze intensifying. "Your cooperation would be... appreciated," he said, the implied threat clear in his tone.

The bartender gulped, wiping his forehead with a shaky hand. "Alright, alright. What do you want to know?"

"Everything," Draven replied, his voice a low growl. "Start with their recent movements."

The bartender nodded, his voice a shaky whisper. "They've been more active lately. Rumors say they're planning something big. A new leader's taken charge—someone ruthless, ambitious. They've been gathering more followers, promising power and wealth to those who join."

Draven's eyes narrowed. "Names. Locations."

The bartender licked his lips, glancing around again before continuing. "The new leader goes by the name 'Revenant.' No one knows his real identity, but he's charismatic, a master manipulator. They operate out of the old warehouse district by the docks. There's a network of tunnels beneath, where they hold their meetings and conduct... business."

Draven leaned back, processing the information. "What do you hear about what they want?"

The bartender's eyes darted nervously. "Power, control. They're after something big, something that'll give them leverage over the city. There's talk of an artifact, something ancient and powerful. But the biggest thing is that people said they kill to increase their strength. It's in the form of a ritual or something. They believe it's hidden somewhere in the city, and they're willing to kill for it."

"An artifact?" Draven's voice was a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Do you know what it is?"

The bartender shook his head. "No, just that it's old and powerful. Some say it's a weapon, others think it's some kind of magical relic. Whatever it is, they believe it'll give them the power to take control."

Draven nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "And what about their members? Any names, or faces I should be aware of?"

The bartender hesitated again, then spoke quickly. "A few names come up more often. There's Roderick, a brute of a man—handles most of the muscle for them. Then there's Selene, a witch with a knack for dark magic. And Kade, a slippery thief who handles their more... delicate operations."

Draven's eyes glinted with a cold light. "I see. Very useful."

The bartender nodded, relief evident on his face. "Is that all you need?"

"For now," Draven said, reaching into his coat. He tossed a gold coin onto the counter. "For your troubles."

The bartender caught the coin, his eyes widening in surprise. "Thank you, sir."

Draven didn't respond, turning on his heel and walking out of the tavern. As the door closed behind him, the room seemed to exhale, the tension dissipating.

I waited a few moments before slipping out of my hiding spot. My heart was still pounding, but now it was with a mix of fear and determination. The information I had overheard was more than I had hoped for. The Deadly Hollows, a leader named Revenant, and a hidden artifact—pieces of a puzzle that could lead me to my family's killers.

The thought of returning home, of facing the emptiness and silence, was unbearable. Instead, I decided to follow the lead I had just gained. I left the tavern, pulling my father's black cloak tighter around me as I stepped into the night.

The streets were quiet, the moon casting an eerie glow over the cobblestones. I moved swiftly, my mind focused on the task ahead. The warehouse district by the docks—if that's where the Deadly Hollows were hiding, then that's where I needed to go.

As I walked, I felt a strange sense of resolve. The fear and grief that had been consuming me were now channeled into a single purpose. I would find the Deadly Hollows. I would make them pay for what they had done to my family.

When I reached the docks, the air was thick with the smell of saltwater and decay. The warehouses loomed in the darkness, their windows like empty eyes staring out at the sea. I moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows as I approached the area the bartender had described.

I found the entrance to the tunnels hidden behind a stack of crates. It was a narrow, unassuming doorway that led down into the earth. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding. Then I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead.

I descended the steps, the darkness swallowing me whole. The air grew cooler and damper as I went deeper, the sound of dripping water echoing through the narrow passage. My grip tightened on my wand, the familiar weight comforting in my hand.

The tunnel opened up into a larger chamber, dimly lit by flickering torches. I could hear voices—low, conspiratorial murmurs. I crept closer, staying hidden in the shadows.

From my vantage point, I could see a group of figures gathered around a table, maps spread out before them. The leader, who I assumed was Revenant, stood at the head of the table. He was a tall, imposing figure, cloaked in dark robes that seemed to absorb the light. His face was obscured by a hood, but his presence radiated authority and menace.

The others at the table included Roderick, the brute the bartender had mentioned. He was a hulking man with a scarred face and arms like tree trunks. Beside him stood Selene, a woman with an aura of dark magic about her. Her eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and her fingers twitched as if itching to cast a spell. Kade, the thief, was a wiry man with quick, darting eyes that never seemed to stay in one place for long.

Revenant spoke, his voice a low, commanding rumble. "We are close, my friends. The true truth is within our grasp. Once we have it, nothing will stand in our way."

Roderick grunted in approval. "About time. I'm getting tired of waiting."

Selene's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Patience, Roderick. Power of this magnitude is worth the wait."

Kade nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've been working on a few more 'acquisitions' that should help us locate the artifact. Some of the city's finest minds, shall we say."

Revenant's hooded head turned slightly, and I felt his gaze sweep over the room. I held my breath, praying he wouldn't notice me. "Good. Continue your efforts, Kade. We need that artifact, and we need it soon."

As the group continued to discuss their plans, I listened intently, trying to absorb every detail. The artifact they sought was clearly of immense power, and they believed it was hidden somewhere in the city, maybe inside the tower of Magic University. They mentioned several potential locations, including old catacombs beneath the cathedral and an abandoned mage's tower on the outskirts of town.

I felt a surge of determination. If I could find this artifact before they did, I might have a chance to stop them and avenge my family. But I needed to be smart about it. Charging in recklessly would only get me killed.

Revenant's voice cut through my thoughts. "We move out tomorrow night. Be prepared. We cannot afford any mistakes."

The group nodded in agreement, and the meeting began to break up. I knew I had to leave before they discovered me. I carefully retraced my steps, slipping back into the tunnel and making my way to the surface.

I need a plan.

Those scums will possibly have a certain distance from each other, splitting up to search different locations they've located and decided to check on. I need to be smart on my options, but even if I don't find the artifact, I would have the chance to kill one of them.

I have to kill them.

Those bastards.

I won't let them live.