As Darian made his way back to the counter, Wei Lin and the others began to relax, allowing themselves to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the inn. The serving girl soon returned with their food—steaming bowls of stew, freshly baked bread, and cups of strong tea. They ate in silence at first, each lost in their own thoughts, the events of the day still weighing heavily on their minds.
After a while, Darian returned, sliding into his seat with a thoughtful expression. "The innkeeper's a talkative one," he said, keeping his voice low. "He mentioned something strange—there's been talk of odd occurrences in the surrounding area. People disappearing, animals acting erratically, even strange lights in the sky."
Wei Lin's gaze sharpened. "Sounds like it could be connected to the darkness."