The Villiage to the South

[Congratulations Galen you are now level 5]

[New skilled learned: Incinerating Flash]

[Takes 10 mana total]

"Alright! I can finally use more attacks!" Galen shouted excitedly.

"Image Crasher!" Christian yelled.

[-10 Mana 190/200]

As his sword smashed into the ground it created crystals of light to push out of the ground exploding on impact at the low level slimes that were spawning beneath him. They began running for cover from their attackers. The three adventurers continued pushing forward.

"I wonder if we'll get anything good from this area," Hollyn spoke up, eyeing the area suspiciously.

The small green creature appeared in front of them. Its head was large with multiple eyes on its face which stared at them as they approached and opened their mouths to let out a piercing scream that echoed around the garden walls outside of Celestial Garden.

"Wow Galen, you've really come a long way," Hollyn complimented the boy's performance. He always found it hard to understand how someone could grow so much through a simple training session.

Christian watched as Galen moved around the field, occasionally turning back to shoot an explosion or fire blast towards something.

Hollyn sat on the sidelines watching Galen and Christian fighting while checking her phone looking down almost with hesitation. She seemed like she would rather be doing something else.

[You got Galen with you?]

[...yes]

[Please send confirmation picture please]

"Hey, Christian! Galen can I get a pic of you two holding your weapons!" Hollyn laughed.

Christian posed holding his broad sword and Galen holding out phone nervously smiling at the camera. She quickly sends the photo in the chat group.

[Bring him to the south tower around level 10]

[Understood…]

[Congratulations Christian you are level 7]

The trio stood silently staring at the words on the screen before bursting out in laughter. Galen grinned and jumped up and down yelling "WOOHOO!".

"Idiots..." Hollyn mumbled.

Her phone buzzed with another notification.

[Galen's father doesn't know...please do not tell him]

She ignored the message only gawking up at Galen to see him jumping up and down in the air in excitement as Christian patted him on the back happily laughing.

"We did it! We're level 8!" He announced.

Galen smiled broadly his smile growing wider every second.

"It feels really good to be able to use more spells! My magic is getting pretty great lately"

They all cheered and high-fived each other before watching Hollyn get up to dust herself off . She sighed, still feeling the lingering exhaustion that came from being around newbies.

She looked at the sky for a second as the glaring morning sun reflected off of it. Her eyes trailing down the cliffs behind Galen and Christian who looked at her curiously she looked back up towards the top where the sun glinted against a golden ring that rested atop a tall stone pillar.

"Let's keep moving as you guys are getting stronger!" She smiled.

Christian and Galen nodded as they both followed suit. Hollyn took a deep breath before picking up her pace walking further ahead of the group walking past a small river with water rushing over pebbles and boulders.

Galen and Christian were curious about everything in their new surroundings going against the path where that Hollyn instructed through forests and grassy hills, they were eager to meet other people again and explore this place even though it wasn't like they had anywhere else better to be than here at the moment.

Another set of heavy gates could be seen in the distance. These gates looked old and decrepit but Galen couldn't help but stare at them. His eyes filled with hope thinking they'd open soon. But no such luck. Instead it only got bigger as they grew closer the gate opened slowly revealing two cloaked figures sitting inside.

One stood up and removed their hood revealing a short man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Both men wore robes similar to theirs except it was red instead of black. The shorter man walked forward with a friendly smile. His voice was raspier compared to the other figure as he spoke.

"Welcome travellers! It's been some time since we've last seen anyone from the outside world!" His voice held a slight lilt.

Christian looked between both men before speaking, "I don't think anyone warned us of these places…"

The taller stranger walked over to the gate leaning against the side glaring at the new visitors. Galen stepped in front of Hollyn protectively and crossed his arms.

The stranger did nothing moving along causing Christian to stare in awe at the town. It had taverns and simple structures like medival times with thatched roofing. A couple children ran into their direction waving their little arms trying to catch Galen's attention and point to different things they saw and asked him questions about what they were.The tall stranger glanced at Galen's group then turned to the kids.

"Children, stop bothering our guests." The man said sternly.

"Welcome to the newer area's popping up beyond the veil! You are one of the new ones who get to see this place." Hollyn smirked.

"I should call home..." Galen thought.

The signal on his phone was gone causing him to realize how far he was from home . There was no reception to communicate with the outside world. nudging Christian to take a look at the signal and check his messages to see if there was a reply there wasn't.

He sent another quick text hoping that maybe, just maybe if he didn't move fast enough that his father would have gotten the message already. Christian typed the address and waited anxiously as he waited for a response. He heard Galen sigh heavily.

"I never been away from home this long and suddenly I left. How could I do that to them?" Galen asked.

"Wait!" Hollyn shouted.

"We have to go to the South Tower remember? After that you can go home I promise!" She begged.

She began to cry as she dunked down placing her head between her knees watching her he felt badly he almost wanted to leave just so she wouldn't get upset. Galen kneeled down beside her hugging her tightly.

"Thank you…Galen…" She sniffed.

"We can go to the South tower tomorrow. But right now we need to find somewhere to stay for the night." Christian sighed.

It had gotten very dark since the time they arrived. Galen yawned.

"Oh right, I almost forgot I was tired. I think we have an abandoned inn in the village. That's probably where the best food is too. Come along boys, I'm sure it'll work out. We'll have a nice meal and sleep well tonight. We can continue exploring tomorrow."

Hollyn smiled leading them to an inn named Abandoned Inn, but was huge . It was at least thirty feet across and surrounded by buildings that lined both sides. It was a wooden titled to side with large windows, the entire structure had intricate carvings along the walls, floors and ceiling. Each of the buildings also had pillars carved into the shape of various animals and dragons.

[Welcome to Abandoned Inn]

They all entered silently as Hollyn made her way to check-in while Galen looked around. Everything within the village was covered in a thick layer of dust that was starting to gather. Most of the rooms were empty.

"I got the keys guys!" Hollyn said happily.

Galen took a quick peek into the first room on the left and saw a big bed in the middle. The walls were all decorated with paintings made with colored paints. The floor was covered with carpets.

After making sure everything was clear, he went up to the second room and opened the door cautiously. He could hear voices coming from the room. His eyes widened in surprise when he opened the door to find no one in the room.

Just two beds , a table and a lamp in the corner were the rest of the room was filled with bookshelves with dusty scrolls scattered on top of them and many other odd items on shelves. The light from the lamp shined onto one of the tables giving light to the room.

"Does no one use inn's here?" Christian asked.

"Normally they would have tents and stay at the outskirts of the town before moving forward." Hollyn chuckled, pointing towards another table with a few books laying on it, "But I guess not everyone has a tent…"

"We must be the first guests in a long time then..." Galen whispered.

"Well, come on let's get changed." Hollyn replied "Come on, I'm hungry". She grabbed their hands pulling them away from the door, "There's nothing we can do till later anyway, I want to eat something."

Galen shrugged.

"Okay…" They agreed.

"But we brought no extra clothing!" Christian argued.

"Fine...let's just get food!" Hollyn said excited.

Christian and Galen groaned. They followed her out the door and towards the village street, the villagers gave them strange looks as they passed them by and walked down the narrow street towards the market place of the village.

A few carts and stalls were placed at the street corners as the crowd of locals talked to each other, most of them were smiling brightly at the strangers. Christian spotted a beautiful woman standing at one of the stalls selling fruits, vegetables and spices and he instantly forgot about Galen and Hollyn.

He hurried over.

The women watched curiously as he rushed over her, he picked up several apples from the stand and placed them into his sack before looking back up to her.

"Can I buy one please?!" He asked.

"Of course my dear boy.." she cooed reaching over to grab a fruit.

Christian smiled as he received his purchase, turning back he quickly walked away leaving Hollyn and Galen in confusion behind.

"Say...would you like to like come inside?" She asked.

"Sure!" Christian smiled as he took hold of the girls hand.

Leading him inside he noticed how dark and silent it was inside the building. He could barely see anything besides the occasional torch or candle stuck to the wall.

He looked around. The tables and chairs were covered in dust, cobwebs and spiders crawling around. A few lanterns lit up the room casting shadows over every wall. It seemed like nobody had ever used this place in years.

"Do you live alone?" Christian mumbled.

Watching the woman dash to the kitchen to put a kettle on the stove Christian looked over towards the doors and saw the small window letting a few faint rays of light through. He made his way to the doors opening the doors slightly and peered outside.

The sun was almost completely set which allowed the moonlight to illuminate the village. Looking out he saw many people walking around talking and laughing together.

"Please take a seat," She smiled.

He nodded wiping the dusty wooden chair and sat down. He nodded wiping the dusty wooden chair and sat down. Before he knew it the kettle was boiling water and the smell of tea leaves was heavenly . Once the water cooled down she handed him a cup and poured some tea into it.

"This is a special tea..." She smiled. "You will find the taste of it to be quite bitter if it is any of those types."

"I've never drank tea like this before…it smells really good." Christian said taking a small sip from the cup.

The hot tea burned his tongue as his mouth was coated in honey mixed with peppermint. He smiled at the flavor.

"You look like no other person in this villiage. Is it possible you came from outside?" She asked curiously.

Christian tilted his head slightly. He suddenly felt dizzy and his body began to tremble. It felt like he was running out of breath but he couldn't tell if he was actually breathing or if he was simply having trouble catching his breath.

"What did...what did you say?" He stuttered.

Her face grew worried as her smile faded from her lips.

"Your health is not looking good, you are very pale and are sweating a lot. Why don't you take a nap." She suggested softly.

"I...have a bad feeling." He whimpered as he tried to sit himself up straighter only to collapse backwards onto the chair again.

"My name is Marcella, may I ask your name young man?"

Christian was too confused to answer, he closed his eyes unable to speak, trying to catch his breath, "I'm Christian...what did you mean?"