— Marguerite Blackspot, “The Mystical Garden of Ageria: A Study of Magical Flora,” page 157
As Emily rode beside Mina in silence, only one thing was on her mind: what kind of monster could it be?
She racked her brain, reflecting on everything she had studied over the last year. It was hard enough to remember the dozens upon dozens of monsters she had read about. How was she supposed to analyze them all if she could barely remember their names? Hell, with how many different types of monsters there were in the world, it was difficult to remember which was which. ‘Children’ was the keyword she focused on. How many monsters are out there that only target children? Quite a few, if she remembered correctly. It was hard to think about it, though, especially when she was feeling distracted.
She pulled the brim of her witch hat low over her eyes, trying to focus, but the bouncing of the stagecoach over uneven ground made it difficult. Her ribs were still aching from where Henrik’s boulder had struck her.
She winced and rubbed the sore spot. It was a miracle she hadn’t broken any ribs.
For an old man, Henrik was remarkably strong. Unnaturally so. The effort she’d needed to rip the halberd from his grip had been like trying to pry a brick from a castle wall. He’d barely budged. And that was before she’d even considered his speed. The way he’d moved in that heavy armor, his geokinesis keeping him steady even while launching massive boulders, was almost inhuman.
As if reading her mind, Mina spoke. “You alright?”
Emily sighed, shaking her head. “Could do without the pain in my chest, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
Mina glanced over at her with an analytical gaze. “Nothing broken?”
“Hopefully not.”
Mina gave a slight nod. “That boulder hit you hard.”
Emily let out a half-hearted laugh. “Yeah. You think he can teach me to do that?”
Mina arched an eyebrow. “Geokinesis?”
“I need to learn one day, don’t I?”
“You should keep focusing on—”
“pyrokinesis and telekinesis, I know, I know,” Emily interrupted, waving a hand. “I just feel like I’ve got a decent grasp on them now. What’s the harm in learning something new, hm?”
Mina didn’t answer. She instead turned her attention back onto the road. A few feet ahead of them, Henrik was guiding them toward the village on foot. Karaline and Violet, meanwhile, had returned to Cresthill temporarily to finish getting ready.
“Think about it!” Emily continued, “Mastering one or two types of magic is good and all, but I’m a conduit. Not some one-trick pony. Versatility trumps specialization! You saw what Henrik could do to vampires with it. Imagine what I could do.”
“Alright,” Mina said with a hint of hesitation in her voice. “If you want to learn it, ask him. Preferably after we deal with his problem.”
Emily grinned. “Well, of course. First, we just gotta figure out what monster we’re dealing with…”
“Any ideas?”
Emily hesitated for a moment, then chuckled nervously. “Oh yeah, loads,” she said. Then, before Mina could call her bluff, she quickly added, “But just to compare, what are your ideas?”
Mina smirked. “Could be a lot of things. Hard to say without more evidence.”
“Great, same page then,” Emily said, grinning.
Mina reached over and flicked her ear.
“Hey!” Emily winced, swatting Mina’s hand away with a laugh.
The forest ahead opened up to a massive stone hill.
Trees and overgrown patches of grass grew atop the mound like hair. Tangles of vines stuck to the sides, and a small stream weaved into a small opening with a gentle babble. At the end of the road, and peaking out from behind a veil of moss, was a wide, oval-shaped tunnel. Two knights stood guard on either side with their swords unsheathed. Unlike Henrik they didn’t wear the blue cape, but rather helmets that bore silver antlers, and armor decorated with forest embroidery.
Mina brought the stagecoach to a stop and stared at the knights. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her eyes narrowed as she observed them intently. Henrik spoke with them, and though Emily couldn’t quite hear what they were discussing, she knew it had to be about Mina. How would the other knights treat her? Or the village folk, for that matter?
One of the knights knelt over, retrieving a small wicker basket set beside his boot. From it, he produced four metal crests, handing them over to Henrik. From there, he made his way back to the stagecoach and tossed two of them up to Mina. She passed one to Emily. It was a metal sigil, shaped like a crest. At its center was the symbol of a Midnight Blossom, its petals surrounded by twisting vines and roots.
She frowned, tugging at the leather band attached to it. “What’s this?”
“It is to ensure the safety of our home. A means to tell friend from foe.”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “And if we take them off?”
“You are free to do so. However, the people of Serenity Gardens know each other as kin. Even if you abandoned the badge, you would stand out as an outsider. The badge is a courtesy, a symbol of respect. By wearing it, you show a willingness to abide by our customs and laws. If you choose to disregard them, then you will find yourself on a long and tiresome walk back to Forest’s Edge.”
Emily stared at him. Then, tilting her head, she asked, “What about when we’re bathing?”
“You know well what I mean. Keep it around your neck for the sake of others.” He then glanced at Mina. “For as much as I would like to see every last vampire skinned and skewered, I am extending you an act of charity. Do not make me regret it.”
She gave him a nod. “Understood.”
Henrik studied her for a moment, then gave a nod in return. “Word of your arrival will spread. Be mindful of your actions, for the knights will do you no harm unless you give them cause. As for the civilians, they are simple folk, but not fools. They know how to recognize a vampire. We have ensured that.”
Mina remained silent.
Henrik continued, “No doubt, a few will notice you immediately and feel troubled by it. It is crucial that you move with care. Show them that you mean no harm. Perhaps, in time, they will come to see you differently.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Mina snorted, shaking her head. “I doubt it.”
Emily groaned at her. “It wouldn’t kill you to have some optimism.”
Mina gave her a dry look. “It wouldn’t kill me to be realistic, either.”
Henrik did not press the matter further. Instead, he turned toward the knights guarding the entrance and gave a brief nod. The two men moved in unison, pulling back the moss-draped curtain that hung like a veil over the tunnel mouth. Their hands lingered on their sword hilts as Mina flicked the reins, guiding the horse forward. The knight’s gaze’s remained locked onto her until she passed fully into the cavern beyond.
The moment they entered, Emily’s eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. Serenity Gardens was nothing like what she had expected. The entire town was built inside the cavern! Large openings in the rocky ceiling allowed golden shafts of sunlight to pour in, and the flat, shimmering crystals growing out of the roof of the cavern reflected and dispersed the light evenly, like giant mirrors. Colorful and vibrant cottages were dotted about, with patches of blue grass peppered with clusters of small, glowing crystals that jutted out of the earth like tiny lanterns.
Emily’s smile grew wider as they rode into the plaza. It wasn’t like the modern streets of Peccatum, Cresthill, or Nanroux. There weren’t any bronze pipes winding between the buildings, wires strewn between electrical lamps, or even bland concrete and brick. Rather, colorful streamers hung between oil lamps, and the log cottages were painted bright colors.
It was as if they weren’t in a cave at all, especially not with the crystals above. The more she looked at them, the more she realized they weren’t just reflecting sunlight, but they were somehow reflecting the sky perfectly. It was a kind of magic Emily never thought she would see, the kind she only read about in fairy tales.
“How… How is this possible?”
Mina, while visibly less enchanted, lifted her head slightly to take it in.
Henrik answered plainly, “The crystals absorb and reflect the sky above. An old magic, one we have preserved.” He guided Mina to park the stagecoach near a secluded rock wall at the edge of the village. “Best to remain here,” he explained. “Far enough from the heart of the village that you will not be a disturbance.”
Mina did not argue.
Emily, however, barely heard him. She had already hopped down from the driver’s box and spun in place as she took it all in. “This place is incredible!”
Henrik allowed himself a small, proud nod. “We strive to maintain its beauty. Serenity Gardens is a refuge. An escape from the fumes and industry of Peccatum. A place for those who refuse to kneel before the Orsella Corporation and their ruinous practices. Here, we have no need for steel machines and polluted air. The screeching of rails is nothing compared to the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestone. Or the creak of old wood beneath your feet. Nature provides for all.”
Emily’s smirk widened. “You really are old.”
Before Henrik could reply, the stagecoach door creaked open behind them.
Karaline stepped down onto the grass, stretching her arms behind her head. She took a deep breath, her chest rising as she inhaled deeply through her nose. “Ahhh,” she sighed. “I missed the smell of this place.”
Emily blinked, realizing she hadn’t even stopped to notice, but now that Karaline mentioned it, the air smelled fresh. Not just clean, but alive. She couldn’t quite describe it. It wasn’t like the fresh air she had smelled when she first arrived in Cresthill Valley. If anything, it was even fresher.
Her attention drifted toward a nearby field of black soil, where rows of blue-budded plants swayed in the underground breeze, no doubt drifting from the massive holes in the ceiling. Their petals were a ghostly, luminescent blue, curled tightly around themselves like sleeping butterflies, and their stems were as black as midnight.
“What are those?” she asked.
Henrik followed her gaze. “Midnight Blossoms. They only bloom beneath the moonlight.” Before Emily could ask more, he turned to Karaline. “Much has changed since you last laid eyes upon this place. I would offer you a tour, but—”
“Och, like I need a bloody map to find a bar,” she said with a chuckle.
Henrik laughed. “I expected as much.” He tossed the remaining two sigils to her. “I shall meet with you later. Much time has passed, and we have much to discuss. For now, feel free to explore the village. Help yourselves to any accommodations. We have rooms reserved for outsiders.”
“Appreciate the offer,” Karaline said, handing one of the badges to Violet. “But don’ worry about us. That there stagecoach is enchanted. Two-way door home and back.”
Henrik glanced at it, his attention drawn to the glowing runes etched into the door frame. “Interesting. You will have to explain more about it to me later. Your friend and I have some business to discuss.”
“Don’t forget about me!” Emily piped in.
“And you as well, yes,” he replied with an annoyed grunt.
Karaline clapped Violet on the back and started off toward the village. “Come on, lass! I’ve a long overdue appointment with a bottle o’ somethin’ strong.”
Henrik watched her go, shaking his head in amusement.
“She knows where to go?” Emily asked.
“She needs only to give her name,” Henrik said. “They will know which bottles are hers.”
Mina crossed her arms over her chest as she watched Karaline off. Then, she turned to Emily. “Now, for the issue at hand. What is the first thing we do?”
Emily blinked. “Uh… ask questions?”
Henrik frowned. “I cannot say I am pleased that you would treat such a matter as an exercise.”
“She’s learning,” Mina countered. “Emily is skilled in many things, but fieldwork is not one of them. She needs practice.”
Emily crossed her arms, pouting slightly. “I can do fieldwork just fine.”
Henrik sighed, rubbing his temple. “This is a serious matter, not a classroom. Children have been slaughtered within our own walls. If you cannot approach this with the weight it deserves, then—”
“I can take it seriously,” Emily said quickly. “I just… listen, I really do want to help.” She hesitated, then shifted the conversation. “Speaking of things I want to learn…” She turned to Henrik with a hopeful grin. “I was wondering if you’d teach me geokinesis.”
Henrik tilted his head. “I beg your pardon?”
“You know, the magic you used earlier. I really want to learn it.”
His expression didn’t change. “Are you not already studying telekinesis?”
“Yeah, but—”
Henrik shook his head. “Even an experienced sorcerer finds great difficulty in mastering two disciplines at once. You would be stretching yourself thin.”
“Emily is gifted, Henrik,” Mina explained. “She’s already competent with pyrokinesis and telekinesis. If she can add geokinesis to her arsenal, it will be an advantage in our fight against the purebloods.”
Emily grinned and summoned a small fireball in her palm while, at the same time, drawing one of the daggers from her boots with only a thought. The blade hovered in the air around her, rotating slowly. “I have a proposition,” she said, smirking. “We help you with your monster problem, and in return, you teach me geokinesis.”
Henrik gave her a long, unreadable look.
Mina added, “Keep your gold. We don’t need it. Use it for the town.”
Henrik gave a single nod. “Very well. If you rid us of this creature, I will honor that bargain.”
“Alright, then,” Emily said, returning the dagger to her boot and smouldering the flame. “What exactly are we dealing with?”
“The timing could not be worse. We are days away from our Requiem, and now, our children are dying.”
“How many have died?” Emily asked.
“Four. One each night. The youngest was thirteen. The oldest, fifteen.”
Emily’s stomach twisted. That was way closer to her age than she was expecting. “And… how did they die?”
“They were killed in their sleep. Their parents found them in the morning… massacred.”
Emily swallowed. She already regretted asking.
Mina, however, was unfazed. “Describe the wounds,” she asked casually.
“Their eyes had been clawed out. Nothing remained but empty sockets, pooled with blood.” Henrik paused. “Two had their throats slashed open. Another… had their stomach ripped apart.” Again, he fell silent. He stared long at the ground, his fingers twitching. “I have seen many horrors in my life. But what I found in those rooms…” He shook his head. “I would wish such sights on no one.”
Emily tried not to picture it, but failed. It wasn’t a sight she wanted to see either, but a small part of her knew she wouldn’t have a choice. Mina would likely ask to examine the bodies.
“Were the wounds clean?” Emily then asked. “Or ragged?”
“Large,” Henrik said. “Deliberate.”
“Claws? Fangs? Blunt force?”
“Claws, most likely.”
“And the fifth victim?” Emily asked quietly. “You said four died. That means someone survived, right? It’s been five days.”
Henrik nodded. “A boy. Twelve years of age. He is alive… barely.”
“Then we can ask him—”
“No,” Mina interrupted. “If his wounds are anything like the others, he won’t be in a state to answer questions.”
“You’re right. The boy is barely conscious. We’re treating him, but he is in no state to answer any questions.”
Emily let out a sigh of relief.
“Then we need to see his room,” Mina said. “There’s a chance the monster left evidence behind there.”
“I investigated it myself this morning,” Henrik said. “There was nothing.”
“Then we’ll look again.”
Emily tilted her head. “You don’t trust Henrik’s judgment?”
“I don’t trust anyone’s judgment until I’ve seen the scene for myself,” Mina said flatly.
“You are a vampire,” Henrik said after a pause. “Perhaps you will find something that I missed.”
“She likely will,” Emily commented.
“You’ll be the one searching,” Mina said to her.
“Okay, but you can also search it, you know. I’m not the only monster hunter here.”
Henrik sighed, rubbing his temples. “Then let us make haste. If this pattern holds, another child’s life hangs in the balance.”
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