The faint glow of lanterns illuminated the small village as Adam followed Elder Varus through the narrow, winding streets. The rustic homes and stone paths gave the place a humble, quiet charm, but there was an undeniable tension in the air. The villagers whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering on Adam with a mixture of gratitude and wariness.
He could feel their unease. They didn't trust him yet—and why would they? A strange man had stumbled into their village, seemingly out of nowhere, claiming to be just a traveler yet fighting off a Razorkin with a ferocity few could match.
Adam didn't mind the suspicion. Trust, he knew, was something earned. And if he was going to survive in this world—this Vaeloria—he'd have to earn a lot more than trust.
Elder Varus led Adam to a modest wooden hall at the center of the village. Its exterior was plain but sturdy, with a carved crest of crossed swords and a shield hanging above the entrance. The old man gestured for Adam to follow him inside, and the two stepped into the dimly lit interior.
A long wooden table dominated the room, surrounded by mismatched chairs. A large hearth crackled at one end of the hall, its fire providing warmth against the chill of the night. A young woman was waiting there, her dark brown hair tied back in a loose braid. She looked up as they entered, her green eyes narrowing slightly when they landed on Adam.
"This is Seren," Varus said, motioning to the woman. "She's one of the few people here who knows how to fight, though she's too stubborn to admit it."
Seren crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not stubborn, I'm realistic," she replied, her voice sharp but not unkind. "Unlike you, who just let a stranger walk into our village with nothing but a rusty sword and some vague promises."
Adam chuckled faintly, setting the rusty weapon down on the table. "Don't worry, I'm not here to steal your crops or your cattle. I just want answers."
Seren's gaze remained skeptical, but she didn't argue further. Instead, she sat down at the table, motioning for Adam to do the same.
Varus took a seat as well, his expression grave. "We owe you thanks for killing the Razorkin," he said. "If you hadn't stepped in, more of us might have died tonight. But if you're going to stay here, you need to understand the situation you're walking into."
Adam leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "I'm listening."
A World in Turmoil
Varus steepled his fingers, his brow furrowing. "This village is called Greystone. It's small, isolated, and far from the cities and kingdoms that hold power in Vaeloria. For a long time, we were left alone. The forest provided for us, and the monsters that roamed its edges rarely ventured this far in."
He paused, glancing at Seren, who nodded for him to continue.
"But over the last year, things have changed," Varus said. "The monsters have become more aggressive, more organized. Creatures like the Razorkin used to stay deeper in the woods, but now they're pushing closer to the village. It's as if something is driving them out of their usual territory."
Adam frowned. "Something—or someone?"
Seren's jaw tightened. "That's what we're afraid of. There are rumors of a cult operating in the region—dark magic users who've been tampering with things they shouldn't. People have seen strange lights in the forest at night, and some have claimed to hear chanting carried on the wind."
"Let me guess," Adam said dryly. "These rumors started around the same time the monsters became more active."
Varus nodded grimly. "Exactly. We don't know much about the cult, but their presence has made life here unbearable. People are afraid to go into the woods to hunt or gather food, and our supplies are running low. We've tried sending for help from the nearest city, but…"
"They ignored you," Adam finished, his tone bitter.
Varus sighed. "We're just a small village. The cities don't care what happens to us. To them, we're expendable."
Adam leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The situation was worse than he had expected. A village on the brink of collapse, surrounded by hostile creatures and abandoned by those in power—it was exactly the kind of scenario that would have pushed him into action back on Earth.
And yet, he hesitated. He wasn't the Nuclear Sentinel anymore. His strength was a shadow of what it had been, and this world operated on rules he didn't fully understand. What could he realistically accomplish in his current state?
Still, he couldn't ignore the gnawing sense of duty in his chest. These people needed help. If no one else was going to step up, then it had to be him.
"What do you need from me?" Adam asked finally.
Varus and Seren exchanged a glance.
A Dangerous Proposal
"We need answers," Seren said. "If there's a cult operating in the forest, we need to know where they are and what they're doing. Without that information, we're fighting blind."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "You want me to scout the forest? Alone?"
"Not alone," Varus said quickly. "Seren will go with you. She knows the forest better than anyone here, and she's capable in a fight."
Seren smirked faintly. "Don't get any ideas. I'm just there to make sure you don't wander off and get yourself killed."
Adam gave her a small smile. "Wouldn't dream of it."
"Don't take this lightly," Varus warned. "The forest is dangerous enough during the day, and it's worse at night. If you find signs of the cult, don't engage them. Just gather what information you can and get out."
Adam nodded, though his gut told him things wouldn't be that simple.
Preparation
The villagers provided Adam with what little supplies they could spare: a small satchel of dried meat and bread, a waterskin, and a better sword than the rusted one he had used earlier. The blade was still simple and unadorned, but it was sturdy and well-balanced, clearly made by someone with skill.
Seren, on the other hand, was already equipped. She wore light leather armor that allowed for ease of movement, and a pair of short swords hung at her hips.
"You sure you're up for this?" she asked as the two of them stood at the edge of the forest, the faint glow of dawn breaking over the horizon.
Adam tightened his grip on the sword, a faint flicker of energy humming in his core. "I've faced worse."
Seren studied him for a moment before nodding. "Let's hope that confidence isn't misplaced."
And with that, the two of them disappeared into the shadowy depths of the forest, leaving the safety of the village behind.
A Growing Threat
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew heavier. The trees became denser, their pale trunks twisted and gnarled as though warped by some unseen force. The air grew colder, and the faint hum of insects was replaced by an eerie silence.
Adam's energy sense, still dulled but functional, picked up faint traces of movement around them. He couldn't pinpoint the sources, but he knew they weren't alone.
"Stay close," Seren whispered, her voice low but steady.
"I was about to say the same to you," Adam replied, earning a small, reluctant smirk from her.
They moved cautiously, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Adam could feel his instincts kicking in—years of experience as the Nuclear Sentinel telling him that something wasn't right.
Then, they saw it.
In a small clearing ahead, a cluster of stone monoliths jutted out of the ground, each one etched with glowing red runes. At the center of the circle, a dark, pulsing orb of energy hovered above the ground, its surface swirling with crimson light.
Seren's face hardened. "That's not natural."
Adam stared at the orb, his fists clenching. Whatever it was, it radiated an aura of malevolence that sent a chill down his spine.
"Looks like we've found our first clue," he said grimly.
And in the shadows beyond the clearing, unseen by either of them, a dozen crimson eyes blinked open.