A QUEST OF DEATH : Dawning Darkness

16 | Crepusculem • Part 1(edited)

The South Shore of Serenel was a place most people avoided. In the daylight, it might seem harmless, but at night, it was a haven for the city's unwanted—a mix of thugs, thieves, and drunkards. Tonight, though, it was different.

The shore buzzed with activity. Tents dotted the sandy ground like an impromptu village, artificial light flickering from within. Researchers were everywhere, talking in low voices, some exchanging information with their colleagues on boats that drifted out towards the newly manifested castle on the island.

Ada watched from the shadows, her gaze flickering over the scene. She and Kaya blended into the background, their cloaks concealing them from the oblivious Normies, who wouldn't even think to look their way.

But it wasn't just the Normies that were present there.

Three figures dressed as dark as the night moved through the makeshift camp like shadows. Their eyes, trained and experienced, were already on high alert, flicking toward anything unusual. Even though Ada's veil concealed her from the Normies, the Night Walkers would be a problem.

They could see beyond illusions. They would not hesitate to attack—nor cause ruscus. Unless it was Ada who'd struck first.

Kaya pulled Ada down, swiftly tugging her behind the low cement barrier that separated the shore from the city. They slipped down the edge of the bend, crouching low. The rough concrete pressed against their backs as they hid from view.

"Just our luck," Kaya muttered under his breath, peeking over the edge just enough to survey the scene.

Ada's heart pounded in her chest. They had expected to encounter obstacles, but not those pesky shadow breeders. She didn't have time for this. They had to pass without being recognized.

"I'll distract them. Go ahead without me," Kaya whispered, glancing her way.

"No–"

Ada's lips parted to protest, but Kaya had already slipped out of his cloak, hanging it on a low branch behind him. Without the veil of concealment, he was fully visible to the Normies bustling around the shore. "Trust me, I've got this."

He rummaged through his satchel, pulling out a folded disguise he'd been saving for a rainy day. With quick, practised hands, he slipped into the outfit—a well-worn pizza delivery uniform, complete with a cap. A red logo across his chest read 'Pizzalicious.'

Ada watched with wide eyes. "Wha–where did you even get that from?"

Kaya gave her a mischievous wink, a grin tug at his lips. Just in seconds he's fully shapeshifted into a seasoned pizza boy. He glanced at Ada. "You go ahead. I'll deal with them."

Adjusting the cap he stood up to his full tall glory holding a large pizza box that Ada had never seen before. Then he began descending the stairs toward the shore. Ada watched him for a moment before glancing back towards the crowd. One by one Normies were noticing him now that the invisibility the bounded cloak provided was gone—few of them even had stopped mid-conversation, staring right in her direction. Her pulse quickened and she hurriedly melted into the shadows watching Kaya as he made his way toward the crowd.

"Uh, did anyone order pizza?" Kaya called out, waving a hand in the air.

The researchers exchanged puzzled looks, pausing mid-conversation. A bespectacled woman glanced at her colleague, scratching her head. "I didn't order pizza. Did you?"

"No," her colleague replied, frowning. "Wait—did someone order a late-night snack?"

More researchers turned to look at Kaya, curiosity growing. A few shook their heads, muttering to each other, trying to figure out who had placed the order. The confusion rippled through the camp, creating exactly the kind of disruption Kaya needed.