Several disappearances and unexplained events have been registered shorty after the commercialization of an ancient statue linked to some legends from a mysterious place called "Reich der Finsternis" in eastern Germany, there is no know route leadin...
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The five villages
Some riders joined the pursuit as soon as word of the agents' escape spread through the palace. By then, Liz and her team had already put over a kilometer between them and their pursuers, once again eluding death's ruthless grasp. They disappeared into the dense mist of the forest, where the sun's rays barely pierced through the thick canopy, shrouding the atmosphere in an eerie, mysterious glow. The evergreens and beech trees towered over them, forcing them to slow their pace and navigate more cautiously. Moss-covered rocks lined the ground, and felled logs littered the path ahead, making the ride even trickier.
Eventually, through the trees, a small village appeared—old wooden cabins blending in with the greens of the forest and the browns of their own weathered facades. They had reached a nearby settlement. Their pace slowed as fatigue set in, and Bernard struggled to keep his horse steady. Nick, to Liz's surprise, handled his mount with remarkable ease. As they arrived, each dismounted in turn and tethered the horses to a nearby log.
The town appeared abandoned. What had initially been an oppressive atmosphere now felt almost serene, a haven of peace far removed from the horrors of Reich der Finsternis. Only a few crows flitted about on the branches of the oak trees. The village consisted of a handful of half-timbered houses, their brickwork forming neat triangles along the facades. One cottage, larger than the rest, stood out. The agents had no intention of checking any of the dwellings, their minds still haunted by their previous gruesome encounters. The near silence was stifling, and the damp air of the bleak October afternoon weighed heavy on their lungs.
Nick pulled out a rusty key and unlocked the door of one of the cottages. He pushed it open with his shoulder, the creaking hinges echoing through the deserted place. He stepped inside and lit a few oil lamps, pushing back the darkness. The American agents followed him without waiting for an invitation.
The interior was surprisingly well-kept. There were some wooden furnishings, antique cabinets, and a small dining area. In one corner, several weapons belonging to the German officers were stored.
"What is this place?" Liz asked, eyeing the surroundings curiously.
"We cleared it out before we hit the palace," Nick replied without looking at her, busy organizing some of the weapons. "They belonged to the men who were with me during the operation." He turned to face her, his expression dark. "None of them made it."
Bernard collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily as he tried to regain his strength. He still couldn't believe they had made it out alive, though he knew their enemies wouldn't stop until they hunted them down. Liz noticed a strong scent in the air—not entirely unpleasant but pungent enough to make her stomach churn and bring on a coughing fit.
Bernard glanced at his wounds, now more aware of the pain. Liz leaned over, inspecting the injuries with a clinical eye.
"Hell of a family," Bernard muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm as Liz carefully assessed the damage.
