Deus Didymus: Rend

The Unbreakable Trio III

Bae gestured toward a large tavern with a proud, sparkling smile. Muffled music seeped through the walls and the area itself had a lively feel to it. "This place has nice large rooms, good food, and isn't too pricy. The perfect place for us to stay."

"You didn't find us the most expensive one?" the noble asked with a raised eyebrow and disappointment bleeding from his eyes.

"The most expensive ones didn't have a place for your carriage," Bae said through a strained smile. A vein popped on the side of his head, and smoke rose from his shadow.

The noble scoffed with a smug grin. "How sad. This country can't afford to accommodate for something as small as a carriage?"

While the noble and his attendant parked their carriage, Bae stepped next to his teammates. "I'm going to punch this guy's teeth in."

"Twenty ember marks says you won't," Minho chortled.

"Fuck no!" Bae started for the tavern's entrance. He grabbed the handle, turning back toward Y/n and Minho. "I'm not losing a lotus mark for twenty ember marks-"

Bae staggered forward, catching the person he bumped into. With his arm cradling the young woman's waist, his crimson eyes looked deep into her hazel stare. "Are you okay?"

The young woman gulped, nodding while her companions pulled her back. The tallest, a young woman the same age as Y/n and Bae just shy of Y/n's height, stepped forward with a simple bow. "I'm sorry about that. My friend wasn't paying attention."

Her eyes whisked toward Y/n, and a single eyebrow raised while she examined his outfit. "Are you guys travelers? You don't look like you're from here."

From the look of her uniform, the young woman appeared to be an agent. Her long black hair flowed in the gentle SM winds, and even through her thick clothes it was clear she was incredibly fit. Minho gestured to himself before turning to Y/n and Bae. "I'm Kim Minho, an agent of IZLand. We're here on a mission, and I just checked in with your higher ups to confirm we arrived."

"IZLand? You guys came a long way. I'm Yoo Jimin, but you can call me Karina." She extended her hand prompting Minho to shake it. "Behind me are my teammates: Giselle, Winter, and Ningning."

"Are those nicknames as well?" Bae asked. He met Giselle's stare, quickly turning away as she did too.

"Codenames," Karina replied. She turned her head as the noble and his attendant approached the tavern's entrance. "I recommend you guys keep a good eye on him. There's been problematic people going around, and I wouldn't put it past them to target your friend."

"What kind of people?" Minho questioned.

Karina turned toward her teammates, earning nods before turning back with a soft nod of her own. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to have more eyes around. There is a group named Orca that's going around kidnapping people for experiments."

"Orca?" Y/n repeated. His eyes narrowed earning the four girls' attention. "Have you guys checked the area outside the city? They like to make their bases in hidden locations underground."

Intrigue filled Karina's face as she stepped closer to Y/n. Hope filled the expressions of Giselle, Winter, and Ningning as well prompting Y/n's tense gaze to soften. "I'll come back here after sundown. I hope you're willing to tell us more about Orca if you don't mind," Karina said.

With the agreement to meet each other again, the four young women departed leaving the male trio to their own devices. Music played at a moderately loud level inside the tavern, leaving room for a conversation without having to raise one's voice. Stone tables textured intricately with a variety of flowing patterns filled the first floor of the building with a majority filled with locals.