Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 21: The Nachtsen Village And an Ambush

3RD POV

It didn't take long for the four magic warriors to reach their destination. Just beyond the winding dirt path below, the Nachtsen village came into view. A small, unassuming place, nestled quietly at the edge of the kingdom. There were no grand towers or ornate spires here, no polished stone roads or glowing lanterns to light the night. Instead, the village was built from weathered wood and rough-cut stone, its buildings humble and worn, shaped more by necessity than style.

Life here was hard. Situated on the outskirts, Nachtsen was often overlooked by the capital's eyes and aid, labeled as a poor settlement mostly inhabited by commoners. The villagers lived day by day, relying on modest crops, what little magic they could use and whatever trade they could manage. Luxuries were rare, and on more days than they cared to count, many families went to sleep with empty stomachs.

And if that wasn't enough, bandits occasionally swept through, exploiting the village's isolation and lack of defenses. Not just food or coins were taken, but hope too seemed to be stripped away, bit by bit. Still, they endured. And as the four approached, a few villagers glanced up from their chores, their eyes widening at the sight. Their arrival was not a common sight here, and it could only mean trouble, yet the villagers already knew.

Many had gathered near the entrance of the village, drawn by a mix of curiosity and quiet desperation. Selin descended from above, her boots touching the earth without a sound, her staff returning neatly to her outstretched hand. Behind her, Zana landed the carriage in quick succession, with Airos and Ronan jumping out. The moment they saw the village up close, their expressions darkened. Things were worse than they'd expected. They'd heard the rumors about the deteriorating living conditions of people living at the outskirts, but now, the truth lay cruelly before them: dilapidated homes, brittle fences held together with rope, and people who looked like they've never known peace.

Children peeked out from behind their mothers' skirts, staring wide-eyed at the armored figures before them. There was awe in their gazes... but also something else: hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, today would be different. At the front of the gathered crowd stood a weathered mage, his posture straight despite the visible toll the years had taken. His hair was streaked with grey, and deep lines creased his face. His mustard-colored eyes, though dulled by exhaustion, still held a spark of strength. The chief, Selin thought, stepping forward. 

      Selin: - You must be the chief, I presume.

The grey-haired mage nodded before bowing slightly in respect.

      Raine: - Greetings magic warriors. I am the chief of Nachtsen village, Raine Roe. Thank you very much for coming. We were losing hope.

      Selin: - Everything will be alright. We are here now.

The chief offered a faint, weary smile before turning on his heel, gesturing for them to follow. His eyes scanned each of the four carefully, taking in their posture and weapons, but his gaze lingered on Zana for just a second longer. As they moved deeper into the village, the crowd parted to let them through. Soft murmurs followed in their wake, some hopeful, some desperate.

      ???1: - Please, save our children...

      ???2: - Has the king finally remembered us?

      ???3: - I lost everything to the last raid... please...

Ronan's nose twitched. He clenched his jaw, breathing through his mouth to dull the sharpness of scents flooding his senses; damp earth, smoke, illness, and worst of all: despair. It was suffocating.