War of Emperium

The Clock Tower

Al de Baran could have rivaled Prontera, Izlude and Geffen in both technological and magical advances, had its citizens not abandoned it. The buildings exhibited the peoples dexterity and genius, showing the bright patterns and impressive marble sculptures. Al de Barans shops used to be teeming with extremely rare items, making the city a favorite hotspot for Mages, Thieves, Merchants, Wizards and Blacksmiths. The world-famous Kafra Corporation also erected its magnificent office in the city.

But the Al de Baran today contained not even the tiniest shadow if it's prosperous past.

"Bugger, is this the Al de Baran where I used to get my huge supply of Santa Hats for surplus?" Altair whispered as he walked the empty, paved streets. "Is this Al de Baran now?"

It had just been a minute since Sibyl lodged their airship on one of the empty landing ports around the city. Firnheild was greeted by an empty city, which looked like a ghost town. All the shops had boarded windows, their paints peeling off their walls and rust gnawing away at their roofs.

"It's like I've ve never been to this place." Signy said exasperated.

"Its entirely different."

Nerva cast a look at his companions. Wealthow and the others were busy looking around to notice him at any cost. The Wizard secretly separated himself from the group.

"This is bad." Theodoric wrinkled his nose.

"We have a big investigation to do here, Wealthow."

"Makes me feel ashamed of stealing." Sibyl fretted.

"You never know"

"We should separate." Wealthow decided.

"All of us shall go around the city, look for clues. We shall meet back here when the moon stops exactly above the Clock Tower."

She pointed at the majestic Tower looming over the city like a lord ruling over his lands.

"All righty!" said Theodoric. "It's s still far from sunset anyway."

"See you." Signy bade them farewell before going.

Sibyl went to check the western areas. Theodoric, very brave, decided to go to the Clock Tower. Altair went eastward. Wealthow was left behind, standing where she was. She remembered Nerva.

"And oh, Nerva!"

But he was no longer around. Wealthow shrugged and went on her own way, unknowing that someone was long observing them from the Clock Tower.

Nerva stopped before the deserted drug store and looked at the heavily boarded windows. He came close and pressed his nose against the glass, squinting through the stores inside. He could see countless bottles of medicine lined up in the shelves, covered with thick dust. He withdrew of a while and looked around to check if the coast was clear.

When he saw there was none, he raised his hand ready for a spell.

"Napalm Beat!"

The glass shattered into shards. Nerva stepped over the ledge and into the dank, unoccupied drug store. He went for the dusty shelves and started fumbling with the glass jars.

"Pain reliever, come on!" Nerva hissed through gritted teeth as he threw bottles on the floor.

"I need it!"

He came across a jar of pain reliever tablets made from Green Herbs. He forced open the lid and emptied it into his mouth. He threw it away and reached for his waterskin, gulping down the content in only four mouthfuls. The tablets were bitter, but Nerva swallowed down the awful taste.