The town was unlike anything Lucy or Amanda had ever laid eyes on. A sprawling fortress of human survival, vast and bustling in architecture yet eerily hollow in presence. This wasn't just another settlement tied to a kingdom—it was independent, a free land. And its size alone dwarfed the other towns under any ruler's banner. Eight times larger than a normal settlement, with nearly half its land devoted solely to agriculture, this town had once thrived like an unshakable stronghold.
Now, silence swallowed its streets.
At the colossal gate of stone and iron, three figures approached steadily: Miyamoto, Amanda, and Lucy. Their steps echoed faintly on the dry soil, announcing their arrival long before they reached the guards stationed there. Two Shinra stood at the entrance, alert but unflinching, their sharp eyes immediately scanning the trio.
Amanda and Lucy walked side by side, dressed alike as if reflecting their shared resolve. Both wore crimson-and-black caped tunics, their fitted trousers tucked neatly into the straps of their black sandals. Each had a scabbard tied at the hip, blades swaying lightly with every step. Lucy had taken the time to tie her long hair back, the ribbon catching a faint breeze. Amanda, ever-practical, kept her hair cropped short—her no-nonsense aura radiating without need for theatrics.
Behind them, Miyamoto's presence was unmistakable. Clad in his familiar long black cape, half-mask concealing his face, and a sharp-edged hat casting a shadow over his expression, he exuded the quiet confidence of someone who had walked into danger countless times and lived to tell the tale. His scabbard bore four different swords—each unique, each lethal. Even before a word was spoken, the Shinras at the gate understood immediately. These weren't travelers. They were Shinras for the job.
The first Shinra stepped forward, voice clipped and official.
"Hello, mister. State your business with our kingdom."
Miyamoto didn't even slow his pace. His tone was steady, firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
"You already know why we're here. Let's not waste time. Where were the darkside spirits last spotted?"
The Shinra's eyes narrowed slightly. He's no ordinary man, he thought. The way Miyamoto carried himself—calm, unshaken, assured—was unlike most mercenaries or wandering Shinra.
"I can't disclose more here," the guard finally replied. "If you truly came for this mission, you'll need to speak with our leader directly."
He motioned to his partner, and without another word, both turned their backs and began walking into the city. Miyamoto gestured silently, and Amanda and Lucy followed behind him.
The moment they entered, unease pressed against them.
The streets were deserted. Houses and shops lined both sides, their doors shut, their windows barred. Business centers stood frozen in time, tools left idle, market stalls covered in dust. Every pair of eyes they felt watching came not from the open street, but from shadows—faces peeking cautiously from behind curtains or cracks in doorways.
Lucy leaned closer to Miyamoto, her voice a whisper.
"Master… don't you think something's off? Why are the villagers staring at us like this? It's like we're intruders in a graveyard."
Miyamoto didn't answer immediately, but his sharp eyes were already sweeping the surroundings, noting the unnatural silence. Amanda, however, gave a low hum, hand resting near her scabbard.
"This place feels wrong. Even for a town under attack, there's too much fear in the air."
For nearly twenty-four minutes they walked deeper, surrounded by towering buildings, narrow alleys, and empty squares. Eventually, the path opened into a clearing where a small castle-like structure rose, adorned with flowers and colossal trees. Behind it thundered a breathtaking waterfall, crashing into a sprawling forest beyond.
But even the beauty felt… staged. Like a painted mask hiding the rot underneath.
The two Shinra escorted them inside. The hallway leading deeper into the castle was lined with framed images—horrific depictions of Shinras battling darkside spirits, and in turn, darkside spirits feasting on humans. The grotesque artwork stretched endlessly, each painting seemingly darker than the last.
Finally, they reached an enormous door. The guards dropped to one knee, their voices formal.
"Another Shinra party has arrived to take the mission, Your Majesty. Shall we bring them in?"
A smooth, commanding male voice drifted from beyond the door.
"Hmm… bring them in. Let me observe them first."
The guards rose and pushed open the massive doors. Lucy's hand twitched toward her scabbard as unease tightened her chest.
This is weirding me out. Why so much ceremony? Just give us the target and let us go.
Amanda's eyes narrowed as well, a faint scowl tugging at her lips.
Enough with the games. All this talking while darkside spirits roam? Pointless.
The three entered.
The chamber was vast, echoing with power. Paintings similar to those in the hallway covered the walls, telling endless stories of Shinras locked in eternal struggle against darkside spirits. In the center, a massive round table sat, fourteen chairs placed neatly around it.
At one of the far windows stood a man in a black robe, posture calm, gaze fixed on the waterfall beyond. His voice when he spoke was soft, yet carried effortlessly across the large room.
"Take a seat. I'll make this brief."
Before they could move, two doors creaked open—one on the left, another on the right. Four more men entered in total, each radiating Shinra presence, surrounding the table alongside Miyamoto, Amanda, and Lucy.
Lucy whispered sharply under her breath.
"Master… what's going on? Can't they just tell us where the darkside spirits are?"
Miyamoto's hand brushed hers lightly, grounding her. His expression was unreadable beneath the mask, but his voice was steady.
"Stay calm. I'm here. Nothing will touch you."
He clasped Amanda's hand too, but she immediately pulled away with a frown, her sharp eyes fixed on the robed figure.
Once they were seated, the robed man finally turned. His eyes burned with exhaustion yet authority.
"Gentlemen, ladies… I won't waste words. Our town is under constant attack. Darkside spirits plague us, forcing our people to cower in their homes. My pro darkside knights and I investigated… and discovered something terrifying."
He paused, letting silence sharpen the tension in the air.
"They haven't destroyed us outright because they don't need to. We are their warehouse. This kingdom is their feeding ground. My people are the stored food for those monsters. They attack every five days without fail. And tomorrow… will be the fifth since the previous attack."
The words settled like a blade pressing against the room's throat.
Lucy's fists clenched. Amanda's scowl deepened. Miyamoto's eyes narrowed, unreadable but sharp.