I wake up with a gasp, my body covered in cold sweat. The nightmare lingers in my mind, the weight of the 12th Brother''s words pressing down on me. I look around, disoriented, and see Talia and Nikko lying beside me, their faces peaceful in sleep.


    The sun is starting to rise, casting a soft glow over the campsite. I carefully get up, not wanting to wake them. My heart is still racing, and I know I won''t be able to sleep again.


    I move to a quiet spot a short distance away and sit down to meditate, trying to clear my mind. I close my eyes, taking deep breaths, but the nightmare keeps flashing in my mind. Lyra''s face, Talia and Nikko''s lifeless bodies, the mocking voice of the 12th Brother. I try to push the images away, but they cling to me, refusing to let go. I hear movement behind me. I open my eyes and see Talia and Nikko approaching, their faces bright with the new day.


    "Good morning," Talia says, stretching. "Did you sleep well?"


    "Yeah, just fine," I lie, standing up and brushing the dirt off my clothes. "Ready to start the day?"


    Nikko runs up and hugs me. "Good morning, Papa! What are we doing today?"


    I ruffle her hair, my smile feeling more forced by the second. "We''ll be heading back to the orphanage and hand Holly the herbs. But first, how about breakfast?"


    They don''t catch on to my unease, and I silently thank the Force for small mercies. As we start our morning routine, I can''t shake the lingering dread from the nightmare. The voice''s words echo in my mind, a grim reminder of my fears and failures.


    But I push it down, focusing on the tasks at hand. For now, I have to be strong for Talia and Nikko. They need me, and I can''t afford to let my nightmares get in the way.


    As we sit down to eat breakfast, the lingering unease from the nightmare still clings to my thoughts. I watch Talia and Nikko as they chat, trying to focus on the here and now. Finally, I break the silence with a question that''s been gnawing at me.


    "What exactly is that Shadowfell creature we encountered?" I ask, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.


    Talia looks up, a hint of concern crossing her face. She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Well, from what I know, the Shadowfell are beings created by the Shadow Prince thousands of years ago. Have you heard of the Shadow Prince?"


    I nod, recalling the tales Eldrin told me. "He''s the one who created the dungeons and almost plunged Aranthia into an age of darkness."


    "That''s right," Talia confirms. "The Shadowfell are his most sinister creations. They feed on the life force of living beings, creating despair and chaos wherever they go. The old tales describe them as harbingers of great calamity."


    Nikko, sitting beside me, listens intently. Her ears twitch, and her tail sways nervously, betraying her worry. I reach out and give her a reassuring pat, though my own mind races with concern.


    "This one we encountered," Talia continues, "it was exactly like the ones mentioned in the old tales. Their existence alone can bring great misfortune. The kingdom needs to be warned. How one has returned is unclear, but it''s a grave threat."


    I nod, digesting her words. "We can''t ignore this. We need to act."


    Talia agrees, her eyes resolute. "We should split up. Apollo and I will go to the guild to inform them about the Shadowfell. You and Nikko should head to the orphanage to complete our quest. We''ll meet up at the guild afterward."


    Nikko looks up at me, her concern evident in the way her ears flatten slightly and her eyes search mine. She''s trying to be brave, but I can see the worry in her posture.


    "Don''t worry, Nikko," I say, giving her a reassuring smile. "I''m fine. Just a bit tired, that''s all."


    She nods, though her concern doesn''t completely fade. She clings to my arm a little tighter as we finish our breakfast. The sun has begun climbing higher in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees. Apollo steps out from the tree line where it had been standing guard, DP-7 hovering near its shoulder. The droid beeps a few times, greeting us and reporting that all is clear.


    "Good morning, Apollo, DP-7," I say, nodding in acknowledgment. "Let''s pack up and head to Arroyo."


    We quickly break down the camp, packing our gear and making sure everything is secure. Nikko hums a little tune as she helps, her earlier worry replaced by the excitement of returning to the orphanage. Talia works efficiently, her movements quick and precise.


    With the camp packed, we set off toward Arroyo. The trip on the speeder bike is quick, the city coming into view as the sun hovers over us. As we reach the outskirts of Arroyo, the city''s bustling activity becomes evident. The streets are alive with people going about their daily business. Vendors shout their wares, children play in the alleys, and the clatter of hooves and wagon wheels fills the air. We pause at the city gate, the massive wooden doors standing open, welcoming travelers and merchants alike.


    "Alright, this is where we split up," Talia says, looking at me. "I''ll speak to the guild master. Once you are done, we''ll meet at the tavern in the guild hall."


    I nod, glancing down at Nikko. "We''ll get this done quickly."


    She nods, her ears perking up with determination. "Okay, Papa."


    With a final nod to Talia and Apollo, we part ways. Talia and Apollo head towards the bustling heart of the city where the guild is located. Nikko and I turn towards the quieter streets leading to the orphanage.


    As we walk, I can''t help but feel the weight of the mission. The Shadowfell encounter still lingers in my mind, a dark shadow over our journey. But I push those thoughts aside for now. We have a job to do, and Mrs. Whitaker''s life depends on us.


    The orphanage comes into view, a modest building with a weathered facade. The sign above the entrance hangs crookedly, the paint faded from years of exposure to the elements. I knock on the door, and after a moment, it creaks open to reveal Holly.


    Holly''s eyes widen in surprise as she sees us standing at the door. "You''re back! And so soon!" She quickly examines our faces, her expression turning to concern. "Did something happen? Was the information I gave you wrong?"


    I shake my head, pulling out a carefully wrapped bundle of King''s Foil and presenting it to her. Her eyes light up, and she stammers, "That''s... that''s King''s Foil! How did you—" She cuts herself off, her face breaking into a wide smile as she pulls me into a grateful hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She takes the bundle with trembling hands.


    "Come in, come in," she says, ushering us inside. "You''ve arrived at a perfect time. The cleric is here to check on Mrs. Whitaker. He can use this herb now."


    Nikko and I follow Holly through the orphanage. The walls are lined with cheerful drawings and handmade decorations, but the building''s wear and tear are evident. We enter Mrs. Whitaker''s room, where she lies asleep, still gravely ill on her bed. Beside her stands the cleric, a middle-aged man in tan ropes with mystical runes woven into his robes. He has a kind but tired face, his eyes showing both wisdom and exhaustion.


    "Who are these people, Holly?" the cleric asks, looking at us curiously.


    Instead of answering, Holly shoves the bundle of King''s Foil toward him. "Look, Ashur! King''s Foil!"


    Ashur''s eyes widen in surprise. "Is this really King''s Foil?" Holly nods eagerly. He immediately starts rummaging through his bag, pulling out various tools and ingredients. He sets out a mortar and pestle, a small pot, and several glass vials filled with various liquids.


    "This will need to be prepared carefully," he mutters, beginning to work with the herbs. "I''ll need some privacy, Holly. Please, step outside with your guests."


    We step out, and Holly leads us to the meeting room. She offers us tea, and I gratefully accept. Nikko, spotting the other children playing in the courtyard, looks at me with hopeful eyes.


    "Can I go play with them again?" she asks.


    "Of course," I say, smiling. She runs off, her laughter soon mixing with the other children''s.


    Holly, clearly impatient, turns to me. "How did you get the herbs from a dragon den so quickly? Was it empty?"


    I shake my head. "No, it wasn''t empty. We encountered dragons—plenty of them. It was a tough fight, but we managed."


    Holly''s eyes widen in amazement. "Dragons? And you still got the King''s Foil? That''s incredible!" She hesitates, her expression turning somber. "I feel bad that you had to go through so much for us."


    I shake my head. "I''m glad to help. The orphanage and Mrs. Whitaker needed it."


    She retrieves the copper coin again, but I decline once more. This time, I pull out a large pouch and place it on the table. "The dragon''s den was overflowing with riches so I thought I''ll share them," I explain, pushing the pouch towards her.


    Curious, Holly opens the pouch. Her eyes widen, and she nearly faints at the sight of the gold coins inside. "I... I can''t possibly accept this," she stammers.


    "Please," I insist, "the pouch is far too heavy to carry alone. The children need this more than I do."


    A tear rolls down her cheek as she expresses her gratitude. "Thank you, Ryu. You have no idea how much this means to us."


    Warmth fills me at her words. Just then, Ashur returns, wiping his hands clean on a cloth. "The herb is working," he announces. "Mrs. Whitaker will make a full recovery. She should be on her feet again by tomorrow."


    Holly''s face lights up with relief and joy. "Thank you, doctor," she says, and then turns to me. "I don''t know how to thank you enough, Ryu."


    "No need for thanks," I reply. "Helping you and the orphanage is reward enough."


    We wave goodbye to Holly and the children, their happy faces and excited waves a heartwarming sight. As we head towards the guild, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Nikko skips beside me, her earlier concerns fading into the background. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the city of Arroyo as we make our way through the bustling streets.


    ?????


    Talia steps into the bustling guild hall, Apollo towering silently behind her. The air is filled with the clamor of adventurers discussing missions, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. Her eyes quickly find Felicity, who is busy at the reception desk. Determined, Talia strides forward, Apollo''s metallic footsteps echoing softly behind her.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Felicity," Talia greets warmly.


    Felicity looks up, smiling. "Talia! Apollo! Good to see you both. Where are Ryu and Nikko?"


    "They''re busy at the moment," Talia replies, her voice urgent. "We need to speak with the guild master immediately."


    Felicity''s expression shifts to concern. "What''s this about?"


    Talia leans in, whispering, "We encountered a Shadowfell."


    Felicity''s eyes widen in disbelief. "A Shadowfell? Are you sure?"


    "Please, Felicity," Talia pleads. "We need to speak to the guild master."


    Felicity studies her for a moment, then nods. "Alright, I''ll see if Lady Kyra is available, but no promises." She disappears into the back.


    Talia waits anxiously, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Moments later, Felicity returns. "Lady Kyra will see you now," she says, gesturing for them to follow.


    Talia and Apollo walk through the bustling hall and into the quieter, more solemn back offices of the guild. They are led to a sturdy wooden door, and Felicity knocks briefly before opening it. "Lady Kyra, Talia and Apollo are here to see you."


    Lady Kyra stands behind her desk, a no-nonsense woman with a stern demeanor. Her dark hair is pulled back tightly, and her eyes are sharp and calculating. She exudes an aura of authority and intensity.


    "Thank you, Felicity," Lady Kyra says curtly. She turns her gaze to Talia and Apollo. "I''m Elizabeth Kyra, guild master of the Arroyo Adventurers Guild. Please, sit." She gestures to a pair of chairs before her desk.


    Talia and Apollo take their seats, the tension in the air palpable. Lady Kyra''s sharp eyes lock onto them as she wastes no time. "Tell me about this Shadowfell."


    Talia takes a deep breath before recounting the events at the fourth dragon den. She carefully leaves out Ryu''s personal ordeal but paints a vivid picture of the gruesome scenes and the Shadowfell''s destructive presence.


    Lady Kyra listens without a flicker of emotion. After a beat, she leans forward. "Describe this creature."


    "It was made of pure darkness," Talia begins, her voice steady. "It fed on the dragons'' essence, like a living shadow, malevolent and suffocating."


    Without a word, Lady Kyra rises from her desk and strides over to a towering bookshelf. She selects an ancient tome, flipping through the pages with practiced precision. Stopping at an illustration, she places the open book before Talia. "Is this what you saw?"


    Talia studies the illustration closely. The image of the Shadowfell is an exact match. "Yes," she confirms. "That''s it."


    Lady Kyra closes the book with a sharp thud, the sound echoing through the room. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. You''re dismissed."


    Talia hesitates, sensing her request hasn''t been fully heard, but Lady Kyra''s stern expression makes it clear the conversation is over. Reluctantly, she nods, standing alongside Apollo. As they exit the office, the heavy door shuts behind them with a finality that leaves Talia unsettled. She heads toward the guild''s tavern, the weight of the encounter pressing down on her.


    They sit at a table, and a waitress approaches. "What can I get you?"


    Talia orders a stiff drink, deciding on a strong ale, and Apollo declines any refreshment. As she sips her drink, her mind races. She thinks about the danger they''ve faced, the gravity of encountering a Shadowfell, and the uncertain future ahead. She wonders about Ryu''s state of mind and how they will move forward. The weight of their experiences presses heavily on her as she takes another sip, the warmth of the ale doing little to ease her troubled thoughts.


    ?????


    Two days have passed, and there''s still no word about the Shadowfell incident. The uncertainty gnaws at me, a constant reminder of the dangers we faced. I stand by the window, staring out at the bustling streets of Arroyo. The city''s energy contrasts sharply with the turmoil inside me.


    I sigh and turn away from the window. Talia and Nikko went clothes shopping to pass the time, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Apollo stands silently by the door, its presence a constant and reassuring weight.


    "Let''s head to the guild," I say, breaking the silence. "I want to learn more about this world''s magic. And maybe you can further your knowledge about this place as well."


    Apollo nods. "Affirmative. Expanding my knowledge base on the history and conflicts of this world will be beneficial."


    We make our way through the lively streets, the sun shining brightly overhead. The grand building of the Adventurers Guild Hall with its tall, arched windows and stone steps, stands at the end of the street. I head for the library on the second floor of the guild hall. Inside, the air is cool and filled with the scent of old books. Shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls line the walls, and the quiet murmurs of scholars fill the room.


    I head to the section on magic, while Apollo moves towards the history aisles. Hours pass as we delve into our respective studies. Apollo shares its findings with me during short breaks, revealing the history of the kingdoms, their conflicts over the centuries, and the deities they worship. The most intriguing discovery is the story of the Shadow Prince. Just as Eldrin had told me, the stories differ, but all agree on the near dark age the Shadow Prince created.


    "The Shadow Prince nearly plunged this world into eternal darkness," Apollo says, its voice low to avoid disturbing the other patrons. "The Shadowfells were used to wear down entire kingdoms, spreading despair and weakening the willpower of the people. Unfortunately, there isn''t much detail on how these creatures were defeated."


    I nod thoughtfully, turning my attention back to the book on elemental magic. The section on Earth and Air magic captures my interest. The techniques described remind me of manipulating elements with the Force, something I had read about in ancient Jedi texts.


    Earth magic involves manipulating the ground, shaping it into various forms. It''s similar to certain Force abilities like Force Push but more specialized. I read about using the Force to manipulate the elements, such as creating whirlwinds or causing tremors.


    "I need to test this," I mutter to myself, closing the book.


    Apollo looks up from its reading. "Would you like assistance?"


    I shake my head. "No, I need to see if I can do this on my own."


    We leave the library and head back to the guild. I approach the reception desk where Felicity is busy with paperwork.


    "Excuse me, Felicity. I need to use a private training ground," I say.


    She looks up, surprised but then nods. "Of course, Ryu. Follow me."


    She leads us through the bustling hallways and into a secluded training area. The walls are reinforced, and the room is soundproofed to allow for intense practice without disturbing others.


    "Here you go," Felicity says, opening the door.


    "Thanks," I reply, stepping inside with Apollo.


    I stand in the center of the room, taking a deep breath. I reach out with the Force, trying to connect with the earth beneath me. Nothing happens. I try again, focusing harder, but still, the earth refuses to respond.


    "You are weak," a voice echoes in my mind, the 12th Brother''s mocking tone. "You''ll never master this."


    I grit my teeth, frustration building. I try again, but the ground remains unmoved. Apollo stands nearby, its concern evident even in its mechanical demeanor.


    "Focus," I tell myself. "Calm down."


    I close my eyes, blocking out the taunting voice. Talia''s words echo in my mind, her encouragement giving me strength. I try again, and this time, the ground trembles slightly. It''s small, but it''s progress.


    I continue, the earth responding increasingly with each attempt. Small rocks rise from the ground, and I manipulate them into various shapes. It''s difficult, and the strain is evident, but I''m making progress.


    Apollo watches silently, its presence a reminder of the support I have. The rocks grow larger, and I shape them with more precision. Finally, after what feels like hours, I stand back, panting but satisfied.


    "I did it," I say, a small smile forming on my lips.


    Apollo nods. "Your progress is commendable."


    "Thanks," I reply, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Let''s head back."


    ?????


    Apollo and I step into the main hall of the guild, and it''s chaotic. The place is overwhelmed with mission requests. Adventurers crowd the reception desks, voices raised in frustration. I spot a group of adventurers yelling at a receptionist.


    "This is ridiculous! Nothing but animal-slaying quests? They barely pay anything!" one of them shouts.


    "We want the high-rewarding quests, not this nonsense!" another adds, slamming his fist on the counter.


    The receptionist tries to calm them down. "Please, we''re doing our best to handle the situation. The kingdom sent all these requests at once—"


    But they curse her and storm out, leaving the receptionist looking frazzled and overwhelmed. Each of the receptionists is buried in paperwork, trying to manage the influx of quests. Apollo stands idle in a corner, observing the commotion with its usual calm demeanor.


    I approach the mission board, the board overflowing with sheer number of animal-killing quests plastered across it. Each pamphlet details attacks on travelers, farms, and even nearby villages by local wildlife behaving aggressively and erratically. It''s disturbing to see so many reports of once-docile animals turning hostile.


    I approach the counter, finding Felicity buried in a mountain of paperwork. "Felicity, what''s going on with all these animal-killing quests?"


    She looks up, exhaustion etched on her face. "Over the last couple of days, the local wildlife has been acting strangely. We''ve had reports of attacks on travelers, farms, even nearby villages by animals that are usually docile or not this aggressive. It''s been happening all over the kingdom."


    "And what is the kingdom doing about this?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice.


    Felicity sighs. "Not a single thing. They''ve just unloaded all these problems on us now and guild is overwhelmed. We can''t handle this many requests at once."


    I look around, seeing other receptionists similarly buried in paperwork. Felicity continues, "I''m very busy at the moment, Ryu. Unless you want to accept a mission, I need to get back to work."


    Without hesitation I head for the mission board, grabbing as many mission pamphlets as possible and stacking them in front of her. "I want to take all of these," I say firmly.


    Felicity raises an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Ryu, this is a lot. It would be far too difficult and overwhelming to take on this many at once."


    I smirk, "I''ve faced worse odds before. With the right strategy, it can be done."


    Just then, Talia and Nikko enter the guild.


    Nikko runs up to me, beaming. "Papa, look at my new outfit!"


    Nikko looks equally impressive in her new clothes, wearing a dark green jacket, white pants, and a pair of sturdy boots. She also has a utility belt with various pouches, making her look ready for any adventure.


    I smile, ruffling her hair. "It suits you very well, Nikko. You look like a real adventurer."


    "What do you think, Ryu? Does this suit me?" I hear Talia ask. My gaze shifts to Talia. She is dressed in a stylish yet practical outfit with a mix of greens and browns, perfect for blending into the wilderness yet highlighting her elegant form. Her new attire includes a green hooded cloak, leather armor adorned with intricate leaf patterns, and a quiver of arrows on her back.


    She looks breathtaking, and the word slips out before I can stop it. "Talia, you look... breathtaking."


    Talia''s eyes widen, and a blush spreads across her cheeks. "Thank you, Ryu," she says, trying to hide her embarrassment. She then notices the large stack of mission pamphlets. "What''s all this?"


    "We should talk at the guild''s tavern," I suggest. We make our way to the tavern and find a table. The waitress comes over, but we all decline her offer to take our order.


    The firelight from the hearth flickers, casting long shadows across the tavern as Talia''s gaze shifts back to me, her expression shifting from concern to something more serious. "Ryu, why are you taking on so many missions at once? Even with that speeder bike of yours, it would take weeks to complete them all."


    I exhale slowly, gathering my thoughts. "I need to gather information," I reply, my voice firm. "This is happening all over the kingdom, not just here. The strange behavior, the attacks—it''s spreading. And I have a strong feeling the Shadowfell is behind it. If we can find it again, maybe we can take it down for good."


    Talia leans back in her chair, crossing her arms, her green eyes narrowing slightly. "This is ridiculous, Ryu. So many missions... You can''t help everyone."


    Her words hang in the air, and for a moment, they echo in my mind. I turn to face her fully, feeling the weight of her concern, but I can''t let it deter me. "I need to," I say, my voice quieter now but filled with resolve. "I can''t just sit back while all these people suffer. I can''t, Talia."


    She studies me for a long moment, her expression softening as she realizes how deeply this weighs on me. After what feels like an eternity, she nods, her voice gentle. "Okay. And I''ll help too."


    A small voice chirps from the side, and I glance down to see Nikko looking up at me, her eyes wide with determination. "Me too, Papa," she says, her little tail twitching with excitement.


    I smile beneath my hood, the warmth of their support filling me with gratitude.


    "I will assist as well," Apollo adds, his deep voice calm yet resolute as he steps forward from his usual watchful position nearby.


    I look around at them—Talia, Nikko, Apollo—each of them ready to stand by me. The weight on my shoulders feels lighter with them by my side. "Thank you," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper, but my heart full.


    We sit together, the weight of the tasks ahead of us pressing down but our resolve firm. As we approach the speeder bike hidden in the forest, I pull out each mission pamphlet, scanning through them while fiddling with my gauntlet. The stack of missions we accepted is daunting, but it''s a necessary step in combating the rising darkness in Eldoria and finding the Shadowfell. Nikko, her curiosity piqued, watches me closely.


    "What are you doing, Papa?" Nikko asks, her cat ears twitching with curiosity.


    "I''m inputting each mission location into the global map on my gauntlet," I explain. "This way, we can plan the most efficient route to complete them all."


    Finally, I finish and project a holographic map of the world. The map shows the kingdom of Eldoria, situated in the green expanse on the top right. Arroyo lies in the very center near the dense forests. The Elven kingdom is marked by the lush green forests in the heart of the continent. Numerous red dots surround Arroyo, indicating our mission locations.


    "This map shows where we are and where each mission is," I say, pointing to the red dots. "Each red dot represents a mission location. As you can see, there are many. We''ll be busy for a few days."


    Talia leans in, examining the map. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us."


    I nod and deactivate the hologram. "Let''s get moving. We have a lot to do."