Davorin looked around at everyone now sitting in a circle. The atmosphere had grown calmer, only the sound of footsteps upstairs and the soft gusts of night wind slipping through the cracks of the old inn's walls could be heard.
"Alright, let's talk strategy and the creature we might be dealing with." Davorin said, opening the discussion.
Ailsa nodded and began to speak. "So, remember when I said you missed something earlier, Davorin?"
"Yeah, can you explain? Was there a clue I overlooked?" he asked.
"When you were talking to the village chief at the gate earlier, I was eavesdropping a bit. If I heard correctly, this village is currently suffering from an outbreak… and crop failure." said Ailsa.
"Hmm… yeah, I also had the feeling the plague and crop failure were somehow connected to that creature." Davorin replied.
"I think I know what creature this is." Ailsa said suddenly.
"What? You do? You're into mythology too?" Davorin asked, surprised.
"No, not really. It just reminded me of a bedtime story my grandmother used to tell me when I was a kid." Ailsa said.
"Can I share it real quick?" she asked.
"Go ahead." Davorin said, watching her intently.
Everyone fell silent, their eyes on Ailsa. The lantern in the corner flickered in the breeze, casting dancing shadows along the walls.
Ailsa took a deep breath and started.
"When I was little, my house was near a forest. My grandmother always warned us never to enter the woods when the fog came down especially at sunset. She said that beyond the trees lived an ancient creature called the Nuckelavee a skinless monster, its body slick with blood and exposed muscle."
"What? Nuckelavee?" Davorin blurted out.
"You know that name too?" Ailsa asked.
"I've read a little about it. The bottom half of its body is like a horse, but growing out of its back is the malformed upper body of a man twisted and terrifying. Its face is too large for its head, its eyes glow red and unblinking, and its neck is long like it could coil around you."
"Yeah, that sounds exactly like what my grandma described." Ailsa said.
"Damn... I can't believe I overlooked this myth. It all makes sense now the plague, the crop failure…" Davorin muttered under his breath, nervously chewing his thumbnail.
"Mind if I finish the story?" Ailsa asked.
"Please, go on." Davorin said.
Georgia swallowed hard as Ailsa continued, her voice dropping almost to a whisper.
"When it walks, the land around it dries up. Animals die. Disease spreads. No one can face it directly, because even its breath can melt your skin like acid." Ailsa said.
"But… my grandma also said there was one weakness. Saltwater and lakes. I don't know why, but they're afraid of it, sea wat-"
Suddenly, Lena cut her off. "Wait a second. If that's its weakness, then where the hell are we supposed to get seawater or a lake? All I see around us is grassland and forest."
Everyone went quiet.
Then Georgia spoke up. "There is… there is a sea nearby."
"Huh?" Lena turned to her, confused.
Georgia continued, "When we were running from that Redcap and made it to this village, I looked back for a second. I swear I saw what looked like a sea or maybe a lake on the opposite side of the village."
"Hold up. Are you sure about what you saw?" Logan asked skeptically.
"I'm pretty sure… I mean, I think I did see water back there." Georgia replied, hesitantly.
"If that's true, and there is a body of water out there, then that's our endgame objective." Davorin said.
"So what now? Do we head back into the woods and check it out?" Logan asked.
"We'll have to, but first we need to train. We should get used to the weapons we have." Davorin said.
"And if we go all the way out there and there's no water? What then?" Ewan asked.
"Then we face that creature head-on." Davorin replied.
The room went silent for a moment.
"Yaaawn... That's probably enough discussion for now." Lena said, stretching and yawning.
"Alright, then we'll end it here for tonight. You guys get some rest, I'll take the night watch. I'm used to staying up till morning anyway, hahah." Davorin chuckled softly.
"I'll stay up with you, senpai." Georgia said.
Davorin gave her a faint smile. "You should rest. You've had a long day, you must be exhausted."
"B-but, senpai" Georgia protested.
"Rest up, Georgia. We've got weapon training tomorrow." Davorin insisted.
"If you're that worried, I'll stay up with Davorin." Logan offered.
"A-alright then. I'm going to bed." Georgia mumbled, finally giving in.
"Guess I'll turn in too." Ailsa said.
Eventually, everyone drifted off to sleep except for Davorin and Logan, who sat watch.
(Davorin and Logan sat near the dim lantern. The night was quiet only the sounds of insects and the wind in the trees could be heard.)
"Pretty calm night, huh?" Logan said.
"Yeah... after all the chaos, tonight feels strangely peaceful." Davorin replied.
"Funny, isn't it? We all came from different places, different lives… and now we're sleeping side by side in the middle of some haunted forest because of fate." Logan said with a short laugh.
"Yeah, fate's a bitch, huh?" Davorin chuckled.
"True. But thanks to you leading us, I actually feel a little safer. And man, your knowledge about all these creatures? That's impressive." Logan said.
"I don't always know what I'm doing, Logan. I just… try not to show it. If I start doubting myself, the others will too. Especially Georgia. I don't want her to get hurt." Davorin said quietly.
"Sometimes the reluctant leader turns out to be the best one. You think about others first , that's what makes you different." Logan said.
"...Thanks. Turns out you're not such a tough guy after all, huh?" Davorin smirked.
"Hey, just 'cause I've got a scary face doesn't mean I don't have a heart!" Logan laughed.
They stayed up talking about everything and nothing until the first light of dawn touched the trees.
OBJECTIVE:
PROTECT THE VILLAGE
TIME REMAINING: 6 DAYS, 3 HOURS