The wind whistled through the empty streets, picking up debris and stirring up a vortex of dust that coated everything in its path. The strong gusts of wind shook the windowpanes and the door, which was already on the verge of falling off its hinges.

Eriladar and Nox, still shaken from their recent scare, quickly secured their surroundings by barricading the door with whatever objects they could find and using loose pieces of wood to board up the windows. Although it wasn't a foolproof plan, it provided them with a sense of safety and allowed them to think more clearly, with no immediate threats.

The fireplace came to life and illuminated the dim room with dancing flames. The group sat in silence around the tables, each lost in thought about their encounter with the masked men. It was surprising for them to come back, especially since there were only three villagers left. What was their purpose for returning to the village if it wasn't to take anyone else away?

"If we want to discover what they're doing, we have to follow them." Ashlyn's sudden suggestion startled the others, but they spoke with conviction and like it was the only solution. "Hear me out first." They spoke hastily before anyone could interrupt them.

"Since we've got here, we've just been sitting around and not making any moves. It's right to be cautious, especially when we don't know what we're dealing with," they paused and then continued to say, "but that will get us nowhere. Before, we didn't know where to find the masked men, and now they're back in the village.

We still don't know the purpose behind taking the villagers or why they returned this evening. If we discreetly follow them, we might find out what they're up to."

The others mulled over their words and Taegen was the first to say something: "I agree with them."

"Taegen..." Eriladar tried to stop him from speaking further, but he was interrupted by him.

"I know of the risks, but it's important to follow them to find out their intentions," said Taegen, who usually had a carefree expression. Now he wore a serious look, and he attempted to convince Eriladar. "We have spells to make us invisible and conceal our movements, and we won't be detected."

Eriladar was almost convinced, but he still felt uneasy about the risks involved. "Although I understand what you're both saying, we must ensure we are prepared before proceeding. Also, we should stay close together and try not to stray too far from the group, to minimise the chances of getting discovered."

"So we are doing this?" Ashlyn perked up and asked.

Eriladar appeared reluctant, but eventually, he nodded. Sitting idle wouldn't help them progress in uncovering the masked men's activities. Despite the risks involved, it seemed like the only viable option to move forward.

☽

As the masked men walked through the cave, they couldn't help but notice the impressive stalactites hanging from the ceiling, almost touching the ground. The cave walls were dotted with caverns that required cautious steps to avoid falling into the deep abysses below.

"Did you discover something?" One masked man turned to the one beside him and, seeing that he was lost in thought, he couldn't help but ask. "You've been absentminded since we left the village."

"It's nothing." The man replied and went back to being silent. He had stood outside the inn after feeling eyes on the back of his head, but it had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Convinced that he was just imagining it the man had rejoined the group and quickly forgot about it, but now he recalled the feeling and had an inkling that there was something amiss.

He had to join the others in going into the caves, and he couldn't simply abandon them without a valid explanation. However, he made a mental note to sneak away later and return to the inn to confirm that there really was nothing there. The success of their plan was crucial, so he couldn't let go of any potential risks.

If he didn't speak up about his discovery and the plan failed, he would be held responsible. He had put in a lot of effort to join the ranks of the masked men, and going back to his previous life was not an option, considering the numerous advantages of being part of their group.

Soon they arrived at the innermost cavern. A warm glow spread out from the centre, where a luminescent orb floated above a podium. Dried corpses littered the ground, and the masked men didn't spare them a glance as they stepped over them. Thick energy was pouring out of the corpses that were not yet completely spent, and entered the orb at a steady pace.

The supposed leader of the masked men, his face illuminated by the orb, smiled gleefully down at the floating object and he spread his hand out over the top, making sure to not touch the thing.

"It's almost ready." His voice came out raspy and entered the ears of those around him. "Soon what we have been working towards for so long will come to fruition. Just a little longer..."

Not far away from the masked men, unseen figures peered around the cave's entrance one after the after. Their shadows were hidden and their bodies were the same as the spell continued to linger over them and kept them out of sight of the individuals in the cavern.

"What is that thing?" Taegen's voice was just above a whisper, but could still be heard by the ones closest to him.

"I do not know," Eriladar answered him.

And it was true; he didn't know what the orb above the podium was, or what it was used for, but danger emanated from it and spread out from the cave. It surrounded the hidden people, choking them and making them almost collapse to the ground.