Far Beyond the Abyss

"Village of the Carefree?" Ethan repeated, furrowing his brow. The name sounded more like a joke than reality, especially in a world as dark and oppressive as this one. He stole a glance at the Bizarre Sorcerer, who was being pulled around by his floating books while laughing to himself. I really hope this village isn't full of people like him…

As the group drew closer, the village slowly revealed itself. It was a small cluster of wooden and stone buildings, with gray moss creeping across the aged surfaces. Despite its antiquated appearance, everything looked eerily well-maintained, as if time itself had stopped. At the center, a well emitted a faint glow—almost inviting, yet sinister at the same time. Dark, withered trees swayed gently in the breeze, though Ethan couldn't feel any wind. Something felt wrong, but he couldn't quite place what.

Zeta 4 interrupted Ethan's thoughts with his cold, metallic voice:

— Connection lost. My drones have not returned from the village.

Everyone turned to him.

— Something is interfering with communications, Zeta 4 continued, adjusting the sensors on his arms.

Lian Xuan, who had remained silent on the flying carpet until now, slowly lifted his gaze and spoke calmly:

— The flow of time here is incorrect. Normally, it moves like a continuous river, but in this place… it circles back on itself.

The group exchanged uneasy glances as they processed this information. Seryne, who had been quiet, stepped closer to Ethan and whispered:

— Listen to the Sorcerer.

Ethan turned to her, confused. "Listen to him? Why?" he thought. But before he could ask, he realized something had changed. Without noticing, they were now standing at the entrance to the village.

The group stood frozen, taking in the atmosphere. Korrak immediately grew restless, letting out a low growl. He took a step forward, preparing to leap away.

— Let's leave, he said, his deep voice cutting through the silence. Now.

But before he could act, the little girl on his shoulder gently touched his cheek. The effect was immediate. The massive beast relaxed, almost as if being restrained by an unseen force. He fell silent, though his discomfort was still visible.

Kaerith, her antennae twitching as if sensing the energy in the air, spoke with her usual sharp yet composed voice:

— There are many life forms here… but something is off.

As the group hesitated, the Sorcerer seemed completely unaffected by the tension. He strolled toward the village entrance, his exaggerated gestures making him look like a performer on stage.

— We're already here! Let's receive a warm welcome! — he announced, with an almost irritating enthusiasm.

With no other choice, the group followed. Ethan stayed near the center, trying to keep close to the others. As they walked, he observed the villagers. The streets were strangely active: a humanoid rat swept the same patch of road over and over, while another adjusted a plant that was already perfectly aligned. The repetitive nature of their actions was unsettling, yet no one besides Ethan seemed to notice.

Then, they spotted the first villager who seemed aware of their presence. A humanoid rat with white fur, dressed in worn-out clothing, stood watching the group. Ethan immediately thought of a famous character from a certain ninja turtle franchise.

"Master Springer ? No… this one looks more… tired."

Before he could comment, the Sorcerer took the initiative. His mask shifted into a sly grin as he theatrically stepped forward and addressed the rat:

— Hello, good afternoon, my fine mammalian sir! We're a bit lost. Could you help us?

The rat hesitated, blinking strangely. Ethan stood still, observing the scene. Something in the air felt… wrong. The sensation of déjà vu gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside.

The Village's Secret

The group scattered to explore the village. Kiyoshi and Zeta 4 decided to speak with other villagers to gather information. Meanwhile, Ethan followed Seryne and Kaerith to a market stall that seemed to belong to a merchant. Behind the counter, a lizard-like humanoid awaited them with a forced smile, gesturing toward an array of goods that ranged from dried herbs to crude weapons.

— Welcome! — the lizard said with exaggerated enthusiasm. What would you like to buy?

Seryne, ever composed, leaned forward slightly.

— We're just passing through, but it's curious to see such a well-stocked market in a place like this. — Her soft voice seemed to extract information effortlessly.

— Ah, we have everything you need! — the lizard replied cheerfully, though his words lacked depth.

Seryne subtly shifted the conversation:

— It seems like a peaceful place… How does the village handle external dangers, such as the corruption?

The lizard's smile faltered for a moment, but he responded automatically:

— There's no need to worry about that. We are protected by the Tree and the Well. They keep us safe.

Kaerith tilted her head, her antennae vibrating intensely.

— The Tree… protects you?

The lizard didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting away. Before they could press him further, Ethan stepped back, unable to shake the unsettling déjà vu that was creeping into his mind. He scanned the area and noticed the Sorcerer wandering erratically through the village, fiddling with random objects. Strangely, the Sorcerer was the only one who didn't seem to be caught in the cycle of repetition.

Drawn by curiosity, Ethan walked toward the village center, where the glowing well stood. The light from the well was eerie, reflecting the starry desert sky in a way that seemed… too deep. Beside the well, a massive tree loomed, its twisted branches resembling grasping hands. As he approached, Ethan spotted Lian Xuan standing there, seemingly engaged in a serious conversation—with the tree itself.

The cultivator raised a hand when he saw Ethan, making a clear gesture for him to stay back. Ethan hesitated but remained where he was, listening from a distance. As he focused, a chill ran down his spine.

— So, senior has been alive for 20,000 years, Lian Xuan said calmly. That is quite impressive.

The tree's voice responded—deep, resonant, as if infused with time itself:

— Indeed, human. I have protected this village for millennia. My roots have kept the corruption from spreading into the mortal bodies of the inhabitants.

Lian Xuan remained silent for a moment before asking:

— And in return, senior? What do you ask for?

The tree hesitated for a brief instant. When it spoke again, its voice twisted, becoming something almost… inhuman:

— Their souls.