Survivor's Curse

 22nd of Lumalis, Year 1434. - The Hollow Era (1429-Present)

Kalen had just woken up with his mind clear and refreshed. He washed his face, the cold water washing off the remnants of sleep, then strapped Lucian to his side. His dark cloak followed, setting itself on his shoulders like an old companion. He checked his Hollow Marks, Eight left. Not much for long, he would have to find a way of income.

After a glance around the room, he greeted Anne with a quiet nod before heading downstairs. The familiar scent of the tavern greeted him as he took his usual seat next to the counter. Dorothy, the attentive hostess, appeared in front of him shortly after. 

"Could I get a meal you would recommend?" Kalen asked. 

Dorothy smiled and nodded, "Sure thing."

A few minutes later, she returned with a plate of eggs and sausages, along with a cup of coffee on the side. The food was simple, yet satisfying. Kalen dug in, the savory taste of the eggs and sausages giving warmth to his body. The coffee, however, was something unexpected. Kalen had never really been a fan of the bitter drink, even back on Earth. But Dorothy's coffee…somehow it wasn't so bad. It was nice. He couldn't help but sip once or twice. 

'Guess I don't mind this one after all.' 

After he finished his meal, he turned to Dorothy. "I need to get more Hollow Marks and sharpen my sword," he said. "Any advice?"

Dorothy gave him a knowing look. " For your sword, you can go to Gundr's Smithy. For money….well, you can probably earn Hollow Marks by going into Lannis's Solace," she said, lowering her voice slightly. "It's a forest, not too far from here. The horned rabbits are probably your best bet when starting. But there's more to the forest than just the rabbits. 

Kalen's thoughts turned inward. 'Lannis's Solace…. There was something about that name. It seemed like a place where people would go to hide…or maybe to get lost. A forest with a name like this couldn't just be a normal hunting ground. The idea of horned rabbits appealed to me, but there had to be more to it.'

Dorothy leaned in closer, her voice dropping even lower. "There are rumors that a man named Lannis created a lab deep inside of the forest, a place full of strange and powerful artifacts. Some say that he only allowed those who were worthy to access his treasures, though no one knows the full story. The forest has a strange pull, people go in but not many come back."

Kalen's pulse quickened, the words igniting something in him. 'A lab?' 'Artifacts?' 'Worthy? This could be the break I need.'

His mind raced. 'Lannis.' 'It sounded too good to be true. Artifacts? That could mean power, information, anything. Something he could use to survive in this world. Worthy? What did that mean? Worthy of what? I need to know more….but at what cost?'

He tried to stay calm, but his thoughts kept spiraling. 'A hidden lab, secrets hidden, buried deep inside the forest. Could it be that simple?' Or was Dorothy feeding him some half-baked rumors? Either way, if artifacts were involved, it might be worth checking out. But something in the back of his mind gnawed at him. The mention of danger, people never returning. That doesn't sit right…

"Just a word of warning," Dorothy added, her tone turning more serious. "If you see black feathers, even just one, run in the opposite direction immediately. You hear me? Don't stick around. It's not something you want to mess with."

Kalen's heart stuttered. 'Black feathers?' The weight of her words hit him. 'No one comes back….'

Dorothy's voice continued softly, her voice tinged with fear. "The Owl never forgives. Not the ones who seek it and especially not the ones who see it. If it finds you, it's over."

Kalen nodded slowly, his mind swirling. 'I don't know what this is….but I need to get ready.'

"Thanks for the warning," he muttered, standing up. There was a dark gravity to her words. He hadn't expected his quest to get more money to come with so much danger. 

As he stood up and walked towards the door, he turned back to Dorothy, his hand on the handle.

"By the way, you mentioned a smithy, right? Gundr's, was it? Where is it?"

Dorothy nodded. "That's right. Right down the street and a bit to the left. You can't miss it. You'll know when you get there. It's like a second sun in there, always burning bright."

"Sounds like a place I should check out."

"It's not just the light," Dorothy smiled. "Gundr's got a way with metal. If she's the one repairing your sword, it will come out as good as new. Trust me, no one's ever left her shop disappointed."

Kalen's lips curled into a half-smile. 'A smith who can make a sword good as new? I'll take that.' 

"Thanks again," he said, tipping his head in appreciation. 

As he walked out the door, he tugged the hood over his head, he felt strangely disconnected. Almost as if the world around him temporarily shifted. His finger lingered on the cloak, uncertainty settling in his chest. 

'Why does this feel different today?'

The familiar weight of the cloak was present, but something felt different….it felt…off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but as the hood settled around him, it seemed that the world didn't register his presence. His footsteps grew softer, quieter. The sounds of the bustling streets, the chatter of the townspeople, and the clinking of metal seemed to fade as if he was no longer a part of it.

He stopped for a moment, taking in his surroundings. 'Is this normal?'

Kalen hesitated, his fingers brushing over the fabric. He knew the cloak gave him a sense of anonymity, but this was something different. A completely different level of hiding his presence. He shook his head, feeling a bit foolish. 

'Focus, Kalen. There's no time to waste. 

With a determined exhale, he continued down the street, his form blending into the background as he made his way toward Gundr's Smithy. No one seemed to notice him as he passed by, their gazes slipping right past him as if he were a part of the scenery. 

Soon, he arrived at the smithy, its bright firey glow leaking out from the cracks in the door. He paused before entering, his hand resting on the doorknob. His cloak was still settled over his shoulders, and he felt the strange sense of invisibility growing stronger. 'Should I take it off before I go in?'

In the end, he decided against it. He didn't want to draw unnecessary attention, and besides, it seemed that this cloak kept him….hidden. Stepping inside, the heat from the forge hit him immediately, the air thick with the scent of burning metal. The rhythmic clang of a hammer striking the anvil echoed through the space.

Behind the counter, Gundr paused her back to him. She didn't notice him right away, but when she turned, her eyes narrowed as if she'd felt something change.