It is an early morning. The sun is still drifting lazily just above the hills surrounding the town of Dahl. The streets are empty, as people are still either sleeping or they just started preparing for their day. In the middle of the town square there is a lone figure. It’s Gabe, his arms crossed as he is waiting for the two mages that are supposed to accompany him on his mission. From the southern street, we can see two figures walking towards him. They look young, around eighteen to twenty at most. Their steps are full of confidence as they come into the light, the morning mist is not obstructing the sight of them anymore. A girl and a boy stand before him. They resemble each other. They both have black hair and big brown eyes, equipped with fairly expensive gear.

  “Are you Mr. Gabe?”

  The boy asks.

  “Yes. I thought I told Henrik that you should be here at eight. You’re late.”

  “We came here only ten minutes later… it’s not such a big deal.”

  The girl replies with a mix of anxiousness and irritation.

  “Doesn’t matter. How you do anything is how you do everything. Learn that and you won't die. Anyway, what are your names?”

  “I am Vesta… nice to meet you. This is my brother Varuna.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “Quite the fitting names. Anyway, did Henrik inform you about the mission details?”

  “Of course. We are supposed to deal with a dark mage that terrorizes the nearby villages and towns.”

  “And you are with us to make sure nothing happens. Although I think we can manage on our own.”

  “It's good to be eager, boy, but if confidence becomes arrogance it will kill you. That’s how a lot of people die.”

  “...You seem to know quite a bit about this line of work.”

  “Well…it isn’t my first time. Let’s go.”

  They start to walk together towards the north-eastern forest. Their steps are full of confidence, the difference being that while the siblings are walking with the arrogance of talented youngsters, Gabe walks with the confidence of an experienced warrior. The forest starts to slowly come into the view. The road gets rougher and less defined with every footstep forward.

  “But really, I think we could have managed on our own Mr. Gabe.”

  “Why do you say so Varuna?”

  “We are two fourth-circle mages. Of course we can do it.”

  “Are you stupid or arrogant? Or both?”

  “Hey! Don't call me stupid! There are two of us. Winning is a given.”

  “Winning in a fight is a given huh? We are coming to him, not the other way around. What if he sets up traps? Or maybe he chose better terrain for him. Did you think about that at all?”

  “N-no…but…”

  “What if he is holding hostages in case somebody comes? Or the fact that he might be a fifth circle mage since we can't be sure? What then?”

  “I… I just meant…”

  “Remember this boy. You can never be too careful. You should always consider every possibility that can make your situation go to shit.”

  “I will…remember that.”

  “Good.”

  Gabe looks up as they reach the forest, his brows furrowing a bit. The once lively forest is now silent, even at its outskirts.

  “From now on no chit-chat.”

  “Okay, but we just entered the forest. What’s the problem?”

  “I said, no chit-chat, Varuna. Focus.”

  “Jeez, okay.”

  They cross the tree line and start to walk through the forest in silence. Vesta is a bit on edge, but still excited. Varuna is pouting, not understanding why Gabe is so strict. It is a normal forest, not special in any way, but the deeper they go, the darker it seems to get. Daily sounds of forest animals are either missing, or are rarely heard. After a couple of hours of hiking Gabe looks north-west of where they are, his eyes focused, his lips pressed tight. The forest feels unnaturally hostile already, as if no living being was welcomed here. And despite that, Gabe’s gaze lingers towards north-west.

  “Vesta, going by the report, where should we start to investigate?”

  “From the latest information we got, we should go and check out the logging village forty minutes north of here.”

  She double checks the report and looks at the map.

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  Varuna frowns slightly.

  “Why are you asking her and not me?!”

  “Sigh… fine, here’s a question for you. If he is moving towards the west, why are we going where he’s been to already?”

  “Eh… to investigate?”

  Gabe pinches his nosebridge while closing his eyes.

  “Vesta, what do you say?”

  “Erm… to check and see if maybe he didn't change the direction he is heading in. Also to find any traps in the area, and since we don't know how strong he is, try to find clues about his skill.”

  “See? That's why I ask her, not you.”

  Vesta blushes a bit from the compliment, meanwhile Varuna’s jaw clenches at the insult.

  “So what?! I’m stronger than her!”

  “That doesn’t mean shit if you can’t find your enemy. Now focus.”

  After walking for about forty minutes, they arrived at the village. It is small, built in a clearing between the trees. Silence is all around them as they enter the village. The forest was already silent, but the silence here is deafening. Houses that were full of life just a couple of days ago are now abandoned, empty, not even a soul left behind. A once vibrant forest village in the west of the Empire now has a dark atmosphere around it. The air feels heavier here, and even though the sun is roaming high in the sky, this village seems unusually dark.

  “We are here. Okay guys, split up and start to search for anything noticeable, no matter how small it is.”

  “Roger that.”

  “... Okay.”

  All of them start looking for clues, finding doors left wide open and houses that are partially destroyed. Sunken in roofs, barged in walls, fences that are knocked over. As Varuna is walking between the houses he notices something. On the ground there is a small purple gem. Varuna looks at it, inspecting it for a bit. He finds it curious but insignificant.

  “Hey, I found something.”

  Gabe and Vesta walk over as Varuna shows them the gem.

  “I don’t think it’s really that important, but since you said to report anything we find.”

  “No, this is a pretty good find.”

  “Is… Is that so?”

  “Yes, some dark mages use these gems to fight.”

  Gabe picks up the gem to inspect it.

  “They use it to fight? How?”

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  “There are many types of dark magic. And some of them need a medium, aka this gem.”

  Varuna raises his eyebrows as he crosses his arms.

  “Since you already know that, how does it help us?”

  “Not all dark magic needs this. So if I’m right, he is either Tamer or Necromancer.”

  As he says that the twins freeze in shock. Varuna’s eyes widen as he stands motionless. Vesta gasps and covers her mouth as she starts to shake a bit.

  “A… a Necromancer? Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, what if it’s Tamer, or something else…?”

  “We can’t be sure, but what I noticed is that there is no blood.”

  “What does that mean? People could have just run away.”

  “Those bastards need people to make dark mana, that’s why they take them. And they’re pieces of shit, there’s always blood.”

  “Just as Vesta said, the villagers could have just evacuated, so…”

  “The houses are destroyed, he wouldn't bother if there were no people. ”

  “But why do you think it’s a Necromancer?”

  “Because when they turn people into the undead, the spell absorbs all of their body, even blood.”

  “But…but if it’s a Necromancer…”

  “Yeah, then he is at least fifth circle.”

  Vesta’s breath hitches as she clutches her chest.

  “Then… should we go back for reinforcements? It will be better if we have more people.”

  “Sigh. We can’t do that, there’s no one they can send with us.”

  “...right. So, what do we do?”

  “We gotta finish the mission by ourselves.”

  “BUT THAT’S RIDICULOUS!”

  Varuna yells while trembling, his knuckles turning white.

  “First off, stop shouting. It only tells him our location if he is close. Second, tell me your abilities, so that I know how we should fight.”

  Vesta is standing still, wide eyed as her body is shaking slightly.

  “Why… How are you so calm?”

  “What? I thought you guys said you two alone were enough for this mission?”

  “Yeah… but we didn’t know it was a Necromancer.”

  “So what? Nothing changes.”

  Varuna bites his lip in frustration.

  “Everything changes! It’s a fricking Necromancer!”

  “You already knew this guy could be a fifth circle mage. And you knew he was a dark mage. Where is all that ego now brat? Nothing changes. You analyze, you track, you kill. That’s all there is to it. Although we aren’t killing him.”

  The twins stand baffled.

  “We… we aren’t killing him?”

  “No, we need that filth alive for questioning.”

  Vesta’s knees buckle as she hears this.

  “No way… we can’t do that. That’s too dangerous.”

  “Yeah, she is right!”

  Gabe sighs in frustration.

  “Tsk, listen here. I wanted to do this mission alone, but Henrik forced me to take you along. And you were so eager at the start of the day. So stop fucking around and calm down.”

  The twins exchange nervous glances, their breathing is a bit too heavy.

  “Still… that’s…”

  “Listen Vesta. You can take your brother and go if you don't want to do this. Just remember, this job ain’t gonna get any easier in the future.”

  Vesta hesitates, her eyes are glossy, her lips pressed thin. She stares at the ground as she thinks.

  “It… it isn’t going to get easier… so we should do it now?”

  “Yes, that’s what I'm saying. If you wanna do it, get used to it.”

  “We could die… right?”

  Varuna asks in almost a whisper.

  “Yes, that could happen.”

  A deafening silence falls over the twins as Gabe confirms it.

  “Let me ask you guys. Why do you want to be mercenaries?”

  The question hits hard, snapping both of them from their paralyzed state. Vesta looks up at Gabe while Varuna clenches his fist.

  “So?”

  Gabe asks again. Varuna starts speaking in a low voice.

  “Our father is a Knight ranked swordsman, he is someone strong, someone that people rely on and admire. He is my hero, I want to prove it. I want to be as strong as him, no… even stronger.”

  Gabe gazes directly into Vesta’s eyes.

  “Is that all?”

  Vesta does the same, a little more determined than before.

  “No, he is someone that helps people in need. He helps the weak in any way he can. I want to be someone like him, so that he can be proud of his daughter.”

  The corners of Gabe’s mouth curl up a bit.

  “Then act like it. Because out here your goals don’t mean shit if you don’t make them real."

  The twins nod, still on edge even with their newfound determination.

  “Now then, tell me your abilities, so that we can decide on what the plan is.”

  Vesta takes a step forward, as if to say that she is ready now.

  “I am a water mage. I can wield some attack magic, but I’m most proficient with defensive spells.”

  “That’s good, those always come in handy. What about you?”

  “I’m a dual wielder, I can use both fire and wind magic. I specialize in attack magic.”

  “I see, dual wielders are pretty rare. Defence and attack, that’s a good combo, no wonder you were arrogant.”

  “H-hey...”

  The twins blush a bit.

  “Now then, how should we use that?”

  “You don’t know yet?!”

  “Do… Do you not have any plans?”

  Gabe looks at them dumbfounded.

  “Of course I do. I just don’t know which one to choose.”

  Vesta raises her eyebrows.

  “What do you mean…?”

  “Well, I brought you here to fight right? I’m thinking about how much I should help.”

  Varuna's eyes narrow as he leans forward.

  “Please tell me you aren’t serious.”

  “Yep, I am. Why?”

  “What do you mean why?! It’s our first mission, and we should finish it as soon as possible! Of course we should use the most effective approach!”

  “Eh, not my style.”

  The twins are genuinely at a loss for words.

  “Okay, let’s go. No use dilly-dallying around.”

  “Where exactly?”

  “Where do you think? To catch that bastard. Earlier I found his tracks.”

  The twins start to follow Gabe. They follow the drag marks and footprints they found leading towards the west. They walk into the sea of high pine trees again, getting enveloped by them, leaving the relative safety of a clearing. The forest looks almost peaceful now, and that’s what unsettles the twins. A forest that felt so hostile and dark, suddenly looks normal, even welcoming. But you can tell with one glance that the warmth is false. Like an image painted on a canvas. It feels like the peaceful image is meant to hide something. Vesta’s eyes dart between Gabe and the ground.

  “...Have you decided on the plan yet?”

  “Yes, we will do it like this. I will be on the frontline fighting up close, meanwhile you will be at the back casting and preparing defensive spells for us. Varuna will be by your side and attack with me from a distance while protecting you. I also want you to use some attack magic to distract him from our attacks when possible. Understood?”

  “Isn't that a bit too vague for a plan?”

  “Well, that’s all you need to know. Figure out the rest yourself while we fight.”

  Varuna frowns.

  “That’s too dangerous. It’s our first mission of this caliber.”

  Gabe looks over his shoulder briefly as he continues to walk.

  “Do you know what is the most important thing while fighting?”

  “Isn’t it strength?”

  “Well yes, of course. But are you the strongest?”

  “No… what’s your point?”

  “You’ll fight even when you aren’t the strongest. What then?”

  Varuna strokes his chin.

  “Hmm. If I can't win then I should retreat.”

  “Correct. Can you win or not? What's the next move you should use? What distance should you keep him at? It's decision making while you fight. But you don't always have time to think.”

  “So what then?”

  “Instinct. Fight and gain experience. If I hold you by your hand you will never learn it properly.”

  “Still… isn’t that a bit too much?”

  “It’s alright. I’m here after all.”

  Gabe notices the fading sunlight.

  “Okay. Let’s camp here.”

  Vesta’s head turns sharply.

  “Camp?”

  “Of course. It’s dumb trying to pursue someone at night.”

  Gabe's eyes narrow.

  “Don’t tell me…”

  Vesta looks at the ground, avoiding Gabe’s gaze, while Varuna turns his head to the side while whistling.

  “You have your camping gear, right?!”

  Vesta blushes a bit.

  “Well… we didn’t really think about it.”

  Gabe puts one hand on his side as he rubs his temples.

  “Sigh… What did I do to deserve this?”

  Varuna kicks the ground softly.

  “Is it really such a big deal?”

  “Shut up before I smack you! Who even trained you?! Okay… listen here brats. I will set up my tent. Take my gear and prepare dinner. Be done before the sunset, we need to extinguish the fire.”

  Varuna pouts slightly, his voice lowering slightly.

  “But then we won’t see anything at night.”

  Gabe clutches his fists, his eyes hardened.

  “Do you want the whole forest to know where we are?! Just do as I say.”

  Everybody starts to do their assigned chores. Gabe finishes raising up his tent swiftly, while the twins struggle to prepare the dinner. When they finish they eat in silence as they start to be enveloped by darkness.

  Varuna looks around, his eyes darken slightly.

  “The atmosphere was bad already. But it feels ominous.”

  Gabe looks up from his almost finished meal. His eyes dart towards Varuna.

  “Exactly. One of us will keep the watch at all times. We will do three hours each. I will take the first turn.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, don’t worry Vesta. You guys go and rest.”

  His voice gets lower, almost a growl.

  “Tomorrow we hunt.”

  After finishing the meal they clean after themself, putting Gabe’s equipment back into his bag neatly. As the twins go inside the tent they glance back briefly before settling down. Gabe looks into the darkness, staring towards the west. His gaze lingers there for quite some time.