The group walked toward the village that now appeared in the distance. The buildings were all small and made out of wood and straw. There were large fields close to them where farmers labored to harvest their crops. As they approached, an elderly woman noticed their arrival and walked over to meet them.

Her eyes were warm and welcoming. She held a bright smile with crooked teeth.

"Welcome to Santo Village strangers. How may we assist you?"

Slimo was the first to meet with the woman and shook her hand.

"We’re travelers from across the mountain range. We came looking for some information on a group who possibly travels a lot."

The woman looked at him with wide eyes.

"You all travelled across that mountain and survived?!"

"To be honest, it was way too close for comfort. You should warn the villagers to never approach them if they can help it."

"Will do. Now, what was this group you wanted information about? We get visitors quite often, so it’s possible we have met them."

"They are cult followers that wear a creepy black mask and dark cloaks. Does that sound familiar."

She seemed to think to herself for a moment before answering.

"Hm. It sounds kind of familiar. Maybe ask around a bit more. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help."

"Is there a place for all of us to stay or get some food?"

"Certainly. I can lead you all there if you wish."

"Sure, that sounds nice."

Slimo looked back at everyone and waved for them to follow his lead. As they walked through the town, Jacob enjoyed the peaceful presence of the place. There seemed to be so little to worry about in such a small town. However, Jacob noticed that there were not many younger families.

"Why does there seem to be so many older people who live here?"

The woman called back to him.

"This village is more of a place for retirement. The mountain range and landscape make for good sights to relax to."

Jacob whispered over to Maria.

"Imagine if the whole world was this peaceful. Wouldn’t this be a nice place to have a family?"

Maria started blushing heavily.

"Have a family..."

Maria never told Jacob, but family was extremely important to her because of the childhood she had. If there was one thing she wanted to make happen, it was to have a loving family. That was Maria’s true dream.

"It all sounds lovely."

The woman led them all to a large building with tall windowpanes out front.

"This is where you can purchase housing if you plan to stay the night. I’m sure you can find any restaurants when the need arises. I must head back to my house now."

"Thank you for the help."

Slimo waved the woman away and walked inside the building. Behind the front counter was an older gentleman who appeared to be around his age with a small scar on his cheek. He was reading something but put down his book noticing guests.

"Hello there. How may I help you all today?"

"We’re looking for information regarding some cult members who may know where our friends have disappeared to. Do you know anything about that?"

"Cult members? I’m afraid you must be more specific. We get all kinds of people who pass through this village every day."

"They have a weird mask that looks like a skull. They also wear dark cloaks. Does that sound familiar?"

Suddenly, the man in front of them paled. He went silent and stared at them with an unreadable expression. Slimo seemed confused and waved a hand in front of his face.

"Uh, hello? Is everything okay?"

"You must all leave, immediately."

"What?! Why?"

"You are not welcome here. Please leave."

"Can you at least tell us where people like them may have gone?"

"I have no idea who you are talking about. Good day to you all."

The man escorted all of them out and slammed his doors shut, locking them out. Slimo looked at everyone confused.

"I wonder what that was all about."

Lidia walked up to him and patted his shoulder.

"I can try talking to the next guy."

They all walked towards a large bar with shabby doors. Lidia burst through them, announcing her presence. She walked up to a large man behind the counter and threw down her fist. A loud bang reverberated across the bar, causing many people to look over in their direction.

"Hey, we need information on a certain group. Care to tell me anything about it, or am I going to have to shake it out of you?"

The man stared at Lidia incredulously.

"Some audacity you have coming into my bar and demanding such things in such a rude manner."

"Well, you see, I’m absolutely tired of waiting for answers anymore. Therefore, I thought I’d get them in a much quicker and efficient way. Now tell me, do you know anything about a group of masked men wearing skull masks?"

The man seemed to hesitate before responding.

"... And if I do?"

Lidia lightly chuckled to herself. Suddenly, she reached across the counter, grabbed the man’s throat, and lifted him off the ground effortlessly in her grasp. Everyone around the bar started to panic watching the scene unfold.

"Everyone, stay back or his neck gets snapped."

Lidia’s eyes were full of cold contempt. She needed to find her family as soon as possible, and she was willing to do anything to get the information she needed to bring her one step closer. The man struggled in her grasp.

"I’ll talk. Just let me down!"

Lidia’s expression stayed stern as she slowly lowered the man to the ground. He coughed and gasped for air when she finally loosened her grip.

"Talk."

He looked at her with fear in his eyes.

"Those people you are talking about. They are not normal. They came through this town and forced everyone in the village to show them their limbs and body. They even made some people strip their clothes!"

"Where did they go? What else do you know about them?"

"I don’t know where they went, but they said they were looking for someone with a specific mark on their bodies. Their very presence was terrifying enough for everyone to listen to their every word."

"Which direction did they come in?"

"They all came from the north! That’s where some say they saw them approach!"

"How did you see them appear but didn’t see them leave?"

"That’s what baffles all of us. It was as if they disappeared into thin air, like they were never here in the first place. They threatened us before they left, saying if we didn’t join their side soon, we would be sacrifices for the end of the world or something crazy like that."

Slimo walked up to Lidia.

"Those are them. It looks like we have a general direction we can travel in at least."

The man interrupted them to continue speaking.

"I have to warn you all. There seems to have been a massive change to the terrain in recent times to the north. I don’t know how long these fields stretch for anymore. There’s also rumors of something powerful claiming the territory as its home."

Slimo walked up to the man, much more curious.

"What do you mean the terrain changed?"

"There used to be a large meadow to the north, but many who arrive here are saying it seems as if a desert appeared out of nowhere to take its place. There’s also a folktale saying that no one can cross it without having their ears covered. All those who haven’t have supposedly disappeared."

A concerned expression grew across Slimo’s face. He took out a small pouch of gold, took out a few coins and threw them at the bar tender.

"Thank you for the information. If you tell anyone that we were here, a creepy group of masked people will be the least of your worries. That’s a promise."

Upon saying this, Lidia seemed to punch her palm next to Slimo while staring at the man menacingly.

"My lips are sealed."

"Oh, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Do you have any large barrels of water and some rope?"