Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 52: The Crimson Witch's Shadow

The air in the weapons market had been filled with the clamor of bargaining and the subtle hum of magic, but now, as they returned to the Adventurers Guild, a more serious atmosphere settled over the group. Alaric led the way back to the guild's headquarters, his demeanor relaxed, but his eyes glinting with purpose.

The weapons, carefully chosen for each of them, had been placed in their respective hands. Lucian's new sword gleamed, its blade honed to a sharper edge than before, while Seraphine's new daggers were sleek and perfectly balanced, their hilts glimmering with faint magical runes. As for Quintin, Alaric had managed to procure several boxes of revolver ammunition—each round more potent than the last.

As they entered the guild building, the receptionist offered them a brief nod of acknowledgment, but it was clear that the usual hustle and bustle of the guild's floor wasn't enough to distract anyone from the impending conversation.

"Follow me," Alaric said, his voice cutting through the noise as he led them down a corridor toward a set of double doors. The room beyond was quiet, save for the soft rustling of parchment and the rhythmic tapping of a quill against paper.

Alaric opened the door and stepped inside, gesturing for Lucian, Seraphine, and Quintin to follow. They entered a large, well-appointed office with dark wooden shelves lining the walls, filled with maps, books, and oddities from the far corners of the world. A large desk sat in the middle of the room, and behind it, Alaric's chair awaited him.

He sat down in the plush chair with a practiced ease, his fingers momentarily grazing the armrests before he placed them together under his chin. His glasses came off, and he placed them neatly on the desk before leaning back, his posture calculating and controlled.

There was a brief silence before Alaric finally spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "I trust the tour was productive?"

Quintin was the first to respond, practically bouncing in his seat, his eyes filled with excitement. "Oh, it was more than productive! I've got my hands on some new ammo, and you got me these amazing bullets, Alaric! I can't wait to try them out!"

Lucian leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "The weapons are fine. But I take it there's more to this visit than just handing out gear?"

Alaric smiled faintly, as if expecting this response. "Always straight to the point, Lucian." He leaned forward, his hands resting lightly on the desk. "I have a new task for you, and it involves someone you've all heard of—the Crimson Witch."

The name alone was enough to make Seraphine tense. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at Alaric. "The Crimson Witch? That sounds like trouble. Why us?"

Alaric raised an eyebrow, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Because, my dear Seraphine, the Crimson Witch has been causing quite a stir in the region. Lately, her presence has been felt more keenly. Strange occurrences. Disappearances. People whisper of dark magic, and yet no one dares to investigate." He paused, his gaze drifting toward the window, as though contemplating something far beyond the room. "But I believe it's time someone did."

Quintin leaned forward in his chair, a gleam of excitement dancing in his eyes. "And you want us to be that someone?"

"Precisely," Alaric replied, his tone growing more serious. "But this won't be an easy mission. The Crimson Witch is not a simple spellcaster. She's known for her ability to control the minds of others, manipulate the very fabric of magic, and… summon creatures from the abyss. She has allies in places you would never expect."

Lucian's expression remained stoic, though his mind was already calculating the risk. "We'll need more information. How do we track her?"

Alaric nodded. "That's where you come in. I have a contact who's been investigating her movements for some time. He's been trying to gather intel, but he's gone silent. Your first task will be to find him. His name is Jorin. He's an ex-soldier who now works as a freelance informant."

Seraphine's brow furrowed. "What makes you think he'll have useful information?"

Alaric glanced at her, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Jorin has a network of spies, and he's been tracking the Crimson Witch for months. If anyone knows where she's hiding or what she's planning, it's him."

"But why hasn't he come to you directly?" Lucian asked, his voice sharp.

Alaric's smile disappeared, his gaze becoming colder. "Because he's been compromised. The Crimson Witch has people everywhere. He must have been targeted by her agents. I fear for his safety, but he's your best lead."

There was a moment of silence in the room as the weight of the situation sank in.

Quintin was the first to break the silence, his voice eager. "So we find Jorin, and then what? We track down the witch and bring her in?"

Alaric shook his head slowly. "No. This is not a simple hunt. The Crimson Witch is dangerous, and she won't be captured easily. Your goal is not to confront her just yet. Your task is to locate Jorin, and then decide how best to proceed. If you think you can capture her, then you may try, but know this: she is not someone to underestimate."

Lucian nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. "And if we fail?"

Alaric's expression became unreadable, his fingers still pressed together beneath his chin. "Then I will have to take more drastic measures. But I'm confident you're capable. You've shown your strength before."

Seraphine exhaled, her gaze flicking between Lucian and Quintin before settling on Alaric. "And if we succeed?"

"Then you'll have my full support," Alaric said, his voice calm yet firm. "Not only will you receive a generous reward, but you will have proved yourselves as allies of the guild. We'll have more work for you in the future—missions that will be far more lucrative."

Quintin's grin was infectious. "I like the sound of that!"

Lucian, on the other hand, didn't respond right away. He was still processing the task ahead. "So, we locate Jorin, find out what he knows, and then proceed with caution."

Alaric's smile returned, though it was faint. "Exactly. But don't expect it to be easy. The Crimson Witch's influence is far-reaching, and she will not go down without a fight."

Seraphine leaned back in her chair, considering the mission. "We'll be careful. But how do we even start looking for Jorin?"

Alaric reached into a drawer of his desk and pulled out a folded parchment. He handed it to Lucian, who opened it carefully. The map was marked with several locations across the region—places where Jorin was known to frequent.

"This is your starting point," Alaric said, gesturing to the map. "You'll need to check each of these locations. Some will be more dangerous than others, but that's the nature of the job."

Seraphine stood up, tucking the map into her jacket. "We'll get to work."

Quintin jumped to his feet as well. "Can't wait to meet this Jorin guy. I've got a few questions for him!"

Lucian rose slowly, his expression serious. "Let's get this over with."

Alaric watched them as they prepared to leave, his hands still clasped under his chin. "Good luck, my allies. May your path be clear, and may you find what you're looking for."

With that, the trio left Alaric's office, the door clicking shut behind them. Outside, the weight of the mission settled in. They were no longer just dealing with petty criminals or dangerous beasts. The Crimson Witch was something far darker, and they would need all their wits, skills, and new weapons to survive the coming storm.

But for now, the hunt for Jorin was the first step. And they would take it carefully—prepared for whatever shadows awaited them.