[center][h2]The Journey Begins[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]~ Liven(?) ~[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Interacted with:[/i] [@Rune_Alchemist][/center]

[quote]“Inside. Quickly. We do not want to have the barrier down after nightfall.”[/quote]

Nick and Elisette were let inside the shelter by a blonde man with very, long hair and wore the black robes of a typical priest. Nick spotted a strange insignia on the robes, one that looked like a flower or a skull or both. An amethyst necklace hung around his neck, while his eyes were ruby in color.

[quote]“Apologies for the cold reception, understandably we’ve had it a bit hard here.”[/quote]

Within the church were the apparent survivors of the village, still alive but in miserable conditions. Nick could only wonder how long they were like this. As they went further inside though, Nick was greeted by the presence of a figure that made his eyes widen. There was a girl there wearing a dark blue-and-white maid dress, albeit a more fantastical and... flashy version and not the kind found in Earth, cosplay notwithstanding. But more importantly, it was the maid dress that Nick found in his vision.

She had a black blindfold on but her head followed the group as they entered, and Nick was watching her the entire time. Questions floating in his head the entire time.

[quote=Viorel]“Viorel. Just a traveling scholar who happened to stumble upon this village in its hour of need. Cynthia over there is my traveling companion. I thank the apostles for coming this far. I doubt I can do much more than keep the barrier over the door up. The people here need food and a warm bed, but...well, we’re all out of those. Unfortunately we can’t leave either. Those undead out there...whoever is commanding them is quite the character. They won’t follow into the city - they just stop people from leaving, and anyone from wandering in.”[/quote]

[quote=Elisette]“Woah woah, hold up, you’re telling me someone is commanding those undead?”[/quote]

[quote=Viorel]“That’s right. The people say its a witch that lives in those nearby woods, but I’m just a scholar.”[/quote]

[quote=Elisette]“So...we just gotta smash this witch and the undead will be gone, then, huh? Seems simple enough. Probably some underworld cult or something huh...Uh, what are you gonna do Nick? I don’t mind if you tag along but well, erm...”[/quote]

Nick scratched the back of his head. It would be the smarter decision to just hang back and let Elisette deal with the problem, but Nick was still worried about the warrior woman. Besides, he didn't feel right sitting this out. "[color=skyblue]Uhh, I think I'll be coming with. You'll need to find where the witch is in the woods, right? And I have a knack for finding things.[/color]" Nick made his decision.

"[color=skyblue]Uhh, but before we go, can we take a minute or two to catch our breaths? We did just get chased in the snow just earlier.[/color]" Nick was indeed tired but he just wanted to ask around some more. Taking a glance at the surviving townsfolk, he turned back to Viorel. "[color=skyblue]How long has Liven been like this? When did those zombies start coming?[/color]" He asked before getting the idea of at least arming himself. "[color=skyblue]I'm guessing the town guards are all gone. Do you have any remaining weapons for defense here?[/color]"

Looking at the maid named Cynthia, Nick pointed a thumb at her. "[color=skyblue]And don't you think it's a little... impolite to have a blind person as your servant?[/color]" He doubted that Cynthia was incapable, but Nick wanted to coax out some information.