Trials Of Life

Chapter 26: Walls Of Earth, Path of Uncertainty

The girls hurried into the potion shop, a soft chime ringing as the door closed behind them. The air inside was thick with the earthy smell of herbs and chemicals, mixing with the subtle scent of aged wood. Wooden shelves lined the walls, crammed with glass vials of various shapes and colors, each containing liquids that glowed faintly in the dim light. A narrow staircase spiraled up to an upper balcony, where cookbooks and potion recipes were stacked neatly.

From behind the counter, an old man emerged from a shadowy doorway. His face was weathered, etched with deep lines that told stories of years past, and his messy white hair fluffed gently from his head. Perched on his nose were a pair of thick glasses, which he adjusted when he spotted Mary.

“Mary, my child!” he greeted warmly, his voice raspy but filled with genuine affection. He pulled the glasses off and tucked them into his shirt pocket, revealing a bright smile. “How are you today?”

Mary attempted a smile, but the unease lingered in her eyes, glancing quickly over her shoulder toward the street. “Hello, Mr. Bogart. It’s going to be a quick one today...” Her voice trailed off as she peered out the window, her nerves still unsettled.

The old man raised a bushy brow, noticing the tension in her expression. His gaze shifted to Yumiko, who stood near the door, eyes flicking warily to the street outside. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward. “Well then, let’s not waste any time. What are you after today, my dear?”

Mary leaned in closer to Yumiko, her voice low. “Keep an eye on the door.” Then, turning back to Mr. Bogart, she said, “I need some healing and stamina potions. Maybe some poison potions, too. We’re heading into some caves, so whatever antidotes you recommend for the local dangers. Feel free to mix different kinds there.”

The old man’s head bobbed in understanding. “How many of each?” he asked, moving toward the shelves behind the counter.

“Four of each,” Mary replied, her voice firm. “High potency for all, please.”

He gave a satisfied hum as he began gathering the requested items, leaving Mary and Yumiko by the entrance. Mary walked back toward Yumiko, her eyes scanning the street outside. “Do you see anything?”

Yumiko’s brow furrowed, her gaze sharp as she peered through the small window. “No... but I swear I saw something out there. A shadow, maybe. It felt like we were being watched when your friend came by...”

“You’re not imagining it,” Mary muttered, crossing her arms. “I felt it too.” Her eyes flickered over the passersby, who went about their business in the tight, crooked streets. Cobblestones stretched unevenly beneath their feet, and the clean, white buildings seemed to rise high and lean close, like they were closing in. No one outside looked particularly out of place, but the creeping sensation of being watched gnawed at her. “Why would they be watching us?”

Yumiko glanced sideways at her. “You think it has something to do with that paper your friend gave you?”

Mary’s hand instinctively went to the pouch at her waist, her fingers brushing against the folded parchment. “It might,” she said quietly. “Something about that whole exchange was off.”

A sudden voice interrupted her thoughts. “All ready for you, my dear!” Mr. Bogart called out from behind the counter, several potions of varying colors lined up neatly before him.

Mary turned quickly, forcing a smile despite the lingering unease. “Y-yes, thank you!” Her pulse quickened as she glanced one last time out the window, the sense of invisible eyes tracking their every move refusing to leave her mind.

“Do you need anything else?” Mr. Bogart asked, tilting his head curiously.

Mary shook her head, already reaching for her coin pouch. The man nodded his head as he pointed to the contents, “Four healing potions, four stamina potions, and four mixed antidotes—all high potency—that comes to fifty silver.”

She quickly counted out the silver coins, placing them in his waiting hand.

“Looks like you're heading somewhere dangerous,” he remarked, his sharp eyes watching as Mary hastily stuffed the vials into her pouch.

Mary chuckled, though her voice was tight. “Oh, you know how it goes.”

Before Mr. Bogart could respond, Yumiko's voice cut through the air. “Mary!” she called from the door, her tone tense. “I see someone... No, two people! I think it’s the ones that were watching us!”

Mary’s head snapped toward Yumiko. “Are you sure it’s them?”

“They're both wearing cloaks, and something about them is making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! They're coming down the street!” Yumiko's gaze darted nervously outside the window, her hand instinctively reaching for her kunai knife at her hip.

Mary’s eyes flickered toward the glass, and suddenly, she felt it too—an oppressive, bloodthirsty aura creeping in from outside. It was unmistakable.

From nowhere, the ethereal voice entered, "Run! You are no match for them! These people are dangerous!" The voice was urgent and chilling.

Mary’s heart raced as her eyes frantically searched the shop for an escape. Mr. Bogart, noticing her distress, offered a kind, knowing smile. “If some unsavory folks are after you and your friend, you’re welcome to use the back exit,” he said, gesturing to the doorway behind the counter. “Leads out to an alley behind the shop.”

Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Mr. Bogart,” she said, nodding quickly. She turned toward Yumiko, who was already making her way over, her eyes wide with urgency. “Alright, let's get out of here.”

Mr. Bogart pointed a steady finger toward the door. “Straight through there, on your left. Can't miss it.”

Mary flashed him a grateful smile, tossing another silver coin onto the counter. “We owe you one, Mr. Bogart!” she called, then bolted through the door with Yumiko right on her heels.

They burst into the cramped back room, shelves overflowing with dusty old books and potion ingredients. In the far corner, the exit door loomed. Mary grabbed the handle and yanked it open, letting Yumiko sprint out first before following close behind. Both girls ran as fast as they could.

The alleyway beyond was narrow and damp, the morning sun barely reaching the cobblestones. Shadows clung to the tight walls of the surrounding buildings. Puddles dotted the ground, and the distant hum of the market was faint in the background. The alley stretched out to a main street some distance away.

They were about halfway down the alley when Mary suddenly skidded to a halt, her breath quickening.

“What are you doing?” Yumiko hissed, her eyes darting back to Mary, panic creeping into her voice.

Mary slammed her fist onto the ground, and with a sharp gesture toward the sky, the earth answered her command. In an instant, a thick wall of packed dirt and stone erupted from the ground, barricading the alley behind them. “Let’s go!” she shouted, sprinting back toward Yumiko.

Inside the shop, the door creaked open, the small door bells chimed. Mr. Bogart, looking up from his counter, offered his usual friendly smile. “Good morning,” he greeted casually, though his voice wavered slightly.

A massive, muscular man stepped through the entrance first. His cloak obscured most of his face, save for his thick orange beard that poked out from beneath the hood. His heavy boots echoed across the floor as he glanced around the shop.

Beside him, a woman bounded in, her eyes scanning the room with an almost manic energy. “I don’t see them anywhere!” she said, her fingers twitching with impatience.

The large man approached the counter, his shadow looming over Mr. Bogart. The shopkeeper’s smile faltered as he looked up at the towering figure, sensing the danger. “How can I assist you today?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Without warning, the man lunged forward, his hand shooting across the counter to clamp around Mr. Bogart’s throat. He lifted the frail shopkeeper into the air effortlessly, his grip tightening. “Where are the girls?” the man growled, his voice low and menacing.

Mr. Bogart gasped for air, his hands clawing desperately at the man’s arm. His face reddened, veins bulging in his neck as he struggled to breathe. The large man leaned in closer, his voice a deadly whisper. “If you’re hiding them, now’s the time to speak.”

Unable to respond, Mr. Bogart's body went limp, his eyes rolling back. The man dropped him carelessly to the floor, where he landed with a thud, wheezing and clutching his throat.

The ground rumbled faintly beneath their feet. The woman’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “There’s a back door! I can feel magic—earth magic!” she shrieked, sprinting toward the rear of the shop.

“Consider yourself lucky,” the man muttered darkly, stepping over Mr. Bogart’s crumpled form and following the woman out.

Back outside, Mary and Yumiko dashed down the narrow alley, nearly reaching the bustling main street. “Will that wall hold them?” Yumiko asked between quick breaths.

Mary flashed a confident grin. “It’s three feet of solid earth. Unless they’ve got explosives, they’re not getting through that without causing a scene. And I doubt they’ll want to draw that kind of attention.”

Yumiko leaped over a large puddle, her boots splashing slightly. “What if they can use earth magic too?”

Mary’s smile faltered, a tinge of worry creeping into her expression. “Well…I didn’t think of that. But hey, at least it’ll slow them down for a bit!”

Suddenly, a loud explosion reverberated from behind them. Both girls skidded to a stop and turned, eyes wide with shock. Mary’s earth wall collapsed in a cloud of dust and flying debris. Chunks of rock hurtled through the alley, smashing against the tightly packed buildings. A thick veil of dust filled the narrow street.

Emerging from the swirling cloud of debris was the hulking figure of the orange-bearded man. His fist was glowing with a fierce energy, faint trails of smoke rising from his knuckles. He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as if the explosion had been a mere inconvenience.

Yumiko’s breath hitched. “I think that answers the magic question.”

Mary’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, I guess it does.”

From behind the large man, a smaller-framed woman emerged, her face hidden beneath the hood of her cloak—except for her smile. A wide, unsettling grin stretched across her face as she locked eyes with Mary and Yumiko, her expression disturbingly cheerful.

“You two must keep running!” the ethereal voice urged once more, cutting through the tension like a cold breeze.

Just as Yumiko prepared to bolt, the cloaked woman shot her hand toward the ground. In an instant, the cobblestone alley began to freeze, a thick layer of ice spreading across the ground in front of her. With a graceful leap, the woman landed on the frozen path, skating toward them with astonishing speed. Her hand remained outstretched, continually freezing the cobblestones as she moved, creating an unbroken trail of ice that snaked down the alley.

“C’mon!” Mary shouted, her voice laced with urgency. She took off running, with Yumiko close at her heels.

“Are we sure we can’t take them?” Yumiko panted, glancing over her shoulder. The sight of the cloaked woman effortlessly gliding across the ice sent a shiver of dread through her. The woman’s eerie smile never wavered as she closed the distance.

Mary shot her a quick glance. “That voice told us to run, so I’m running. Besides, anyone who skates toward us while leaving her huge friend behind to handle us is not someone I want to fight. She’s probably way stronger than she looks!”

They burst onto the main street, hoping the presence of a crowd might deter the woman from continuing her pursuit, or at least slow her down. The bustling crowd of merchants, shoppers, and adventurers could offer some protection—at least, that was the hope.

Back in the alley, the large man stood still, watching the scene unfold. He sighed deeply, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “She always has to get ahead of herself,” he muttered, staring at the ice-covered alleyway. His frustration bubbled over as he threw up his hands. “Why’d she have to freeze the entire alley? Now I can’t follow her!” His voice boomed, echoing down the narrow passage.

Meanwhile, Mary and Yumiko weaved through the crowded street, bumping into pedestrians and barely muttering hurried apologies. They didn’t dare stop. Yumiko risked a glance over her shoulder. “Do you think we lost her?”

“Dukc!” the ethereal voice shrieked in their minds.

Without thinking, both Mary and Yumiko dove to the ground. A massive shard of ice whistled past them, slicing through the air like a razor’s edge. It crashed into the building behind them with a deafening roar, sending stone and debris flying. The wall crumbled, collapsing inward as panicked screams erupted from the crowd. People scattered in every direction, the street erupting into chaos.

Yumiko and Mary exchanged a wide-eyed glance, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they took in the destruction.

They scrambled back to their feet, turning their attention forward—only to find the cloaked woman standing directly in front of them. She had somehow moved faster than either of them had anticipated. Her devilish grin stretched wider, her teeth gleaming beneath the shadow of her hood.

“I guess I overdid it with that last one,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “And that was just a small one.” She held her hand out, the air around it beginning to crackle with cold as another spike of ice formed in her grasp. Her eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of excitement and malice.

Yumiko glanced back at the half-destroyed shop, smoke and dust still curling from the shattered walls. Small one? Surely she’s bluffing... No one has that much power, she thought, unease gnawing at her as she struggled to keep pace.

Before she could question it further, the ethereal voice chimed into both their minds, more urgent now. “Vanessa Koroleva. She was exiled from her nation and sent to prison for killing too many people. They call her the Ice Queen. Do anything you can to avoid her!”

Yumiko felt her heart skip a beat. The voice sounded afraid. She shot a look at Mary, panic starting to rise. “What now?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.

Mary’s grip tightened around the handle of her hammer, her expression darkening. “Now... now we fight.” She unslung the massive weapon from her back, the iron head gleaming in the morning light.

Vanessa’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with twisted delight. “Yes! That’s better! No more running!” She crouched, preparing to attack. In the wind, her cloak blew back, revealing her face—hazel eyes brimming with icy malevolence.

For a split second, Mary and Yumiko froze in place, their bodies stiffening as a wave of paralyzing horror gripped them. Something—some kind of effect—washed over them, stopping them in their tracks.

Vanessa scowled, clearly irritated. With a sharp tug, she yanked her hood back over her head, hiding her face once again. “Ugh, Master’s ability is always getting in the way. It ruins all the fun,” she muttered, visibly annoyed as she shook off the influence.

Yumiko’s hand trembled as she reached for the kunai tucked into her waistband. “No!” the ethereal voice pleaded urgently. “You need to run, not fight! She’s too strong!”

Before Yumiko could react, a deep voice boomed from behind them, stopping her cold. “Vanessa.”

She spun around, heart hammering in her chest, to see the large cloaked man from earlier. He stood mere meters away, cutting off their escape. Mary and Yumiko were trapped, caught between the two powerful enemies, nowhere left to run.

The man’s gaze was sharp as he addressed his partner. “What did I say about taking them alive?” His voice carried a commanding authority. Vanessa’s shoulders slumped slightly, and she looked at the ground in what seemed like shame.

“I know... I know,” she muttered, clearly frustrated but unwilling to defy him openly.

The large man’s eyes shifted to Mary and Yumiko, his expression cold and calculating. “You two have information we want.”

Mary wiped the sweat from her brow, eyes flicking to Yumiko. “We don’t have anything you want. We literally just met today.”

The man’s attention focused on the small pouch strapped to Mary’s waist. “Your colleague handed you something back by the potion shop. We saw the exchange.” His voice was smooth, yet menacing. “That information might be valuable to us. Cooperate, and I promise no harm will come to either of you.”

Vanessa’s lips parted as if to protest, but the large man stomped his foot down with an audible crack, silencing her immediately. His gaze returned to Mary. “Well? What do you say?”

Mary shook her head, her grip on the hammer tightening. “Sorry to disappoint, but I can’t do that. First off, it’s against my group’s rules to share information. And second...” She shot him a defiant look. “With or without that paper, I already had plans to head in the same direction, so the last thing I want is some freaks to be following me out in the woods.”

The man’s expression didn’t change, but there was a faint glimmer of something in his eyes. “Is that what you’re saying, or what someone’s telling you? Or perhaps feeding you?” He paused, watching Mary closely. “You two… I’ve noticed holy magic surrounding you on occasion. Is there someone whispering to you, guiding your actions?”

Mary flinched, just barely—but it was enough. His eyes sharpened, and he nodded slowly. “Yes, that colleague of yours was cloaked in holy magic. The magic of the gods… So, will you not cooperate?”

Mary gulped, sensing the raw intimidation from the man, “I told you, my answer is no.”

The large man sighed, cracking his knuckles. “Unfortunately, we’re going to have to take one of you... and that paper.” His voice was calm but menacing. He glanced sideways at his partner. “Vanessa, leave one alive. I don’t care what you do with the other.”

Vanessa’s grin widened, her eyes lighting up with twisted joy. The promise of violence thrilled her, and she eagerly adjusted her stance.

Yumiko’s fingers traced the familiar shapes along her waistband, her mind racing. Without looking at Mary, she leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. “Follow my lead.”

Yumiko’s attention snapped to the large man, her hand still hovering close to her side. “Wait!” she called, stepping closer to Mary but keeping her movements calm. “We don’t know what this is about... but you can have the paper.”

Mary tensed, her grip tightening on her hammer, not fully understanding Yumiko’s plan but trusting her instincts.

The large man straightened, his posture relaxing slightly as he considered Yumiko’s words. “Very well. Hand it over,” he ordered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion but curious enough to hear her out.

Yumiko nodded, her expression calm, though her pulse raced beneath her skin. “Sure. Catch!”

In a flash, she whipped her hand from behind her back and hurled a small, round object toward him with astonishing speed. Before he could react, the ball struck his arms as he raised them defensively. A loud crack followed, and the object exploded in a burst of thick, acrid smoke.

“Argh!” the man coughed, stumbling back as the pepper bomb filled his lungs and stung his eyes. He doubled over, groaning in pain, wiping at his burning face.

Mary’s eyes widened in shock, then understanding flickered. This is our chance! Without hesitation, she slammed her hammer down onto the ground with all her strength. The earth trembled beneath her feet as the ground erupted, chunks of stone splitting and rising to form a barrier between them and Vanessa.

Yumiko didn’t waste a second. She reached for another small device tucked into her waistband, another round object with a string at the top. She swiftly pulled the string and tossed it at their feet. The ball hit the ground, exploding into a dense, blinding cloud of smoke.

Before Mary could react, Yumiko grabbed her by the arm, pulling her through the rapidly thickening haze. “Come on!” she whispered urgently. Mary felt herself being dragged through the alley, unable to see more than a foot in front of her.

Glancing over her shoulder, Mary saw the smoke filling the narrow street behind them, a heavy, impenetrable fog. “Nice smoke bomb! What was that other thing—the one that made that big guy cough and buckle?”

Out of the cloud now, Yumiko released Mary’s arm as they sprinted down the cobblestone streets. “A pepper bomb,” she said between breaths, a small grin on her lips. “Made from various spices. I whipped a few up while I was healing in the clinic.”

Mary chuckled, her pulse still racing. “You know, I’m surprised Lukas doesn’t like you. I’ve only known you for a few hours, but I feel like we’re gonna get along just fine.”

Yumiko smirked, her breath coming fast but steady as they darted between the narrow alleys. “Thanks. But we’re not out of this yet. I want to get as far away from them as possible!”

Back in the smoke-filled street, Vanessa leapt gracefully over the fractured wall Mary had created. She landed silently, her eyes scanning the dissipating smoke for her partner. “Ronan!” she called, her voice cutting through the fading cloud. She started toward the shifting silhouette, moving the smoke aside with a wave of her hand.

“Over here,” Ronan groaned, his figure slumped against the side of a building, his broad shoulders heaving as he struggled to recover. His face was flushed, eyes bloodshot and streaming tears.

Vanessa crouched down next to him, peering into his irritated eyes. “Are you alright?”

Ronan scowled, spitting onto the street. “She set some kind of trap... it’s burning my eyes and throat.” He rubbed his face vigorously, blowing his nose into the ground.

Vanessa’s lips curled into a smirk as she watched him suffer. “I told you we should’ve just killed them,” she muttered, eyeing the remnants of the smoke bomb as it began to fade.

“No!” Ronan snapped, his voice harsh. He forced himself to stand, staggering slightly but managing to steady himself. “I told you... we need them alive. The staff is what matters. That paper might have had a clue, something we missed. Besides,” he added, his eyes narrowing, “we don’t know who’s feeding them information. Whoever’s surrounding them in holy magic is dangerous.”

He wiped at his still-watering eyes, frustration evident. “They’re more useful alive for now. And either way, from the information we’ve gathered, we know the staff is somewhere in the Evergreen region. All we have to do is wait, see which carriage they take, and follow them from there. They’ll lead us right to it.”

Vanessa’s grin returned, her excitement palpable. “And once we get the staff... can I finally fight them?”

Ronan sighed, his cloak falling back from his face, revealing his gray eyes, which briefly flickered red with barely restrained fury. “Once we have the staff,” he muttered, “you can kill whomever you please.”

Vanessa let out a gleeful laugh, practically dancing in place as they prepared to regroup.