The barrage of crystal chunks from where Shimmer once stood finally ceased. Esca skillfully guided the boat to dock near the decimated city, using her mist to extend the ramp, which she leaned against the ground beside them.

"Okay guys, I seriously don't think we should be sticking around this place for too long." Esca urged. "Shimmer must have been quite literally just taken out if those hunks of crystal were flying around everywhere. So I ask that you two make this quick! And I mean it this time, I'm not going to sit here all day waiting to get slaughtered by whatever blew this place away!"

Verlena cautiously descended the ramp, carefully surveying the surroundings. "I do apologize, Esca, but searching the ruins of a city of this scale is not something we may rush through."

"Why exactly do you need to search it so thoroughly?? Whatever is responsible for this dreadful devastation is far beyond our level, so we should leave it alone and find somewhere else to cash in the contract!"

Verlena replied, "The entity responsible for what we see here, is not likely to annihilate such a well known city and then disappear altogether. I believe they will appear once more someday to cause more destruction elsewhere. We've arrived here so shortly after the initial attack, so we have an exceptional opportunity to gather information that may not be available for long."

"I see, I see." Esca said, crossing her arms. "Well Verlena, that information will not be very useful if you aren't alive to deliver it to anyone."

Teres cut in. "Hey, ship maid. Knock it off, we're gonna be just fine. We know what we're doing. Wouldn't be as successful as we are if we ran into danger head first without some kinda plan. If whatever did this appears and is too much to handle, we'll high tail it outta here with your help. But we don't know if that'll be necessary right now. They coulda used explosives, magic, and plenty of other methods to accomplish this. Don't go assuming your opponents strength until you meet 'em face to face."

After disembarking from the ship, Teres joined Verlena in exploring the outskirts of Shimmer. Little remained intact; only scattered crystal fragments and unidentifiable debris littered the landscape. Running his fingers over the ground, Teres lifted his hand, examining the golden dust coating his fingers. "Hey Verlena, you noti..." His sentence trailed off as he glanced toward where Verlena was exploring, catching sight of a figure draped in a wind-swept brown cloak.

The mysterious figure stood tall at over 8 feet, the features of its face concealed within its hood. It possessed a prosthetic arm, and expansive angelic wings that were barely visible beneath its cloak. It was none other than the one who had hired Verlena and Teres to handle the crisis in the cave city.

A horrified expression developed on Esca's face as she pointed at the individual. "Oh, so it was you who's responsible for all of this mayhem. Ah, well that's a relief. As you saw, we are your loyal comrades who will gladly do as you ask, and not question any heinous acts you commit such as this! So please, spare our lives my good friend... uh-.. the prosthetic being! We would love to continue this glorious friendship of ours!"

Standing up, Teres reached into his coat pocket, retrieved a piece of candy, and casually popped it into his mouth, fixating his gaze on the prosthetic being. "What kinda eerie entrance was that? We're business partners, no need to be so ominous." he remarked before swallowing the candy. "And as a business partner, I've gotta ask. You responsible for wipin' this place out?"

Verlena's expression shifted to one of growing concern. She took a silent deep breath, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her blade.

"No. I had nothing to do with what occurred here in this grandiose city." the prosthetic being began. "However, I do know exactly who is responsible for the catastrophe. Would the three of you be interested in pursuing this conflict further?"

"No we would not!" Esca quickly declared.

"We would." Verlena corrected. "The scenario we encountered due to your other contract, was unlike anything else I've experienced in my life. I did not know such horrid creatures existed in our world. So I would prefer not to remain in the dark regarding such strange events, and instead want to pursue them."

The entity glanced at Verlena, then shifting its gaze toward Teres. "Do you share her outlook on the matter?"

"No doubt I do." Teres replied. "So hit us with whatever info you've got. We wanna deal with the shithead responsible for this."

With a subtle nod, the entity reached into its cloak and retrieved a white contract emitting a magical aura. The physical form of the contract seemed tangible, yet its edges shimmered as if they were crafted from solid white flames. "The task contained within this second contract of mine, should lead you to a direct confrontation with one of those responsible for the destruction of Shimmer. I am not sure which it will be specifically, but I trust that you'll learn enough from whoever it is that appears, to have a clear path forward following the encounter."

Teres said, "So takin' this place out was a group effort, huh? Guess we'll need to tear information outta whoever shows up. Unless you wanna help us out, seems like you know a lot about these guys."

"I have a basic level of knowledge regarding what occurred, and have been pursuing the group responsible for some time. Despite this, I do not believe any further information I'm aware of would be beneficial enough to be deemed worth sharing." Extending its prosthetic arm, the being sent the contract levitating into Verlena's hands. "Anyway, let us not waste anymore time, or else you'll arrive at your destination too little too late. Following your encounter there, I will come find you so we may discuss what to do next based on the events that transpire. Until then, safe travels, and don't get yourself killed. If you intend on involving yourselves with the world of unnatural things, dying here would only prove you were not meant for it. So don't let it occur." Following its statement, the prosthetic being burst away with astonishing speed and force, leaving behind a small crater where it had stood.