The next day, Cain woke up in the tavern room. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating Eleanor’s face, who had fallen asleep in a chair beside the bed. At that moment, Alana entered carrying a plate of food and a jug of fresh water.

Alana: You’re finally awake. —she said with a smile upon seeing him conscious.

Cain struggled to sit up, propping himself on his elbows. His face was still pale, but his gaze was clearer than the night before.

Cain: Thank you… for taking care of me. —he murmured, his voice still weak.

Alana: You shouldn’t talk much yet. I’ll call Daiki and Yadiel so you can tell us what happened to you. They’re downstairs with Wilbur.

After saying that, she left the room. While Cain finished sitting up, Alana returned with Daiki and Yadiel, who seemed calm at first glance.

Daiki: So, you still haven’t explained what happened to you. —he said, crossing his arms with a serious expression.

Cain lowered his gaze, as if remembering something with shame and pain. Then, he took a deep breath and began to speak.

Cain: This… was just part of the punishment the father gave me for rebelling against his word. In short, after a few days they sent me to investigate some neighbors’ complaints; one of them led me to the sewers. At first, there didn’t seem to be anything beyond the bad smell and the occasional rat, but then something caught my attention: the same symbol we found on the grave. It might be the next place we have to go.

Eleanor, who had woken up during the conversation, straightened up in her chair and looked at Cain with concern.

Eleanor: Wait… you were missing all this time stuck in the sewers?

Alana: Well, at least that would explain the smell.

Cain: Yes… Well, I didn’t have much time to clean myself. Besides, I was attacked… things I couldn’t see clearly. But I’m sure there’s more down there. As soon as I could, I escaped. I’m convinced it’s related to what happened to that boy.

Alana: I don’t know… —she replied, recalling the investigations they had done.

Yadiel: But if there are more symbols in the sewers, we should investigate it. Who knows, maybe someone is trying to hide something.

Daiki: Or someone is planning something worse. —he added in a somber tone.

Eleanor: Whatever it is, you can’t go back there alone. It could be dangerous.

Cain: I have no intention of doing so. —he said, looking at them—. I need your help. We might find more information there about what that boy said.

Yadiel, Alana, and Daiki exchanged glances. Although Daiki wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of helping Cain, they knew they had no other option.

Alana: All right, let’s go. But don’t separate from us. We can’t allow you to get hurt again.

Yadiel: We should go prepared, there might be several of them. —he added with a determined expression.

Yadiel: Not only do we have to prepare in case there are people, but also to endure the smell.

Cain nodded, grateful for their support. Then he looked at Eleanor, who still seemed worried.

Cain: Eleanor, maybe it would be better if you stayed. The place isn’t very big and you could get hurt.

Eleanor: No! —she exclaimed, clenching her fists tightly—. If I don’t go and you get hurt, who will heal you?

Daiki: Calm down. At worst, I’ll stay in the back to prevent us from being ambushed, and that way we’ll be safer. All right? —he said calmly.

With the plan set, they headed toward the place, moving through the city streets until it was time to enter the sewers.