The Adventurers' Guild was busier than usual that morning. The hall buzzed with conversation, the clinking of mugs, and the occasional crash of a chair hitting the floor. Adam and Seren sat at a corner table, reviewing the crude map of Ironfall Ridge and the surrounding area they'd received from the receptionist.
Adam's gaze was fixed on the map, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The assassin's sudden appearance last night had confirmed what he already suspected: the cult wasn't waiting for him to find them. They were moving, expanding, and watching him closely.
His fist clenched slightly as he replayed the fight on the balcony. The assassin had been fast—too fast. Adam had managed to hold his own, but it was clear that his powers weren't enough yet.
"I've been thinking," Seren said, breaking the silence.
Adam looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"This cult of yours," she continued, tapping the table with one finger, "they're too organized for just a bunch of crazed mages playing god in the woods. If they've got people like that assassin, it means they've got resources. Infrastructure. And connections."
"Agreed," Adam said, leaning back in his chair. "But connections mean weaknesses. Someone, somewhere, knows something about them. We just have to find out where to start."
Seren smirked faintly. "And here I thought you'd just charge into their nearest hideout and punch your way through."
Adam gave her a small smile. "That's Plan B."
Seren chuckled softly but quickly grew serious. "There's something else. If we're going to go after the cult, we can't do it alone. We need more than just information. We need people. Fighters. Mages. Anyone who can hold their own."
Adam nodded slowly. "You're right. But how do we convince people to join us? Most adventurers aren't exactly signing up to fight hybrids or assassins."
Seren's expression turned thoughtful. "We start small. If we can prove that the cult is a threat to everyone—not just us—then people will have no choice but to take action. And the guild is the best place to start."
Adam glanced around the room. The adventurers gathered here looked like a mixed bunch—some hardened veterans, others little more than wide-eyed novices. If they were going to find allies, they'd need to choose carefully.
Adam and Seren approached the quest board, which was covered in posters for jobs ranging from mundane to life-threatening. Most of the adventurers milling around the board paid them no attention—until Seren cleared her throat.
"Listen up!" she called out, her voice carrying over the noise of the hall.
The chatter died down as heads turned toward her. Adam stayed silent, letting Seren take the lead.
"My name is Seren Vastra," she said, her tone firm and commanding. "Some of you might've heard about what we found at Ironfall Ridge yesterday. For those who haven't, I'll make it simple: the cult isn't just a rumor anymore. They're real, they're dangerous, and they're moving closer to Eldwyn."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of curiosity, disbelief, and unease.
"They've started creating hybrids," Seren continued. "Monsters made from beasts and humans, faster and stronger than anything most of you have ever fought. We killed two of them at the ruins, but there's more where they came from. If we don't act now, those things will overrun this region—and the guild won't be able to stop them."
The murmurs grew louder, some adventurers exchanging worried glances.
"And what do you want us to do about it?" a gruff voice called out.
Adam stepped forward, his calm but commanding presence silencing the crowd.
"Help us," he said simply. "We're putting together a team to go after the cult. If you want to protect this city, your families, or even just your own skin, we could use you."
The adventurers stared at him, some skeptical, others intrigued.
"And what's in it for us?" another voice asked.
Adam's gaze swept across the room. "You'll get paid," he said. "But more than that, you'll be fighting for something bigger than a bag of coins. You'll be fighting to stop the cult before they tear this world apart."
The room fell silent for a moment. Then, a man stepped forward—a tall, broad-shouldered adventurer with a battle-worn axe slung over his back. His beard was streaked with gray, and his face bore the scars of countless battles.
"I'm in," he said, his voice deep and steady. "If what you're saying is true, the guild can't afford to ignore it. Name's Duncan Korran. I've been around long enough to know when a threat's real. And if those hybrids are as bad as you say, I want them gone."
Seren nodded, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Good to have you, Duncan."
Another voice chimed in, this time from a younger woman with a staff strapped to her back. Her robes were faded but functional, and her eyes burned with determination. "Count me in too," she said. "I've been hearing rumors about the cult for weeks. If they're really experimenting on people, they need to be stopped. I'm Kaela Rynn, by the way."
One by one, more adventurers stepped forward, their curiosity and sense of duty outweighing their fear. By the end of the day, Adam and Seren had assembled a small but capable team of six:
- Duncan Korran, a seasoned warrior.
- Kaela Rynn, a fire mage with a sharp wit.
- Eryk Halden, a rogue with a knack for scouting and infiltration.
- Liria Fennel, a healer with a gentle demeanor but surprising resolve.
- Bram Tiern, a bowman with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue.
The group was far from an army, but it was a start.
That evening, the newly formed group gathered in a private room at the inn where Adam and Seren were staying. The map of the region was spread out on the table, along with notes and sketches of the hybrids they had fought at Ironfall Ridge.
Adam stood at the head of the table, his gaze steady as he addressed the group.
"Our goal is simple," he said. "Find the cult's next location, disrupt their operations, and gather as much information as we can about their leadership and plans. This isn't just about stopping the hybrids—it's about cutting off the source."
Duncan leaned forward, his arms crossed. "Do we have any leads?"
"Not yet," Seren admitted. "But we know they're working in the region. If we start hitting their smaller outposts, we might be able to force them out into the open."
Kaela nodded. "That's a good plan. But we'll need to be careful. If they've got more of those hybrids—or worse—it won't be an easy fight."
Adam's jaw tightened. "I'm counting on it."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the mission settling over the group.
"Get some rest," Adam said finally. "We leave at first light."
As the group dispersed, Adam lingered by the window, staring out at the city lights flickering in the darkness. Seren approached him, her expression thoughtful.
"You did good today," she said.
Adam glanced at her. "We'll see."
She smirked faintly. "You've got people willing to fight beside you. That's more than most can say."
Adam nodded, but his expression remained serious. "This is just the beginning, Seren. The cult won't stop. And neither will I."
She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Neither will I."