Empty Shell

As soon as Soul and the survivors from the mine entered the village, the residents of Thoughtwoods – not just the miners, but also children, women, and even pets – gathered around.

With tears of relief streaming down their faces, the survivors rushed toward their loved ones. Some clasped their wives tightly in their arms, overcome with emotion at the sight of their beloved spouses. Others lifted their children high, showering them with kisses. And a few knelt down to pet their faithful pets, who eagerly licked their faces and wagged their tails in excitement.

Soul leaned against a wall and watched them with dull eyes. His job was done, now it was time to take his gold and be on his way.

"Hey!" Darrin yelled, his voice cutting through the celebratory atmosphere. "I didn't get your name because I thought – you'd die, you know?"

"Soul," came the reply.

"Sorry?"

"Name's Soul," he repeated.

"Ah, Soul? Weird name, but okay. Thank you, Soul," Darrin said, extending his hand for a handshake. "Thanks for bringing back my crew alive."

Soul accepted the handshake. "It was a quest. I didn't do it for the greater good. I did it for the gold."

Darrin chuckled. "I know, I know. But I can still express my gratitude, can't I? Ever find yourself in a rough spot, you come to us, Soul. Our doors will be open."

"I'll remember that. Thank you," Soul replied.

Darrin grinned. "Stay for a while. We'll drink beer!"

Soul shook his head. "Not old enough to drink yet."

"But old enough to slay goblins and rescue men from the mines?" Darrin retorted, a playful glint in his eye. "Come on, don't be a party shitter. Stay with us!"

Soul considered for a moment. He had been walking for quite some time, and the idea of resting sounded appealing. "Hmm… okay. I'll stay for a while."

"Alright!" Darrin exclaimed, hitting Soul on the back. "Let's get you – and these survivors – a drink! Let's drink until we pass out!"

Soul found himself seated on a chair, the two women resting comfortably on his knees. As the women continued to talk and laugh with the other patrons at the table, Soul reached for his second mug of beer and took a long sip.

One of the women boldly took his hand and placed it on her thigh. He could feel the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through him.

"You don't have to be this shy," she whispered, her voice husky with desire. "Nierman's tits, you're really acting like a virgin."

"Because I am one," he said with a dull voice.

"What?" The other woman exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. They both locked eyes with each other, sharing a silent exchange before turning their attention back to Soul.

"You know," the short-haired woman said, her voice low and sultry. "There's a free room in this tavern. Want us to go there?"

Before Soul could respond, they both pressed closer to him, their breasts brushing against his chest. One of them began to play with his unusual silver hair, while the other drew circles around his chin, her eyes filled with a seductive glint.

"Leave the boy alone, ya dorks!" Darrin's voice cut through the tension, as he plopped down next to Soul. "Get out! Shoo!"

The two women booed playfully before reluctantly standing up. "We were just about to get in on the action!" one of them said.

"They are Nierman-blessed," Darrin explained to Soul. "They were probably trying to 'steal' your 'energy' by 'sucking' it."

"You don't say..."

"Hey, thank you again, Soul," Darrin said earnestly, turning to him. "I hundred percent thought my crew was gone, and I was also responsible for your death. My head can't still wrap around how you managed to not get yourself killed and also rescued them."

"Luck," Soul replied simply.

"You like to underplay things, huh?" Darrin remarked with a grin. "I know your type. Always keeping it low, hiding your emotions so people wouldn't get the upper hand."

"Or maybe you're overthinking it and I'm simply boring and dull."

"Heh... I don't know. Maybe? I'm just a miner," Darrin shrugged.

"Ewun told me you guys were reformed," Soul said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, we are... we are trying to reform," Darrin admitted. "We don't make bad decisions, if that can be called reforming. We all have families. Responsibilities. People to take care of… you have one like that?"

"Hmm. My sister."

"Then you can understand us," Darrin said with a nod. "We had to stop being bad men and live for them. Because, let me tell you, Soul, we are an empty shell. Without our loved ones, we'd probably be lost. We had to stop acting like idiots and live for them." He smiled softly and took a sip of his beer. "Live for my baby girl."

"You have a kid?" Soul asked.

"Four years old," Darrin confirmed. "Hates me, though. Whenever she sees me, she starts crying. Took after her mother," he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Hmm."

"Ah, anyway. We're here to celebrate our crew coming back alive. Not talk about boring shit." He said, taking another sip. "The sun is going down. You should stay with us for the night. The woods in these parts are dangerous."

"You guys have a free house that I can use?" Soul asked.

"You can use the free room in this tavern. We won't charge you, don't worry."

A man strode into the tavern, sparks crackling beneath his boots with each step. He cast aside his cloak, revealing his dark hair and piercing icy blue eyes. He raised his arms, unleashing a torrent of lightning that surged toward Soul.

The lightning struck Soul, sending him flying backward. He crashed through the wall behind him, the wood splintering under the force of impact. Momentum carried him through the wreckage and out into the night, where he collided with a nearby tree with a bone-jarring thud.

"It's the champion!" One of the patrons yelled. "Champion!"

"Run away!"

"Take the kids and run away!"

"It's… we're doomed!"

"Why is he attacking? Did we do something wrong?"

The stranger walked toward him, creating another lightning in his palms. "Ur sends his regards… blood mage."

'I can't ever catch a break, can I?'