The ride to Crestfall Kingdom was unusually silent.

  The road stretched ahead like a gray ribbon, jagged rocks lining its edges and pale, wiry grass swaying in the chill evening wind. Every bend and ridge seemed to hold its breath, and the horizon was tinged with the bruised colors of the setting sun. Shadows stretched unnaturally long across the uneven path, exaggerating the jagged rocks and giving the landscape an almost hostile aspect, as if the world itself were warning them to turn back.

  Rhen Calder tightened his grip on Obsidian’s reins, knuckles whitening. Beside him, Akitsu Shouga rode with an almost spectral stillness, the white blade at his side catching the fading sunlight, reflecting it like a shard of frozen moonlight. Every subtle movement suggested a predator’s awareness, as though he could detect a threat in the air itself.

  Lemon, the small talking spirit lemming, flitted nervously near Rhen’s shoulder, whiskers twitching incessantly.

  “Too quiet,” Rhen muttered, his voice low. “Way too quiet for this close to a kingdom.”

  “Like a graveyard,” Lemon whispered, ears perked, tail flicking with nervous energy. “And not the pleasant kind. The scary kind. You know… dead scary.”

  Akitsu said nothing, but the faint shift of his cloak over his face suggested a mind constantly scanning, listening, calculating.

  As they crested the final hill, the gates of Crestfall emerged like a sentinel against the darkening sky. Towering stone walls, etched with intricate designs of minerals and gems, gleamed faintly under the twilight. Yet, the expected bustle—the chatter of guards, the clatter of carts, the occasional shout of a merchant—was absent. The streets were silent, and the gate itself seemed more a mausoleum entrance than a welcoming portal.

  Only two guards lingered at the threshold, eyes flicking up as Rhen approached.

  “Captain Calder,” one said, bowing slightly. “Your identity is confirmed. Please wait; a Royal Knight Captain will escort you inside.”

  Rhen dismounted with a practiced ease. “Understood,” he replied curtly. “Stay alert.”

  Moments later, the gates swung open as a lone rider approached from the inner courtyard. Mounted on a steel-grey mare, a woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes moved with the confidence of one who commanded respect effortlessly. Her armor shone like polished metal, engraved with the insignia of Crestfall in gold, and a sword hung at her side. A cape fluttered behind her with the kingdom’s colors embroidered in meticulous detail.

  “Greetings,” she called, dismounting gracefully. “I am Captain Selene Vael, Royal Knight of Crestfall. Welcome. You may bring your companions inside.”

  Rhen stepped forward, inclining his head in acknowledgment. “Captain Selene, thank you. This is my companion, though his identity is… sensitive.”

  Selene’s gaze flicked briefly to Akitsu, who remained hooded and silent. She nodded once, expression neutral but approving. “I trust your judgment. Lead them to the royal horse barn; I will escort you inside.”

  As they led their horses through the gates, the emptiness of Crestfall became more pronounced. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual clamor replaced by a tense stillness. Windows were shuttered, doors closed, and not a soul moved. Even the wind seemed muted, whispering through the streets like the ghost of a voice long silenced.

  Rhen’s brow furrowed. “Why is it so empty? Where are the people?”

  Selene’s voice was calm, measured. “The civilians are afraid. Between the tensions with Valenreach and the recent… incidents, no one dares venture out unless necessary. The high council is attempting to mediate, but fear has kept the streets desolate.”

  Lemon let out a disgruntled squeak. “Fear, huh? So basically, the council created the problem and now they’re calling you to fix it.”

  Rhen shot the spirit a sharp glance. “Careful how you speak.”

  Selene allowed a faint smile, almost amused. “It is not far from the truth. Negotiations with Valenreach over a trade agreement failed. Crestfall is rich in minerals and gems—resources coveted far beyond our borders. The high council sought a fairer arrangement. To us, the gems are not merely valuable, but symbols of our heritage, our honor. Valenreach misinterpreted our caution as disrespect to their ancestors. And so both sides—misunderstanding one another—have fueled this tension.”

  Rhen exhaled slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching in grim amusement. “Typical. Miscommunication on both ends, assumptions, and threats masquerading as diplomacy. I’ve seen this too many times.”

  Selene’s piercing gaze met his. “Precisely. Communication has failed both kingdoms. And now… you are here because our three Royal Knight Captains are stretched thin. That is why Fiester sent you.”

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  Lemon twitched, whispering indignantly. “See? Told you. Council started it, now they dump it in your lap.”

  Rhen ignored him, focusing on Selene. “And the corpses… where and when do they appear?”

  Selene shook her head. “The details, evidence, and records are secure in the castle. I will provide them there. Only once you have context can you understand the scale and pattern of these occurrences.”

  By nightfall, the small group had reached Crestfall Castle. A horse-drawn carriage awaited, and Selene guided Rhen and Akitsu inside. The carriage rolled silently through streets that remained hauntingly vacant. Lanterns flickered dimly along cracked cobblestones, throwing shadows that danced like restless spirits across the walls.

  “I’ve never seen the kingdom like this,” Lemon muttered, shivering slightly. “It’s like a ghost town… without the fun haunting.”

  Rhen kept his eyes forward, scanning every alley and doorway. “Ghost towns conceal more than just silence. Stay focused.”

  Within the castle, the corridors were wide and imposing, echoing softly with each footstep. The walls were grand, paneled with polished oak and adorned with faintly tattered tapestries. Torches sputtered, casting flickering shadows that made the hallways feel like they stretched further than they truly did.

  Selene led them to a large oak-paneled research room, doors groaning as they opened. Inside, shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, stacked with ledgers, scrolls, and folders. She moved with practiced authority to a filing cabinet, pulling out a thick folder and placing it on the table with a measured thud.

  Rhen opened it carefully. Most pages were blank, save for one note scrawled in neat handwriting:

  "Appearances occur only on the east side of the kingdom. Bodies decay at an accelerated rate, far faster than natural decomposition."

  Lemon wrinkled his nose. “Useless. Inspectors only managed the obvious. What about the why? The how?”

  Selene’s voice was steady. “Captain Calder, is it acceptable for your companion to view this information?”

  Rhen glanced at Akitsu, who simply nodded under his hood. “He is my personal assistant. He will need this knowledge. He is to know everything we know.”

  Selene considered, then inclined her head. “Very well. But I must depart soon on a high-priority mission. You will manage the investigation from here.”

  As Selene departed, the heavy doors closed with a reverberating finality, leaving Rhen, Akitsu, and Lemon alone in the dimly lit room.

  Rhen leaned back, exhaling slowly. “Alright, Akitsu. What’s our next move?”

  Akitsu removed a hand from his cloak, tilting his hood back slightly. His eyes glinted in torchlight. “We survey the surroundings first. There may be hidden tunnels, passageways, or secret routes beneath the kingdom. If these corpses are anything but natural, we need to understand every possible path they could have taken.”

  Rhen nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Agreed. But it’s almost night. Any exploration outside now would be reckless. Tomorrow, we begin.”

  Akitsu’s gaze swept the shadows beyond the windows. “Then we prepare. Rest now. Tomorrow, we start at the east side. The pattern won’t wait, and neither will the truth.”

  Lemon flitted onto Rhen’s shoulder, squeaking with excitement. “Finally! Ghost corpses beware! We’re coming!”

  Rhen shot him a tired glance. “Not yet, Lemon. Observation first. Answers second. Survival always.”

  As they left the research room, the corridors echoed with their footsteps. Outside, the night air was crisp, carrying the faint metallic tang of minerals from the surrounding lands. The kingdom held its breath, silent and watchful, as if it sensed the arrival of those who would uncover its secrets.

  Rhen looked up at the looming castle towers, jagged against the starless sky. “We’re walking into something dangerous,” he murmured.

  Akitsu said nothing, merely adjusting his cloak, his eyes scanning the shadows as if anticipating movement from the darkness itself.

  “Tomorrow,” Rhen said aloud, voice firm, “we begin at the east side. No assumptions. No mistakes.”

  Lemon squeaked in agreement. “Finally! Ghost corpses beware! We’re coming!”

  And beneath the silence of the sleeping kingdom, the weight of death and secrecy pressed against them. Crestfall was more than a kingdom on the edge of political conflict—it was a place where death moved faster than life, and where the smallest misstep could cost more than time.

  Tomorrow, the investigation would begin.