The next morning at Misty Springs Inn began with an air of anticipation. Felix had been looking forward to exploring the village, imagining quaint shops, scenic paths, and perhaps even some local delicacies. The rising sun painted the sky in soft pastels, and the scent of dew and bamboo wafted through the open windows of their room.

Felix stretched lazily on the plush futon in his human form, his silvery-white hair falling in soft waves over his shoulders. Sorath and Virgil were arguing over who got the last ricecake from the breakfast spread they bought from a pastry shop axross the inn, while Albrecht combed his sleek blonde hair fussily and dithered over what to wear for the day. Thel was already by the door, his expression one of impatient expectancy.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

But their lighthearted morning was interrupted by the sound of hushed, panicked voices drifting in from the lobby below.

“What’s going on?” Felix asked, stilling slightly at the tone of distress.

“Only one way to find out,” Sorath said, tossing the last ricecake into his mouth and heading for the door.

The group descended the wooden staircase to find a small crowd gathered near the check-in desk. The innkeeper, Mr. Hart, stood with a furrowed brow, trying to calm a distraught young woman. Beside him, his wife also looked pale and worried.

“What’s the matter?” Felix asked, stepping forward, subconsciously exuding his A-Rank Regal One aura which immediately commanded attention.

The young woman turned to him, wringing her hands together. “It’s Clara,” she said, her voice trembling. “My s-sister, sh-she hasn’t come back. She said she was going to explore the outskirts of the village yesterday afternoon, but… she never returned. I thought she might’ve stayed out late, or maybe stopped by the local pub but now…”

Mrs. Hart who had been speaking with Mr. Hart chimed in. “I told Amanda’s sister not to go near the forest. Strange things have been happening there.”

Felix’s gaze sharpened, and his humans exchanged uneasy glances.

“What kind of strange things?” Thel asked, his tone calm but probing.

“Disappearances,” the old woman whispered, lowering her voice as if the word itself might bring ill fortune. “People—both tourists and locals—go into the forest and don’t come out. Some say it’s the mist—gets into your head and leads you astray. Others say it’s something… unnatural.”

Virgil pulled out his phone, quickly navigating to local social media pages. “Let’s see if anyone’s posted anything helpful,” he muttered, his thumbs moving rapidly across the screen.

Albrecht, noticing Felix’s concern, stepped forward. “We’ll help search,” he declared. “Standing here worrying won’t bring the young lady back. Felix?” He turned to their master, waiting for confirmation.

Felix nodded. “Of course. We’ll do everything we can.”

Virgil frowned at his screen. “Nothing except rumors about people disappearing near the forest,” he reported. “Some vague warnings, but no concrete details.”

“We’ll have to rely on the old-fashioned way then,” Thel raised an eyebrow. “Let’s split up into pairs and cover as much ground as possible.”

The young woman hesitated, still wringing her hands. “Are you sure? It could be dangerous…”

Felix offered her a reassuring smile, though unease prickled at the back of his mind. “Don’t worry. I’m part of Mzia’s Combat Division. We’ll be careful.”

The eyes of the young woman, Amanda and the Harts brightened in surprise and hope.

“Oh! Officer, this, this is such good news! We are much more reassured now!”

Felix smiled awkwardly, now almost regretting letting that information slip. “There’s no need to call me ‘officer’, I’m only a trainee.”

So the group headed out, their earlier plans abandoned in favor of the urgent task at hand. The village, so peaceful the night before, was bustling with activity during the day. Locals and tourists mingled, and strangely enough, no one seemed to spare the news that a young woman had gone missing other than a brief word of gossip here or there.

Felix and Albrecht took the lead, heading toward the forest’s edge where Clara was last seen. Virgil and Sorath veered towards the neighboring shops and establishments, and in particular the local pub, questioning anyone they encountered, while Thel stayed behind to coordinate with the innkeepers and gather more information.

Felix and Albrecht walked through the bustling village, warm from the mists wafting from the natural hot springs that ran underneath the village. 

“This isn’t how I imagined our morning,” Felix said, his voice low.

“Life rarely goes as planned,” Albrecht replied, his tone one of pompous wisdom. “But my dear is handling it well, like a true officer of the Combat Division.”

Felix glanced at him, a faint blush dusting his cheekbones. “If I didn’t know you any better I’d have thought you to be sarcastic.” In fact, if those words had come from Thel’s mouth, Felix would be positive that the man was indeed being sarcastic about his earlier slip of the tongue.

Albrecht smiled down at him, “My dear, what kind of pet would I be if I showed such disrespect for my master? I am not a ruffian like some.”

“…” By some, Felix had a feeling he was referring to three conspicuously absent men. He side-eyed the pleased expression on Albrecht’s handsome face at having managed to subtly put down the others in front of Felix.

Felix felt it was better to let Albrecht—and the others for that matter—to think they have managed to be quite sly and cunning.

Before long, they passed by the village square, Felix sniffing the air instinctively. His heightened senses distinguishing among faint traces of human scent, to something darker mingled within—a faint sweetened metallic tang that made his incisors sting.

“Do you smell that?” Felix asked, his voice tightening.

Albrecht frowned, taking a step closer to Felix. “I don’t, but as a Regal One your senses are much keener. Lead the way, dearest.”

Forgoing the earlier plan to head towards the forest edge, Felix followed the scent, his steps quickening as it grew stronger. His mind raced with possibilities, none of them comforting.

Meanwhile, Sorath and Virgil had little luck with their inquiries. Most villagers were tight-lipped, their answers vague and evasive. Frustrated, Sorath muttered under his breath, “They’re more scared of the rumors than they are of someone actually missing.”

“Can you blame them?” Virgil replied, his eyes scanning the horizon. “If people are really disappearing, they probably don’t want to be next.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a call from Thel. “Felix and Albrecht might have found something. Head towards the local clinic.”

Sorath and Virgil exchanged a glance before turning in that direction.

*

The sweet metallic scent wafted through the air like a ghostly whisper, tugging at Felix’s heightened senses. It was faint yet distinct, lingering just enough to make him uncomfortable. He paused mid-step on the cobblestone path behind Misty Springs Village’s local clinic, his eyes narrowing.

“It’s him,” Felix murmured, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of villagers going about their day.

The small clinic looked cheerful and inviting from the outside, painted in soft pastel hues with flower boxes under its windows. A handmade wooden sign that read “Misty Springs Clinic” swung gently in the evening breeze. The warm lighting from within should have been comforting, but to Felix, it felt like a façade masking something sinister.

Sorath stepped up beside Felix, pale eyes scanning the building. “You’re sure? The doctor?”

Felix nodded, raising his nose slightly to take a deeper inhale. “That scent—it’s coming from the clinic. It’s stronger here.”

Virgil crept closer in curiosity and peeked through one of the windows, cupping his hands around his face to block out the glare. “Looks normal enough. Clean, organized. Maybe a little too perfect. Reminds me of Thel’s ocd ways.”

Thel crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as if he didn’t hear the offhanded dig. “Appearances can be deceiving. Still, we can’t act on a hunch alone.”

Just then, the clinic door swung open, and Dr. Elias Hart stepped out, whistling a jaunty tune as he locked up behind him. He looked every bit the affable village doctor, his white coat swapped for that plaid coat and slacks combination they had seen yesterday. He glanced around the empty street, his smile as bright as ever, before strolling off with an easy gait.

Felix stiffened. The scent intensified as Dr. Hart passed by, the sweet metallic tang clinging to him like a second skin.

Sorath smiled carelessly, but his fingers tapped a restless rhythm against the side of his leg. “He’s definitely up to something.”

Thel frowned, his voice low and measured. “Suspicious, yes. But we need proof before jumping to conclusions. Felix, are you certain it’s him?”

“Yes,” Felix said firmly. His tone carried an edge of certainty that made the others exchange glances.

Albrecht adjusted his fine wool coat, his gaze following Dr. Hart as he disappeared down the path. “Then we shall follow him.”

The group trailed Dr. Hart from a safe distance, their footsteps careful on the cobblestone path that wound through the village. The cheerful ambiance of Misty Springs seemed to darken the farther they walked, the hum and chatter of villagers fading into the background.

Dr. Hart meandered through the village with a practiced nonchalance, stopping occasionally to greet passersby. He exchanged pleasantries with a shopkeeper, chuckled at a group of playful children’s antics, and even paused to observe a chipmunk that crossed his path. Yet something about his movements felt rehearsed, like an actor playing a role.

“Is it just me, or is he trying too hard at a normie act?” Virgil whispered, his voice barely audible.

“It’s not just you,” Sorath replied, his hand twitching slightly and his eyes flickering slightly to the hilt of a dagger tucked into his right boot.

When Dr. Hart turned a corner and left the bustling part of the village behind, his demeanor changed. His cheery whistle faded, and his pace quickened. He glanced over his shoulder, his warm smile replaced by a cold, calculating expression.

“Whoa, psychopath alert,” Virgil muttered under his breath.

The group picked up their pace, careful to stay out of sight. Felix’s sharp eyes and sensitive ears kept them on Dr. Hart’s trail as he took a detour around the outskirts of the village, avoiding well-trodden paths.

“Where is he going?” Albrecht pursed his lips, his tone a bit annoyed.

The answer came when Dr. Hart veered off the path entirely, slipping into the dense forest that bordered the village.

The forest was a different world. Tall, ancient trees towered overhead, their gnarled branches forming a canopy that blocked out the moonlight. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, but that faint sweet metallic tang still lingered, guiding Felix better than any beacon or compass could do.

Dr. Hart moved with purpose now, his earlier casual stroll replaced by brisk, deliberate strides. He didn’t bother to conceal his path, crushing leaves and snapping twigs underfoot.

“He’s getting sloppy,” Sorath remarked, an almost wolfish grin spreading across his face. “Probably thinks no one would dare follow him out here.”

“Stay focused,” Thel said sharply. “We’re not here to provoke him—just to gather information.”

Felix, leading the group, raised a hand to signal them to stop. He crouched low behind a bush, his head tilted slightly as he listened with intent.

Ahead, Dr. Hart had come to a stop in a small clearing. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial of dark liquid, holding it up to the faint sunlight trickling in through the leafy canopies above. Felix’s stomach churned as the sweet metallic scent grew overpowering.

“What’s he doing?” Virgil whispered, leaning closer.

Dr. Hart muttered something under his breath, his words too quiet to make out. He uncorked the vial and poured its contents onto the ground. The dark liquid seeped into the soil, and for a moment, nothing happened.

Then the ground trembled.

Felix’s hair stood on end as an unnatural energy rippled through the air. The shadows around Dr. Hart seemed to deepen, writhing like living things. The faint glow of his warm smile was long gone, replaced by an eerie, otherworldly aura.

“What the hell is that?” Sorath hissed, his hand gripping his dagger.

“Something unnatural,” Felix said, his tone grim. His instincts screamed at him to act, but he forced himself to stay hidden.

Dr. Hart stood motionless for a moment, as if waiting for something. Then he turned and began walking deeper into the forest, his movements swift and unerring.

Felix rose slowly, his eyes locked on the retreating figure. “We need to follow him. Whatever he’s doing, it’s not good.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Thel gripped Felix’s shoulder firmly but gently. “Careful. If he senses us, we’ll lose any advantage we have.”

The group exchanged tense nods before continuing their pursuit. The deeper they went into the forest, the stronger the unsettling energy became. Felix’s heart did a funny little jump as they approached what felt like the center of the disturbance.

Whatever lay ahead, he knew it would be nothing short of trouble.