The quiet night continued to embrace the little town with a peaceful stillness that stood in sharp contrast to the dangers hidden beneath its ordinary appearance. Warm lanterns flickered gently outside scattered homes, their amber light dancing lazily across the narrow streets while the cheerful conversations from the distant tavern had gradually softened into little more than indistinct murmurs carried by the cool evening breeze. Somewhere nearby, a dog barked once before falling silent again, and the rhythmic chirping of insects quietly filled the spaces between every sound, making the entire neighbourhood appear perfectly calm to anyone passing through.
Standing before the modest wooden hut...
Luca slowly lowered his hand after knocking upon the weathered door.
The sound itself had been gentle.
Three measured knocks.
Neither hurried nor forceful.
Then...
Silence.
Luca waited patiently.
