There were no villagers.
Normally, this path was bustling—elves crossing bridges overhead, leaning against railings, chatting in small groups.
Today, there was no one. Just an eerie silence, broken only by the rustle of leaves and her own footsteps.
She kept walking, her confusion growing. House after house seemed empty. It was as if the entire village had been abandoned.
Then realization dawned.
'Oh, it must be that place.'
A few days ago, Luca had built a small building near the edge of the village. He had also brought in strange machines and apparatuses, things that hummed and glowed and looked nothing like anything she had ever seen.
Then he had started calling villagers inside, one by one.
And every single one who came out looked...off.
Some were blushing furiously. Others were pale, almost traumatized.
The elders especially emerged looking angry, muttering about blasphemy and indignity.
