The Truth Behind The Facade

Somewhere by the coastal line near the cave, a hooded figure leans against a tree. The face beneath the hood was not visible, yet their presence stood out like a sore thumb.

The person waited for a long while before a ragged breath could be heard and a hand drenched in an unknown black liquid grasped at the entrance of the cave.

"You finally made it out." the hooded figure said as they unfolded their arms and pushed themselves off the tree.

"Huh...? Heh, its the guide. Where's Mikhail? He back at the castle?" Susie asked as she wiped the liquid off her hands with a cloth and tossed it aside.

"Yes he is." the guide nodded as they handed Susie a bag of water.

 "Thanks..." Susie muttered as she gulped down the contents of the wineskin without batting an eye.

"So? Why are you back here? Shouldn't you be fetching Mikhail back to the capital? Enoch, I mean." S