Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening-Chapter 21: The Home That Lies

At the Motel— Caelen’s Room

It was morning already as the sun rays streamed through the finely crafted wooden windows of the hotel room. Golden light spilled across the bed, warming the naked forms lying tangled beneath soft white blankets. Caelen lay in the middle, one arm draped over Veralia and the other over Reina. Both women clung to him like he was their anchor to reality.

Their breathing was soft, peaceful.

Caelen slowly blinked his eyes open, the ceiling above him blurry at first before sharpening into view. His silver hair fanned behind his head on the pillow as he stretched slightly. The scent of lavender lingered in the air, a faint remnant of last night’s bath oils.

He looked left, then right.

Veralia’s hair was a mess, strands sticking to her cheek. Reina had a hand over her face, her chest rising and falling calmly. Caelen chuckled softly and leaned down, planting a light kiss on each of their foreheads. They murmured in their sleep and instinctively pulled closer, burying their faces into his bare chest.

He stared at the ceiling again and sighed.

"I think I drank too much wine last night..."

His voice was hoarse, thoughtful.

"I wonder how Ryan is doing... I made him drink too... I hope he’s sober already."

He gently slid out of the bed, pulling a towel from the nearby rack and wrapping it around his waist. His defined torso caught the light, his chest and abs glistening slightly with sweat. He cracked his neck once.

Behind him, the two girls stirred.

"Wake up, sleepyheads," he said over his shoulder.

Reina grumbled, curling further into the blanket. "I want to sleep more..."

Veralia stretched, yawning. "Still sleepy..."

"We’re not staying here for long," Caelen reminded them as he moved toward the bathroom. "We’re just passing through."

Veralia rubbed her eyes like a child, still half-asleep. Reina slowly sat up, letting the blanket fall slightly to reveal her shoulders.

Caelen reached for the bathroom door. "I’m going to freshen up."

Before he could step in, two pairs of arms wrapped around him from behind.

"What now?" he asked, already knowing.

"Let’s bathe together," Reina whispered.

"Yeah," Veralia nodded sleepily. "It’ll wake us up."

Caelen smirked. "Sure."

The door closed behind them with a soft click.

---

Later

Caelen stepped out of the room, now fully dressed in his dark coat and steel-plated boots. His blade, sealed in a slender case, was strapped to his back. He adjusted his collar, took a breath, and stepped into the corridor.

Ryan was standing at the end, already geared up in his battle tunic, but his eyes had bags under them. Caelen approached.

"You alright?"

Ryan turned, nodding. "Yes, my Lord. I’m fine."

Caelen studied him briefly. "Good. Let’s head out."

The two of them exited the hotel, stepping into the village streets.

But something felt off.

The cheerful laughter and singing wind chimes from yesterday were gone.

Instead, there was a thick crowd gathered ahead, murmurs rippling through them. They followed the noise until they reached the center of the crowd.

A gasp escaped Ryan’s lips.

Two corpses lay in the middle of the square, their blood soaked into the cobblestones. Their faces were mangled beyond recognition, chests torn open, ribs shattered and twisted. Blood had dried around their necks like black paint.

The crowd was speechless. A low sob echoed from somewhere.

Caelen narrowed his eyes, stepping forward.

Garrox appeared from the side and smiled faintly as he approached them.

"What happened?" Caelen asked, voice steady.

Garrox rubbed his chin. "Seems like they got drunk last night. Had a brawl and... well, killed each other."

Caelen stared at the bodies. His gaze was sharp — dissecting.

"That so?" he said calmly. "Looks like it was brutal."

"Yeah," Garrox replied, shrugging. "But don’t worry yourself. Breakfast will be ready soon. You can enjoy it before leaving."

"We’ll be leaving the village today," Caelen said without hesitation.

"Ah... Then we must bid you farewell." Garrox nodded politely.

Caelen turned away. Ryan, however, caught sight of something — the small boy from yesterday. He stood near a vendor, his tear-filled eyes locked on Ryan. Trembling.

Ryan’s hand clenched at his side.

"My Lord..." he whispered.

"We’re leaving," Caelen reminded him, and Ryan nodded, reluctantly following.

---

Back at the Motel

Caelen entered the room again to find Reina and Veralia dressed, brushing their hair.

"Pack your bags," Caelen said.

"So soon?" Veralia asked, blinking.

"All of a sudden?" Reina added. "Is something wrong?"

Caelen smiled faintly. "Like I said, we didn’t come here to stay. We’re just passing through. And besides..."

He walked toward the window, gazing out at the square.

"We’re being hunted. Any village we stay in is in danger. You saw how hard the heroes of this place fought to protect it. We can’t be the ones who destroy it."

Veralia lowered her gaze. "I’ll get our things ready."

Reina walked out, silent.

Just then, Ryan entered.

"My Lord," he said. "Are you sure about leaving?"

Caelen didn’t turn around.

"Why do you ask?"

Ryan hesitated. "The bodies this morning... It didn’t feel right. You noticed too, didn’t you? The wounds... they weren’t caused by fists or weapons. More like magical beasts."

Caelen turned now, eyes locking with Ryan’s.

"I know he lied," he said flatly. "But did you see how the villagers reacted? They want us gone. We’re outsiders. We’re not part of this story."

"But..." Ryan stepped forward, fists clenched. "I saw that boy again. He was trembling. There’s fear in this village. They’re hiding it. I know you’re on a journey of vengeance, but you’re a hero too. You bear the mark. Maybe we should help them before we leave."

Caelen stayed silent for a while.

Ryan looked down. "But... if you still insist on leaving, I understand. I’ll prepare the bags."

He turned, stepping toward the door.

"Ryan," Caelen called.

Ryan stopped.

"Tell Reina and Veralia to get ready. We’re going to see the village head."

Ryan turned back, eyes wide. "Then... you’re staying?"

Caelen walked up and gently tapped his chest.

"You’re starting to grow a heart, huh?" he said with a grin. "Did you really think I’d just walk away?"

Ryan bowed deeply. "Yes, my Lord. I will carry out your orders immediately."

He turned and left, eyes more determined than before.

---

Caelen paused near the window, staring down at the still-visible bodies.

The sun cast long shadows across the cobblestones.

He narrowed his eyes.

"What kind of magical beast could tear people apart like that...?" he muttered.

A flicker of light crossed his eyes. They glowed faintly — a deep green shimmer, ancient and sharp.

A smirk formed on his lips.

"Interesting..."

---

Outside the Motel

The soft morning breeze swirled around them as Caelen, Ryan, Veralia, and Reina stood just outside the hotel gates. The warm rays of the rising sun made Dawnmere sparkle like a jewel, but there was something different in the air. Something tense. Quiet.

A young man approached them. He had light brown hair tucked under a wide hat and wore a traveling coat with an emerald badge pinned to the front. His eyes were sharp, but his smile was nervous.

Caelen stepped forward and gestured toward him.

"This is John. He’ll be our guide to the village head’s house."

Ryan tilted his head. "Is the house that far from here?"

Caelen nodded slowly. "It seems so."

Veralia crossed her arms. "Why would the village head live so far away from the people he’s supposed to protect?"

Reina frowned. "Did he abandon them?"

John quickly waved his hand. "No! The village head wouldn’t abandon us. He sends heroes to check on the village every week. He’s just... busy with trade, handling disputes between villages. That sort of thing."

Ryan lowered his eyes. "I see..."

John took a step back and turned toward the distant hills. "Then let’s go."

They followed him through the streets and then out into the winding path that led away from the village.

The further they walked, the quieter it became.

No villagers. No houses. Just silence and forest.

Caelen walked silently, his eyes narrowed, thoughts swirling in his mind like a storm.

The village head lives far away but still sends heroes every week. If he knows about the attacks, he’d send someone strong... probably Rank A or B.

Coincidentally, Garrox is Rank B. That means he might be one of those heroes.

He glanced at the trees.

The village remains peaceful... yet people have been dying. If what Ryan said is true, the villagers have seen this before — and didn’t panic. Meaning someone’s lying to them. Just like they lied to us.

The village head doesn’t want panic. But... why live so far away from the people he claims to protect?

It’s like he’s hiding. Deserting them. Protecting himself.

"My lord!" Ryan called.

Caelen snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.

"We’ve reached the village head’s house," Ryan said, panting slightly.

Caelen blinked and looked around. The path had led them into a clearing, and before them stood not a house... but a mansion.

A massive structure carved from pale blue stone, with high spires, enchanted gargoyles perched on the corners, and magical sigils pulsing faintly along the walls.

"This... this is no house," Caelen muttered. "It’s a fortress."

John stepped back quickly. "This is as far as I go. I’ll be taking my leave."

He turned and began jogging back down the path without looking back.

Reina narrowed her eyes. "He’s in a hurry."

Caelen watched him vanish into the trees.

"He is," he muttered. "It’s like... he’s afraid of something here."

They moved toward the massive iron gate.

Before they could knock—

CLANG!

A dozen guards suddenly dropped from above — cloaked in black and silver armor, spears in hand. Their eyes glowed faintly with mana enchantments. In a blink, the spears pointed directly at Caelen and the others.

"On your knees!" one of them barked. "Now!"

The spears hummed with energy.

Ryan instinctively flinched, his eyes glowing faintly as his hand reached toward his hidden dagger. Veralia’s hair fluttered upward, soft wind circling around her like an instinctive defense. Reina’s fingertips shimmered faintly with golden magic.

Caelen raised a hand calmly.

"Everyone... relax."

They all paused.

Caelen slowly lowered himself onto one knee, a calm smile on his face. The others followed his lead — hands up, slowly kneeling as the guards tightened their formation around them.

Caelen chuckled softly.

"So... this is how Dawnmere greets its guests, huh?"

He looked up at the towering mansion beyond the gates.

"But now I’m sure."

He narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening slightly, voice low like a whisper to himself.

"Dawnmere Village... what are you hiding underneath this place you call home?"

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