Her emerald-green colored eyes scanned the documents she had brought along, and honestly just reading their contents was enough to make her wary to say the least: It had happened out of nowhere, several villagers of a rural settlement on the isle of Erin had suddenly entered a state of psychosis and while the local knights of Caelum had been able to safely restrain the people without any casualties, a call was send to a particular organization within Caelum to investigate the matter.
Why exactly was it this organization, and not the local branch of the Rune Knights or a similar law enforcement? Because this case was a bit more... otherworldly. You see, the reports noted that each of the victims displayed magic never seen before, magic that should had not been in their possession.
Mysterious powers that rose out from nowhere? There was no doubt in her mind about what was going on.
"It seems we are dealing with a rather curious case of Voidal Corruption." Yu muttered softly, to which the other female nodded her head in agreement. "It is not often that so many incidents happen in the same place. We should thank the knights for being wise enough to set up a quarantine."
Yu smiled briefly at these words. "Indeed, it will make it a lot easier to do our work."
A light knock came against the door of the carriage, followed by a voice calling her. "Director, we have nearly arrived at our destination. The village is already in sight."
Yu shifted closer to the entrance of the carriage, opening the curtain and smiling gratefully at the knight who had been part of the detachment escorting her and her colleagues from the clock tower.
"Thank you ser, I and my colleagues from the Clock Tower will start their work immediately."
With the carriages finally riding into the village it was to be expected that the first thing they were greet with was restlessness. Villagers had gathered in a large crowd, some were worriedly asking for what was going on, while others were protesting about not being allowed to leave the village.
It was in that moment of concern that she stepped outside the carriage at the same time an elderly man was complaining to one of the knights about not being allowed to see his son that she addressed the crowd.
"Dear people of Erin, please lend me your ear for a moment."
The crowd turned their attention toward her as she spoke.
"I understand you are all extremely uneasy and worried right now. It is an understandable emotion to experience. I have heard whispers among you that express concern that a plague has broken out and that it is the reason why you are all being detained here... But rest assured that this is not the case, nor is this blockade in any way meant to turn this village into a coffin."
She shook her head firmly.
"I am Fei Yu, Director of the Clock Tower, an organization specializing in the investigation and handling of otherworldly phenomena. To address your concerns: There have been several individuals within the village that succumbed to sudden fits of paranoia. I can understand why you are worried. These selfsame individuals might be a friend, family, or maybe even a loved one of yours. However, from our preliminary investigations, we can conclude that none of you are at risk. This 'condition' is not contagious, nay, in fact these poor souls are suffering from the backlash of what I and my colleagues have given the term: Voidal Corruption."
The crowd was clearly still uneasy at the current state of things. "but will we ever be able to live normally again?" One of the villagers asked, to which Yu smiled sympathetically in return. "Of course, that is why the Clock Tower has sent its finest. Our job is to investigate and provide proper treatment to the victims of Voidal Corruption so that you can all live normally again."
The people seemed to be calming down at last, the crowd dispersing back into their houses while one of the knights approached her. "Director Yu, I am Ogam, the one in charge of the knights dispatched to this village."
Yu nodded her head lightly in affirmation. "It is nice to meet you ser Ogam, could you please take me to the infected villagers?"
The man nodded his head lightly, guiding her down the street while Yu's smile wavered into a frown. It was unfortunate, many would likely oppose the idea of having their 'blessing' from the void become considered like a condition or a 'disease'. However, if what Talaz Lagaar had shown, then it was that the void was a power far too volatile and full of unknowns, way too dangerous for people to handle.
The current state of this village just represented that all too well. People who had succumbed to the powers of the void and were suffering as a result, yet she felt it was her duty to guide these people, to show them a light of hope. Finally they arrived at what seemed to be a large building.
"We have kept the infected villagers in this building, as requested we kept them in separate rooms and only the knights who bring them their meals have had any contact with them."
"Thank you."
Yu stated as she turned toward her colleagues. "Start by visiting the relatives of the victims. I want as much information about their recent activities and their past, especially anything associated to Talaz Lagaar should be brought to my attention right away."
The other scholars nodded their head in response as they went onto their duties. Meanwhile, Albion trailed closely behind her.
"Time to get started..."
However, at the same time she whispered these words Ogam approached her once more.
"There is just one more matter that needs your attention as well Director: You see, during the lockdown procedure there was one particular individual visiting the village. Of course, as the procedure states we have kept them here till the Clock Tower arrived, fortunately it has been without any incident but if possible could you please tend to them first?"
Yu nodded her head lightly in affirmation. "Of course, just point me in the right direction so I can discuss the matter with them."
A visitor to the village? What a peculiar situation the poor soul must had found themselves in. However, there was something about the situation that made her curious, hence she decided to search for the person herself rather than leaving the job to one of her colleagues to deal with.