Nemesis. Start on the End.

As Revsha, Elena, Gillia, and DeeDee continued their journey through the swamp, they eventually found their way to the foot of the mountains. The ground became more uneven, the trees more sparse as the landscape shifted from the damp, muddy marshland to the rocky base of the towering peaks. The air grew thinner, cooler, and a bit more oppressive as they made their way up the winding trail toward the mountains proper.

For the first time since they left the village, there was a strange silence. No players, no sounds of other adventurers bustling through the wild. It was just them—an eerie feeling for someone who had grown used to the hum of activity, even if it was from NPCs and players alike.

"Stay alert," Revsha murmured, his voice steady. "The mountains are unpredictable. We could encounter something we've never seen before."

Gillia, her dark eyes scanning the rocky terrain, nodded. "Agreed. The creatures here might be unlike anything we've encountered so far."

Elena, always eager and excited for the next step in their journey, was less concerned. "I think we'll be fine. We have DeeDee after all."

DeeDee, the large puma, flicked her tail in agreement, her eyes sharp, constantly searching for any movement that might signal a threat. She was a natural in these rough terrains, and Elena trusted her completely.

As they made their way deeper into the mountains, Revsha's mind wandered back to the NPC persona he had been crafting. It was critical now more than ever that they maintained their cover. They had left behind the safety of the village, and with no other players around, they had to stay focused. He could almost feel the weight of his role pressing on him.

That's when they heard it—singing. The sound was distant at first, carried by the wind that rustled through the rocks and trees. The melody was soft and haunting, like a lullaby, but with a strange, almost eerie tone to it. Revsha stopped, motioning for everyone to be quiet.

"Do you hear that?" Elena whispered, her head tilting as she tried to locate the source.

Revsha's expression grew serious. "Harpies," he muttered. "Keep your guard up. They're known for their sharp talons and deadly songs that lure travelers into traps."

Gillia, ever cautious but intrigued, raised a brow. "Are they... dangerous?"

"Yes, but it's more than just their song. They're predators, capable of controlling their surroundings and luring in their prey with illusions," Revsha explained. "They might be dangerous, but we need to understand more about them. Stay close, and remember—do not engage unless necessary."

The four of them continued cautiously, following the song. The wind carried it farther, leading them to the edge of a rocky cliff that overlooked a valley. Below, they could see the source of the singing—a small group of harpies perched on the cliffside, their wings fluttering gently as they conversed. They weren't the fierce, predatory beasts Revsha had anticipated. Instead, they were engaged in casual chatter, their voices soft and melodic, almost playful.

At first, the harpies' voices were indistinct, just words floating on the air, but as they got closer, the words became clearer.

"I told you, Kira, that purple dress looks so much better on you than the red one," one harpy cooed, her voice high and sweet.

"You think so?" another responded, giggling. "I thought it was too flashy. Maybe I'll wear it for the next festival instead. I want to impress *him*."

"He'll be so smitten, you won't even need to try!" a third harpy teased, her wings fluttering in a way that sounded like laughter.

The girls, sitting in a small circle on the rocks, continued their conversation, exchanging fashion advice and giggling about the boys in their clan. Their casual demeanor was a stark contrast to the image of vicious, mind-controlling predators that Revsha had been expecting. The harpies were just... normal girls, talking about everyday things—fashion, boys, and gossip.

Revsha's eyes narrowed as he processed this. He had to admit, the situation was unexpected. He had thought of harpies as dangerous, ruthless creatures, but this group seemed more like a family, a clan bound by their own traditions. There was a feeling of innocence in their conversation, a playful energy that didn't fit the usual predator-prey dynamic he had in mind.

Elena, always curious, took a few steps forward, her voice soft but curious. "Are... you really harpies?" she asked, her tone cautious but not threatening. "I thought you were supposed to attack travelers."

The harpies paused mid-laugh, turning their heads in unison toward Elena. Their eyes glimmered with interest, and for a moment, Revsha felt the shift in the atmosphere. The playful vibe shifted slightly, but they didn't seem hostile. One of the harpies, a small, feathery one with a hint of blue in her plumage, tilted her head and smiled.

"Not all harpies are like the stories," she said with a soft laugh. "Some of us enjoy the company of others, even if we don't always show it in the way you expect."

The others chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"We're just... different," another harpy added, adjusting her feathered dress. "Not all of us are as aggressive as you might think."

Revsha took a step forward, intrigued by their openness. This was a side of harpies he hadn't expected to see. He looked at Gillia and Elena, both of whom were listening intently, clearly surprised.

"I see..." Revsha said slowly, his voice careful. "So you're not interested in... fighting travelers?"

The blue-feathered harpy laughed lightly. "No. We don't attack unless we're provoked. We have our own ways of dealing with things, but we're not mindless killers. Some of us just want peace, or at least to enjoy our time. Why do you think we're here, after all?"

Revsha studied them carefully. They weren't exactly what he had imagined. These harpies weren't malicious; they were just like people, living their lives with their own concerns, their own hopes. They had no interest in killing or luring travelers into traps. They weren't the dangerous creatures Revsha had always thought them to be.

This was a reminder that not everything in this world was as it seemed. There was more to people—and creatures—than their outward appearances.

"Well, it's good to know," Revsha said finally, a smile creeping onto his face. "I appreciate the clarification. I've heard many things about harpies, but I suppose I was misinformed."

"You're not the first," the blue-feathered harpy said with a wink. "And probably not the last."

Revsha looked at Elena and Gillia, both of whom seemed to be relaxing at the sight of the harmless group. Elena, ever the social one, was already chatting with one of the harpies about how she'd like to try a new style of combat, and DeeDee was curiously sniffing around, but not in a threatening way.

"We'll be on our way, then," Revsha said after a moment, turning to leave. "Thanks for the... chat."

"No problem," the blue-feathered harpy replied. "Come back anytime. Maybe next time, we'll have more to talk about."

As they turned to leave the valley, Revsha found himself reflecting on the encounter. The world wasn't all as dangerous and dark as it seemed. There were moments, like this one, where even the most feared creatures had their own stories. Maybe, just maybe, he could learn more about this world than just its battles and quests.

And with that thought, the group pressed on toward the heart of the mountains, leaving behind the strange yet peaceful harpies for now.

As they were about to leave the peaceful harpies behind, the blue-feathered harpy who had spoken to them earlier fluttered down from the rock she was perched on and approached Revsha and the group with a gentle smile.

"Before you go," she said, her voice carrying the same softness as before, "why not come visit our village? It's not far from here. We don't often get visitors, but it might be... interesting for you. You may learn more about us, and perhaps, you can help with something."

Revsha raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. The harpies' village? He had been prepared for a quick departure, but this offer intrigued him. Elena, always eager to make new connections, leaned forward with a bright smile.

"That sounds great! I've never met a harpy village before!" she said excitedly.

Gillia, ever cautious, exchanged a glance with Revsha. She wasn't as quick to trust others, even in seemingly innocent situations. But there was something about these harpies—something that suggested they weren't the aggressive, dangerous creatures he'd heard of in the past.

Revsha nodded slowly, considering the invitation. "We were heading to the mountains to continue our journey, but... maybe it's worth a stop. Besides, we're already here."

The blue-feathered harpy smiled. "It's not far. Just follow the winding path along the cliffside, and you'll come to the entrance. But be careful, not all harpies are like us. There are others higher up in the mountains who are... not as welcoming. They are more like the stories you've heard. They can be dangerous."

Elena tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean by 'not as welcoming'? Are they... hostile?"

The harpy's expression darkened slightly. "Yes. Some harpies live higher in the mountains, and they've become... territorial. They believe in survival above all else, and they don't take kindly to outsiders. You've heard the stories of harpies that lure travelers into their nests and attack them, haven't you?"

Revsha nodded, his face thoughtful. "Yes, we've heard of them. Are they... part of your clan?"

The harpy shook her head. "No. We're different. We live peacefully. But those harpies—some say they've become consumed by the mountain's harshness. They are much more like the stories, fierce and unrelenting. We keep to ourselves here, but they're still out there."

Revsha understood. It was a classic case of different factions of a species, each adapting to their environment in their own way. But the warning was clear: not all harpies were as kind and innocent as the ones they had just met.

"So, you're telling us that the village is safe, but the higher parts of the mountains are dangerous?" Revsha asked, eyeing the harpy carefully.

"Yes. If you plan to go further up, be prepared. And do not venture into the caves. That's where the most dangerous ones live. They have a... different way of life."

The warning hung heavy in the air. Despite the pleasant encounter, Revsha couldn't ignore the underlying caution in the harpy's voice. The higher they went in these mountains, the more unpredictable things would become.

"I see," Revsha said, his voice low. "Thank you for the advice. We'll take care."

"Good," the harpy said, a hint of relief in her voice. "Take your time in our village, but remember what I've said. Don't wander too far without being careful. Now, follow the path to the west. You'll reach our village in no time."

With that, the group decided to follow the harpy's directions, stepping cautiously but curiously along the rocky path that snaked around the cliffs. As they walked, they could hear the distant sounds of more harpies singing, but this time, it seemed to have a lighter, more joyful tone to it.

"Do you think they'll help us?" Elena asked, looking up at Revsha with wide eyes.

"They might," Revsha said thoughtfully. "I suspect they might be more helpful than we initially thought, but we'll have to see how things go. We'll need all the help we can get as we get closer to the heart of the mountains."

Gillia, walking silently beside Revsha, turned to him. "We should be cautious. Even if these harpies mean no harm, the others may not be as friendly. We don't know what lies ahead."

Revsha nodded in agreement. "Exactly. But at the very least, we should see what they have to offer. It might help us on our journey."

Soon, the path began to open into a hidden valley, and ahead, nestled between the rock formations, they could see a small settlement—neatly constructed huts made of wood and woven branches, with vibrant fabrics hanging from the doors and windows. Harpies were everywhere, fluttering from one perch to another, chatting with each other, or resting peacefully under the sun. The village was unlike anything Revsha had expected—calm, peaceful, and full of life. It was a contrast to the harsh mountains surrounding it.

As they approached the entrance to the village, the blue-feathered harpy who had led them here greeted them again, her wings fluttering excitedly.

"Welcome to our village. It's not much, but it's home. Come, let me introduce you to the others."

As they entered, they saw more harpies—some with feathers in vibrant hues of red, green, and yellow—going about their daily routines. It was a society that seemed to function much like any human village, with its own rhythms and patterns. There was no sign of the hostility they had been warned about. Yet, the deeper they walked into the village, the more they felt the weight of the harpies' words echoing in the back of their minds.

The further up into the mountains they ventured, the more they would have to be prepared for whatever might come next.

Revsha looked at the group, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll stay here for a bit, learn what we can. But once we leave, we'll have to be cautious, especially with the dangers that lie ahead. Let's take this one step at a time."

And so, they stayed for a while, absorbing the peaceful atmosphere of the harpy village, but knowing that the greater challenges of the mountains were still ahead. The real journey was just beginning.