The campfire flickered in the center of the narrow path, casting soft, crackling light over the three tents arranged around it. October sat outside, silently keeping watch while the others settled into their tents for the night. The stillness of the forest stretched on, broken only by faint murmurs from one of the tents, where Toruri and Hiyoku were still awake.
Inside the tent, Toruri shifted, frowning as heat from the blazing fire radiated through the canvas. "Hiyoku," he muttered, his tone light but mildly irritated, "you definitely made that fire too hot."
Hiyoku, sprawled out comfortably, barely gave him a glance. "It gets cold! If anything, it should be hotter."
Toruri shook his head. "I can feel it through the tent."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Hiyoku shot back, sitting up a bit. "Aren't you cold-blooded or something? You should be feeling great."
"I'm not a lizard, dude."
Hiyoku paused, the faintest of grins crossing his face. "Then what exactly are dragons?"
Toruri raised a brow. "I don't think dragons are lizards either," he said slowly, "and I'm not a dragon."
Hiyoku's curiosity refused to die down. "What exactly are dragons?" He pressed again.
Meanwhile, in the second tent, Kinrui lay beside his companion, a tuft of moss named Salami. With a quiet, reassuring tone, he whispered, "Rest up, Salami. We need energy for the journey tomorrow."
In the third tent, Verte was already fast asleep, her breathing soft and even. The forest around them seemed at peace.
Outside, the fire flickered higher for a moment as Hiyoku sighed, his voice giving in. "Fine, I'll lower the heat!" With a wave of his hand, the campfire's intensity dimmed.
Toruri exhaled a relieved breath. "Thank you." He shifted in his bedroll, finally able to sleep, with Hiyoku soon following.
But several hours later, the tranquility shattered. A dense, white fog crept into the forest, thick as wool, smothering the fire's last embers. The darkness that surrounded the tents dissolved into a surreal white, leaving the camp eerily silent.
Hiyoku stirred first. His eyelids fluttered open, and the warmth of the tent was suddenly gone. Groggily, he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Where am I?" His voice was groggy and confused, thick with sleep. When he looked around, all he saw was a sea of white—endless, unnatural fog stretching in every direction. Panicking, he spun around.
"The tent?! Dammit, this must be a dream or something! I ought to find somewhere to go." Without thinking, Hiyoku bolted off into the mist, his feet pounding against the damp earth as he ran.
Not long after, Toruri stirred. He frowned, catching the distant noise of hurried footsteps. "What's all that noise?" he muttered groggily, pushing the tent flap aside as he stepped out into the thick fog. His eyes widened.
"What the hell?"
His dragon eyes activated instantly, glowing faintly as they cut through the haze, revealing a shadow in the distance—Hiyoku running away. Toruri gritted his teeth. "Oh, it's fog. This is oddly thick though... I can barely see through it, even with my dragon eyes."
He cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting, "HIYOKU! COME BACK!!" His voice echoed through the fog, but Hiyoku didn't stop.
Toruri cursed under his breath, taking off after him, but it was useless. Hiyoku's figure grew smaller and smaller, disappearing into the endless mist. "Dammit!" he hissed, skidding to a halt. Looking around, he realized the tents had vanished too.
"And now I'm lost!" he muttered in frustration.
Just then, a cold, ghostly voice whispered through the fog, making the hair on his neck stand up. "Walk forward."
Toruri spun around, eyes wide. "What?! WHO IS THAT?!"
Back at the campsite, Verte stirred awake. The cold air seeped through her tent, biting at her skin. She shivered. "It's cold..." she whispered, stepping outside and immediately being swallowed by the fog.
Panic gripped her as she surveyed the empty campsite. "Oh no... The fog came!" Her voice was strained with realization. "And those two idiots aren't here! I can't sense their mana… They must've wandered off somewhere."
At that moment, Kinrui emerged from his own tent, blinking against the thick white wall before him. "Miss Verte, is that you?" he called, his voice muffled by the fog.
"Yes, there's fog!" Verte replied, her tone sharp.
Kinrui looked around, his face tense. "This is a very thick fog. I can't even see you, yet I'm right next to you!"
Verte nodded to herself, already formulating a plan. "Well, lucky for us, I've studied magic to help against the fog." She held out her hand, and with a quick incantation, she whispered, "Sensory Magic: All-Seeing Eyes!"
Both her and Kinrui's eyes glowed a bright blue, cutting through the dense white blanket around them.
Kinrui blinked, marveling at the sudden clarity. "I can see clearly now!"
Verte gave a firm nod. "Yes. Come with me, Kinrui. We need to find Hiyoku and Toruri."
Kinrui straightened, determination filling his voice. "Right. They probably walked along the path. They can't be too far away from us."
And with that, the two set off into the dense fog, their glowing eyes guiding them through the eerie silence of the forest.
Hiyoku sprinted through the fog, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The air felt thick, like a suffocating blanket pressing down on his lungs. His heart pounded loudly in his ears, the dense whiteness swallowing everything around him. "When does this bum-ass dream end?!" His voice echoed, swallowed by the void. Panic crept into his words. "Why can't I wake myself up?!"
Every step he took felt like it led deeper into the unknown, the fog wrapping tighter around him, choking out the world. His hands were cold, trembling, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.
Suddenly, the heavy sound of footfalls thudded in front of him. From the mist, the hulking shadow of a bear emerged, its dark eyes gleaming like hungry coals. The creature let out a guttural growl, the fog swirling ominously around its massive form.
Without hesitation, Hiyoku's fist shot out, colliding with the bear's face in a brutal impact. The creature's skull cracked under the force, and it crumpled to the side, unconscious before it even hit the ground.
"Outta my way!!!" Hiyoku bellowed, eyes wild. But even as he stood over the beast, an unsettling sensation crawled up his spine. This wasn't right. None of this felt real. Yet it was too vivid, too cold, too alive to be a mere dream.
Toruri stumbled through the fog, his hands outstretched, searching for something—anything. The cold pressed against his skin, seeping into his bones. "Hiyoku?!" His voice wavered, the sound swallowed up by the fog. "Where are you?!"
And then, it came again, that voice. A whisper that felt closer this time, like a breath against his ear.
"Walk forward."
Toruri's fists clenched, a flicker of fear flashing in his chest. "Who the hell are you?!" he shouted, turning in circles, eyes scanning the void. "Reveal yourself!"
The voice was unrelenting. "Walk forward."
He hesitated, the edges of his sanity fraying. "Maybe I'm just going insane..." His voice cracked, doubt creeping in like a poison.
But then—
"Toruri..."
A voice called out from behind him, familiar but tinged with something off, something wrong. His heart stuttered. Slowly, he turned, his dragon eyes glowing faintly in the fog.
It was Hiyoku.
Toruri narrowed his eyes. "Where'd you go, and how'd you end up behind me?"
Hiyoku's expression was blank, unsettling in its stillness. "I got lost. It was an honest mistake," he said, his voice flat, devoid of its usual energy. "Let's keep going forward."
Toruri frowned, suspicion gnawing at him. "Why? Shouldn't we head back?"
Hiyoku's lips twitched into a strange smile. "The camp is forward. Let's walk forward."
Toruri hesitated, something crawling beneath his skin—a deep, instinctual warning. But he followed anyway. "If you say so..." He kept his dragon eyes sharp, watching every move, every step, as they pressed deeper into the fog.
As they walked, Toruri tried to ease the tension gnawing at him. "So, what do you think about Heavalley?" He glanced sideways at Hiyoku, trying to gauge him. "Do you even have an idea what's up there?"
"Dragons," Hiyoku answered, his voice unnervingly flat.
Toruri's brow furrowed. "And what do you plan on doing up there?"
Hiyoku's blank gaze remained fixed forward. "I would like to spectate how they live."
The words sent a chill down Toruri's spine. Something snapped inside him. This isn't right. In an instant, he spun around, fist flying toward Hiyoku's face. The other figure jumped back, narrowly dodging the strike.
Toruri's eyes blazed with fury. "You aren't Hiyoku."
The imposter's face twisted, its features warping grotesquely. "What gave it away?" The voice was no longer Hiyoku's, but something darker, dripping with malice.
Toruri's muscles tensed, every nerve on edge. "The real Hiyoku would want to fight those dragons," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "And then there's the obvious answer—you have no chi. You're not even alive."
A twisted, guttural laugh erupted from the fake Hiyoku. Its face began to split, stretching unnaturally wide, revealing rows of jagged, sharp teeth. Its eyes turned black, soulless voids that seemed to devour the light. Its mouth warped, spreading unnaturally across its face, jagged teeth glistening. "Maybe not being so smart would have saved your life!" it hissed, the voice now a demonic echo.
Its hand transformed into a monstrous claw, each finger long and jagged like knives. In a blur, it slashed toward Toruri, aiming for his throat.
Toruri barely dodged, rolling to the side as the claw tore through the air, the ground trembling from the force of its swing. His heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
"What the hell are you?!" he yelled, his voice filled with fear and anger.
The creature let out a low, horrifying chuckle, its form contorting and expanding. Its body grew, stretching several meters tall, its limbs grotesquely long. Its arms dangled like vines, ending in claws that seemed to drip with malevolent energy. Its face was a nightmare—a massive, gaping maw filled with rows upon rows of serrated teeth, black eyes stretching vertically across its skull. Instead of ears, clusters of holes pocked its head, oozing darkness.
Toruri's breath caught in his throat. "Ho-ly shit..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. The terror of the situation began to sink in, and he realized just how deeply they were in danger.
Toruri's heart pounded as he faced the monstrous figure that had once worn Hiyoku's form. His hands tightened into fists, and despite the creeping terror that clawed at him, he refused to show weakness. "What the hell are you?! And why did you want me to walk forward so damn much?!"
The creature's blackened eyes gleamed with a dark amusement. "You're not scared of me?" Its voice was low, taunting, almost mocking.
Toruri scoffed, forcing a smirk that belied the unease twisting in his gut. "Why would I be scared of something I'm just as scary as? You look hella beatable."
The creature let out a low, rumbling laugh that seemed to reverberate through the fog. "How foolish." Its form seemed to shift, its presence becoming one with the surrounding mist. "I am the fog," it whispered. "You have no power while I'm around. Your fate is sealed. Walk carefully, boy. In my domain, I can do anything."
And just like that, the entity vanished into the swirling white mist, leaving Toruri alone with nothing but his thoughts and the thickening fog that pressed in around him.
This must be the work of the M.A.G.I.C, Toruri thought, his eyes narrowing as the realization clicked into place. He knew this wasn't just an ordinary trick of the night—something far more dangerous was at play.
Meanwhile, Kinrui and Verte trudged down the foggy path, the mist curling around their legs like ghostly tendrils. Kinrui glanced around warily, the oppressive atmosphere making his every step feel heavy. "Do you have any idea what's going on here, Verte?"
Verte's face was set in a grim expression, her voice steady but cold. "I know exactly what's going on," she said, her eyes glowing faintly from the sensory magic. "Every night, an evil spirit spreads across Thobi Forest—its name is Nevorra."
Kinrui frowned, his curiosity piqued but also laced with concern. "He expands on the forest? What does that even mean?"
Verte gestured to the fog, her tone sharpening. "This fog is Nevorra."
Kinrui's eyes widened in shock. "What?! So... all of this... is him!?"
"Yes," Verte replied, her voice serious. "He weakens himself to create this fog, which covers the entire forest. In this form, he can create anything, manipulate anything, because this fog is his body. He uses it to hunt—luring his prey deeper into the mist until he can kill them."
Kinrui's mouth tightened into a line. "Damn. I'd be worried, if it wasn't for the fact that Toruri and Hiyoku are... well, you know, Toruri and Hiyoku. There are no real stakes here."
Verte shot him a sharp glance, her voice firm. "Don't underestimate the spirit. Nevorra is on a completely different level. He's a higher-tier spirit—strong enough to give even powerful wizards pause."
Kinrui hesitated. "So... are they in trouble or not?"
Verte's face darkened. "They are."
Back at the campsite, Hiyoku stumbled out of the fog, blinking as his vision started to clear. The oppressive mist still lingered, but he could now make out familiar shapes through the haze. "I can actually kinda see now..." he muttered, relief flooding his voice.
As if on cue, the tents appeared before him, and Verte, Kinrui, and Toruri emerged from them, looking oddly calm.
"You guys are here!" Hiyoku called out, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and relief.
Verte—or what appeared to be Verte—smiled, her expression too serene for the situation. "Where did you go, Hiyoku? We were worried."
Hiyoku scratched the back of his head, feeling uneasy but unable to pinpoint why. "I was dreaming or something, but I guess I was sleepwalking. I dunno, it's all kind of fuzzy."
Toruri stepped forward, his tone oddly flat. "Well, we're glad you're back."
Hiyoku squinted at the group. Something wasn't right. "It doesn't look like morning yet. Should I relight the fire?"
Kinrui shook his head quickly, his voice almost too calm. "No, Hiyoku. We'll be fine without it. Just go back to your tent."
Hiyoku frowned. "Is it not cold anymore? I can't tell. My natural body heat is always hot."
"Yes," Kinrui replied, his voice hollow, almost robotic.
Hiyoku turned his back to them, starting toward his tent—but something gnawed at him, an instinctual dread that he couldn't shake. He stopped suddenly. "Hey, dragon boy..." he said, his voice laced with suspicion.
Kinrui stiffened. "Yes?"
Without warning, Hiyoku spun around, his hands igniting with a brilliant blaze. He hurled a searing fireball toward the group, the flames exploding on impact. Verte, Kinrui, and Toruri screamed as they dispersed into tendrils of fog, evaporating like smoke.
Hiyoku grinned. "You're not the dragon boy. Toruri is!"
As if summoned by the realization, the monstrous figure that had confronted Toruri earlier began to manifest before Hiyoku, its grotesque form stretching impossibly tall, its dark eyes narrowing in fury.
Nevorra's voice boomed from all around, dripping with malice. "You all just continue to be more and more annoying."
Hiyoku glared at the hideous creature before him, unphased by its towering, monstrous form. "You're ugly!" he shouted defiantly.
Nevorra's face twisted in rage, its mouth widening into a grotesque maw. "I'll eat you alive, human!" it bellowed, and in an instant, the entire campsite dissolved into fog, leaving nothing but an endless expanse of white.
Hiyoku's eyes narrowed. "So that was fake too, huh?" he muttered under his breath.
The fog around him churned, growing more turbulent as Nevorra's massive form stretched toward him, jaws snapping. "COME HERE!!!" Nevorra shrieked, its voice echoing through the mist like nails on glass. Its body surged forward, jaw wide open, ready to devour Hiyoku in one bite.
But Hiyoku stood his ground. His fists ignited with flames once more, burning brighter than ever. With a quick movement, he swung his hand upward, sending a flash of fire directly into Nevorra's eyes.
The creature let out an ear-piercing screech, recoiling in pain, its monstrous form distorting as it retreated back into the fog.
"So you're scared of light, huh?" Hiyoku mused, smirking as he watched the fog swirl back into its oppressive blanket. The brief moment of visibility faded, leaving him once again engulfed in the thick white mist.
"Ugh... you dick," Hiyoku muttered, clenching his fists, his breath rising in sharp, angry bursts. The fight wasn't over yet, and he knew it.
Toruri heard a chilling scream pierce through the foggy silence, distant yet loud enough to cut through the oppressive air. His brow furrowed in annoyance more than fear. "The hell was that?" he barked into the mist, his voice echoing back at him. "You tryna scare me, you bastard?!"
The fog offered no reply, only the swirling quiet that seemed to smother everything.
Toruri scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah, better not, you foggy piece of shit," he muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, his gaze snapped forward as he noticed a figure running toward him in the distance. His body tensed, his mind already racing with the thought of another confrontation. "Did ya finally come out, you coward?!" he called out, his voice filled with challenge.
But as the figure neared, something familiar caught his eye—cat ears. His heart jumped. "Wait... it's you! The woman from before!!!"
Before he could react, the mysterious woman leaped effortlessly over him, her lithe form sailing through the air as she darted past.
"Hey! Get back here!" Toruri shouted, launching into a full sprint after her, his footsteps pounding against the damp earth.
The woman glanced back briefly, her face contorted in frustration. "Why doesn't my magic work?" she muttered under her breath, her pace quickening.
Toruri smirked, sensing her aura as he gained on her. "No matter how far you run, I can see you through chi now. There's no point in hiding!" His voice carried a smug confidence, certain that this chase would soon end.
But just as quickly as he'd locked onto her, her aura vanished. Toruri's eyes widened in surprise. Dammit, he cursed internally. She knows how to hide her chi!? That just means I need to stay extra close on her tail.
Refusing to give her an inch, Toruri flared his wings—sleek, dragon-like appendages unfurling from his back. With a powerful flap, he launched himself into the air, swooping down at her with remarkable speed. He managed to graze her arm, but she reacted instantly, leaping gracefully into the trees above.
"That was a close one—" the woman murmured to herself, but before she could get her bearings, Toruri's voice rang out from behind her, laced with determination.
"GOTCHA!!!"
In a flash, Toruri tackled her from the branches, bringing both of them crashing down to the fog-covered path below. The woman let out a sharp gasp as they hit the ground, but Toruri quickly recovered, pinning her to the forest floor.
"H-Hey!" she protested, her voice filled with indignation.
Toruri leaned in closer, locking her in place with his body weight. "You have the right to remain silent," he growled, keeping her firmly held down.
"Get off of me!" she spat, struggling beneath him.
"Not until I unmask you!" he replied, his voice cold and commanding. With one swift motion, he ripped off her mask, revealing a pair of striking catlike yellow eyes that gleamed even in the thick fog. A triangular scar marked her right eye, giving her an even fiercer appearance.
Toruri blinked, somewhat surprised. "Hm, I don't know what I expected," he muttered. Despite his tough exterior, a flicker of curiosity sparked within him.
"GET OFF!!!" the woman screamed again, her voice laced with fury and desperation.
Toruri tightened his grip. "Quit squirming. I ain't letting you go, you little skank!"
She glared up at him, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "What do you want from me?!"
Toruri's eyes darkened, his patience wearing thin. "I want you to explain yourself!!!"
But before she could answer, the eerie voice of Nevorra cut through the silence once more, whispering ominously from the fog.
"Walk forward," it said, the words sending a shiver down Toruri's spine despite his bravado.
Toruri rolled his eyes, growling in frustration. "NOW YOU'RE JUST BEING ANNOYING, OMINOUS FOG MONSTER VOICE!!!" he shouted back into the void, clearly exasperated by the spirit's incessant demands.
The woman beneath him suddenly stopped struggling, her eyes wide with urgency. "I'm here to help you!" she blurted out, her voice trembling slightly, but laced with sincerity.