A couple of days had passed since they had entered the island and had travelled around to some areas while encountering many dangers.
The mountain was just a small portion of Empirica Island and there were many other kinds of dangerous things that were waiting around to be discovered.
A large sized and pale green forest lizard had fallen down after being pierced with an arrow through the eye then Sunila appeared out of the cover provided by the thick and large trees. "Is this enough?"
Everyone else had appeared nearby and Alyssia had replied with a smile. "Yes this should be enough for now. It sure is big enough."
The lizard could not be counted as a giant sized beast but it was still very big and it was much larger than them.
Alyssia started by cutting it apart then moved onto preparing the cooking equipment, they had enjoyed a meal together that was made from Alyssia before they had set out again on their journey.
They continued to explore in another part of the island and soon found themselves in another strange location that was far less visible and populated than the other areas.
There were no animals around and there was a strange fog that covered the area.
The fog was much thinner in the outer area so it was easier to see the way but once they had stepped inside, the surroundings of each person inside had begun to change and they had begun to experience different things.
Alyssia was the most resistant to all kinds of things and she did not feel the same as the others and did not experience those things. 'Hm? This is…'
Her eyes had widened a little as she faintly noticed the strangeness of the fog then took out her mask so that the air was filtered and more breathable. 'This does not seem too harmful in smaller doses but I am more worried about how this can affect the others… should I leave them to it or should I wait and see how this turns out?'
For everyone that accompanied Alyssia, they each began to experience something unique to themselves as they wandered deeper into the fog and had been drawn further under its influence.
The only one that was sober and could watch over them was Alyssia who was resistant enough to notice its strangeness early on and Val who was an advanced robot that did not have as many weaknesses as many other living life forms.
The scenery changed for everyone and they began to be immersed in different experiences that only they would know what they were experiencing while those that were sober had seen those who were within the fog just wandering around and acting strangely until their figures were no longer visible the deeper they entered.
It was the scenery that had changed for them but also how they had viewed themselves in some ways as their perception had been distorted and was caught in some strange trance like state.
A small fragile and malnourished child that had messy black hair was wandering around and their appearance was very dirty.
She looked down at her small hands that resembled the hands of someone that was around five years old. "Huh?"
Soon she had been immersed in her trance and found the scenery changing, a haggard and extremely thin woman was standing in front of her then began to turn her back on the girl to walk away. "So useless."
The girl displayed a hurt look once she had been lost in her despair for a moment then had got up to chase the woman.
Her voice was hoarse as she called out. "I am not! I am not! No! I have changed!"
As she had reached out towards the figure in front of her, the figure had dispersed the moment that she made contact with it and the girl fell over after making contact with nothing.
Once she had looked up, there was another figure looking down on her which she respected and idolised greatly. "Big sis? What are you doing here?"
The ground and surroundings had changed to look similar to the ship and the girl was kneeling on the deck of the ship.
In front of her was Alyssia who had stood over her with a cold look in her eyes, she gazed down with a disdainful look in her eyes towards the girl. "So useless. I really regret bringing you from that place. Such a waste of my efforts. Hmph!"
The girl which had regained her composure upon seeing someone she trusted had suddenly frozen in shock and despair. "Huh? What?…..why?"
Many other figures that she recognised appeared around her and behind Alyssia then began to speak in a cold and disdainful voice.
"Really.. Alyssia why did you bring that useless thing?"
"Such a disappointment."
"What a waste of resources and attention given.."
"What should we do with her now?"
"Should we just abandon her or should we just use her until she makes up for everything she has gained from us?"
"Yes.. lets do that."
"Hahaha."
"Huhuhu."
The more that they talked among themselves and showed such feelings towards her, the more that the girl had sunk deeper into despair until Alyssia had spoken up coldly. "Get up and walk. Go deeper and retrieve something of value that can pay me back for raising you all this time then disappear from my sight."
The girl had found a place to belong and those she had trusted but she was far too influenced by the fog to think clearly.
Her greatest insecurity had broken her down which had reduced her to tears and she then got up to walk slowly deeper into the fog.
Her cries were heard from within the fog as her figure went deeper within. "Huhuhu…wuwuwuwu. Aaah…"
Her greatest reliance and spiritual belief had been broke as a familiar event had been repeated in her life.