As we approached the mentioned house, it became clear that it wasn't actually a house upon closer inspection. It resembled a war tent like those often seen in movies. The surrounding area was dotted with smaller tents, and if I were to make an educated guess, the one Aisha pointed out would likely belong to the chieftain.
"We'll find a good spot to park this," Hannah's voice crackled through the comms, casually referring to our vehicle as if it were an everyday car.
People began emerging from their tents, their faces carrying a mixture of hope and anticipation. Their relief at our arrival was palpable, but there was something about their expressions that struck me as peculiar. I couldn't quite put my finger on it...
Something is wrong...
Upon reaching the war tent, Aisha motioned for us to wait outside. Strangely, Venidith, who had seemed fatigued during the skirmish, now appeared rejuvenated, as if she had just stepped out of a luxurious spa.
"Hmm, making us wait out here, huh?" Venidith commented with a hint of skepticism.
"Perhaps they're just being cautious," I offered, choosing to place some trust in Aisha's guidance. "They've likely been through a lot."
"Uh-huh, pretty sure we're the ones who engaged in a battle," Venidith retorted, her tone hinting at her suspicion toward Aisha. "And she came from the direction of the cryptids."
"Maybe there's some kind of trick involved, like being in a cursed veil or something," I suggested, attempting to rationalize the situation.
"Hmm, cursed veils don't typically work in this manner," Venidith replied, a hint of suspicion and playful teasing in her tone.
She sighed, "Though it could be a combination of two different veils... Just a gut feeling."
The cotton divider of the war tent swayed as Aisha poked her head out, motioning for us to enter.
Turning my head, I saw Sam and Hannah approaching us. Sam rushed forward and excitedly hugged me from behind, "Big bro!"
Venidith playfully pouted, pretending to be jealous. "What about your big sis?" she teased.
Sam went over to Venidith and gave her a hug too, exclaiming, "Huggies!"
"A cheerful bunch, aren't they?" Aisha remarked with a smile.
Stepping inside the war tent, we were greeted by the comforting warmth of a heater. I guessed that the tent had some form of soundproofing, as the interior felt like a small studio apartment. Despite the walls and roof being made of cotton, it had a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.
Inside the tent, there were at least five individuals. One of them, likely the chieftain, was seated behind a desk, flanked by two armed guards. An advisor of sorts also stood nearby.
If I'm not mistaken, the chieftain is Abdul. "Ah! Welcome, Alexander. Would you care for a cup of coffee?"
"No, thank you. I appreciate the offer," I replied, attempting to sound polite as I settled into one of the eight chairs aligned in front of the chieftain's desk.
Sam and Venidith took seats on either side of me, forming a kind of protective barrier, while Hannah occupied the chair opposite mine.
"I assume you're eager to hear about what happened to the village?" Abdul inquired as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Yes, we're already aware that a powerful demon is involved," I acknowledged, a sense of unease growing within me.
"Yes, unfortunately, despite our utmost caution," Abdul paused, his expression heavy, "A powerful demon managed to infiltrate."
Something felt amiss...
"Could you provide more details about the demon?" Hannah asked, her tone now grave and focused.
"One of our village maidens fell under corruption," Abdul explained, a tinge of sorrow in his voice, though there was an underlying uneasiness about him, "With the aid of a demon prince, she transformed."
"Have you gathered any information about her abilities?" Venidith inquired, her demeanor becoming even more serious and direct.
"She wields threads and needles, hundreds of them," Abdul replied with a hint of sadness, "She's already taken the lives of many villagers, assisted by her confidant, a gigantic spider."
"Could you inform us of her current whereabouts?" I inquired, rising from my seat.
"Yes, please, Aisha, show them," Abdul requested, motioning toward Aisha.
"Of course, Chief," Aisha responded, stepping out of the tent, and we followed her lead.
The chilly moonlight bathed us in its glow, though it appeared that the moon's position hadn't changed. Perhaps time flowed differently within this realm, or I hadn't been paying attention to its passage.
Interrupting my thoughts, Venidith chimed in, "You might not have noticed, but it was nighttime as soon as we entered."
"How could you tell?" I asked, mentally retracing our steps since entering the veil, but unable to pinpoint any specific transition.
"Cursed veil: Mist of Forgotten Memories," Venidith clarified, her voice tinged with a sense of familiarity, "Although this variation seems unique."
"It erases all recollection of an intruder's sensory experiences before and after entering within a certain time frame," Venidith elaborated as Aisha entered the fog once again, "Although some memories may slip away during our stay here."
We proceeded, the fog's dampness causing the fine hairs on my body to stand on end. "Is there a way to escape?" I inquired, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
"Yes, exhaustion or death of the individual who triggered it," Venidith responded, gazing at the sky thoughtfully, "Though this may involve a blend of different veils."
"What exactly do you mean by that?" I inquired, maintaining my sharp focus. Our auras remained the only ones present.
Hannah's aura exhibited a unique hue, a slow-moving gray. Meanwhile, Sam and Aisha both emitted a golden glow, akin to the brilliance of a sunlit day. I couldn't help but wonder what shade my own aura possessed.
"The Mist, followed by the sky," Venidith elucidated, her gaze fixed above. "Blessed Veil: Moonlight Requiem."
"So, it's a combination of conditions and the environment?" I ventured, attempting to connect the dots.
"Close, but it's not quite that straightforward," Venidith replied, shifting her gaze toward Aisha.
Emerging from the fog once again, we found ourselves on a plain. Another mountain lay ahead in the distance.
Something felt off...
"In that cave lies their resting place," Aisha revealed.
Yet, Aisha's demeanor abruptly changed, confusion etched across her face. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she muttered, "Wait... why are we here?"
"Well, you mentioned this as their resting spot," Hannah interjected.
"No... This can't be..." Aisha's voice quivered with panic, her composure slipping, "T-This is our base."
A sudden realization struck me, the unease I initially felt dissipating upon meeting Aisha. "Although we might forget certain things during our stay here," Venidith's words echoed within my thoughts...
"Mist Release: Thousandth Thread and Needles," a malevolent voice intoned, the air growing tense.