Chapter 23: Whispers in the Mist
Morning came with a low fog hanging over the clearing, the faint light of dawn struggling to break through the thick mist. The expedition stirred from their uneasy sleep, the lingering tension of the previous night heavy on their minds. Yogan stretched and stood, his body stiff from the cold and the watchful eyes of the spirits that had haunted their camp. He could still feel the presence of something deeper in the forest—something waiting.
Renji was already up, lounging near the dying embers of the campfire, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at Yoan, who had barely slept. Yoan sat apart from the others, rubbing his temples, his face pale and drawn. It hadn't helped that Renji had spent most of the night throwing snide remarks his way, disguised as advice but dripping with mockery.
"You look like a spirit's already gotten to you, Yoan," Renji said lazily, his voice carrying just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Perhaps you're not cut out for this kind of work. It takes more than a strong will to survive out here."
Yogan shot his brother a sharp look, his patience wearing thin. "Enough, Renji. If you're so eager to prove yourself, save it for the spirits and stop tormenting Yoan."
Renji's smirk only grew. "Oh, I'm not tormenting anyone, brother. Just making sure everyone's aware of their limits."
Yoan's jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed on the ground. Yogan felt a surge of frustration. His brother's arrogance had always grated on him, but now, in the midst of the expedition, it felt more personal. Renji's constant need to undermine others wasn't just cruel—it was dangerous.
Kezin, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the edge of the camp, finally stood and approached the group, his face calm as always. "We should move on," he said, his tone even. "The spirits won't trouble us much during the day, but the farther we go, the more likely we are to encounter something… more serious."
"More serious than last night?" one of the younger students muttered under his breath, earning a stern look from Kezin.
"Yes," Kezin replied, his voice taking on a measured weight. "What you saw were lesser spirits, angry but lacking real power. They are remnants of something larger, a symptom of what has been disturbed in this area. There are darker forces at work, and if we want to understand what's happening, we need to press on."
Yogan watched Kezin carefully. The waterbender's calm demeanor never wavered, even in the face of danger. He had a way of controlling the situation, but Yogan couldn't shake the feeling that Kezin wasn't revealing everything he knew. There was a quiet intensity behind his eyes, something hidden just beneath the surface.
The group packed up quickly, the mist still clinging to the trees as they made their way deeper into the forest. The path was narrow, overgrown with twisted roots and thick underbrush, making the journey slow and arduous. Yogan kept to the middle of the group, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger. The mist muffled the sounds of the forest, giving everything an eerie stillness.
---
As they traveled, Kaiya caught up to Yogan, her expression thoughtful. She had been quiet since they left the temple, her usual warmth subdued by the weight of the mission. "Yogan," she said softly, walking in step with him, "have you noticed the way the spirits seem to react to you?"
Yogan glanced at her, surprised by the question. "I've felt… something, but I can't quite place it. It's like they're watching me more closely than anyone else."
Kaiya nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "That's what I've seen too. Last night, when the spirits appeared, they seemed to move away from you at the last moment. I don't think they fear you, but it's almost as if they recognize something in you."
Yogan frowned, her words echoing the strange feeling he'd had since they entered the forest. The spirits weren't just angry—they seemed drawn to him in a way he couldn't explain. He hadn't mastered airbending yet, but his control had improved, and it seemed like the spirits were aware of it.
"I don't know why they're reacting to me like this," Yogan admitted, his voice low. "But I'll keep an eye on it. Something about this whole expedition feels… off."
Kaiya's eyes flickered with concern, but she said nothing more, her gaze shifting to Yoan, who was trailing behind them. She sighed. "He's not doing well, is he?"
"No," Yogan replied, glancing back at his friend. "Renji won't leave him alone, and Yoan's too shaken to defend himself right now."
Kaiya's expression hardened. "Renji's always been a bully. But this isn't the time for his games."
Yogan nodded, his frustration growing. "I know. He's using this whole expedition to boost his own ego. It's not about the mission for him—it's about proving he's better than everyone else."
Kaiya shook her head, her voice tight with anger. "Someone needs to put him in his place."
Yogan didn't respond, but her words echoed his own thoughts. Renji had always sought power, but his behavior was getting worse, and Yogan feared what might happen if his brother's ambitions went unchecked.
---
By midday, the mist had lifted slightly, but the air remained thick with tension. The group moved carefully through the dense forest, their eyes scanning the trees for any sign of movement. Kezin led the way, his focus unwavering, while Renji followed, offering occasional jabs at Yoan's pace or stamina. Yogan bit back his anger, choosing instead to focus on the task at hand.
As they rounded a bend in the path, Kezin raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. "Something's wrong," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "The spirits… they're closer than before."
Yogan felt it too. The air had grown heavier, almost oppressive, and the faint sound of whispers began to fill the space around them. It was subtle at first, like the wind rustling through the leaves, but as they stood in silence, the voices became clearer—angrier.
"They're coming," Kezin said calmly, stepping forward. "Prepare yourselves."
The group tensed, their eyes scanning the trees. Yogan gripped his staff, his muscles taut as he waited for the spirits to reveal themselves. The air felt charged with energy, and he could sense the spirits moving, circling them in the shadows.
Without warning, a figure darted out from the mist, its form shifting and ethereal. It was smaller than the spirits from the night before, but its anger was just as fierce. It lunged at one of the younger students, its hands outstretched, fingers curled like claws.
Yogan reacted instinctively, stepping between the student and the spirit. He raised his hands, calling on the air around him, and with a swift motion, he sent a powerful gust of wind toward the spirit. The force of the air knocked it back, dispersing its form momentarily before it reassembled itself in the mist.
Renji, watching from the side, let out a low chuckle. "You've improved, brother. But let's see if you can keep it up."
Before Yogan could respond, more spirits began to appear from the mist, their forms swirling and shifting as they surrounded the group. Their voices filled the air, whispers of hatred and pain.
"You took our homes… our lands… you will pay…"
The spirits moved in, their ghostly forms flickering in and out of the shadows. Yogan tightened his grip on his staff, his heart racing as he prepared for the onslaught. Kezin stood at the front, his calm never wavering as he raised his hands, summoning water from the moisture in the air.
With a swift motion, Kezin created a barrier of water, the liquid swirling around them in a protective circle. The spirits hesitated for a moment, their forms rippling as they encountered the water.
"These are lesser spirits," Kezin said, his voice steady. "They feed on anger and hatred. They can't hurt us if we stay together."
Renji stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Then let's deal with them, shall we?"
Without waiting for a response, Renji surged forward, using his airbending to create a powerful gust that sent several spirits flying back into the mist. Yogan followed suit, focusing his energy as he sent another wave of air to push back the spirits.
But even as they fought, Yogan couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was happening. The spirits weren't just attacking randomly—they were drawn to him, their whispers louder whenever they came near.
As the last of the spirits faded into the mist, Yogan stood, breathing heavily, his mind racing. Something was wrong. The spirits weren't the real threat—they were just the beginning.
Renji turned to him, a smug grin on his face. "Not bad, brother. But you'll have to do better than that if you want to keep up."
Yogan said nothing, his thoughts focused on the whispers that still echoed in his ears. The spirits may have been defeated, but their message remained clear.
Something was coming. And Yogan wasn't sure he was ready.
[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]