The mist exploded into chaos.
Rey drew his sword, slashing through one of the creatures. It shrieked, dissolving into the fog, but more took its place, their limbs bending unnaturally as they crawled toward them.
Rhys was already moving, his axe flashing, striking at the beasts from the shadows. "They're using our memories against us!" he growled.
Arinn froze, his hands shaking. The creatures still looked like their parents, their twisted faces filled with sorrow.
"Arinn… help us… don't let us disappear again…"
Arinn shook his head violently, gripping his dagger. "You're not them! You're NOT THEM!"
With a cry, he stabbed the nearest creature in the chest. The illusion shattered, revealing the writhing nightmare beneath. It screamed before vanishing.
Rey grinned. "Good. Now let's burn this place down."
Summoning every ounce of strength, he slammed his sword into the ground. A wave of energy erupted from the blade, cutting through the mist like fire through paper.
The creatures wailed, their bodies unraveling, the fog recoiling like a living thing.
The moment the mist thinned enough, they ran.
They didn't stop running until they saw the trees thin ahead. The forest's grip loosened, and the mist finally vanished.
Panting, Arinn collapsed onto the dirt road. "That… was horrible."
Rhys sheathed his axe at his back. "That was a warning. Seth's power is spreading. The deeper we go, the worse it'll get."
Rey looked at Arinn, his expression unreadable. "You almost fell for it."
Arinn clenched his fists. "I—I know. But I won't again. I promise."
Rey studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good."
They had survived.
But the nightmare was far from over,
Newsville was still far ahead. And Seth was waiting.
After escaping the Forest of Betrayal, the trio continued along the winding roads toward Newsville. Days passed, and the skies grew darker. A red moon hung over the land like a bleeding wound, casting everything in an ominous glow.
That night, they reached a small village, its houses silent and lifeless. Rhys's eyes narrowed. "Something's wrong." Rey gripped his sword. "Stay sharp." They moved through the empty streets, their footsteps the only sound. Then, a voice broke the silence.
"Travelers... you shouldn't be here..."
An old woman emerged from the Shadows, her face lined with fear. "Leave now, before it comes back." Rey stepped forward. "Before what comes back?"
The woman trembled. "The Red Widow."