The fog didn't come fast.
That was the problem.
It slid in low, thick around the ankles first.
Cold. Damp. Not choking, just wrong enough to make breathing uncomfortable.
Every second worsen. People shifted their footing, boots scraping stone they could no longer fully see.
"Can anyone see past ten meters?" someone asked.
"No."
"Eight, maybe."
"Stop guessing," Ervin snapped. "Hold position."
A shape burst out of the fog and slammed into the barricade sideways. Wood cracked. A shield went flying. Two fighters hit the ground hard.
"Front line, hold!" Seroi shouted. "Don't chase!"
Ren moved without thinking. Shadows tightened around his forearms, compressed instead of spread. He took one step forward....
...and his body lagged.
Not pain. Delay.
His strike still landed. The creature's ribs caved in with a wet sound. It dropped.
Ren staggered back half a step.
"Again," Elara said quietly, eyes fixed ahead. "They're not spacing out anymore."
