After tending to their injuries, the group carried on under Oru's and Rey's lead. They felt the fog surging around them. A tense atmosphere spread. Everyone recognized the signs. Soon, they would reach Fog Demon Ridge. This was the last danger zone before they would finally reach the area where a rift was suspected to have appeared.
However, Fog Demon Ridge was not like others. A while ago a rift brought a group of fog demons into the Boneplains. After the demons were discovered, it led to fierce clashes. But the forces of the Capital City soon had to recognize that these fog demons were of considerable power, with a demon king leading them. Killing all fog demons would demand heavy sacrifices.
Since no organization was willing to pay the price and the fog demons didn't show any intention of wanting to enter the city, the fighting soon ceased. The fog demons occupied a territory deep into the Boneplains and kept to themselves, thus creating Fog Demon Ridge. After a while the city's warriors even discovered that for a certain price one would be able to safely travers Fog Demon Ridge. It was often preferrable compared to taking a long, potentially dangerous detour.
This was exactly what Feathered Blade was planning. Their client would reimburse them anyways, so there was no reason not to travel through Fog Demon Ridge. The only caveat was that the fog demons were not entirely reliable. There had been groups suspected to disappear within Fog Demon Ridge despite paying. However, Feathered Blade bet that the fog demons wouldn't dare to attack their group led by Oru. It was not worth it for them.
"In a while let me talk. You guys stay away from those demons."
"Yes, captain!"
The atmosphere remained tense as the group slowly approached Fog Demon Ridge. Soon they could feel the movement around them. The fog was drawn towards a place not far away looking like countless fine, grey threads being pulled. Everyone knew they were coming close.
Suddenly the view in front changed. The grey fog turned black, forming a massive wall which radiated an intense sensation of danger, warning all intruders to stay far away. Oru took a deep breath as he approached. The group hadn't even reached the wall when a voice rang through the fog.
"Halt! Turn around! Fog Demon Ridge is temporarily not accessible to outsiders!"
"What?!"
Surprise ran through the group. As far as they knew something like this never happened before. Why would Fog Demon Ridge be closed? They couldn't take a detour now. It would be a massive time loss!
"Still not leaving?!"
The voice sounded annoyed. The black fog stirred, and three fog demons came out. They looked like foggy clouds, their bodies like spheres formed from fog. Short, thick feet carried their bodies, and short arms hang from their sides, looking quite useless. However, no one would underestimate these fog demons. Their almost cute appearances were incredibly deceptive.
Oru faced these fog demons, not intimidated by their fierce tone. He raised his head lightly, saying:
"May I ask why Fog Demon Ridge is closed? We brought goods to pay for passage. We won't be staying for long."
"Why are you asking so many questions? If we say its closed, then its closed! Now leave before we decide to keep you behind!"
As the leading fog demon threatened fiercely, the black fog moved and more demons came out. They vaguely surrounded the group, their stance clearly anything but friendly.
A tense stalemate formed. At this moment there came some movement from behind and a new fog demon appeared, hastily rushing towards the leader. The two demons whispered something to each other and the leading fog demon couldn't help but tremble.
Silence engulfed the scene. Oru's fingers moved slowly along his staff, tightening his grip. If those fog demons dared to show any signs of aggression, he would show them that Feathered Blade still had sharp teeth.
"Haha, I just received some news. My friends, it was just a misunderstanding. Of course, our Fog Demon Ridge is open for you!"
"Hm?"
Oru was taken aback. He glanced at the fog demon which had just arrived, wondering what news he might have brought. However, considering he appeared from their back Oru actually had a guess. Those fog demons might have discovered the ghost army following behind. Just as well. They never planned to hide it. Nor were they able to.
"So you do grant us access? Good. About the payment…"
"Payment? We already delayed for so long, let's not waste even more time. Come, follow me, I will lead you."
Oru detected a hint of nervousness in the fog demon's voice. Clearly, the other wanted to send their group away as fast as possible. Although this feeling was great, Oru couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Now they relied on the ghost army to intimidate the fog demons. If it were in the past the name of Feathered Blade would have been enough to send these fog demons scrambling. It would have taken at least a demon king to talk to them.
As his thoughts revolved Oru understood why Feathered Blade relied on contractors like Rey so much. Their unique abilities could provide a lot. He, Oru, was surely stronger than Rey in a fight but he couldn't control an entire army of ghosts and bring them to the doorstep of Fog Demon Ridge.
"Follow me! And don't veer of the path!"
The fog demon's voice pulled Oru out of his thoughts. He waved at the group, and everyone got going. The wall of black fog had parted, creating an opening for them to pass through. Finally, the group set foot into the real Fog Demon Ridge.
Barren landscape and cold rocks. Fog Demon Ridge was not much different than the rest of the Boneplains. However, there was one unexpected detail. The fog in Fog Demon Ridge was surprisingly faint. The reason for that was that it gathered at certain locations, forming foggy towers which reached towards the sky. If one looked closely, one could barely recognize the silhouette of what seemed to be buildings within the fog.
However, the fog demons didn't want outsiders to probe too much. If someone observed too obviously, a fog demon would block their view. However, while they could do so with Rey's group, they were unable to deal with the vast ghost army. Luckily Rey didn't want to provoke anything and reigned in the ghosts, forcing them to follow obediently.
The large procession marched through the bleak landscape. No one talked. The leading fog demon moved at a fast pace. He really wanted to send this army away.
The trip through Fog Demon Ridge was largely uneventful. They travelled straight for a while before veering to the left. Oru felt somewhat strange. Previously when traversing Fog Demon Ridge they would cross in a straight direction. However, the fog demons were obviously behaving weirdly today. Oru didn't want strain their hospitality any further and thus didn't comment.
After a while the army appeared in front of the rolling black fog again. A gap opened and everyone went through.
"There we are. I wish you save travels from here on out! Goodbye!"
The fog demons were eager to send these scourges away. As soon as even the last ghost had left, they closed the black wall and disappeared, vowing not to come out again no matter who arrived outside.
"Something is amiss…", murmured Rey. A glint flashed through her eyes as she stared at the tall, black wall. Perhaps it wouldn't be wrong to find out more…
"Mhm. Really strange. There were barely any fog demons present compared to the past."
"They either suffered some mishap, or they are preparing for something big."
"Yes. I will report to the elders once we return. We should organize someone to observe these demons. Although they seem amiable, trusting anyone outside of one's own organization is the biggest foolishness."
Oru's words were grave. But this was the environment of the Black Galaxy. Without some kind of government. deceit was daily business. Only those within Feathered Blade received Oru's trust.
"Ok, no need brooding over it now. Let's continue. Stay vigilant."
Oru nodded slightly at Rey. She was right. Whatever the fog demons were doing, it didn't matter as long as it didn't cross their plans. And if it did… they just had to fight it out.
Eventually the group continued. Having passed the Fog Demon Ridge, they were roughly within the area where the new rift was supposed to have opened. The original plan was to tediously scour the area back and forth. But thanks to the ghost army gladly offering assistance, the group had a much easier time.
Slowly moving in one direction they allowed the ghost army to swarm out, searching for the rift. Yet they couldn't relax entirely. Strong beasts traversed this region. Fights broke out from time to time. Fortunately, there was the ghost army to take care of most of it.