Chapter 21: Into the Deeper Mist
The morning sun barely managed to pierce the heavy gray mist that clung to the treetops like an old curse. The Stone Forest stretched endlessly ahead, its rocky spires and petrified trees veiled in unnatural silence. It felt as though the very land held its breath, watching intruders with unseen eyes.
Elton stretched lightly, shaking off the lingering drowsiness as the others emerged from the cavern they had claimed the night before. Christy tied her long hair back into a neat tail, composed as ever. Zoro inspected the edges of his twin blades, sharpening them in steady, meditative strokes. Cedric adjusted his tunic and tapped the sheath of his burning dagger, humming low as faint crimson sparks flickered around his hand.
They had survived their first night in the mist-veiled Stone Forest, but survival here felt temporary, borrowed. Already, the place seemed alive with unseen hunger, filled with dread yet brimming with hidden opportunity.
"Alright," Elton said, glancing over the group with calm authority. "Stay sharp and stick together. Today we push deeper and see what awaits us."
The others nodded firmly. They had learned quickly that the beasts of this forest never truly slept. More than once during the night, distant growls and claws scraping stone echoed through the mist, reminders that rest was never guaranteed.
The terrain grew harsher as they advanced. Gnarled trees twisted like clenched fists, their roots breaking the ground into jagged ridges. Every path felt hostile, every step a quiet test of patience and vigilance. Christy led confidently, her red starry eyes scanning for hidden threats, reading faint shifts in energy that others would miss. Her calm guidance made their progress smoother, even when the forest seemed determined to bar their way.
Zoro scouted ahead, his movements sharp and efficient, vanishing into shadows and reappearing silently to mark safe routes. Elton and Cedric held the rear, watchful for ambushes, their senses stretched thin against the oppressive fog.
Along the way, they encountered strange flora—roots that pulsed faintly with energy, thorned fruits vibrating with traces of Ki, and once a glowing blue mushroom that exploded in a puff of mist when touched. Cedric, grinning despite the danger, immediately dubbed it the "Fart Fungus," drawing a short snort from Zoro that broke the tension.
After gathering several useful herbs and minerals, they entered a wide clearing littered with bones. Some were cracked open, others gnawed clean. Elton raised a hand to halt them. "Careful. This reeks of territory."
Christy narrowed her eyes. "Something is close. I can feel it."
Zoro's blades slid free with a sharp rasp. Cedric's dagger burst with flames as he tightened his grip.
The answer came quickly. From the shadows emerged a demonic beast on four legs, its body covered with patches of armored scales and thick, corded muscle. Its curled horns framed a snarling maw, and its glowing red eyes gleamed with a feral, calculating intelligence.
"Silver-Tier Three," Christy whispered grimly, "maybe even edging toward Tier Four."
"Looks angry," Cedric muttered through gritted teeth.
Elton stepped forward, his gaze hardening. "Formation Three. Bring it down fast."
Zoro moved instantly, darting left with twin blades flashing in the mist. Christy flowed right, her hands glowing faintly with Arcane Essence. Elton pressed forward with fists clenched, Ki condensing around his arms. Cedric flanked from the side, his dagger wreathed in fire.
The beast lunged first, claws sweeping toward Elton in a savage arc. He ducked low, his palm slamming into its chest with a burst of Ki. The blow staggered the creature, but its spiked tail whipped back violently, nearly crushing Cedric against a tree. Zoro blurred into position, slashing twice across its armored flank before disappearing behind cover again.
Christy unleashed a wave of chaotic energy, disorienting the beast and forcing it off balance. Elton and Cedric attacked in tandem—Cedric's flaming dagger slicing into its leg while Elton's uppercut cracked against its jaw.
Roaring in pain and fury, the beast spun wildly, its massive claws catching Zoro across the shoulder and sending him skidding across the clearing. Christy darted in without hesitation, her palms pressing against its side, sending waves of disruptive force that staggered its movements.
"Now!" Elton shouted.
Zoro surged forward despite his wound, carving deep into the beast's neck with ruthless precision. Cedric thrust his burning dagger into its ribs, and Elton finished with a surging pulse of Ki that blasted the creature off its feet.
The demonic beast twitched once, then collapsed in silence.
Elton scanned his companions quickly. "Everyone holding up?"
"A few bruises, but nothing serious," Christy replied with calm steadiness.
Zoro grunted, wiping blood from his shoulder. "Wasn't too bad. It could have been worse."
Cedric winced while dabbing his cheek where blood streaked from a shallow cut. "That tail nearly took my head off. Damn thing was fast."
They harvested the beast's blood, fangs, and armored hide. Christy carefully noted down the details in her small journal while Cedric joked about fashioning the hide into a cloak.
When they paused for rest, Christy settled near Elton. She tilted her head thoughtfully, then leaned closer.
"Hm?" Elton blinked in confusion.
Christy reached toward his hair, plucking something free. "A twig this time." Her lips curved slightly, the faintest smirk tugging at her expression. "The forest seems to like decorating you."
Elton's face warmed as he turned away. "Guess I should start charging rent."
Cedric snorted sarcastically. "Decorated by branches and leaves. What a hero's crown."
Zoro smirked, sharpening his blade with slow strokes. "Careful, Elton. If it keeps up, you'll be more tree than man."
Christy said nothing more, but her eyes lingered on Elton a moment longer before she returned to her journal.
They rose soon after, pushing deeper into the mist-veiled forest. Their confidence grew with each battle, though each of them knew the real dangers had not yet shown themselves.