The fog grew thicker with every step, wrapping around their ankles like cold, white smoke. Soft whispers floated through the air not loud, but strange and unsettling, enough to make the hairs on James's arms stand up.
Around them, the trees were tall and twisted, their old branches reaching out like fingers trying to grab them. The trunks were covered in thick, rough bark and dark green leaves hung down, wet with moisture. Shadows gathered under the thick leaves above, where roots twisted across the ground, hidden beneath soft moss and fallen leaves.
As they walked, Li Mei suddenly stopped and looked up, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "Wait… wasn't it morning just now?" she whispered.
The others lifted their heads. Above them, the pale moon hung high in the sky, its soft silver glow slipping through the fog and twisted branches, casting strange, moving shadows on the ground.
"It's like we stepped into a different world," James muttered, his brow furrowed. "It was daytime a second ago…"
Qin Juan clenched her fists. "Illusions," she said sharply. "This forest is messing with us already."
Li Jiang glanced around warily. "Then we don't trust anything we see."
The cold light from the strange moon followed them as they moved forward making it easier for them to see ahead.The pale, cold light from the strange moon followed them as they walked deeper into the forest, it lit the ground just enough to see.
"Stay close," Li Mei whispered. Her voice was calm, but even she glanced over her shoulder now and then.
They moved carefully, their eyes watching the shadows between the trees. The ground was rough, with twisted roots hiding under the moss, ready to trip anyone who wasn't careful.
Suddenly, a cold wind brushed past them, carrying soft, broken laughter. Everyone stopped.
"What was that?" Qin Juan muttered, fists clenching tighter.
James's heart pounded fast, like a drum beating deep inside his chest. A cold, uneasy feeling settled there, tightening with each breath and making it hard to stay calm. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to focus as his eyes locked onto the thick, swirling fog ahead.
A shadow flickered to their left. James quickly turned around, but all he saw was the thick mist twisting slowly, forming strange and shifting shapes that vanished as soon as it appeared. 'What was that?' he thought, his heart pounding faster 'I can't let my guard down. Not here.'
Then, a sharp scream cut through the heavy silence, echoing from deep within the forest. It was sudden and raw a sound full of fear and pain that sent a chill down their spines. The mist seemed to grow thicker around them, swallowing the noise as it faded into an eerie, haunting silence.
"That sounded like one of the others!" Li Jiang said sharply.
"No," Li Mei said, her brows furrowing. "That's the forest. It's playing with us."
James glanced at her. "How do you know?"
Li Mei gave him a small smile mysterious, almost sad. "Because that was my sister's voice. She's not here."
The group looked at her, stunned. Before anyone could speak again, more voices drifted around them familiar voices, calling out softly.
"James…"
James stiffened, that was his mother's voice. But she had died years ago. He glanced at the others, they were hearing voices too, frozen with shock or confusion.
Li Mei stepped forward, steady and sure. "Ignore it. The forest shows you what you fear, or what you miss. It's not real."
James clenched his fists. "Easy for you to say."
"No," she said softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes that was quickly hidden "It's not."
Before anyone could react, a figure stepped out of the mist ahead of them tall and thin, dressed in plain gray robes that hung loosely around its body. Its head was bowed, hiding its face in shadow, giving the strange figure an empty, lifeless look as it stood silently in their path.
"Who's that?" Qin Juan whispered, eyes narrowing.
Li Jiang pulled his sword halfway from its sheath. "Another disciple?"
The figure slowly lifted its head, and James felt his breath catch in his throat. Pale skin, messy hair, and a face that matched his own stared back at him but the eyes were empty, hollow like deep wells of darkness, cold and lifeless.
The air around them grew colder, like an icy hand pressing against their skin. "Ignore it!" Li Mei shouted, her voice cutting through the fog, sharp and fierce for the first time. "It's not real! Don't let it fool you!"
The phantom James slowly opened its mouth, and thick, black smoke poured out, curling and twisting like living snakes. The air filled with the sharp, bitter smell of ash, and the smoke seemed to reach for them, clawing its way forward.
Qin Juan moved first, stepping in front of James with steady, fearless steps. Her fists began to glow with a soft, golden light, the power of her inner strength rising to the surface. "Stay behind me," she said firmly, her eyes locked on the phantom ahead.
But before they could react, something else shifted in the mist fast, heavy, and much larger than the phantom and the shape coming toward them was real, its massive form cutting through the fog like a shadow with weight.
"Move!" Li Jiang barked.
Then the beast suddenly jumped out of the fog. Its body was twisted and dark, more shadow than flesh, but its snout and curved tusks were clear in the dim light. Its red eyes glowed bright, staring straight at them with fierce anger.
Just as the beast charged toward him, James froze, stunned by its sudden attack. But then, the golden cauldron within him flared to life, sending a warm, bright glow that spread quickly over his skin like a protective shield of light, which nobody saw.
The impact sent him flying backward but the golden glow absorbed most of the force.
The others scattered swiftly, hands flashing as they drew their hidden weapons, readying themselves for the beast's next move.
James coughed and pushed himself up as he quickly wiped the dirt from himself. The whispering around them twisted into cold laughter.
"James, are you okay?" Li Mei asked, her voice full of concern.
"We need you steady," Li Jiang added, eyes sharp as he scanned the fog.
Qin Juan stepped closer, fists still glowing faintly. "Don't let it get to you."
James nodded slowly, catching his breath. "I'm fine."
"This isn't just illusions anymore," Qin Juan growled, his voice low and fierce. "Something real is hunting us."
Li Mei's eyes sharpened, her hand tightening around the hilt of her weapon. "Then we don't run." she said steadily "We hunt it back."
James stood firm, feeling the golden cauldron's power protecting him. He glanced at the beast as it kicked the soil hard, dirt and stones flying. "Is that all you've got?" he said, voice steady but ready. The beast's red eyes burned like embers, filled with rage as it prepared to strike again.