Shadow's Advent

Chapter Three

"T-This place is creepy," Aaralynn squeaked. 

"We are getting close," said Cipher. "Very close." 

Kytheran ran his hand through the mist. It flowed between his fingers like water, leaving ripples in the wake. "This stuff...it's so strange." 

"It is because it's residual magic. Leftovers after casting a spell," said Caraka. "It's visible where normal magic is not." 

"Plus, it changes the land that it sits on. Don't you notice there aren't any animals around? It would make them sick if they stayed too long," said Cipher. 

Kytheran gasped. "What about us? I don't want to get sick." 

"You won't get sick," Caraka said flatly. "We are magic beings. We live off of this stuff. Why do you think you can go without water for five or six days? At worst, overabundance will make you turn silver all over." 

He turned his head to look at her, but all he could see was Aaralynn, who was closely behind. "Is that what happened to you?" 

"Set back of the job," she called out. 

They continued walking through the ghost forest. Caraka paused for a moment, shifting her pack uncomfortably. Her ears twitched around, searching for the sounds of the others' footsteps. She looked up, but couldn't see anything. "Wait for me! Hey!" She called out. 

No answer. 

She called out again. "Everyone? Hello?" Caraka quickened her pace. 

The mist started to thicken around her. She couldn't see a tree or bush even if she was standing right beside it. Her heart started to beat faster and her breath quickened. "Come on! I know you can hear me! Just wait up for me!" she cried. 

A chill ran up her spine, freezing her and she spun around.  

Nothing was there. 

Caraka backed away slowly. Something moved to her right. She clumsily grabbed Tamal, dropping the sword to the ground.  

She stiffened. You need to calm yourself. She told herself. Taking in a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. "Who goes there?" 

There was no answer. She expected that. 

Slowly, she knelt down and picked up her sword, keeping her eyes raised. She looked around quickly, seeing nothing in the mist. 

"Cipher? Kytheran? Aaralynn? This better not be a joke. It's not funny!" 

Caraka got back to her feet. Her eyes scanned the mist around her. She could see the shadows skirt by in a flash.  

I don't like this... the voice echoed in her mind. 

Neither do I. What's going on? 

I don't know. 

What do you mean you don't know? Caraka exclaimed in her head. 

There is someone in the mist.  

She froze, her stomach doing jumps. Goosebumps began to crawl across her skin, her hair standing up on end. She slowly returned her sword to its sheath. She didn't want to stay to know if the voice was right. 

Caraka finally moved, taking off into the forest like a startled deer. "Cipher! Kytheran! Aaralynn! Where are you? Anyone! Where are you?" she screamed as she barely dodged trees and moss covered branches. "Oh great Fyria, don't let it be...don't let it be-" 

Caraka tripped over a hidden log, sliding into the mud. Slowly, she got to her knees, coughing and sputtering. Mud dripped down her face and neck and covered her front. She was trying to wipe the mud from her eyes when a high pitched shrieked echoed through the empty forest.