A New Life In A New World (Editing)

39. The Fog of No Return

As I emerged from the mirror, I found myself enshrouded in a dense, impenetrable fog. It was as if I had stepped into a cloud, and the only thing I could see was the vague outline of my own hands in front of my face. I called out for my friends, but there was no reply. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft rustling of my footsteps on the damp ground.

I moved cautiously, trying to get my bearings, but it was impossible. The fog was disorienting, making it difficult to determine which direction I was facing. I stretched out my arms, hoping to encounter something solid, but they met only air. I was completely alone, surrounded by nothing but the suffocating mist.

I tried to shuffle forward, my feet moving slowly and carefully, but it was like wading through quicksand. Every step felt like a gamble, as if I might suddenly plunge into an invisible abyss. My heart raced, and my breath came in short gasps. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, that unseen eyes were peering out at me from the depths of the fog.

I called out again, my voice barely above a whisper. "Felix? Edvin? Anyone there?" The words hung in the air, unanswered. The silence was like a heavy blanket, smothering me. I felt a growing sense of panic, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Had Mr. Slytherin done this to us? Was this part of the test, or had we stumbled into some kind of trap?

I pushed on, my legs trembling with fear. My hands were outstretched, probing the air in front of me, but they encountered nothing. It was as if I was trapped in a void, cut off from the rest of the world. I tried to recall the layout of the room, but my memory was hazy. All I could remember was the mirror and the way it seemed to warp and distort reality.

I stumbled forward, my foot catching on to something hidden beneath the fog. I fell heavily, landing on my hands and knees. The impact jarred my teeth, and I tasted blood in my mouth. I stayed there motionless, listening intently for any sound. But there was nothing. Just the endless, oppressive silence.

I raised my head, peering into the fog. It was still there, unrelenting. I felt a wave of despair wash over me. How would we ever find our way out of this? How would we survive this trial?

As I stood there, trying to make sense of our surroundings, Edvin suddenly spoke up. "Master Ember, I'm here." His voice was low and urgent, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I turned around, trying to locate him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Edvin, where are you?" I asked, my voice echoing endlessly.

"I'm right here," he replied, his voice coming from behind me. I spun around, trying to see him, but he was shrouded in shadow.

"Where's Felix?" I demanded, my anxiety mounting.

"He's around here somewhere," Edvin assured me. "We'll find him soon."

I nodded, trying to calm myself down. "Okay, let's look for him. But first, can you tell me what's going on? How did Mr. Slytherin manage to create such a bizarre illusion?"

Edvin hesitated before speaking. "To be honest, Master Ember, I'm not entirely sure. But I have a theory. I think that the other place we were in was just an illusion. Mr. Slytherin must have directed us here while we were distracted."

I frowned, trying to process this information. "So, you're saying that this place is real?"

"Yes, I believe so," Edvin replied. "This is a location known as 'The Fog of No Return.' It's said to be a place where the fog is so dense that once you enter, there's no turning back. People don't dare to come here, but I've heard rumors that Mr. Slytherin comes here like it's a walk in the park."

My mind raced as I tried to absorb everything Edvin was telling me. If what he said was true, then Felix could be in serious trouble. We needed to find him quickly and get out of this place before it was too late.