Adventures Beyond The Void [Season 1]

Chapter 31: What Lies Beneath the Surface

3RD POV

 

The fog hadn't thinned. If anything, it was thicker now, dampening sound and color alike. The group walked with caution, holding each other's clothes, as their boots sunk softly into the moist earth below. Crystal fragments from their broken landing platform still sparkled faintly on the ground behind them, half-swallowed by the mist. Though damaged, Zana didn't dissolve it, deciding to leave it there, in case they needed to evacuate the area. 

   Zana: - Stay close. And don't let go of one another.

Her voice was steady, but her grip on her crystal blade hilt was tight.

   Hunter: - I can't see shit in here!!

Nicholas kept glancing around nervously.

   Nicholas: - I've got a bad feeling about this...

   Kenju: - Everything's wrong when you can't see the coffee mug in your hand.

Up ahead, Lyra released small pulses of sound magic every few steps.

   Airos: - We better not be wasting time with this wild goose chase.

Lyra chuckled faintly. Zana didn't. She was listening to the silence too hard.

   Ronan: - Wait, look. There's someone.

Everyone froze. Through the curtain of fog, a figure slowly emerged, his light blue armor, accented by rainbow-colored shoulder plates, shimmering in the murky light. His visor was raised, revealing a wide smile. Nicholas squinted. The man looked... cheerful. The mist had begun to thin, allowing them to see him more clearly.

   Magic warrior: - Hey! You guys lost?

Zana stepped forward, scanning him.

   Zana: - You're from the Colorful Beasts, right?

   Magic warrior: - Sure am! Everything's fine around here. Your orders are to regroup back at base. You're not needed out here anymore.

Airos tilted his head.

   Airos: - Our orders? Why didn't we hear it from our captain?

   Magic warrior: - Simple magic interference! You know how it is. Nasty mana messes with the channels. You'd better head back before you catch a cold, haha.

   Airos: - And why wasn't your crystal balls affected?

   Magic warrior: - Oh, it's because we've placed them in higher places where there's no interference. We received the message, that's why I'm here. Good thing I found you in time.

The others seemed to relax. Nicholas, however frowned. He stared longer. Something was... off. The warrior's pupils were massively dilated. He remembered seeing that look once, when he had helped a homeless man a long time ago after returning from school. He was high out of his mind, twitchy and smiling in a way that never moved past his cheeks. This warrior... his smile was the same. Nicholas took an unconscious step back. 

   Kenju: - Bestie? What's wrong?

   Nicholas: - Something's off about him.

   Kenju: - Eh? What do you mean?

   Nicholas: - His smile. His eyes. It's like he's not all... there.

Kenju's gaze sharpened instantly.