Fenric and his two goons trudged through the Mist Veil Forest, their steps heavy with frustration. Arrogance and disdain radiated from Fenric like heat from a flame, but beneath it simmered growing annoyance. Days of searching had yielded nothing—no rare materials, no treasures, no advantage in this cursed festival. The mist around them thickened unnaturally with each passing hour, swallowing sound and light alike until even the rustle of leaves felt muffled.
The Ocean of Knowledge had promised leads—a location rich with rare ore—but when they arrived, all that remained were scraps left behind by rival sect members. Fenric clenched his fists tightly, knuckles whitening as he seethed. "Find something!" he barked at his goons, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence. "Anything! I didn't drag you worthless lumps out here to come back empty-handed."
His goons exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing, knowing better than to argue with Fenric when he was in this mood. They continued walking aimlessly, their lanterns casting feeble pools of light into the suffocating gloom. Just as despair began to creep in, one of them stopped abruptly, pointing ahead.
"There," the goon muttered, squinting through the haze.
A dark cave loomed before them, its entrance partially obscured by twisted roots and moss. What caught their attention, however, was the mist flowing outward—not drifting lazily as it did elsewhere, but pulsing rhythmically, almost alive. It spilled from the mouth of the cave like breath escaping cold lips, curling into strange shapes before dissipating into the forest.
Fenric tilted his head slightly, intrigued despite himself. There was something… off about this place. A faint vibration hummed in the air, too subtle to pinpoint yet impossible to ignore. Whatever lay within, Fenric sensed it wasn't ordinary. And if it wasn't ordinary, it likely held value—perhaps enough to crush his rivals once and for all.
He smirked cruelly, thoughts turning briefly to Kale. That wretched kid—the "Empty Vessel," the disgrace of the sect. How laughable it was that such trash dared join the festival. Fenric's lip curled in disgust. When this was over, he'd make sure Kale groveled at his feet, begging for mercy that would never come. But first, he needed leverage. Something powerful enough to secure his dominance.
With renewed determination, Fenric motioned for his goons to follow him inside. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper into the cave, the mist clinging to them like an unwelcome companion. Even their lanterns struggled to pierce the darkness, casting distorted shadows on the jagged walls. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on them, but Fenric refused to show weakness.
Just as he was about to order them to turn back—this place seemed useless after all—one of the goons gasped, pointing toward the far end of the chamber.
"There! Look!"
Fenric followed the trembling finger and froze. Standing against the far wall was a massive statue, its silhouette barely visible through the swirling mist. Chains wrapped tightly around its head and bound its stone-like arms to its sides, giving it an ominous, imprisoned appearance. Despite its weathered state, the craftsmanship was undeniable—it depicted some kind of ancient being, towering and formidable even in stillness.
"This will interest the elders," Fenric murmured, his eyes gleaming with greed. Such a discovery could elevate his standing within the sect overnight. Perhaps this miserable expedition wouldn't be a total waste after all.
But then, without warning, the mist around them surged violently, twisting and coiling as though stirred by an unseen force. The trio staggered backward, startled. A presence washed over them—cold, suffocating, and utterly alien. It wasn't just the mist anymore; something else lingered here, watching, waiting.
Behind the chained statue, another silhouette emerged, shrouded entirely in mist. Its form shifted constantly, defying logic or comprehension. No details could be discerned, only the vague impression of something vast and unnatural. Fenric's confidence faltered for the first time since entering the cave. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his weapon, heart pounding in his chest.
They weren't alone.
And whatever shared the cave with them, it wasn't friendly.