The air around them turned cold, much colder than one could expect on a summer’s night. In the far distance, the street lamps cast a yellow glow on the cobblestone streets. A green fog settled on the town, obscuring the view, revealing only the faint outlines of town buildings.

A strong gust of wind blew across the street. Ardwyn shivered. All of the townsfolk had cleared, leaving no one around except Ardwyn and Flynn.

“Where did this accursed fog spawn from?” Flynn whispered.

The eerie green fog rolled in like a sentient entity, swallowing the town, transforming the streets into a labyrinth of shadows and mist. In short moments, the fog thickened surrounding them in a green mist.

“We should be going,” Flynn said, looking back towards the center of the town, now completely hidden in the fog.

“Wait,” Ardwyn said. “I need to find the herbalist.”

“Then let me be by your side.”

“No,” Ardwyn said. “You go on. Tell the others I’ll meet them later.”

“But how are you going to find the way back?” Flynn nervously looked around, any random noise seemed to startle him.

“I’ll be fine,” Ardwyn said. “Don’t worry about me.”

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Flynn stopped for a moment, hesitating. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

The building signs swung around them creaking loud with the force of the wind.

“This is my chance to find the herbalist and ask her about the Ethereal Blossoms. This could be the key to getting back to my world.” Ardwyn said. “As much as I appreciate the Academy, and the opportunity I have been given here, I must find the way back to my family.”

Flynn looked off in the distance. “I understand. Well, stay safe, Ardwyn. I’ll tell the professor. We can open up another portal to get you back later in any case.”

With that Flynn waved goodbye as he walked away, his figure disappearing in the thick green fog.

Ardwyn wasted no time. He ran briskly toward the direction of where the herbalist had disappeared, around the corner, and then down an alleyway surrounded by high street buildings on both sides. The walls of the buildings loomed overhead, their windows dark and lifeless. All the buildings had their shutters closed, as if trying to block out the fog that crept up on the streets.

The streets were completely empty. Not a single soul was in sight, with only the faint glow of the moon overhead. Ardwyn’s footsteps echoed on the cobblestone streets. An occasional bark and howl of a dog came from the distance. The fog seemed to thicken with each step. It curled around his ankles and tugged at his robes as if trying to hold him back.

Ardwyn reached a fork in the alley. The air grew heavy with an acrid scent, mixed with the smell of damp earth and an old mold of some kind. Down the corner, by a streetlamp, he noticed a flicker of movement. The hem of a robe perhaps. He rushed to catch the figure.

“Hey!” he called. “Wait a moment!”

It was the herbalist. He could tell by the familiar hair and dress. The herbalist looked back at him. She didn’t say anything, just paused for a moment, then waved her robe behind her and disappeared beyond the street corner into the dark alleyway.