“How many problems are there inside one field of grass?” I exclaimed, drawing in deep breaths of air for every word. Luna and Riley panted next to me, exhausted.

“Too much,” Flint replied, his voice raspy and eyes blurry and unfocused. Riley let out a faint whine. Flint patted his head and Riley nuzzled his hand.

As we staggered our way through a cloud of mist that hung close to the ground, we found that the further in we went, the more difficult it was for us to breathe.

With each breath, the mist invaded my lungs, leaving a bitter taste that lingered in my mouth. It clung to our skin, dampening our clothes. Even I felt cold, so cold that I felt the need to put on my coat, so Flint must have felt horrible. The mist seemed to drain the strength from my body.

As I fought against the mist, my senses became distorted. Shadows danced at the corners of my vision, and whispers echoed in our ears, their words unintelligible yet hauntingly similar to the Veil of Shadows. Luna hissed and snapped at phantom creatures, telling them to scatter away. Riley howled periodically, and when I glanced at Flint, fearing that he had collapsed, I saw his eyes, wide with fear and his legs struggling to move.

Our steps grew labored, and our movements became sluggish. Panic welled up within me, the fear of being trapped here forever growing. The shadowy creatures and harsh whispers didn’t help either.

A muffled thumping sounded next to me. I whipped around as fast as I could (which was slow at the time) and sighed. Flint fell, exhausted and probably freezing, Riley slumped next to him, legs twitching.

“You should probably cover him in your clothes,” Luna piped up. “As well as cover his mouth with them.” She glanced around fearfully

“I’m only wearing one shirt and one coat. If I put them onto Flint, I’m not going to have anything to wear!”

“No time to argue. Plus, I’m pretty sure you have more shirts than just those.”

“I only brought three. I left hastily.” My face reddened as I took off my coat and my shirt, the cold settling in even more. The other shirt I have was made of water, bound for me by my mother. It could patch up small tears and cuts if I gave it the water and energy to do so. Currently, I don’t even have the strength to get it out of my bag.

I put the coat on Flint, his slightly larger body not exactly making it fit on him. Eventually, I figured that the best I could do was cover his body and head with the coat. I flinched as a specter lashed out at me, and I fell onto my back. I struggled to stand, eventually pushing myself up with Luna’s help. She looked at me curiously, cocking her head.

“I’ve actually never seen you without a... shirt before. What are those two-”

“Luna, shut up,” I hissed. “I’ll explain to you later.” I wrapped Riley up in my shirt and carried him in my arms. “Now, how do I carry both Flint and Riley.”

“Just drag Flint, I’m sure he won’t mind.” I started to pull Flint while walking and carrying Riley.

“Flint is heavy...” I complained. I turned around. “Luna, get off Flint. You’re not making it easier for me or Flint.” She hopped off and snickered. “Now’s not the time for jokes.”

“I’m sorry. It will - I mean won’t - happen again.”

After a long time, we managed to escape the mist. I tripped and fell many times, getting up with the help of Luna each time. Riley eventually woke up, and I hurriedly put on my shirt. Without a bundle in my arms, we were able to travel faster.

I collapsed, dropping Flint onto the ground. Luna and Riley tumbled onto the grass as well, finally able to relax. Now being much warmer, I took my coat off Flint.

Some time later, Flint woke up.

“Where am I?” He mumbled.

“We dragged you out of the mist.” He turned towards me, and I felt my cheeks heating up again. He must have noticed, because he commented on it.

“Why are your cheeks red?” Luna snickered, and I shot a glare towards her.

“Nothing! Really! I was... too cold! Yeah, cold! Can you check the map?” I responded, trying to get him to drop it. He pulled the map out.

“We’ve strayed a bit towards North, but it should be fine.”

“That depends. How long do you think you need to recover?”

“Just one day.”

“Let’s get a bit further from this mist before we set up camp.”

“Yeah, sure.”

As we walked, Flint poked the map and read out something.

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“The Whispering Mist is an ethereal mist that emerges sporadically, shrouding the plains in an eerie, otherworldly haze. It drifts silently across the landscape, seeking to ensnare the unwary. Within the mist, whispers of forgotten incantations echo.”

“As one ventures into the Whispering Mist, reality becomes distorted, and the boundaries between the physical and magical worlds blur. Time loses its grip, causing moments to stretch into eternity or pass in the blink of an eye.”

“Coldness seeps into those who remain in the mist, and plays tricks on the senses, distorting perception and leading wanderers astray, ensnaring them in a labyrinth of illusions. Travelers must go through the patches of mist as rapidly as possible, lest they become entombed in the mist forever.”

“Dammit! Why couldn’t you have read that out earlier?! We could have used a warning!”

“I didn’t know...” He poked it again, and I walked closer to look.

“The Whispering Shadows are ghosts that lurk in the deepest corners of enchanted forests. These mysterious creatures have equally mysterious origins, taking the form of shadowy figures with glowing eyes and ethereal voices. While they may seem intimidating, defeating them is surprisingly easy.”

“All that is necessary to defeat one of these ghosts is fire. Once near a source of light or heat that is potent enough, the Shadows will vanish.”

Flint looked up from the map. “Well, I think those will be easy to fight-wait, now there are more of those things on the map!”

I leaned over. The “things” were more figures that took numerous different shapes. The area behind us had a grey cloud, while the ghosts were, well, ghosts. The one single eye that was behind us was disturbing. I’m glad we haven’t interacted with it.

Flint noticed as well and poked it.

“In the echoing mountains lies a formidable beast. By the name of the Hunter-oh, it’s just the Hunter.”

“Why is he an eye?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“It’s your map.”

“I didn’t make the map. Also, they did just appear now, so I’m just as confused as you were.”

Now, who said my name? I have been summoned.

“Ahh!” I shrieked, leaping around and drawing my trident. Well, at least I tried to. The drain of stamina caught up to me, and I slumped slightly. Flint drew his Shurkien, and sheathed it right away.

“Seriously, Hunter, how do you not make any noise?” Said Hunter rumbled.

The wind heeds my command.

“I refuse to believe that.”

It is the truth. One person refusing to acknowledge such will not change it.

“But why are you here? Don’t you have some things you need to attend to?”

Fear not. My girlfriend is perfectly capable.

“You have a girlf-okay, you’re just messing with us, right?” The Hunter rumbled again.

Guilty as charged.

“And now where did you learn-Okay, I’m not even going to ask.” It grinned, a nasty sight to behold.

What trouble has your group been in? The mist gave you any problems?

“Yeah, it was nasty. I had to drag Flint out.” I said, before Flint had a chance to respond.

“Hey, remember when you were buried in the sand? I had to dig you out.”

“That was more of the Hunter than you.”

No bickering.

“Say, Hunter, can you carry us and fly us ahead?” It thought for a moment, then shook its head. I slumped in disappointment.

No. That will ruin the fun of adventuring, and it will take too much strength from me. Something also tells me that I should not meddle with your affairs too much. I will, however, accompany your group for a considerable amount of time.

“I guess that’s a good thing. Do you know of any dangers we should be aware of? The map does mark most of them out, though.”

You have never mentioned this map marking out dangers before.

“Yeah, new things appear on the map randomly. The pictures that mark dangers are these. You’re on there as well.”

I do not understand this writing of yours. Can you read them out?

“The Hunter is an awe-inspiring creature, a colossal beast that exudes a sense of formidable power. With its towering stature and immense proportions, it commands attention and instills fear in all who encounter it. Its reddened skin, reminiscent of smoldering embers, adds an air of menace and intensity to its already fearsome presence. The Hunter's muscular frame and sinewy limbs speak of its immense strength, capable of unleashing devastating force. Adding to its formidable appearance, the Hunter possesses a pair of massive wings, their span stretching wide, granting it the ability to soar through the skies with a grace that belies its ferocity. This monstrous entity, the Hunter, strikes a chilling figure, embodying a perfect blend of raw power and agility. Do NOT engage in combat.”

The Hunter let out one of its deep rumbling laughs, and I can see why.

It is good to know that whoever wrote this fears me.

“Well, who wouldn’t fear you? You’re tall, menacing, and strong. Anyone would probably run as soon as they see you.”

Apparently not. The ferrous tribe have renewed their attacks on me.

“I still don’t understand what they would get by taking you down.”

I have no idea either. Anyways, enough talk. I believe that we need to get a move on, don't we?

“Can we eat first? Flint, do you have more food?” A rabbit plopped into his hands. “Yeah, let’s have some food first. Hunter, you don’t eat meat right?”

Indeed.

“Now it’s even weirder why you’re called the Hunter when you don’t hunt.”

The ferrous tribe started that. The wind whispered it to me.

Deciding not to ask any more questions, I lay down in the grass while Flint cooked the rabbit. I was so hungry that, after devouring half the rabbit, Flint stopped me and told me that he needed to eat as well. That much meat only took away a bit of my hunger.

I had to bat away Luna’s seeking paws from some berries that I was eating and smacked her on the forehead.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“Sitting on Flint while he was unconscious.”

“Wait, who sat on me? Luna?”

“Let’s stop this conversation.”

“By the way, you still have to explain to me what those things on your-”

“Later. Not now.” I cut Luna off before she could finish. Flint didn’t need to know what happened. “Actually, how about we go hunting now? Just me and Luna.”

“Fine with me. I get to stay behind and chat with the Hunter.”

Go, then. It would be nice if you could bring back some berries.

After getting Flint and the Hunter’s approval, I grabbed Luna by the scruff, stomping into the forest.