The deeper they ventured into the forest, the thicker the canopy became. Sunlight struggled to penetrate through the dense leaves, and the once lively sounds of the forest gradually gave way to an eerie silence. The air grew cooler, and a faint mist began to swirl around their feet as they walked.

Neri, now dressed in the space adventurer outfit Yome had given her, moved with a renewed sense of purpose, though her eyes still darted nervously around at every sound. Elara walked ahead, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, ever vigilant. Yome, though trying to appear confident, couldn't shake the tension gnawing at his gut.

After a while, Yome broke the silence. "Neri, you mentioned your village, Blossom Garden. What's it like? It sounds beautiful."

Neri's expression softened at the mention of her home. "It is… It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The village is nestled high in the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. But what makes it truly special is the giant cherry blossom tree at the center. It's ancient, older than any of us, and its branches stretch out over the entire village, showering us with pink petals during the spring. We believe the tree is sacred, that it's connected to the spirits of the earth."

Yome listened intently, imagining the peaceful village she described. "It sounds like a paradise. I'd love to see it someday."

Neri smiled softly, a wistful look in her eyes. "You would be welcome there. The tree is the heart of our magic. It's said that each neko is born with a connection to a specific element, and that connection is strengthened by the tree. My element is Earth, so I can draw power from the ground, the trees, and the rocks. But there are others, too. My sister, for example, is connected to Water. She can summon rain or calm the rivers."

Yome was fascinated by her explanation. "So, you don't need a grimoire or anything like that? You can just… use magic?"

Neri nodded. "Yes, it's part of who we are. We train from a young age to control our powers, but we don't need to learn spells from books. It's instinctual, passed down through generations."

Elara, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, glanced back at Neri with interest. "That's similar to some of the magic among elves, though not all of us are born with such abilities. Those who are can be very powerful. You're fortunate to have such a connection to your element."

Neri's ears twitched slightly, and she smiled modestly. "I suppose I am. But it can be a heavy burden, too. We have a responsibility to protect the tree and the village. If something were to happen to it…"

She trailed off, her expression turning serious. Yome noticed the change and decided to shift the conversation slightly. "It sounds like your village is really important. But I'm curious, Neri… What do you know about the Bloodmoon? Why does it have such a powerful effect on the creatures here?Why did you venture out at a time like that?"

Neri's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Bloodmoon, and she shivered as if recalling the terror of the previous night. "The Bloodmoon… It's a rare event, but when it happens, it brings out the worst in the creatures of the forest. The moon turns red as blood, and its light drives them into a frenzy. The werewolves, especially, become more violent and uncontrollable. It's as if they lose their minds, consumed by bloodlust. Our elders say it's a curse, something left over from an ancient battle between the heros of the past and the demon king." The Bloodmoon is unpredictable—it can happen without warning. That's why I didn't realize what was happening until it was too late. I was too focused on gathering the herbs I needed. By the time I realized, the moon was already rising, and I had to run for my life."

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Yome felt a pang of guilt at her words. She had been out there all alone, facing unimaginable dangers while he and Elara were making their own way through the forest. He looked at Neri with renewed respect and empathy. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Neri. But I'm glad you're safe now."

Neri looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Yome. I don't know what I would have done if you and Elara hadn't found me. I owe you both my life."

Elara gave a small smile, her voice firm yet gentle. "You don't owe us anything, Neri. We help each other out here. That's the only way to survive."

As they continued walking, the forest around them grew increasingly silent. The trees were taller here, their thick branches entwining overhead, blocking out most of the sunlight. The mist that had been swirling around their feet thickened, rising up to waist level, giving the forest an otherworldly feel. Every now and then, Yome caught sight of something moving in the fog—shadows darting between the trees, almost too quick to see. He felt a growing sense of unease.

After a while, Yome couldn't help but ask, "Neri… What's deeper in this forest? We've been walking for hours, but I haven't seen any signs of civilization. Just… more trees, and that mist."

Neri's ears twitched, and she glanced around nervously. "We're getting close to the swamp. The Bog of Mists is up ahead, and beyond that, the mountains. But you have to be careful in the swamp… It's full of traps, hidden dangers, and… other things."

Yome's heart skipped a beat at the mention of "other things." He was about to ask what she meant when she continued, her voice lower now.

"The witches live there. They're not like the werewolves—they're more cunning, more dangerous. They can use powerful spells, and they don't take kindly to intruders. If they see you, Yome… They might not let you leave."

Yome gulped, his mouth suddenly dry. "Witches? You mean like… real witches?"

Neri nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. They've lived in the swamp for centuries, isolated from the rest of the world. They're mistrustful of outsiders, especially humans. They still remember the days when humans hunted witches, burned them at the stake… They haven't forgiven or forgotten."

Yome's stomach twisted in fear. "That… doesn't sound good. But we have to go through the swamp, don't we?"

Elara sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "Unfortunately, yes. It's the quickest route to the mountains, and we don't have time to go around. But we'll be careful. We've dealt with worse before."

Neri looked at Yome, her eyes full of concern. "You should be careful, Yome. The witches are powerful, and they can be unpredictable. If they see you as a threat…"

Yome forced a smile, trying to hide his fear. "I'll be careful, I promise. Besides, I have you and Elara to watch my back, right?"

Elara smirked, giving him a reassuring nod. "You're not alone in this, Yome. We'll get through it together."

The trio continued their journey in tense silence, the fog around them growing thicker with every step. The ground beneath their feet became softer, more treacherous, as they neared the edge of the swamp. The air grew colder, and the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled their nostrils.

Finally, they reached the border of the Bog of Mists. The trees here were gnarled and twisted, their roots clawing into the muddy ground like skeletal fingers. The mist was so thick now that they could barely see a few feet ahead. It swirled around them, heavy with the promise of danger.

Yome felt a chill run down his spine as he gazed into the swamp. "This is it, isn't it? The Bog of Mists…"

Neri nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes… This is where the witches live."

Elara scanned the area, her eyes sharp and focused. "Stay close, both of you. We don't know what we're walking into."

They took a cautious step forward, the soft ground squelching beneath their boots. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified by the eerie silence. Just as they were about to take another step, a low growl rumbled through the mist, freezing them in place.

Yome's heart pounded in his chest as he strained to see through the fog. The growl grew louder, closer, until finally, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the mist, followed by a hulking figure.

A werewolf.

The creature's massive frame loomed before them, its fur bristling, teeth bared in a snarl. Its eyes locked onto Yome, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Yome's breath caught in his throat as he realized the danger they were in. This wasn't just any werewolf—it was one still under the influence of the Bloodmoon, its aggression amplified to a terrifying degree.