Elara slowly drew her sword, the blade shimmering in the dim light that filtered through the thick mist. The werewolf's eyes darted to the weapon, its growl deepening as it lowered its body, preparing to lunge.

"Yome, stay behind me," Elara whispered, her voice tense but controlled. She shifted into a defensive stance, the tip of her sword aimed squarely at the werewolf.

Yome swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to think of what to do. He could see the muscles in the werewolf's legs tensing, ready to spring. Neri, who had been standing beside him, stepped closer, her eyes wide with fear but resolute.

"There's no reasoning with it," Neri whispered, her voice barely audible. "The Bloodmoon has driven it mad."

Elara nodded subtly, her gaze never leaving the werewolf. "When I give the signal, Yome, you and Neri run. Don't look back."

"But—" Yome started, his voice shaky, but Elara cut him off.

"No time for debate. Trust me, Yome. I'll hold it off."

Before Yome could protest further, the werewolf let out a deafening roar and launched itself at Elara. The ground shook beneath its weight as it closed the distance in a heartbeat, claws outstretched and jaws snapping.

Elara moved like lightning, her sword flashing as she sidestepped the initial attack. The blade cut through the werewolf's side, but the creature barely seemed to notice, its bloodlust driving it forward. It spun on its heel with a speed that belied its size, swiping at Elara with a massive paw. She parried the blow, but the sheer force of it sent her staggering back a few steps.

"Now, Yome!" Elara shouted, her voice strained as she prepared to block the werewolf's next assault.

Yome grabbed Neri's hand, his heart pounding as he pulled her away from the fight. "Come on, we have to move!"

Neri hesitated, her eyes flickering with worry as she glanced back at Elara. But she knew there was no time to argue, so she followed Yome as they bolted into the mist, their footsteps muffled by the thick, swampy ground.

The sounds of battle faded behind them as they ran, the fog swallowing up the noises of clashing steel and growling fury. The mist grew denser the further they went, until it was almost impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The trees around them twisted into nightmarish shapes, their branches reaching out like skeletal arms.

"Yome… where are we going?" Neri panted, struggling to keep up with him as they navigated the treacherous terrain.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I don't know, just… away from here!" Yome replied, his voice tight with fear. He could barely think straight, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Where could they go? How could they escape? And what about Elara? He wanted to go back, to help her, but he knew he'd be no match for a creature as fearsome as that werewolf.

As they stumbled through the swamp, the ground beneath them became softer, more unstable. Yome felt his foot sink into the mud with each step, and he had to pull hard to free himself. Neri, lighter and more agile, managed to avoid most of the deep patches, but even she was struggling.

"We need to find higher ground," Neri suggested, her voice tinged with desperation. "If we stay here, we'll get stuck in the mud."

Yome nodded, trying to peer through the mist for any sign of solid ground. But the fog was too thick, obscuring everything beyond a few feet. "I can't see anything! It's like this place is trying to trap us…"

Neri's ears perked up, and she glanced around, her nose twitching as she sniffed the air. "Wait… I think I smell something. Water, maybe a stream?"

Yome followed her lead, sniffing the air as well, but all he could detect was the damp, earthy scent of the swamp. "Are you sure? I can't smell anything."

Neri nodded, more certain now. "This way!" She pulled Yome in a new direction, her steps quicker and more confident.

As they moved, the ground began to slope upward slightly, and the mud grew firmer beneath their feet. After a few minutes, they emerged onto a small rise where the mist was thinner, allowing them to see a bit farther. In the distance, Yome could just make out the glint of water through the trees.

"There!" Neri pointed, a hint of relief in her voice. "If we can reach that stream, we might be able to follow it out of the swamp."

Yome nodded, feeling a small flicker of hope. "Good idea. Let's hurry."

They scrambled down the rise, the ground growing more solid as they approached the water. The stream was narrow but fast-flowing, cutting through the swamp like a silver ribbon. Yome felt a rush of relief as he splashed into the shallows, the cold water refreshing against his legs.

Neri knelt beside the stream, cupping her hands to take a drink. "We should follow it upstream. It's bound to lead us somewhere safe."

Just as Yome was about to agree, a rustling sound in the bushes behind them made him freeze. He turned slowly, his heart skipping a beat as he saw a shadowy figure emerge from the mist.

For a moment, Yome's blood ran cold, thinking the werewolf had found them. But as the figure stepped closer, he realized it was Elara, limping slightly but otherwise unhurt. She was covered in mud and scratches, but her expression was one of grim determination.

"Elara!" Yome shouted, relief flooding through him as he rushed over to her. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Elara nodded, wiping sweat and dirt from her brow. "I'm fine. The werewolf… it's gone. I managed to wound it enough that it fled back into the forest. But it won't be the last one we encounter."

Neri looked at Elara with wide eyes, admiration and concern mingling in her gaze. "You're amazing… I can't believe you fought it off."

Elara shook her head, a tired smile tugging at her lips. "It was luck more than anything. But we need to keep moving. This swamp is full of dangers, and the witches are still out there."

Yome felt a new surge of determination as he looked between his companions. They were battered and tired, but they were still standing. "Right. Let's follow the stream and see where it leads. We'll get out of this swamp together."

They began to walk along the stream, the sound of rushing water a comforting presence amidst the eerie silence of the swamp. The mist slowly began to thin as they moved, and the trees became less twisted, their branches no longer clawing at the sky.