"It's darker here than I expected." Gwyneth pulled out her lantern, turning to face Aston on her horse. Using his fire magic, he lit it. They had arrived at the forest not too long ago, but after veering left — away from the city — it became more swamp-like. There was still a path their horses could take. Gwyneth wondered if it was the Fae's magic that was responsible for these paths. They seemed a little too symmetrical to be the work of nature. Trees overhung the narrow path, blocking most sunlight out.

Technically, they were in no man's land. It was forbidden for humans to enter the city of the Fae, but the rest of the forest wasn't off-limits. The Fae rarely left the forest either. After all, they had no reason to. That didn't mean they wouldn't leave their city to access the rest of the forest, however.

"Do you think we'll run into any Fae...?" Isla gripped her unicorn's mane tighter. That was the thing about unicorns — very stubborn creatures they are, refusing any sort of barding.

"It's certainly possible..." Gwyneth bit her lip. "You should lower your hood just in case. They might be more friendly if they recognize you as one of their own."

"My eyes will give me away..." Isla frowned but followed her instructions, nonetheless.

"Then why don't I change them?" Aston asked. "I could change all of us into Fae."

Isla shook her head. "It won't work; the Fae are sensitive to magic and would know right away that there was something off with our appearance."

The snap of a twig could be heard.

"What was that?" Elric's words were rushed as he tensed, eyes gazing around. There was the swamp on either side of the group, meaning the twig would have to be further away, well into the forest.

"Relax, it probably wasn't a Fae!" Isla beamed at him. "Fae are too lithe to give themselves away so easily."

"So, you're saying we could be watched right now, and we don't even know it?" Aston asked, scanning the area around them. More bubbly swamp.

"Exactly!"

"That doesn't exactly put me at ease..." Aston began to tense up. If the Fae really were watching, why hadn't they attacked by now? Had he bothered to take his studying seriously, he would have known that Fae were conniving creatures who were far more interested in how they could toy with their victims than offering them a swift death.

There was a sudden chill in the air, causing Elric to panic more than he already had been. "T-These ghosts," he paused to clear his throat, "could they also be the work of the Fae?"

"Nope!" Isla spoke with a lightness that did not fit the conversation. "Fae are only capable of elemental magic and preservation."

"So, this sudden chill in the air... That could be the Fae?" Gynweth asked. Maybe the Fae had used their magic to make it seem as if ghosts really do exist?

"It could be, or it could be an actual ghost." Isla shrugged. "Typically ghosts will only appear for specific reasons. If they think you can help... Or if they hold a grudge against you. Assuming none of us fit that description, they shouldn't bother us."

"Why do you know so much about ghosts?" Aston asked.

"I... I don't remember." Isla bit her lip. It was a half-truth.

The group came to a sudden halt.

"Something tells me that fog isn't a normal occurrence for this place." Elric peered at the mist before them. The swamp itself had been a little foggy, like a humid morning after a night of rain. But the fog before them was thick — it would be impossible to see more than a couple of meters before them. If anything were to jump out at them, it would be impossible to tell until it was too late.

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"Hard to say either way..." Gwyneth frowned. Her books hadn't prepared her for atmospheric changes.

"Aston, is there a way you can disperse this fog?" Elric turned his attention to the boy behind him. They had been traveling in a straight line considering how narrow the path was.

"Probably." He shrugged. "You have any suggestions?"

"What about wind? You could clear a path for us," Gwyneth suggested.

Aston nodded. How much magic would it take to clear the path before them? And even if it did work, would they have to stop every few seconds to disperse more fog? That would come later. He focused on casting the spell, almost a minute long, just to be safe. When it finally cast, the force was so violent the group was nearly blown off their horses. Unfortunately, the fog remained.

"Well... That did nothing..." He huffed. That was more magic than he was used to, but not nearly enough to outdo him.

"I don't think this is fog," Isla finally spoke up. Her tone was serious, something the others weren't used to.

"Then what is it?" Gwyneth raised an eyebrow.

A flash of light followed by a gust of wind even stronger than the one Aston created spooked the horses, knocking their riders in the process. Isla remained on her unicorn; the creature not as easily frightened as its hornless counterparts. A swarm of white translucent shadows swarmed around Aston as if creating a barrier around him.

Ghosts.

Isla urged her unicorn forward to aid Aston but was quickly repelled. Instead, she focused her efforts on Elric, who was standing there, skin nearly as pale as the ghosts themselves.

"Elric! Get on!" Isla urged the knight, but he remained still, unblinking.

"We need to rescue Aston!" Gwyneth pleaded; voice full of desperation.

"But... How? They aren't exactly corporeal. Our weapons will go straight through!"

"Is there any other way to disperse them? Are they frightened of anything?"

"I-I don't know!" Isla shouted, pulling at her hair. She was put on the spot and if she didn't have an answer, they might lose Aston. Think! Surely there must be some way to make them leave?

"Well, until you do," Gynweth began. She clumsily pulled Elric's sword from its sheath, stumbling a little at the weight. She swung with all the might of a drunken chimpanzee, just for the sword to go straight through the ghosts.

Aston froze at the sight before him. Ghosts surrounded him, forming a dome around him as a cacophony of voices rang through his head. "Save us," they appeared to be saying. Tears poured from his eyes as he felt a sting in his chest. But... why? He hadn't known these people when they were alive. And he certainly hadn't murdered them. Yet, why did he feel indebted to these creatures? Why did he feel a connection with them, something stronger than he had ever felt with his friends or his village?

The weight of their words was suffocating; his legs grew heavy before he fell to his knees. Yet, he couldn't stop it. He couldn't do anything but bare the onslaught of their pleas. He was helpless just as he had been with the sword. Some hero he was. He was going insane from the guilt- Guilt? Why did he feel guilty? Like he had let everyone down?

"I'm sorry!" He screeched, a mixture of sweat and blood pouring from his forehead to mingle with the tears. "I'm so sorry!" It was all he could do. Apologize again and again. Maybe if he apologized enough, he would be freed from his prison of screams.

"Return!" Isla shouted fists clenched at her sides. In nearly an instant, the ghosts vanished. The chill in the air died down revealing just how muggy the swamp was.

"Are you alright?!" Gwyneth ran to Aston who was frozen, crouched down hugging his knees. She placed a hand on his shoulder before quickly removing it, wincing in pain from the electrical shock. "What did they want with you?"

"I... failed them," Aston croaked. His eyes were wide and bloodshot.

"Failed who? How?" Gwyneth narrowed her eyes. When he shook his head, still trembling, she decided not to press it any further.

Elric had seemingly come out of his trance, yet still struggled to process everything around him. There was one thing that did catch his attention, however. "Isabells." He muttered.

Isla turned in the direction of his gaze, noticing the glowing pink flowers blooming to their right. Had they taken a wrong turn in the fog? "We need to go. Now!" She ordered the others.

Gwyneth pulled Aston to his feet, dragging him along with her. This would be much more difficult without their horses. It was a shame too, the path was just starting to expand, the swamp ending. Perhaps he could ride behind Isla on her unicorn for the time being.

But it was too late.

"You trespass on sacred land. Drop your weapons immediately and you may be spared." The deep voice of someone easily ten years older than the group echoed through the forest. Gwyneth raised her head to see a Fae with short white hair and skin as pale as any other Fae. She gritted her teeth.

This war was already lost.