The thick mist moved around them like a living creature, swirling and shifting with each step they took. Tay kept his hand firmly around New’s wrist, guiding him through the dense forest as their small group pressed onward. Mina led the way, her keen senses sharp, while Phon and Ryu walked behind, keeping a watchful eye.
“The mist feels different today,” Mina said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s heavier, more… alive.”
Tay looked around, feeling the same eerie sensation. The air was thick with tension, and even though the forest appeared quiet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.
They moved deeper into the forest, and suddenly, New froze, his eyes widening. "Tay… do you see that?" He pointed to a shadowy figure in the distance, barely visible through the fog. It moved gracefully, almost as if it were one with the mist.
Tay tightened his grip on New’s hand. “Stay close.”
Mina’s eyes followed New’s pointing finger. “That’s the Mist Walker,” she said, her voice laced with awe and fear. “A spirit that protects this forest.”
New’s breath hitched. “But why does it feel like it’s watching us?”
“The Mist Walker appears when the balance of magic is disturbed,” Mina explained, her gaze fixed on the shadow. “And lately, the magic has been unstable… because of you, New.”
New’s eyes widened in shock. “Me? What have I done?”
Mina smiled softly, shaking her head. “It’s not your fault. You have a gift that resonates with the heart of the forest. The Mist Walker senses that power—and it’s drawn to it.”
The figure in the mist seemed to draw closer, its features becoming clearer. It was a tall, cloaked being, its form shrouded in mist, with glowing, ethereal eyes that locked onto New. Tay instinctively moved in front of him, ready to defend him at any cost.
Before Tay could act, the Mist Walker stopped, its gaze flickering between them. It raised a hand, and the mist swirled around it like an extension of its body.
Mina stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “We mean no harm, guardian of the mist. We only seek to understand.”
The Mist Walker didn’t speak, but its movements slowed, and the mist around them softened, becoming less oppressive. New stepped out from behind Tay, his hand still glowing faintly with the magic inside him.
“I don’t understand why this is happening,” New said quietly, his voice filled with uncertainty. “I don’t even know what my power is…”
The Mist Walker’s glowing eyes fixed on New, and for a moment, it seemed as if the creature understood. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, it pointed toward New, the mist swirling around him like a gentle breeze. New’s hand began to glow brighter, and suddenly, he felt a surge of energy rushing through him.
Tay’s heart raced, watching helplessly as New was enveloped in the mist. “New!” he called out, but New remained calm, his eyes closed as he felt the magic flowing through him.
“It’s helping him,” Mina said softly, her eyes wide with awe. “The Mist Walker is showing him how to use his power.”
New’s eyes fluttered open, and the glowing light around him slowly faded. The Mist Walker stepped back, its form dissolving into the mist once more, leaving the group standing in stunned silence.
“What… just happened?” Ryu asked, breaking the quiet.
“I think it… unlocked something in me,” New said, his voice shaky but determined. He looked at Tay, his hand still warm from the magic. “I can control it now. At least… a little.”
Tay’s heart swelled with pride. “Then we’ll keep moving forward. Together.”
Phon, who had been watching with fascination, smirked. “Looks like things are about to get a lot more interesting.”
Mina nodded. “This is just the beginning. New’s power is connected to something much larger than we realize. And we need to be ready for what’s coming.”
Tay squeezed New’s hand, his resolve stronger than ever. “We’ll face it. No matter what.”
With the Mist Walker now retreating into the shadows, the group pressed on, knowing that the challenges ahead would only grow more difficult—but with New’s newfound power, they were more prepared than ever.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
