Finally, Jems stepped into the Shadow Fen, the second layer of the Everdread Forest.
As he entered, he realized he was completely alone. The fog had separated him from his comrades, and the sight of the Shadow Fen made his throat go dry with fear.
In the Dusk Wood, the purple sky still allowed some sunlight to filter through. But here, the sun was a forgotten memory. Only a deep, oppressive purple gloom remained.
The trees were just as massive, but their branches drooped all the way to the ground, and their veins hung in the air like gruesome executioner's nooses.
The silence was so absolute that Jems could hear the rhythmic thumping of his own heart.
He knew instantly that he was in a place where he didn't belong. His massive 'Solar Volcano' attacks would be useless here; he needed to move like a shadow.
Suddenly, a sound came from behind him—the unmistakable crunch of footsteps.
Jems spun around, his senses on high alert.
As a faint glimmer of light hit the figures, he exhaled in relief. It was two of his cadets.
"You... you two made it," Jems said, his voice raspy. "I'm glad you're alive."
"Commander... we barely escaped that fog," one of them panted.
"Polas, what happened back there?" Jems asked. "I didn't encounter much danger, other than the mental strain. I just followed the melody."
"Commander Jems," Polas began, his voice trembling. "As soon as Fera and I entered the mist, we heard the screams of our comrades. We were terrified."
"Then, we saw a massive shadow—the silhouette of a giant beast. It vanished in an instant, but it felt like that thing had wiped out the entire squad."
"We didn't stay to find out. We ran toward the singing voice and ended up here."
Jems tightened his grip on his weapon. Syria didn't mention a predator in the mist. I can't trust anyone in this forest.
"Listen, Cadets," Jems said firmly. "We have to accept the situation and move forward."
"But Commander," Polas countered. "The squad is gone. The research force is likely dead. All the magical fruits we collected were with them."
"Shouldn't we retreat? There is no point to this mission anymore. Staying alive is our priority now."
Jems looked at the grim environment and nodded. "You're right, Polas. Let's get out of this forest."
Polas and Fera agreed, but as they turned to leave, they felt a strange sensation beneath their boots.
The ground of the Shadow Fen was a deceptive quagmire—a swamp that didn't reveal itself until it had already begun to swallow its prey.
"What is this? We're sinking!" Jems shouted. "Move! Get to the edge, now!"
With a desperate struggle, the three of them clawed their way out of the muck and scrambled back into the Dusk Wood.
This time, the fog was gone, leaving the path clear. They didn't stop to rest; they sprinted toward the forest's exit.
After running for some time, they encountered a group of serpents.
But these were no ordinary snakes—they were headless, moving with an eerie, unnatural grace.
Without warning, one of the serpents lunged at Polas.
Polas reacted instantly, channeling his Solar energy into a 'Corona Lash'—a whip of pure, searing light.
He cracked the whip, striking the serpent and sending it flying. The creature landed a distance away, beginning to sizzle and burn.
"Is it dead?" Polas wondered, lowering his guard for a split second.
Suddenly, a sharp, white-hot pain flared in his hand.
He looked down in horror. The severed head of the serpent—the part he thought he had destroyed—was clamped onto his flesh.
He ripped it off and disintegrated it with another blast of Solar energy, but the damage was done.
"It bit me..." Polas gasped, his face turning pale. "It might be venomous."
"Commander, what do we do?" Fera asked, looking at Jems.
Jems's mind raced. He had to save his man.
"We're going back," Jems decided. "Back to where we found the Bloodhush fruits. We need them to treat you."
"But will that work against venom?" Polas asked weakly. "It's meant for external wounds."
"We don't have time to debate," Jems snapped. "We move now, or the venom will take you. We have no other choice."
Polas nodded, but he was already feeling dizzy. His hand had turned a violent shade of red.
Fera slung Polas's arm over her shoulder to support him, and the trio began their trek back toward the Bloodhush tree.
Meanwhile...
On the other side of the forest, Liuke, Rayna, Rika, Luka, and Tori had reached the edge of the mist.
They stood at the very place where Jems's squad had met their nightmare.