The storm lasted longer than expected.
The next morning, the sound of the wind weeping still emanated from the fireplace, and the rain outside the cave stretched down like a curtain of water.
Anna showed no further anomalies as if Sara's shadow had moved far away from her. Only when alone, she urged Lu Li to leave early, even amidst the storm.
Thus, not waiting for the storm to vanish over the sea, Lu Li and Anna left the cliff top, heading toward Shadow Swamp.
This was not a long journey. Even though the rain obscured their view, forcing Anna to slow down, they reached the ruins of Shadow Town by noon.
Under the abundant rainfall, the swamp transformed into a mire, with the gnarled tree roots, exposed during dry spells, now submerged again.
The moment Lu Li and Anna stepped into the swamp, the Mother of the Marsh sensed their arrival. The silhouette of the Shadow Figures emerged from behind a dead tree, standing in the water to guide them.
