Leon ran until he was slightly out of breath, his black hair streaked with white more disheveled than usual. He arrived at the assembly point with an irritated expression, one hand still gripping tightly the new spiked club he'd just bought. Ken and Eva ran close behind—Eva looking more worried than tired, while Ken also wore an unhappy expression at being called ahead of schedule.
"Hey old man! It's not even time yet, is it?!" Leon shouted as soon as he saw Barton standing with arms crossed in front of the group. "What the hell are you calling us this early for?"
Eva quickly added, though trying to keep her tone more respectful than Leon's: "That's right, Mr. Barton. Weren't we supposed to go in during the evening, when the fog gets really thick? Did something happen?"
The assembly point was located in the wide plaza in front of the ruins of what used to be the old city hall. About ten members of the patrol unit were already waiting, each fully armed with their standard weapons. Most faces showed signs of tension—some checking the sharpness of their short blades, others standing still and staring toward the direction where the red fog was forming thicker than usual at the horizon. It looked like a blood-colored cloud mass slowly creeping in to devour the last light of day.
Barton looked at the three who had just arrived with stern eyes, then let out a long sigh. "The situation has changed. The plan has to change with it. The fog doesn't wait for you to get ready at your leisure," he said in a calm but firm voice. "It's forming faster than ever before, and I need everyone at maximum readiness. There are important things we need to discuss before going in there."
He gestured toward a rotting wooden crate with an old, tattered map spread across it. "Stop bitching and get over here."
Leon still looked annoyed but walked closer along with Eva and Ken. The map was made of animal hide, showing the layout of Riverbend and the surrounding areas, scribbled over with charcoal until the original details were barely visible. Strange symbols that Leon had never seen before were marked at several points.
"You, Leon," Barton pointed to a cluster of symbols located outside Riverbend's boundaries, deep in the direction where the fog was forming. "You're going with Team A—Eva, Ken, and you as the advance team. Got it?"
Leon glanced briefly at Eva and Ken before turning back to Barton. "And what exactly are we supposed to do?"
Barton stared directly into Leon's eyes. "Your main job is to use those ears of yours to catch any unusual sounds—footsteps, breathing, or even sounds that seem like nothing at all. You need to be the first to hear and warn the team. Your signals could mean the difference between life and death for everyone on the advance team."
He pointed to a route marked on the map. "Ken will handle combat support, Eva will manage communications and basic first aid, but you're the primary scout and lookout for Team A."
"I'll lead Team B to watch our backs and provide support in case something unexpected happens," Barton continued, scanning the other members who were starting to gather around to listen to the plan with interest.
"What exactly is our objective, old man?" Leon interjected, his voice still carrying irritation but with growing curiosity. "Just go in and scout around like always, or is there something more?"
Barton looked at Leon quietly for a moment, then announced loudly enough for everyone to hear: "Our objective this time... is to eliminate the influence of the red fog. And if possible... to open a path for this city to freedom!"
The announcement caused a low murmur among the patrol group. Many looked at each other with expressions mixing uncertainty and fading hope.
"Open a path? You talk like this city is already dead," Leon muttered under his breath, but Barton heard him clearly.
The older man turned to look at him with sharp eyes. "It's not much different if we keep being stuck here doing nothing." He slapped Leon's shoulder hard once. "Save your energy for what's inside there instead, kid."
The atmosphere around them began to darken rapidly. Gray clouds started to obscure the sun that was about to disappear beyond the horizon. The last light of day was tinted with a faint red from the fog creeping in ominously.
"Looks like we don't have time for your sarcastic comments anymore, Leon," Barton said while scanning the sky. "The fog is coming faster than expected."
"Then we can go now," Barton declared decisively. Without delay, he quickly led the group toward the direction where the fog was gradually expanding to cover the city's edge.
Leon looked slightly confused, as did Eva who watched Barton with some bewilderment. What's this old bastard rushing for? Leon thought, but some uncomfortable feeling began forming in his chest.
Everyone in the patrol unit followed Barton quietly. The earlier murmurs had died down, leaving only the sound of footsteps hitting the dry ground and the wind carrying the chilling breath of fog against their faces. Some team members gripped their weapons tighter, their eyes darting around, alert for invisible dangers.
When they reached the edge where the red fog was forming so thick it was almost impossible to see through, the surrounding atmosphere became noticeably colder. The familiar musty smell of earth mixed with the scent of rusted metal wafted from the fog curtain, but this time it carried a faint bloody odor that was eerily unsettling.
Barton stopped still. Using the heel of his old leather boot, he scraped a deep line into the dry ground—a long mark just a few steps away from the visible edge of the fog.
"The moment the fog creeps to this line," he pointed to the line he'd just made with the tip of the short sword at his waist, "everyone goes in immediately. No hesitation. Understood?!" His voice was sharp, allowing no room for argument.
"If you're gonna draw it this close, might as well not draw it at all, old man," Leon grumbled, but he had to admit his heart was beating faster as he looked at the blood-colored fog curtain that seemed ready to devour everything ahead. It felt like standing at the mouth of hell.
However, unexpectedly, the red fog that had seemed to be creeping forward rapidly before now stopped still right in front of that dividing line. It moved slowly, leisurely, as if teasing or waiting for the right moment. Time passed sluggishly and uncomfortably. Silence took over, with only each person's breathing competing with the sound of their own hearts pounding in their chests.
Leon frowned, staring intently into the thick fog curtain. What the hell is it playing at? He felt frustrated with this pointless waiting, but at the same time, his senses were fully alert. Every hair on his body seemed to stand on end, ready to sense any danger that might be lurking.
He could feel the cold seeping through his clothes, the bloody smell growing stronger bit by bit, and an oppressive feeling as if something invisible was pressing down on him.
Eva stood not far from Leon, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white, lips pressed together, trying to suppress the fear beginning to grip her mind. Ken stood beside her, eyes constantly scanning around, weapon ready for combat.
The other team members were in similar states. Some began to fidget, shifting restlessly, while others closed their eyes, trying to meditate or perhaps praying to whatever they believed in.
*Ting...*
Leon startled slightly. His ears caught something—so faint it almost disappeared with the wind, but he was sure he'd heard it.
"Just now..." he murmured softly. Eva and Ken, who were closest, turned to look.
"What is it, Leon?" Eva asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"I heard a sound... like water dripping," Leon replied, trying to concentrate on listening again. But the sound had already vanished, leaving only the same eerie silence.
Barton, who stood at the front, remained still as a stone statue. His eyes were fixed on the fog curtain, as if waiting for some signal that only he knew.
Or was it just our imagination? Leon began to doubt himself. But then...
*Hee... hee... hee...*
This time it wasn't just Leon who heard it. Faint laughter, cold and chilling, like a little girl's voice, drifted out from within the fog curtain. It wasn't loud, but it penetrated the hearing of everyone standing there, sending shivers down their spines.
"What the hell was that?!" one team member cried out in shock, his spear-holding hand trembling.
"Stay calm!" Barton barked loudly. "Don't panic! It might just be... fog tricks." Despite his words, his voice clearly carried tension.
But the laughter continued. It swirled around them, seeming to come closer then drift away, making it impossible to pinpoint its direction. Leon tried desperately to locate the source of the sound but failed. It was as if the sound came from all directions, or perhaps... it was coming from inside their own heads.
Suddenly, the fog that had been motionless in front of Barton's line began to move again!
It didn't creep forward slowly like before, but surged toward them rapidly like a ravenous monster!
"It's coming! Get ready!" Barton shouted a command, his short sword drawn from its sheath along with the sound of other members' weapons being readied instantly.
The thick red fog curtain crashed into the patrol group, swallowing them in the blink of an eye. The last light of day vanished completely, leaving only blood-colored darkness and utter confusion.
Cries of shock, shouted orders, and the clash of weapons rang out in chaos. Visibility was so poor they could barely see beyond arm's length. Leon tried to collect himself, scanning around, but all he could see were shadowy figures of teammates fighting something invisible... or perhaps fighting their own fears.
"Eva! Ken! Where are you?!" Leon shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the chaos.
And then he saw it...