Chapter 78: The Fog Island [18].

"...What? Are you serious, Aiden? How do you know that?" Cedric asked him.

"Because of the storm. Wind currents usually form in the east and blow southwest. It is one of the reasons our nation is so rainy. Since we arrived here we’ve been heading northeast, but because of the fog we couldn’t tell whether we had deviated. However, the farther we’ve advanced, the harsher the weather has grown. We can’t rule out the possibility. If I had to guess, I’d say we’re about a day or two away from the coast."

"Hmm. I hope you’re right about that; we’re running out of food. Aldrus," Cedric called to him. "How’s the meat?"

Aldrus nodded and began rummaging through the packs. He took out a soaked bag and peered inside.

"...We have enough for tonight, but that’s it."

Everyone found themselves lost in their own thoughts at that. For the past few days they had been living on pre-cooked beast meat from the Paradise. They had stored enough for a full month in case things got rough on the island, but they had not expected their powers to be suppressed. Most of the food was already spoiled, and what little remained would not last much longer.

Needless to say, Aiden and Aldrus immediately thought of the black wolf they had seen earlier, but that monster was in no condition to be eaten, and they had no way to kindle a fire that would last. Worst of all—heading back to retrieve its corpse would put them all in grave danger; they could get lost again or miss the path leading to the coast. Besides, who was to say there would not be another monstrosity waiting to attack them if they dared to go back?

As he thought about it, Aldrus remembered they still had way more important matters to discuss.

"Guys, we have to take the risk. We can survive without food for a week if we have to; that’s not our main concern right now. Do we all agree that we should leave in the morning? Of course, once we set out, we cannot stop until we get off the island. Ideally."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Then we shall talk about what we missed while we were lost. For starters, Cedric and I were attacked by a specter, and Aiden managed to avoid it. I can’t remember when it started; it was like a dream. As soon as I sensed something was off, I was already awake again, on my own," Aldrus explained before giving them a look as though he wanted them to speak of what they had gone through.

Cedric listened carefully as he stripped to the waist and let his clothes dry in a corner. Aiden did the same, and Aldrus handed Alice his cloak so she could warm herself and let her own clothes dry as well. Being a second-rank armor piece, the cloak seemed unaffected by the island’s authority, and both the rain and the mud on its surface had dried and disappeared as soon as Aldrus stepped inside the shelter.

"He’s not exaggerating," Cedric suddenly said. "The specter’s power is damn annoying. It left me groggy and made me want to give up and die. If it weren’t for a rock I found on the ground, I might’ve really died." He pointed to his forehead, showing the open wound. "Aldrus too," he added, glancing at him.

Aiden flinched when he realized what Cedric meant.

"Ah, I... I’m still sorry about that, Aldrus," Aiden said, lowering his head.

"Don’t be like that, Den. I told you I needed you to punch me. I should be thanking you. And besides..." Aldrus glanced away. "I’m the one who needs to apologize."

"Eh, why?"

Aldrus swallowed hard and held up his palms to them.

"I lied to you, Aiden. By the time I found you, I had already injured myself like this. Otherwise, I fear I might’ve died, as Cedric said. I’m sorry I hid it from you. Ah, but I wasn’t pretending when I asked you to punch me, you know... I truly needed that." He laughed awkwardly.

"That again..."

"I’m sorry. Really."

Aiden shook his head.

"It’s fine. That’s not important right now; you did what you had to. Just let me know next time. I’ll treat your wounds later, by the way."

Aldrus agreed, and Cedric could not hold back a smirk at the sight of his friend being scolded.

Aiden gave the blond boy a brief look and said, "I’ll treat you too, so don’t laugh so much."

"Ack, you’re getting braver, aren’t you?"

"Alright, that’s enough. We still have unfinished business," Aldrus said, looking at Alice.

"Alice. How are you feeling?"

"Mn. Much better now, though I doubt I’ll be able to use my arm for a while."

Aiden grimaced; he could do nothing more to help. The girl would have to wait until they reached the eastern nation; only then could she get proper treatment.

"Okay, well. If I may—blondie, I think it’s about time you told us. What the hell happened to you?" Cedric asked tactlessly.

Alice’s body visibly trembled when he asked what everyone had been wanting to know. She seemed as though she were still trapped in a nightmare. Despite that, she soon calmed down and began recounting what had happened.

***

"...So that’s why there was a black wolf there. You’re out of your mind, Alice. You dragged yourself across the ground for an hour!"

"I don’t recall it taking that long. I was half-conscious, Aiden."

"No, he’s right," Aldrus said. "We followed the tracks your body left for a long time until we found you and Cedric."

"A specter and four black wolves, huh. No wonder you’re all fucked up."

"Cedric!"

"What?! She is."

"Aldrus, say something to him!"

Aldrus, however, said nothing. He was thinking deeply about what Alice had said. Something was bothering him; something was missing.

"Alice, you said you slew one and the other three fled. Are you sure about that?" Aldrus said.

"A hundred percent sure. When I glanced back, they weren’t chasing me."

"But isn’t that weird? Why would they let you go? Unless they got lost in the fog, but that doesn’t make sense, since one of them still managed to follow you."

"I don’t know. But if I had to guess, I’d say something else was hunting them, and the specter as well."

"Are you kidding me? What could be preying on those things?" Cedric said.

"Wait." Aldrus jumped to his feet and looked at Aiden. "The path on the right..."