The next morning didn't feel normal.
Before anyone even opened their eyes, something felt… off.
The air was heavier.
Colder.
Too still.
When Daniel opened his eyes, he immediately noticed the silence.
No birds.
No insects.
Nothing.
He slowly sat up and looked around—
The entire forest was covered in thick white mist.
Not normal fog.
This was dense. Unnatural.
"Guys…?" Daniel called.
One by one, everyone woke up.
Mary stood up beside him, hugging her arms slightly. "This doesn't feel right…"
Felix scanned the surroundings. "Stay alert."
Zoya narrowed her eyes. "This mist isn't natural."
David frowned. "I can't sense anything clearly…"
That alone was enough to make everyone tense.
Then—
A low growl echoed.
Everyone froze.
Another sound followed.
And then—
Shadows appeared
From inside the mist, figures slowly stepped forward.
Ghosts.
Not one.
Not two.
More than fifteen.
And each one carried a strong presence.
Mary whispered, "These are… high rank…"
Felix clenched his fists. "We're surrounded."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Everyone—stay together."
But the ghosts didn't wait.
They attacked.
The fight began instantly.
Felix blocked a heavy strike.
Zoya moved fast, cutting through an attack.
Lucy supported from behind.
David tried focusing—
Noah guarded one side.
Mary stayed close to Daniel, watching his movements.
For a moment—
They were holding their ground.
Then suddenly—
The mist thickened.
Too fast.
Too dense.
"Stay—!"
Daniel shouted—
But his voice vanished.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Daniel turned—
No one.
"Mary?!"
No answer.
"Felix?! Zoya?!"
Nothing.
He was alone.
Mary stumbled slightly as the mist cleared around her.
"…Daniel?"
No response.
Her heartbeat increased.
She looked around.
No one.
For a second, fear hit her.
But she clenched her fists.
"No… I can't panic."
She took a deep breath.
"We've trained for this."
Then—
A shadow moved.
Mary instantly turned.
Two ghosts appeared in front of her.
Her expression hardened.
"Fine…"
She stepped into position.
"I'll fight."
Zoya landed lightly on the ground.
She looked around quickly.
"Everyone's separated…"
"Zoya!"
Lily's voice came from behind.
Zoya turned.
"You're here. Good."
Lily nodded, nervous but ready.
"Looks like we're together."
Zoya gave a small smirk.
"Better than being alone."
Three ghosts appeared in front of them.
Zoya stepped forward.
"Stay sharp."
Lily took a breath.
"Right."
The fight began.
Felix wiped his cheek.
"…This is annoying."
Lucy stood beside him.
"They separated us on purpose."
Felix smirked.
"Good."
Lucy blinked. "Good?!"
"Yeah," he said. "Less distraction."
Two ghosts rushed at them.
Felix charged forward.
Lucy followed.
Even separated—
Their coordination didn't break.
David stood still.
Too still.
"This… is strange."
He closed his eyes.
Tried to read the surroundings.
Nothing.
"No thoughts… no signals…"
That was wrong.
Very wrong.
A ghost suddenly attacked from behind—
David barely dodged.
He stepped back quickly.
"…I'll have to rely on myself."
Noah landed hard on the ground.
"Damn…"
He stood up quickly.
"Everyone's gone…"
He tightened his grip.
"Alright."
A ghost appeared in front of him.
Noah smiled slightly.
"Guess it's just me then.
Daniel stood in the mist.
A single ghost stood in front of him.
Different from the others.
Calm.
Watching him.
"You're confused," the ghost said.
Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"What did you do?"
"We separated you."
Daniel's voice turned cold.
"Where are they?"
"Alive… for now."
Daniel clenched his fists.
"Why?"
The ghost smiled faintly.
"To break you."
Daniel's mind raced.
This isn't random.
This is planned.
"…Caden," he whispered.
The ghost didn't deny it.
Mary dodged an attack and stepped back.
Her breathing was getting heavier.
"Two high-rank ghosts…"
She tightened her grip.
"Daniel would've…"
She stopped herself.
"No."
"I'm not weak."
One ghost rushed forward.
Mary reacted instantly—
Blocking and countering.
Her movements weren't perfect—
But they were determined.
"I won't slow anyone down…"
She attacked again.
Everywhere in the forest—
Fights were happening.
Separately.
Alone.
The mist moved like it was alive.
Watching.
Controlling.
Daniel looked at the ghost.
"Fine."
"If this is your plan…"
He stepped forward.
"I'll destroy it."
More shadows appeared behind the ghost.
Daniel's eyes sharpened.
"Come."
As Daniel prepared to fight—
A single thought echoed in his mind—
"Where is Mary…?"
And somewhere in the mist—
Mary fought harder than ever—
Not just to survive—
But to prove—
She wasn't someone who needed saving.