The forest was no longer just a battlefield.
It had become a maze.
Thick mist curled around the trees, swallowing sound, distorting direction, making every step feel uncertain. But Mary wasn't running blindly.
Her steps were controlled.
Measured.
Intentional.
She wasn't escaping.
She was planning
Mary slowed down after running a good distance from the ghosts.
She stopped near a slightly elevated patch of land—rocks, roots, and thick bushes surrounding it. From here, she could see more… and be seen less.
Her breathing steadied.
Her eyes sharpened.
They're stronger… but not smarter.
She crouched low, brushing her fingers lightly against the ground, feeling the texture, memorizing the terrain.
If I fight them head-on, I'll waste energy.
But if I control the field…
A faint smile appeared on her face.
…they'll come to me.
Mary picked up a small stone and threw it far to the left.
The sound echoed softly.
One ghost immediately reacted, turning toward the noise.
Then another.
Perfect.
Mary moved silently to the right, positioning herself behind a thick tree.
One ghost stepped closer to her hiding spot.
Closer.
Closer.
Mary's grip tightened.
And in one swift motion—
She attacked.
A precise strike.
Clean. Controlled.
The ghost didn't even get the chance to react.
It disappeared.
Mary stepped back instantly, hiding again before the others could locate her.
One down.
No wasted movement.
No unnecessary risk.
The remaining ghosts became alert.
"Where is she?" one growled.
"She was here…"
Mary stayed still.
Completely still.
Even her breathing slowed.
They're reacting… but still not coordinated perfectly.
She observed their movement carefully.
Then she noticed something.
A pattern.
They weren't fully independent.
They were reacting… to something unseen.
Mary's eyes narrowed.
Someone is controlling them.
That thought changed everything.
Just as Mary was about to continue her plan—
She felt it.
A strange presence.
Familiar.
But unstable.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Daniel…?
She didn't rush immediately.
She paused.
Closed her eyes.
Focused.
Yes—
It was him.
But something felt off.
Heavy.
Disturbed.
Mary opened her eyes.
Her expression changed—not fear, not panic—
Determination.
I need to reach him… but carefully.
Instead of running directly toward Daniel, Mary adjusted her path.
She moved through cover.
Tree to tree.
Shadow to shadow.
Every step silent.
Every move calculated.
On the way—
Two more ghosts appeared.
This time, Mary didn't hide.
She stood her ground
The first ghost lunged at her.
Mary sidestepped smoothly, using its momentum against it, striking its weak point in one motion.
The second ghost attacked immediately after.
But Mary was ready.
She blocked, spun, and countered with precision.
No hesitation.
No panic.
Within seconds—
Both ghosts were gone.
Mary stood still for a moment.
Not tired.
Not shaken.
Just… focused.
I can do this.
Not far away—
Daniel stood surrounded.
His breathing was uneven.
His control… slipping.
Ghosts attacked from all sides, but he wasn't struggling to fight them—
He was struggling with himself.
"You're losing control…"
Thrones' voice echoed again.
Daniel clenched his teeth.
"Not now…"
He dodged an attack—but barely.
His movements were getting heavier.
Slower.
Unstable.
Mary reached the edge of a clearing.
And then—
She saw him.
Daniel.
Surrounded by shadows.
Fighting… but not like himself.
Her heart tightened.
But she didn't rush in immediately.
She observed.
Carefully.
His movements… they're off.
He's not in control.
Mary's expression hardened.
If I go in blindly… I might make it worse.
Instead of calling out to him—
Mary moved strategically.
She circled around the clearing, quietly eliminating one ghost at the edge.
Then another.
Reducing pressure.
Creating space.
Helping—
without interrupting.
One ghost rushed toward Daniel from behind—
He didn't notice.
But Mary did.
In an instant—
She stepped in.
Blocked the attack.
And pushed the ghost back.
Daniel turned—
Shocked.
"Mary…?"
Mary stood beside him.
Calm.
Focused.
Not scared.
"Focus, Daniel," she said firmly.
"You're losing your rhythm."
Her voice wasn't emotional.
It was steady.
Grounding.
Daniel took a breath.
His grip steadied.
Mary didn't step behind him.
She didn't wait for him to lead.
She moved alongside him.
Equal.
Another ghost attacked—
Mary handled it.
Daniel countered another.
For the first time—
Their movements aligned.
Not perfectly.
But
Even then—
Mary felt it again.
That strange connection.
That unseen control.
Her eyes moved toward the deeper part of the forest.
This isn't over…
Mary stepped slightly forward.
"We can't stay here," she said.
Daniel looked at her.
"Why?"
Mary's expression turned serious.
"Because this…" she said softly,
"…is just the beginning."
Far away—
Hidden in the mist—
Something was watching them.
Smiling.