It was definitely bizarre. As the fog guided them forward, the landscape around seemed to change and twist, the pillars sometimes pure white as if it was reflecting some kind of light, sometimes dark like the void. When they thought a wave was about to crash into them, what came was a strong gust of wind. As the particles whooshed past them, it was as if they could see the wind itself, bending and weaving, the currents flowing. The steps continued to shift and reshape themselves, never staying in one place but stable enough for the seven of them to gradually make their way up.

They couldn’t make a sound, their mouths for some odd reason deciding not to speak. Their legs were moving on their own, trudging in sync. It was as if they were being ushered somewhere by an invisible butler or attendant to the master of the island, whatever it may be. They, of course, were still conscious, but were their minds in control of their bodies? Most likely not.

As I thought… The presence of energy is minimal. Nal looked around, careful not to be tempted and distracted by the shifting fog. Although the wind kept on blowing back and forth, there was no sound to announce its passing, only the visible streaks of fog dissipating and reforming like trails of ghosts.

He should’ve brought more of his ingredients, solutions, and mixtures. He had prepared a vial to better control his energy flow, which led to the weakening of his body but the strengthening of his mind. It was effective, but he had already consumed it all. His companions were gradually succumbing to the mindlessness of the island, walking almost like pilgrims to the tower. He still didn’t know why they were here. What were they seeking? Tamarkrh never explained. No one really knew the reason for their voyage. They had prepared enough supplies for the trip to the island and back, but it was not enough for a prolonged expedition, especially if they had decided to stay.

It was like they were hypnotized, dragged half-consciously to the center of it all like sacrificial animals brought to the slaughter.

With nothing to stall them, they were soon at the tower. Up close, they realized it was certainly a tall one, the top concealed by the fog, the bricks ancient but sturdy. The pillars were much more sparse here, leaving somewhat of a clearing between them and the entrance of the tower. The fog had stopped shifting about, returning to a stationary state.

With much effort, Nal was finally able to speak. “Does anyone know why we decided to trek here before we had even made a settlement?”

“I… don’t know,” Tamarkrh admitted. “I just felt we had to be here, and although I didn’t say anything, all of you agreed and followed me.”

“Same here,” Luri said. “There was no logical explanation for what I just did. I just… followed Tamarkrh.”

“I didn’t even feel anything…” Deilsa added, before suddenly realizing in worry. “Wait, where’s Rhu?”

Their mostly silent companion had disappeared. The fog was thick, their eyes unable to even discern the terrain properly.

“When do we think we lost him?” Tamarkrh asked.

“I don’t know,” Kaius answered nervously. “I only realized when Deilsa said so.”

“I would want to look for him,” Ulin said. “But in all this fog… I think I will just lose my bearings.”

“What the…” Tamarkrh could only pace around, speechless, completely confused.

The sound of footsteps echoed in their ears through the fog. Light, crisp steps, like that of a noble, specifically one of a princess or duchess. The fog was swirling, gradually gathering strength, concentrating at the top. The mass of various shades of gray fluttered around, giving some illusion of color even in the lightless scene.

And suddenly, the fog was gone. The darkness remained, but the suffocation was gone. The tower in all its glory in their sights. The entrance, formerly covered by a thick layer of fog and smoke, was now open to their eyes, the pitch black interior feeling almost inviting.

The steps approach closer, the noises surrounding them through every bit of air. The pillars seemed to chant, shallow, ghostly breaths in anticipation of someone.

“Just what…” Nal muttered, but his eyes soon fell on the entrance once more.

Emerging from the darkness, a stony figure walks out, the same sounds from earlier reverberating with every step. The figure bore the appearance of a young girl, still dressed in clothing no longer swaying to the wind, frozen in a pose. Her joints were stiff like a doll, creaking a little with every bit of movement. A dark stone was embedded in her chest, cracks colored black spread throughout her body. Her eyes were still closed, an arm outstretched as if reaching for something, her hair unmoving. It was a statue bearing an all-too-familiar face, brought to life by the stone that now resided within her.

Dust and bits of stone crumbled off her face as she opened her eyes. Inside was only a pair of gray irises, a small, void-like pupil at the center. There was no gaze or emotion in her eyes. If the eyes were windows of a house, then inside was only an empty space. Her mouth was open, but no words came out. Like a doll she only knew how to move, not how to speak.

“Istha.” Tamarkrh could only manage one word, his hand reaching for his sword. The others readied themselves, their muscles tensed, ready to react at any moment.

A shame only one did not become a mage. The fog seemed to speak to them, but it was all emanating from the stone.

“Istha, what have you become…” Kaius struggled to put the words out of his mouth.

Everything else, however, all went according to my desires. “Istha” continued to approach closer, her legs slowly moving more smoothly, the joints less clunky.

“Istha, speak to us!” Deilsa called.

Ten years… No, far more than that. Centuries I waited. All for this moment. She bent her back and neck a bit, the movements becoming more fluid.

“Istha, explain to us what happened,” Nal said, his hands quivering.

One is not enough. Not enough to fulfill the potential. So I lured all of you here. The clothing and hair drooped down, now moving and swaying to her movements.

“Are you hurt?” Luri asked in worry.

So long, so long… Finally I can be freed. The cracks stretched to her eyes, coloring them in complete darkness while her gray skin recovered a bit of their color.

“You’re not Istha, are you?” Ulin asked, wary as her ring glowed.

Eight puppets. They thought they could seal me away, but I endured while they died. Her entire body had almost returned to its former state, her mouth beginning to twitch.

“Whatever… thing you are, you are destined to be alone here,” Tamarkrh declared, much to his own surprise. Just what was he saying?

Istha scoffed, her mouth now completely restored. “I thought I was cursed,” she said, her voice a dissonance between youthful cries and ragged gasps. “Cursed to be like this for eternity. And who was it that abandoned me all that time ago?”

“Still a little child, blaming everything on everyone but yourself,” Tamarkrh sighed. “Youth these days…”

It was not Istha. They were convinced of it. They could only be thankful they had not been quite so acquainted with her. Would they have to kill her? They did not know.

“Why did you even recruit me in the first place then?” Istha growled. “To belittle me?” A pillar suddenly extended from the ground, breaking apart into shards before forming a spear, the rest just floating, orbiting around her. Stone chains sprouted from the ground as well, some crawling across the surface, others twisting and turning like some agitated snakes.

“But nevermind that,” she said, her voice returning to a rough whisper.

I am about to be freed from my imprisonment anyway.

“On this island, in this space of eternal darkness, I am the ruler,” she declared, her voices overlapping and fighting over each other. “Here, all of you are only the sacrifice, the key to my freedom. Power, power, power… Soon, the world will experience the true meaning of power and strength. To endlessly seek it, that will be their only goal.”

The island burst into an ecstasy of spikes, the chains rushing at them at incredible speeds.

Kneel and accept your fate! Come, come, come… Come and let me be free!