Dark Mist Valley (1)
As Archis's group sped up into the dark night, before long they reached the area which bordered the Cloger town and Grensoll Forest. There is a narrow path, sufficient for a medium-size horse cart, which led deep into this thick forest.
Apart from this path, the whole forest is covered with different kinds of tall, wide trees and thick wild bushes. The branches of these trees intertwined with each other, as if covering the place with a large green cloth; obstructing even the faintest of the cold moonlight from entering the forest.
Constant hissings and other weird sounds could be heard from these thick bushes which covered the whole forest as if these bushes are the sweet home for the various poisonous insects and terrifying bugs.
Once the group identified the entrance to the narrow path, the two guards who tagged along with Archis and Orion, pulled out long rectangular lanterns from the leather bags they were carrying on their bags. Once they lit them up, the warm orange light efficiently pushed away the darkness surrounding them and the narrow path revealed itself much better than before.
Orion took a glance around the dark forest that laid in front of them like a giant sleeping monster. He took a deep breath, as if afraid that he wouldn't able to find such clean air once he entered the forest.
"Be careful, Let's move." Orion suddenly said after taking a glance at Archis. Immediately, he started to soundless sprint through the narrow path. The others did not fall behind. Both the guards holding the lantern were running on both sides of Orion, while Archis calmly followed behind them.
As they move forward, the terrain became much difficult to traverse, even the narrow path which looked relatively safe would vanish sometimes.
If they are not careful, it would be very easy to get lost. Once they get lost in this treacherous forest, it won't be long before they would be bitten by various kinds of poisonous bugs or fall into one of the many miasma pits littered through the forest.
Luckily, with Orion ahead, even though the path seemed to disappear a few times, the group avoided straying and getting lost. However, from time to time they would stop and drink different kinds of potions in order to resist the poison which entered their bodies due to various bugs which are almost impossible to defend from. Luckily they were on the path and the insect here are nothing too dangerous.
After about three hours, their eyes caught sight of a place ahead of them, which looked like a large mass of grey fog. From distance, it looked like an enormously large, round grey boulder. Nothing inside is visible.
At this moment Orion's solemn voice sounded out, "We are here. Once we move further, we will enter the outer area of the dark mist valley. Be careful not to venture deeper than one mile. If you think you are lost, use these alert flares, I will come to you and take you out of the area." Orion said revealing four colorful sticks with wicks on them, like a candle.
After distributing them to the four of them he continued, " Inside this fog, we don't need to fear insects or wild beasts. No living thing can survive in this fog for prolonged periods. Now, I will stay with Young master. The three of us will separately search the surroundings. You should know about Hundred poison flowers appearance and how it looks. Nothing can survive in this area, not even a single blade of grass. It is said that only the hundred poison flower can absorb this fog and grow. Either you find it or you find nothing. The most dangerous thing about this place is, you can only use forty percent of your vision. And this place entices you to go deeper. You better be mindful. Remember, search only in the perimeter and don't go any further than one mile." After saying this, he pauses and looked at their expressions and nodded with satisfaction
"Though everyone thinks this place is dangerous, if you don't enter the inner region of the dark mist valley and remain in this outer region, then this place is safer than the rest of the forest. However, we need to be careful. Nobody knows what exists inside the dark mist valley even now. Alright, I said what I have to say. Archis you stay close to me. Onias and Ariston, both of you, divide and search separately. We don't have much time. By daybreak, we have to leave this outer fog area, otherwise, we may lose our minds." Orion said seriously.
"We will do as you say, sir Orion", Both Onias and Ariston said seriously and split up into shadows as they disappeared into the fog.
"Uncle Orion, why don't we split up too and search separately? Like that, we might have a better chance to find that Hundred poison flower" Archis probed with a hint of anticipation.
"Young master, we already discussed this. It is already very dangerous for bringing you here. If the Old master knows about this..." Orion didn't continue further, clearly knowing that Archis is well aware of the consequences.
"Okay Okay. We will do as you say" Archis grumbled and turned to look at the fog with anticipation and interest. When he thought about the possibility of finding the flower and bringing it to sister Myra... His eye shined with a sly look.
When Orion saw the changes in his expression, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"Let's go, Young master", he said. With that, both of them disappeared into the fog.
The moment they entered, Archis felt his vision greatly affected. Only Uncle Orion is visible beside him. That too, he could only vaguely identify his silhouette.
Archis was shocked to see this situation. They were situated in rocky terrain. Large boulders and gravel formed of small rocks of different sizes and shapes littered the area. There is no trace of soil underneath.
"No wonder even a blade of grass can't survive here." he thought inwardly.