The Mist (1)
Aisha stood there dumbfounded. She didn't understand why Archibald would look so happy in this situation. A sense of apprehension grew inside her.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean," she said carefully, but her voice was drowned when a scream came from the front deck.
"We are in trouble! There is a giant whirlpool ahead!"
All of them simultaneously turned their gaze toward the direction in which the man pointed at. It couldn't be seen clearly because of the mist, but there was a giant shadow in the middle of the sea. Based on the rapid current they were in, then there was only one explanation.
"Damn it! The sea around here is really unpredictable! Your Majesty, if we go on like this, we will truly be shipwrecked and become the food for unknown sea creatures!" The Captain urgently convinced Archibald, but the latter looked around the area instead.
"Your Majesty, your order?" Even Leslie had turned tense as well because Archibald seemed unusually distracted.
"You take care of the things here. Try your best not to get swept into the current. Buy us some time!"
The Captain and Leslie were surprised by the sudden order. Especially when the Emperor suddenly approached Aisha and held her arm. "As for me, I will take care of this one."
"What?" Aisha was confused, but Archibald didn't bother to explain and dragged her with him and entered the cabin. He slammed the door behind him and pulled her deeper into the empty room.
Archibald flung her arm away once they were alone, making her stumble.
"Is this one of your plans as well?" He asked coldly at her. His red eyes were like a torch inside the dark room. "The people from the Land of Oblivion never cease surprising me with every cheap trick they pull. But I have to give it to you this time. You got us good."
Aisha could only listen with mouth agape. The accusation came out of nowhere; she didn't know how to respond. "Your Majesty, are you suspecting me as the cause of this?"
"The Curse of Forgotten Land, have you ever heard of this before?"
Of course, she had ever heard of it, but that was just a myth created by people so no one would arbitrarily try to get close to their land.
"What's that myth has anything to do with this?"
Archibald scoffed mockingly. "A myth? A Priestess who could see the dead people's spirits actually believed it was just a myth? What do you call yourself then?"
A flash of lightning illuminated the room for a moment before a roaring thunder followed soon after. Aisha involuntarily jumped in place, but Archibald's piercing gaze was still directed at her.
Her hand, which was holding the dagger, shook as she bit her lips nervously.
This person came to the isolated island, fully knowing about who she was and her ability. Sure enough, it was because of this power Archibald hadn't tried to harm her so far. This was what he needed her for.
Aisha gulped hard before slowly meeting his eyes. "Your Majesty, what do you want me to do?"
The corner of his lips curved out in a conniving smirk. "I'm sure you are already aware without me telling you. If you want to live, you'd better not try anything funny on my watch."
***
Leslie was on the verge of losing his sanity now. The situation escalated from bad to worse quickly.
The Captain kept urging him to convince the Emperor, but did he think such a thing was plausible at this juncture? If Archibald was the type that would listen, then Leslie would have done so without him reminding him!
Soon, the ship would be pulled inside the mist, and there would be no turning back anymore. Some men panicked and cursed the Emperor for bringing them down a death road.
"Shit, are you really not going to turn back the ship? I'm out of this!"
"Me too! I'm still too young to die here!"
They refused to listen to Leslie's order and jumped from the ship. That way, at least, there would be a chance for them to survive this.
"Wait! Stop!"
Leslie's warning fell on deaf ears as more and more men followed.
The others who wanted to remain on the ship shuddered once they saw their colleague's body was swept by the current into the mist one by one.
The sea current was too strong for them to swim against, and it didn't take long before their scream disappeared along with their body.
"Everyone, please stay calm and don't do anything unnecessary! The Emperor is trying to find a way as we speak. I won't tolerate those who disobey his order!" Leslie gave the final ultimatum sternly.
This time, they listened to him and focused on keeping the ship away from the mist.
They tried their best, but alas, it was already too late. They couldn't stop the ship from entering the ominous mist.
Leslie shut his eyes closed, preparing for the incoming impact. However, nothing happened.
On the contrary, their surrounding had completely gone quiet. Very contrasted with the raging storm from before. Even the rain had stopped.
One by one, they opened their eyes, only to find a thick white mist surrounding them. They could barely see what was ahead.
There was no whirlpool anywhere like they feared. On the contrary, the sea was still. Almost eerily so.
"Captain, what's going on here? Where did the giant whirlpool go?" Leslie asked him.
But there was no answer from beside him.
"Captain?"
This time, Leslie turned his head and found that the Captain was gazing emptily towards the mist. His pupils shrunk and unfocused, like someone who had lost his will to live.
Leslie was about to tap his shoulder when a shriek came from the main deck below them.
What he witnessed after that was simply a nightmare because their men started pulling their swords and slashing each other as if they had lost their minds.
"Hey! What are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?!"
"What is going on? Some people suddenly got weird."
"This is insane. Do you think I will just sit down and let you kill me?"
Leslie was shocked by the sudden turn of events. Like the Captain, some of their men had dead-fish eyes as they brandished their weapons and attacked whoever was around them.
Those who weren't affected by the mist had no choice but to fight back.
This happened soon after they entered the mist. Was it affected their minds somehow?
"Stop! Everyone calm down!" Leslie tried to keep the situation under control, but a shadow suddenly fell on him. His instincts immediately kicked in as he leaped from the floor.
*CRASH
On the place where he previously stood was a sword held by the Captain, who seemed to have completely lost his rationality.
Leslie gritted his teeth in frustration. Even the Captain was affected. Great panic spread everywhere, as no one was willing to stand still when someone was about to kill them.
To kill or be killed. The situation had escalated from bad to worse.
Moreover, the Emperor and Priestess were inside the cabin behind him. No matter what, he couldn't let the Captain get through him.
Steeling his resolve, he unsheathed his sword.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I know you are possessed, but I have my own duty to uphold. I will do everything it takes to stop you!"