However, before the sword could pierce Ash's skin, a swirling shadow-like mist spread over his body. It engulfed him whole; and by the time the sword reached Ash's position, it flew right through it as the mist dissipated. The sword hit a nearby tree before shattering into light particles. This left Hikaru and the others alone in the Forest of Blood, and Ash nowhere to be found. "What..?" Hikaru was shocked that Ash could pull off something like that. Could he? "Where did..? [i]Where did you go, Ash...?![/i]"