To her surprise, Ghent had even figured out the hidden slots at the back of Drust’s cloak. She wiped the shocked, yet impressed look from her face as Ghent finished and joined her.
	She returned Ghent’s nod with one of her own. Turning, she strode to where Drust waited.
	Drust glanced to Elayra as she slowly stepped up just behind him. “As before.” He looked back out to the swirling fog. “Ghent in the middle.”
	Elayra hesitated. If he suddenly gave in to the Curse, having Ghent as the nearest target seemed like a horrible idea. “Might be better if I take center.”
	Drust looked to her again. His eyes narrowed, but Elayra held her ground, chin raised. With a grunt, he gave a single, curt nod. OmniChrono still in hand, Drust took a deep breath and stepped out of the clearing.
	A blue light rippled outward from Drust’s form. Between the fog and clearing’s barrier, the knight became little more than a blur. 
	Elayra looked over her shoulder at Ghent. “Like yesterday, even if the ghosts [i]do[/i] take interest, they’re weak during the day.” She turned back to the tree line. “And try not to let the fog get to you.”
	Elayra took a deep breath of her own, trying to prepare herself for the onslaught of emotions she knew awaited her. Holding her breath, she stepped into haunted forest.
	As it had when she entered, the world around her seemed to stretch, the sensation extra disorientating paired with the swirling mist. But this time, she was ready for it. She stumbled out on the other side, but kept her footing.
	The despair of the place hit her first. Then the utter silence, dampened further by the chilled fog. The morning’s cool hung heavier outside the Safe Zone, the once bright colors of the forest coated in glittering gray.
	She grit her teeth and swallowed, hard. Remembering Ghent was likely right behind her, she stepped forward to give him room.
	The fog danced around her and toyed at her form. It created its unnatural patches of mist-coated air and clear spaces around her. Drust stood no more than a pace away. He looked fuzzy, but the mist abated around him long enough for her to make out that he had his fingers again tangled in his hair, head bent slightly.
	Elayra quickly reached for her sword. “Drust?” she asked, slowly drawing her weapon, just in case. The gentle shing as it left its scabbard sounded loud in the eerie silence.
	“Fine, girl.” He inhaled and pulled his hand from his hair, the strands already limp from the dampness in the air. He spared a quick glance back, checking that both the teens were with him. Satisfied, he focused on the Chrono and stepped forward.
	Elayra looked back at Ghent. “Stay close. If we lose each other in this fog, remember we’re heading south. Following the rising sun.”
	Not wanting to risk Drust getting too far ahead, Elayra turned and followed after the Knight.