[b]Chapter 2: Fox mask[/b]

Swamp of the Wraiths was exactly what you would think of upon hearing its name. This vast area was filled with Wraiths and undead beings, and its murky waters had swallowed many unfortunate travelers that had gone astray during their journey. An oppressive mist was always lingering in the air, it almost felt like a living thing that would invade inside anyone who had dared to stay in the swamp, causing fear and anxiety for no apparent reason, while it would strengthen the fiends and undead warriors that roamed around the area. Although the swamp was a hostile place, the road from Archosaur to Dreamweaver Port went through it so a lot of travelers would make their way across these parts. In fact, it was relatively safe to travel, as long as you stayed on the road. The courageous soldiers in Whetstone Keep, the small shelter in the swamp, would patrol the area and do their best to make it as safe as they could for travelers. This alone was an honorable job, but they were also keeping their eyes on the infamous Wraithgate, an abyss where the Wraiths had originally come from to invade Perfect World. It hadn't been active for a long time and the soldiers wanted to keep it that way. There had been attempts to activate it, but so far they have failed, much to the satisfaction of the people in Whetstone Keep. But you can never be too careful with Wraiths, so they have continued observing Wraithgate.

That day, the mist around Swamp of the Wraiths felt overwhelming, more than usual. It was thick, like a burden, weighing down on the shoulders of the people in Whetstone Keep. Cries of fiends could be heard, but the mist prevented anyone from seeing them. The only thing visible were the eerie pale green lights that were dancing in the air; no one was sure what they were but a lot of people thought that they were restless souls of those who had gone lost in the swamp and never managed to find their way out. They were an unnerving sight for sure, but most people did get used to them after a while since they were harmless. Along with these lights, glimpses of ancient skeletons of huge creatures could be seen as well. Nobody knew for how long they have rested in the mud of the swamp, but they can also be a little unsettling sight. Sometimes your eyes could deceive you into thinking that they have moved a slightly, or that their empty eye sockets were gleaming a little. And that day, it was exactly what some of the soldiers in Whetstone Keep were seeing, wondering if it was a sign of something extraordinary. However they just ended up shaking their heads to such thoughts and continued doing their tasks.

One of the warriors that were now stationed at Whetstone Keep was a Nightshade called Mirskyn. Previously, he had been in Dreamweaver Port aiding with the sudden burst of monster population there, but then he had heard about some suspicious Wraith activity in the swamp, so he had traveled to Whetstone Keep to lend his helping hand. Currently he was the only Nightshade at the keep, so his appearance was slightly conspicuous; he was dressed in a white long coat, trousers and shoes and there was beautiful golden embroidery on the coat, as well as black wool on the shoulders. He had golden eyes that looked mysterious and his long hair was typical to his race: it was mostly violet, but would fade to white at the hair ends, also having few braids. He also had a goatee that was braided as well. All in all he looked sleek and graceful and someone who wouldn't falter easily.

Mirskyn was discussing about the current situation in the swamp with a Human who was simply called Wraith Hunter, an individual who dedicated his life to watch over the swamp. He was a mysterious looking man with his dark red hair, dark eyes and black attire. Half of his face was hidden behind a black mask. He was carrying his sword on his back, where it was ready to be used, yearning for the blood of the Wraiths.

Wraith Hunter informed Mirskyn that Wraiths had been restless lately, causing trouble more than usual to the people traveling through the swamp. But what had triggered this behavior, he didn't know, but it was like somebody had poked an ants' nest. The situation was still fairly new one, but Wraith Hunter was worried that it would last for a long time. He had already sent a messenger to Archosaur, requesting help to deal with Wraiths, just in case.

Mirskyn had made few patrol duties around the swamp since he had arrived to Whetstone Keep and had the conversation with Wraith Hunter regarding the recent events. He had encountered Wraiths and undead warriors that they were controlling now, and indeed, it felt like they were threatened by something. It was strange, what could possibly cause that? Mirskyn had no answers, but he tried to investigate the matter as well as he could.

That day he had walked into the mist again, all alone, but he felt no fear. He had his scythe with him; its blade was like made of ice, it was his magical instrument which he used to command the elements of water and metal. Having your weapon at hand was a wise thing to do since you never knew what you would encounter while strolling around the swamp. Even at that moment Mirskyn could hear cries of some fiends, although they were partly muffled by the heavy mist. He couldn't see any of those creatures, but they couldn't possibly see him, either, so the situation was even. But Mirskyn tried to keep his senses sharp as he preferred that if he came across Wraiths, it would be better if he noticed them first and could make the opening move.

Mirskyn had been patrolling around the border of Swamp of the Wraiths and Ridge of the Dreaming Cloud where the change in terrain was startlingly sudden; first you were in the gloomy swamp, but then you would find yourself from a lush forest, coming from a hostile place to somewhere more welcoming. Sometimes, however, Wraiths would ambush travelers around this border as they could hide among the vegetation and shadows.

There was not even a single trace of Wraiths at that time when Mirskyn checked the area. But instead, he sensed the presence of something else.

It was a presence of a friend.

Mirskyn stopped his going and smiled to himself. He let few seconds to pass by before he turned around to face a dark figure who had suddenly appeared behind him. This person was a master of stealth, but Mirskyn had learned to sense his presence.

It was a Tideborn man, though the only evidence of that was his fin-like ears. Usually Tideborns had a blue or purple skin, but this individual had slightly brown one. His attire was mostly black, his very long coat and trousers and boots had some white linings on them and there was a little bit of gold lining as well in his coat, along with golden stripes on his chest. A little bit of gold was also on the hood that hid his eyes and strands of his blond hair flowed from under the hood.

It was Rhynx, the assassin and Mirskyn's comrade.

“Good to see you again”, Mirskyn spoke softly, still smiling. “We haven't seen each other… oh, it must have been over a month? Time sure flies, doesn't it?”

“It seems life has kept us busy”, Rhynx simply replied.

Mirskyn nodded in approval. “True, true. Now, would you like to walk with me? I'm on a round, actually.”

Rhynx shrugged. “If you prefer that. I have something to tell you.”

“Oh?” Mirskyn raised an eyebrow as he began to walk together with the Tideborn.

The men were silent for a while as they infiltrated some deeper parts of Swamp of the Wraiths. It was like they were searching for a place where to exchange words that were meant to be heard by their ears only. Though, it's not like there were many curious ones in the swamp that would hear conversations, especially on a day like this when the haze was exceptionally thick. But the men continued to walk for a while, before Mirskyn finally broke the silence.

“So, you were looking for me, I assume?” he said.

“Yes. I have a word from the Elder of Archosaur”, Rhynx replied.

“Interesting. What does he want?” Mirskyn asked curiously.

“Apparently some psychic had seen a vision that really worried him”, Rhynx began to explain. “And whatever the psychic saw, the Nightshades are linked to it somehow. The Elder wants to discuss this matter with you.”

“Why me specifically? Even now, he could talk about it with any other Nightshade.”

The Tideborn shrugged. “Elder trusts you. Maybe he finds this case important enough that not just any Nightshade would do.”

It was true. Mirskyn had earned remarkable reputation since he had slain many powerful Wraiths all by himself. This sure had caught the attention of important people, such as the Elder and general Summer. Mirskyn enjoyed their full trust and had become a valuable member of Allied Forces. He was a skillful warrior and thus an inspiring icon to many new recruits.

Mirskyn looked thoughtful for a while. “I suppose I have to answer the Elder's call.”

Before they could carry their conversation any further, suddenly Rhynx made a motion with his hand to signal the Nightshade to stop. So Mirskyn did. He had learned to trust his friend's sharp senses and it was clear that Rhynx had spotted something peculiar. For a brief moment the men stared into the swirls of thick mist, Mirskyn having his scythe ready and Rhynx had taken his daggers out. Whatever was coming out of the mist, they were ready for it.

They could hear some faint rustling ahead. The men took few silent steps closer and then they saw it.

It was like the mist had stepped aside from the way of this figure. There, gracefully gliding above the swamp's murky water, was a strange person. He was dressed in light blue robes that had many layers and it looked like that his clothes were almost one with the water as he was gliding above it. He had a long black hair that flowed behind him just as gracefully as his clothes. His face was hidden behind a white fox mask which had red patterns painted in it. His movements were elegant and his whole essence exuded mystical power which caused Mirskyn and Rhynx to be on their guard.

Who was this person? Was he an enemy? And above all, had he an affiliation with Wraiths?

At first it seemed like he wasn't even aware of the presence of the two men. But then, he slowly turned his head to their direction and stayed hovering above the water. Both sides were eyeing each other intently, trying to figure out to strength of each other.

“Worms. Lowly worms”, the man muttered to himself and Mirskyn and Rhynx were barely able to hear his words.

And just like that, he glided away, soon disappearing from sight as he kept going deeper into the swamp. Rhynx and Mirskyn were left behind, wondering who this individual was. They let their weapons down but still kept their eyes on the direction where the mysterious person had vanished. This encounter had given Mirskyn a strange feeling. There had been something really odd about the masked man's presence. It had looked like the man was searching for something. Mirskyn couldn't help but think that was there a connection between that person and the bizarre Wraith activity? He frowned as he was thinking about this. Maybe he really should have a word with the Elder of Archosaur.

With silence, Mirskyn and Rhynx began to make their way to Whetstone Keep, both deep in their own thoughts. Mirskyn wanted to talk to Wraith Hunter and sought him out immediately after they entered the wood-walled small patch of safe haven in the swamp. Mostly he just wanted to inform him that he was heading to Archosaur. He did mention to him about the encounter with the suspicious masked man and told Wraith Hunter to be careful while on a patrol around the swamp, and, if possible, keep an eye on him. Wraith Hunter promised to do so. Mirskyn decided to rest in Whetstone Keep before the journey to Archosaur, and so would Rhynx who had expressed his desire to go with him. It was hard to tell in the swamp which time of the day it was since a slight darkness always lingered in the area, but they decided to leave approximately at dawn.

When the two men woke up, even though they couldn't be sure if it was morning, they began their travel to the grand city of Archosaur. They followed the road to south, heading to Ridge of the Dreaming Cloud. And so they left behind the hostile swamp area and were welcomed by the verdant forest, feeling a little bit of relief for getting out of such place with oppressive atmosphere.

But they couldn't possibly predict that their journey would turn out to be everything else but uneventful.