God of Mist and Stagnation.

On the way to the Foundation. Jay got sperated from the rest of the group due to the heavy fog. So dense that even light had trouble passing through it.

His party tried to look for him. Calling out his name but to no avail.

McElroy :

Check for any burning trees.

Grey barked trying to tell that there was no burning smell anywhere and Jay's smell had been dampened thus Grey had difficulty in pursuing Jay's scent.

Like Jay McElroy used light magic to erect a giant ball of light as a beacon. For wherever he might be.

Cela :

I don't think we are getting anywhere. It seems we've walked the same path twice in a row.

McElroy :

How is that possible we just walked straight.

McElroy :

I honestly have to admit this is the first time I want Jay to burn down the entire forest. Where even is he.

Cela :

Since we're lost why not talk for a while I have many things to ask you.

McElroy :

Please do.

Cela :

I've notices something in Jay sometimes when he calls out to you he fumbles a bit but when talking to others he is confident.

McElroy :

Well to clarify that single doubt it will take me an entire hour.

It's a very long, boring and an over complicated story at that without much reason.

Cela :

Well then, you aspire to travel world's as well right why?

McElroy :

I want to see the different worlds. Just like Jay.

Cela :

He did mention before that he's not from here.

McElroy :

Wherever he is from I would like to see that place with my own eyes.

At that time Grey who was trying to track Jay's scent suddenly whiffed something else something unfamiliar.

Grey gave his signal to Cela and McElroy.

Cela :

Grey's says he has found something.

And Grey tried to track the unfamiliar scent. And they arrived at a small shrine where a God was enshrined.

The doors of the shrine opened and the God came out.

? :

For God Slayer to visit me personally it seems my time is at an end.

McElroy :

I'm sorry who are you?

? :

Can't remember me, then you're not after me are you?

McElroy :

No, but who are you?

? :

A hinderance, just like the mist. You might have forgotten me but I didn't. I'm the one who keeps the entire forest enshrouded in mist. A god of this region if you will.

McElroy :

You're a regional God.

? :

That's right

I am the hinderance that causes the wandered to split from their path. I am the one who he shrouds mystery in the fog.

I am the one who remained stagnant.

I am the God of Mist, Rera.

McElroy :

So you sperated us.

Rera :

Oh it seems the God Slayer can also think.

McElroy :

Why?

Rera :

For this stagnant state of mine also give rise to Trial and Tribulations. I am in need for those who can face them.

Rera :

It seems my stagnancy has bought something of abyssmal into my domain. And many who tried to cleanse the abyss got intoxicated in it. So if things go wrong he will be also intoxicated in it.

McElroy :

What happens when one is intoxicated.

Rera :

From what I've seen, they start to crave the abyss, often leading themselves into dark side of magic. Or they free themselves from the mortal coils. To reach the ever soothing abyss.

McElroy :

No I can't let that happen. Release him right now.

McElroy raised the blade of the God Slayer against the regional God.

Rera :

So you finally took your blade against me God Slayer.

McElroy swung his sword at Rera and it was a direct hit.

But when he was hit he dissociated into mist.

Rera :

How will you hit me. I'm mist itself.

A entire group of Rera formed out of mist and surrounded themselves against McElroy.

Rera :

You are in my domain. Be glad I shielded you against the stagnant nature and evil spirits and wraith lying in silence here.

While Rera is known as the God of Mist he is hated for his divergence of paths and maintaining of stagnancy.

But that's not all Rera is also known for preserving this silence in the region and a place where the wraiths who are scorned by the divine light of the Sun can rest in the shrouded forest.

But where there is stagnation there is plague that haunts it.

That's why this forest is also known for inhabiting many plagues.

McElroy :

If I end you here. The stagnation will also end. Then choose either you release him from your Grasp or you die here.

Tera :

It seems you don't understand, then let me show you.

Cela :

Grey can you find the real one.

Grey seemed sad. Maybe he couldn't find the real one.

McElroy :

It seems I have to take drastic measures. Cela take this fire stone to heat yourself and Grey up.

Within an instant they were covered with an ice dome.

Slowly the icy winds started to blow as Mcelroy's surroundings started to cool down. Ice started forming in the surroundings.

The ground started freezing the surrounding started freezing the mist in the air started to become snow. And the mist duplicates which were formed turned into ice unable to move.

And Rera himself got frozen. But suddenly McElroy started coughing and started hearing Ephemeral noises surrounding him were darkening shadows.

As Mcelroy stopped coughing his hand was filled with Green Mucus and blood alongside it.

But as Mcelroy's attack on Rera stopped. Rera came back into power and formed himself a new body of mist.

Rera stood before McElroy looking down upon him.

Rera :

It seems even a millennium of life didn't have any effect on you.

McElroy :

What did you do to me.

Rera graciously retorted McElroy.

Rera :

I did nothing God Slayer you did this to yourself. You destroyed the mist unleashing everything onto yourself.

And cursing yourself with the wraiths and plague.

Rera sensed something.

Rera :

It seems your faith wasn't in vain. Your friend has cleared the filth plaguing my mist. So I will lift the fog foy you.

The ice dome shattered and McElroy still wasn't cured if anything.

Cela :

Aren't he done with his trials. Please cure him now.

Rera looked at Cela in disgust as she suggested something Blasphemous.

Rera :

He has raised his sword against a God. That alone is the cause for death. Think of it as my Grace that I have not ended his part in this land.

Jay's mist finally lifts and he is lead towards McElroy. Where he finds McElroy plagued with diseases and curses.

Jay knew that touching McElroy would be danger in itself. So he crafted gloves woven with silver and helped McElroy get up.

Jay :

Are you fine McElroy.

McElroy :

Ya I'm fine, I just feel tired.

Cela :

We must save him somehow.

Jay :

There must be a herb in the bag give me the herb.

Cela frantically searched the bag and found the herb. The herb was very well known it was also known as

Ash Flower and Moonlight grass.

After finding out the medicinal property of those herbs. They harvested even more. From the locality.

The flowers of the ash plant contains a metabolite known as Cordimium which helps fight various diseases and fungal infections.

While the moonlight grass act in a synergistic effect increasing the activity of the herb even more.

Jay crafted a mortar and pestle and grounded the drugs into fine powder and applied some to the skin while he forced some down his throat with some water.

The next question was about those wraiths haunting McElroy.

Jay :

Cela, close your eyes.

Flash bomb.

And lo all the haunting spirits turned into soot.

Jay's eyes suddenly turned towards the Regional God.

Rera.

Rera :

So you're the one who can resist the temptation of the abyss. Speak your name child.

Jay :

I'm Jay Garrick.

Rera :

How did you resist the intoxicating nature.

Jay :

You're talking about the stone right?

Rera :

Yes.

Jay :

First who are you to bring my friend in such a sorry state.

Rera :

I'm Rera, God of Mist. And your friend found himself in this state because he tried to end me.

Jay :

He will not attack anyone without a good reason.

Rera :

I was the one who make you drift from your path. And lead you to the trials. For the ones who wish to cross my domain they need to pass my trials as well.

Jay :

Then so you shouldn't have left him in a pitiful state.

I have nothing to tell you then.

Rera :

Such deep friendship. He truly has gained someone reliable it seems. But it seems you misunderstand something.

We were never talking on equal grounds. I am a God and you're just a Lowly Mortal. So keep yourself in Line.

Jay :

Tch, then let us go here from peace then I'll answer.

Rera :

Speak then.

Jay :

The only reason I was able to resist the abyss. Was because of my Deep Hatred and Loathing for the one who rules over the Abyss.

Rera :

Your wrath runs so deep that even the false soothing voices of the abyss could not hold you.

Jay :

I couldn't say it better than that.

Rera :

I'm. Not satisfied with the answer but I'll take it at face value right now. And as someone who completed my trials I can't let you go empty handed.

Rera handed Jay two bells.

Rera :

If you ever find yourself in an inescapable situation then ring it.

Though where do you intend to go from here.

Jay :

I was told to go here. By Ikaros.

Rera :

Ikaros?. Oh a girl dropped by saying you would be here.

Rera :

You see that giant tree there. I was told to lead you to it.

The Sacred Tree of Elves.

McElroy was overcoming the plague little by little. Potions would be useless since their functions are not that of a miracle medicine.

This we were one step ahead towards ending out Pilgrimage.