Chapter 105: Into the fog

The Great Wall of Fog stretches left and right endlessly, towering above the forest as an ashen barrier made of tranquil mists. It's cloudy wall flowed calmly in the dark of night illuminated by the azure moon.

Below it, is where the forest lushes end. Leaving a thin barren land that separated the towering fogs and wilderness within like a desolate line of dead soil.

Right now, The Fallen Knight - clad in full onyx armor, stood on that thin wasteland, gazing up at the collosal barrier through his helmet.

After experiencing all that grief, Zyro was left feeling empty and alone. He had mostly been alone and have embraced solitude. However, Pert departure still left a hole in his heart.

Was it because he was his first true friend?

He thought he became powerful, but in the end. He failed to keep the young Aster safe.

Nevertheless, Pert are no more. His smile and company was gone and never to return again.

Zyro sigh wistfully. Wishing his stronger, maybe then the kid wouldn't have left.

'What's the point of regrets?'

He shook his head, dismissing unnecessarily sad thoughts from his mind. Although, he can't bring back the past, Zyro can honor Pert last request.

'The Demoness, huh... I wonder what kind of creature his dad is looking for?'

Pert gave too little information about "Her" identity, considering she's called a Demoness, it's only logical to refer to her as a woman or a girl? In any case, it's evident that the Demoness are female. Which is a clue, already. Still, gender alone isn't sufficient enough to find her.

Zyro need more clues.

The question is, where else could he look?

After some pondering, he ended up in this place. Beside the Great Wall of Fog where the Foggy Ring legendary barrier is just a few meters away.

Thinking back, Zyro remembered visiting this place with Pert. Back then, the kid guided him here as he requested to load his useless airgun with insidious mists. Turning it into [Fog Spray].

At that time, Pert also informed him how he came here. The wreckage of his father's airship hidden within the fogs. A testimony of their past adventures before crashing here, leaving one survivor behind.

Similar to Zyro, the last soldier of STELLAR.

Back then, he had also thought of venturing into the mists to check the shipwreck. But decided against it due to all the risks and uncertainty of what benefits he will gain.

Now, however, Zyro has a solid reason to dive within the mysterious wall and search for clues about the Demoness Pert wanted him to find.

[Loading complete, Oxygen tank level: 100%]

[Your free to go, Master.]

Aizra's voice resounded in his head, sweet yet emotionless as ever.

'Its time.'

[Fog Spray] was drained to defeat over a hundred assassins, and was just refilled by breathable air. Of course, before this, Zyro already prepared everything needed for prolonged diving within the Great Wall of Fog. Aware of its poisonous and slightly corrosive nature, he made sure to checked his suit condition. Although, Shroud of Night had been battered by his ruthless battles, specially against the Blinker which tore a part of the chest plate. The cybernetic armor is still unbreachable by gas or liquid. After, it was designed to withstand vacuum.

He also visit the electrical lake where his starship sunk to recharge Shroud of Night energy. Bringing it to peak condition for this expedition to the unknown world inside the wall. He did all that while waiting for his muscles to heal, which he speed up as much as possible. Depter cast his spell, still wondering why Zyro hasn't lost his mind to the soul core yet. Coupled with [Servant of Blood] Scarlet gave, letting him experience lesser vampire regeneration ability. His enhanced body did it's part too, making him sufficiently ready to enter the misty barrier.

Looking at the shipwreck's faint silhouette, Zyro remained motionless for a moment.

Finally.

Steeling himself, the Fallen Knight stride forward, crossing the rest of the barren land with steady steps. Eventually being swallowed into the Great Wall of Fog.

As he entered, dread grasped his heart. Making him think what horror is hidden beneath all these fogs, or was it produced.by an unimaginable being? However, when he finally passed through, nothing welcomed him but eerie silence fitting the weird atmosphere.

Everything was shrouded in thick fog, lightened slightly by bluish light from the azure moon above. It's like his inside a cloud, while the moon shines dimly creating a peaceful yet solemn atmosphere.

His vision through the helmet was full flowing fog, only when Zyro turned on the mini-flashlight installed on his helmet did the dark vagueness banished. However, the thick fog still hindered him from seeing further than three meters as he could only see the lifeless ground.

But that's fine, he knew the shipwreck direction. So, Zyro began walking towards in a straight line.

Traveling in such an environment where sights are extremely limited it's compostable. As he walks, Zyro can't help but feel his treading an endless path, where there's nothing but obscuring fog. The creepy quietness only added to the horror. And as he went deeper, the darker it became, for the moonlight can no more reach its depts.

Being lost here will probably be a horrifying experience. To walk aimlessly in the vast world of fog, while your oxygen ticked like the clock of approaching demise.

Fortunately, he had his footprints to trace back.

Eventually, shattered wooden fragments entered his field of vision. Implying his close to the ravaged airship itself. As he continues, he passed by more broken parts littering the ground, signs of past upturned soils, random items and...

'Bones.'

He hesitated for a bit, then kneel down to study the skeletal remains closer. Noticing another one nearby, Zyro shifted his gaze and cursed.

'...Mustards.'

Seeing the familiar spear belonging to the Gricks stayed stuck through the skeleton skull. Every terrible things they done to him resurfaced - how they encaged him, how they hunted him till now, and let's not forget how they took his friend life.

Thinking back on one of his conversations with Pert, the Gricks were also the reason for their innocent airship fall.

However, this is not the time to be angry.

He shook his head dejectedly, shrugging.

His vengeful by nature, but not an idiot. He would spite the Gricks if given a chance to hit freely. Needless to say, it's not time for that. He had a more crucial task at hand, currently.

Zyro resume forward, shortly after, he finally reach the shipwreck. At least, what remained at the flying vessel.

The front bow was completely devastated by the reckless landing, shattered into countless fragments he passed by. Fortunately, the ship back part where the captain cabin is located survived.

It was laying on its side, its poles snapped but remained holding their tattered sails.

Zyro aimed his flashlight at it. Although, it fainted by time, he can still identify the insignia of a rising sun on the corroded sail.

If he remembered correctly, this ship is known as Golden Down according to Pert.

'It must have been nice to fly on this thing.' Zyro commented before going inside.

Due to the tilted position and all the mess, it took him some time to climb on and find the captain's cabin. The groaning of old woods rang like thunder as he stepped on the floor - rather, on the wall - while the original floor and ceiling stood like a wall. Unlike other cabins for regular cruise, which is technically a mere bedroom. This particular room is much more elaborate, with bookshelves, wardrobe, a wide fancy table and all sorts of decorative wooden furnitures.

Most of them were more like containers, tnough. It was probably used to store scavenged random things of historical value. Sadly, everything inside was upturned just like the floor that now serve as a wall.

Majority of the furnitures were broken, including the random things within.

With piqued interest, Zyro looked for valuables through the mess. However, he was left disappointed by his findings. Pert's father, the captain collection were like those in the museums. Peace of rocks from some unknown ruin, strange rusty weapons, some sort of fossils, accessories and so on. In summary, it's all useless for him.

Dejected, Zyro moved on to study the papers the young Aster father left behind. There's a high possibility that his findings are journalled or some books on the ground hold details about the Demoness.

He looked through the cabinets, flipped the bookshelves and uncover any hidden compartments. Unfortunately, to his dismay, papers were too fragile against the fog corrosive effect.

Every papers had thinned to the point it's contents were no longer readable. Some had it worse. Having been bathing in these ominous mists for so long are enough

to eroded their content.

Dishearted, Zyro sigh.

"This is harder than I thought."

That said, he still keeps looking for readable papers. Because after his done here, he'll be joining Scarlet to begin their journey back to her home. Since that unfortunate day of Pert passing, Zyro wanted to be alone for a while. So, he still has not visited the Mine to meet her.

As he dug deeper in the pile of ravaged books, Zyro noticed a booklet with no signs of decay, seemingly new as if no one had opened it. It was black in color holding in pristine white pages, golden strips run around its front, forming a fabulous design on its dark cover.

It's a title, read;

"Legends Tales"

Impatient, he flipped the pages.