Kale and Alden walked through the misty forest, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth beneath them. Alden was a talkative one, his words flowing easily as they navigated the dense underbrush. Kale didn't mind the chatter; in fact, it helped ease some of the unease that had settled in his chest since leaving the cave. Maybe it was the oppressive silence of the forest or the lingering suspicion about Alden's intentions—but for now, having company felt like a small reprieve.
Alden spoke animatedly about his hometown, painting a picture of a quiet village nestled near a river connected to the Lake of Mist. Kale listened intently, intrigued despite himself. "The Lake of Mist?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "I've never heard of it."
Alden nodded enthusiastically. "It's pretty large—when we first saw it, we thought it was an ocean because you can't see the other side. But it's as still as glass on calm days." He paused, gesturing vaguely with his hands. "Seekers in our village gleaned insights into fishing, so they didn't mind working there. There are rare fish, unique ones too! Some even say they're magical."
Kale raised an eyebrow. "This region is full of mist and mountains," he remarked dryly. "Sounds more dangerous than enchanting."
Alden chuckled nervously but nodded. "Well, yeah, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. One day, large serpents attacked a fisherman, killing him instantly. After that, monsters started appearing sporadically in the waters. Sects from different mountains labeled it a danger zone, and its secrets are kept hidden by the second dojo elders."
Kale frowned, his instincts prickling. How does Alden know all this? he wondered silently. Isn't he new to the sect? Shouldn't someone like him be clueless about such things?
As if sensing Kale's skepticism, Alden continued, his tone turning serious. "That's why I learned swordsmanship. Unlike my father, who's a seeker focused on fishing, I wanted to protect them—with my strength, not just clever tricks." He gripped the hilt of his sword briefly before letting go, as though reassuring himself.
•---•
While walking deeper into the forest, the mist thickened until it resembled smoke swirling around their ankles. Kale couldn't shake the feeling that Alden kept glancing at him sideways—quick, fleeting looks that seemed almost calculating. Before he could dwell on it further, a drop of water landed squarely on his forehead. Instinctively, he reached up to touch it.
"It's about to rain," Kale said sharply, turning to Alden. "And it's going to be a strong one."
Using insights gleaned from the Ocean, Kale quickly scanned their surroundings. The golden threads guided him toward a nearby cave entrance—a man-made structure partially obscured by vines and moss. Sect elders often mentioned these caves, claiming ancient humans once mined here until the "mist" appeared.
"What did the elders mean by that?" Kale muttered aloud, brushing aside damp leaves as they entered the shelter. "It's just mist..."
Inside, the air was cooler, though the sound of approaching thunder echoed ominously outside. They settled down, waiting for the downpour to pass. Alden stretched out on the rocky floor, closing his eyes. "I'm going to seek for a bit," he announced casually. "Might as well make use of the downtime."
Kale watched him carefully, noting how Alden's posture relaxed almost immediately. Something about it struck him as odd—too effortless, too practiced. Feeling restless, Kale decided to try seeking as well.
•---•
As Kale opened his eyes within the boundless expanse of the Ocean of Knowledge, he marveled once again at its beauty. Motes of golden light danced lazily, threads shimmered faintly, and swirls of knowledge pulsed rhythmically around him. Yet something else weighed on his mind.
Why does it feel easier for me now? he thought, reaching out instinctively to brush against a thread. It responded instantly, offering fragments of insight without resistance. Like pulling a familiar sensation inside me would be enough to access this place...
And then there was the strange "active" state of seeking—the ability to glean bits of knowledge while awake and moving. Kale had tested it several times already, marveling at how natural it felt. But now doubt crept in. Do other seekers have this ability too? Or am I the only one?
He shook his head slightly, trying to focus. Whatever the answer, it was clear that he was different—and that difference made him both powerful and vulnerable. As the storm raged outside, Kale withdrew from the Ocean, his thoughts swirling almost as chaotically as the weather beyond the cave.
For now, Alden remained an enigma—a potential ally or a looming threat. And Kale knew better than to let his guard down completely—not when survival depended on staying one step ahead of everyone else.