The fog of the Elf Forest was treacherous. It would not allow one's consciousness to remain unphased and it would try to lure the visitor off-track with its sweet words.

Usually, only full-born high-elf had resistance to this fog. Their highly concentrated and pure magic made the fog run away from them in fright. And that was why, the only specie that could survive in this forest were elves.

Of course, that did not apply to Shimi since she was a half-elf. Even if one-half of her blood belonged to a high elf, the other half was contaminated with dark desire. Her combination was unholy and the perfect bait for such a place.

'I hope the grandmaster is not having as hard a time as I am having. Unlike me, he is a human and he needs to learn not to learn how to combat this fog.'

Shimi was worried about the grandmaster. But when she finally looked at him, he seemed to be doing even better than Shimi. It was almost as if he did not notice the fog around him.

Shimi tried not to be bitter about this, but her feelings were conflicted on this topic. She was happy that the grandmaster was alright, but it also sucked that she, a natural-born elf, was more affected by this fog than a human.

'He is far too good for you. But what did a halfling like you expect? You need to come to us if you want to improve your magic.'

The whisper was charming when it went inside Shimi's ear. The fog changed its shape to create a hand for Shimi to take. It seemed to be inviting her to come and visit its depths.

'No, I cannot fall for those sweet lies. I was warned about this forest so many times so I cannot fall for its charms.'

Shimi reminded herself as she shook her head. The sweet voice faded from around her but the hollow laugh remained.

'Foolish creature. You should not resist the temptation. You know you want to come to us. Your body and your mind, both are begging to be held affectionately. Come and we shall give you in place of your mother. Accept us as a part of your reality.'

The fog continued, now opening sour wounds in Shimi's heart.

Her mother had been someone distant to her. She abandoned Shimi as soon as she realized that Shimi was a half-elf and she would not be able to live in this forest.

So, a mother's love was something Shimi had carved her whole life.

'Your companion is not saying anything, but he must also think of you as a burden on him. If you want to help him out, then follow us. We shall take you out of here."

The fog suddenly transformed into a figure and then two. The humanoid figures were multiplying in front of Shimi's eyes and she tried to keep track of their number.

'Child, come to me. You know you want to come to me.'

The fog called out one last time and Shimi lost the control that she had been maintaining all this time. She took one step toward the fog, and then another until she was almost off track. 

Something tugged her hand and Shimi felt the warmth that was surrounding her hand. But her brain could not recall what was giving her such comfort.

Then, she was pulled back and her arms closed around her. Someone was hugging her and the warmth felt very human and familiar.

'What are you doing child? Hurry up and come to us. We shall set you free of your guilts.'

The fog called out but Shimi had no strength left to follow its command. She wanted to go out, but her body would not follow and her feet would not move.

"Stop thinking too much. Just cover your eyes if you do not want to see something. It is as simple as that."

The familiar voice whispered in Shimi's ears before a big hand covered her eyes. It blocked Shimi's vision and the vision of the fog surrounding her faded away. Even the voice that was haunting her went away soon.

"G-Grandmaster, thank you for your help. I did not think I would be able to maintain my calm if not for your support."

Shimi thanked the grandmaster with a shaky voice. She had not expected the fog to have affected her as much as it did. But even now, her legs refused to listen to her and keep her weight upright.

It took Shimi some time to calm down. But as soon as she did, she felt the grandmaster's arms surrounding her. It caused her to panic and she tried to get out of those arms as soon as possible.

"Are you sure you are alright now? You can rest some more if you need it."

The grandmaster advised Shimi but her head started spinning from embarrassment. She could not even look the grandmaster in the eyes when he looked at her. His concern was appreciated. But his touch was too personal and effective on Shimi. It made her feel things.

She wanted to lean back and melt into his embrace. But the embarrassment of this situation caused her to push against the grandmaster and stand up on her own.

"I-I am alright. The fog tried to tempt me but I managed to hold on. My loyalty to the grandmaster is my biggest priority."

Shimi forced it all out with her normal voice. And then her face flushed once she realized what she was saying. 

In retrospect, she had said a lot more than she had wanted to say. But she refused to take it all back, no matter how much it made her blush and cringe on the inside.

"I see. In that case, let us get moving again. I feel like we are close to the edge of this forest now."

The grandmaster was truly kind. He did not say anything to Shimi, despite her shameful behavior. And as always, he had saved Shimi as well from her own demons.

He was someone Shimi could never catch up to. And that was why she needed to do her best to hide the dark parts of the elf village from the grandmaster's eyes. There was no need for him to become entangled with such a bad place.

"You are right. We are almost at the edge of the forest. Thankfully, the fog will start to lose its effect as we walk toward the Elf village. I assume that it is where Master Hana has asked us to meet?"

Shimi asked while picking her head up. Her legs finally felt ready to take on her weight once more. But she was still careful not to overdo it. She needed to look after herself so that the grandmaster would not have to look after her.

"Hmm, you might be right. But inform me if you start to feel the effect of the fog again. I will find a way to knock you out again."

For a minute, Shimi did consider forcing herself to act like the fog was affecting her again. She wanted to know what the Grandmaster's embrace would feel like.

But as soon as the temptation had fallen on to her, Shimi was able to shake it off as well. She did not need the grandmaster to figure out her secrets. 

And she would not be able to handle it if he found out Shimi was just acting and became disappointed in her.

The pair walked through the remainder of the forest with relative ease. The fog seemed to have given up for the time being as well.

Soon, a small village came into focus and Shimi braced herself to see the place where she had been born.

A rural setting with no signs of modern technology. The elf village was a place that refused to change despite how much time had passed.

Even now, this place looked no different than when Shimi had been forced out of it. So, she felt nothing when she saw this place.

But despite saying that, Shimi could feel that there was something wrong with this place. It looked lifeless and there was a lack of aura in the air.

"Grandmaster, you finally made it. Please hurry and come into the main house as soon as you can. It is the one in the middle of this village. There is so much I need to tell you."

Master Hana's familiar, a small bird, landed on Keith's shoulder and conveyed her message. Shimi was the one who decided to lead the way toward the main house.

It was a place that had been her home and nightmare at the same time. She did not want to go in, but she braved it all for the grandmaster's sake.

Just like the village, there was something wrong with the main house as well. It was giving off a weird aura that made Shimi's nervousness blow away.