A light fog had fallen over the countryside when they awoke early the next morning. Nonetheless, as they could see nearly all the way to the horizon, and the fog already seemed to be lifting before the morning sun. They had not been bothered during the night, though Linnis could at first barely move, and even Aster and Gavin felt rather sore after a night spent on the ground. Nonetheless, they set out almost immediately, eating their breakfast on the way.

It was mid-morning before the fog had completely disappeared, though the sky remained overcast. The newly revealed view was in all important respects no different from that of the previous day: rolling hills far as the eye could see, the road stretching ever north and west, no sign of habitation on any horizon.

We are going the right way, right? Aster asked, around eleven.

The Waypoint was on the right side of the road when we came up on it, said Gavin, And that's where it was when we left. The sun rose over there, he pointed East, over the mountains in the East, same as always. We're going North.

It doesn't look like we're going anywhere.

Take it up with the Land.

I can't even see the sun, Aster complained.

Gavin rolled his eyes. Trust me; it's up there.

As they walked, however, a subtle change did begin to come over the land. The hills became larger, and the grass taller. The road seemed to descend now more than rise, taking them into lower country, and the fog was beginning to return. Up ahead, they spotted a pale glow by the side of the road, which was revealed to be another Waypoint, this one to the left of the road and accompanied by a sign.

That's strange, Linnis commented. We're not very far yet from the place where we spent the night.

Aster ran forward to check the sign. he read. Never heard of it.

They're lowlands, said Linnis. This means the river Noltis should be off somewhere to our left. We'd probably best wait here until the fog clears; I've heard nasty stories about crossing when the Mist reaches the ground. There are Beasts all over the Vale.

You didn't mention this before, when you were talking about reaching this Mira town by nightfall, Aster said, somewhat accusingly.

Linnis paused. I...didn't realize the North Road ran through here.

Well, this fog is definitely getting worse, said Gavin. I wouldn't mind staying here until it clears, even if we don't reach Mira as soon as we thought. Problem is, I'm not sure if we have enough food to last another day.

Aster shrugged dismissively. Then we won't eat. It won't be the first time.

Linnis made a face, which went unseen by the others.

They set down by the Waypoint. For a while, they simply sat there, staring at each other, gazing out at the countryside, or the obelisk of the Waypoint, all of which were reduced to outline and shadow by the fog, which seemed to become worse as they waited. The sun was completely hidden from view, and they quickly lost track of time.

After a while, Gavin spoke. ...So what was the deal with that guy back in the castle? You looked like you knew what he was talking about.

Linnis bowed her head for a moment. It's complicated. I'd rather not talk about it.

You know, we were about to get executed over whatever that was, Aster said. I'd kind of like to know why.

You wouldn't understand, she said coldly.

Oh really?

Gavin raised his hand. At least tell us what the story was with that Mobius guy. He called himself a High Cleric, right?

Yes. The kingdom of Cardinal is ruled by a council of three, of which the King is one and lord. The other two are the High Clerics, leaders of the Crimson Order, that of the Red Magi. Mobius is one of them.

And why was the leader of your own order trying to have you killed? asked Gavin.

There was a pause before Linnis replied. As I said, it's complicated.

No it isn't, Aster interjected. This is all your classic power gamble. This Mobius guy wants the whole kingdom for himself, and the King, well, he kind of likes being in charge, so they're going after each other. You happen to like the King better, so he gets rid of you. Us, we're just a couple guys who happened to drop in just in time to become pawns in his master plan. Typical Mages; they can live better than every person in the country except one, and all they can think about is how to get rid of that one guy.

Linnis shook your head. You don't know what you're talking about.

Am I wrong?

She was silent.

A short while later, a new sound began to drift up from the South. It was a rhythmic noise, like the tapping of metal on stone, but resembling in its pattern a pair of running feet. They could not see any shape to associate it with, but it was certainly coming closer.

A rider! exclaimed Gavin. Quick, get away from the road!

The three of them scrambled off into the waist-high waving grass as the sounds approached. With this fog, they'd probably run right by and not see us anyway! Aster said.

However, as they approached the Waypoint, the footsteps did slow to a halt. Aster wasn't sure, but he thought he could see the faint silhouette of a chocobo and rider standing near the glow of the crystal. As he looked to the slightly more resolved form of Gavin, something struck him as amiss. Hey, Gavin! he said. Where's your shoulder-pack?

Gavin froze, looking back to the Waypoint. ...Uh-oh. We've gotta run! With that, he set off to the North, tracking about parallel to the road while hoping to get as far away from the rider as possible. Before long, even the glow of the Waypoint was lost in the fog.

Hey, Gavin, what was in that pack? asked Aster.

Not too much; just all our food. I kept those magic vials in my hip-pack, so I could get them out easy.

Oh, good, Aster said. Because when we've got Tincture and Antidotes, who needs food?

Quiet! The rider might still be out there!

Are you sure this is wise? asked Linnis. If we get turned away from the road, we could be left completely lost in the middle of the Vale.

You mean we aren't now? Aster asked.

After a few minutes, fatigue compelled them to rest a minute and get their bearings. The latter effort was complicated by the fact that their vision was limited to about ten footsteps in any direction, and all within that scope was identical: tall grass, waving slightly despite the absence of any wind.

said Aster, You don't get to nag me about being impulsive anymore.

Gavin admitted. This wasn't the best plan I ever had. But we have to get back to the road. Now assuming we managed to keep going North, and the road didn't turn off to the East — he looked to Linnis.

I don't think it should, she said.

Right. Then all we have to do is turn right and we'll run back into it. If it turned West, we would have already crossed it.

And what if we didn't manage to hold our course North? Linnis asked.

Then we're in trouble, said Gavin. Come on.

They struck out in the direction they hoped was West, wading through the fields of grass in search of the road. They walked for some minutes, not finding anything but more grass, but as they did not know how far they had gone from the Road to begin with, they were unsure when they should begin to despair. Though the sun remained invisible, they reckoned that they must have passed at least into mid-afternoon.

Did you hear that? Linnis asked abruptly.

Hear what? asked Gavin.

I don't know how to describe it. It was like someone wailing, except too high-pitched — there!

I heard that too, Aster said.

Me too, agreed Gavin. It sounded kind of familiar.

Aster frowned. I know I've heard that before. He thought for a moment; it was certainly not a natural-sounding cry, or at least, not human. But it still seemed to belong with human voices somehow.

Suddenly, an image flashed into his mind. It was of a darkly lit room, underground, filled with people, mostly men, whose conversation and laughter filled the room. Somewhere in the center, behind a large barred cage, rose over all the commotion a high-pitched, hair-raising wail.

The Arena, he said, his face paling. By Shiftley Avenue.

A Beast, Gavin identified.

Both of them drew their blades.

Which way did it come from? asked Aster.

I don't know, replied Gavin.

Over there! exclaimed Linnis.

They saw the creature for a split second, a shadow in the fog, before it lunged at them. It was about the size of a common wolf, though appearing completely black, and its tail was connected not to its rear, but the base of its neck, and was wagging furiously. All this was revealed in a split second as it lunged through the air, and then it was at Gavin's throat. Not even having enough time to bring his blade to bear, Gavin simply held the Beast off with his elbow, physically pushing it away. Aster readied his sword and ran to stab it in the back, but as he approached, it jumped away, adopting a crouched position in the grass a few paces away, its tail quivering as it was raised almost vertically above its head.

Linnis called, and a bolt of lightning flashed from her hands. Instead of striking the body of the beast, however, the bolt was drawn to the very tip of its tail. A shudder ran through the Beast's body, and there seemed to be a flash of energy between its bared fangs, but it stood its ground.

What the hell was that? asked Gavin.

It must have the ability to absorb Magic! replied Linnis.

They can do that? Aster asked.

The Beast's tail fell down to its back, and it lunged again, knocking Gavin to the ground as its claws sunk into his left arm. He let out a cry, and with his free hand stabbed the creature in its side. The blade glanced off its tough hide, but created enough of a gash to cause it to break off its attack. Aster pounced it as it retreated, swinging his sword downward directly onto its neck. The blade passed straight through, and should have severed the Beast's head from its body, yet instead it simply fell to the ground, an angry red line where the blade had passed. As the creature struck the ground, the red glow spread out over its entire body, and the Beast seemed to evaporate into the misty air.

Are you all right? Aster asked of Gavin, although from the profuse bleeding of his arm, he could guess the answer.

It's just a flesh wound, observed Linnis. One of the Tonics should heal it completely.

Way ahead of you, said Gavin. With his uninjured hand, he withdrew one of the phials of light blue liquid, and raised it to eye level. Well, let's see what this thing can do, he said, and emptied the phial. An instant later, a blue glow surrounded him, with beams of light emanating from his wounded arm. When the light faded, the arm was completely healed, and even the blood was gone.

Aster said. That's nice.

Gavin nodded. Yeah. It feels a little weird, though.

It'll wear off, Linnis said. Magic potions do tend to overwhelm the more common senses, especially touch and smell. Only the strongest Mages can counter the effects.

Aster was examining the ground where the Beast had vanished, when something caught his eye. Hey, there's something here, he said, brushing away the grass to find a rough, uncut formation of an odd bluish crystal, about twice the size of his thumb.

Linnis stepped over, curious. Let me see it. When Aster simply glared at her, she rolled her eyes. I'm not going to steal it from you. I have more dignity than that.

Instead of biting off a reply, Aster handed her the crystal, and returned to examining the ground.

So what is it? asked Gavin.

Linnis turned it over in her hand, frowning deeply. I don't know. It doesn't look like an ordinary rock.

No kidding. Well, there's an orange one down here too. Aster picked up another crystal formation about the size of his palm. And...what the hell? He bent down closer to the ground, picking up several pieces of rather smooth, round grey-black metal, which seemed to be veined with silver when held close to the eye. These are gil, he said. Don't tell me that Beast had money!

asked Linnis.

That's what common folk use for money, instead of gold pieces, Gavin said.

She nodded.

So what would a Beast be doing with money? asked Gavin.

Linnis shook her head. I don't know. I've never even seen a Beast before.

Well, this thing was carrying upwards of sixty gil, Aster said. There are even a few ten-pieces in here. He held up five pieces which were bar-shaped and seemed to sparkle gold. I could live off this for a month.

So pack it away, and let's get out of here, said Gavin. The day's passing, and the fog isn't. I want to get back to the road.

Okay, okay, Aster said, slipping the money and the strange crystals into his pouch. So...I don't suppose anyone remembers which way is West? he asked.

He was met with complete silence from his companions. But off in the distance, another wail arose, and was quickly answered from the opposite direction.

We're dead, Aster moaned.