The next morning, the group slowly emerged from their tents, drowsy and cold. Ryu volunteered himself as the campfire starter. Horo Horo at once demanded to be fed. However, as they sat around the newly-lit fire, they noticed one of their companions hadn't emerged from their tent...Faust VIII.

Usually they wouldn't question his behavior, but from experience, they knew he was always up early, either because he did not sleep all night in the first place, or he was an early riser. Also, Anna didn't like people that slept in.

"Yoh, could you get sleeping beauty from his tent?" Anna muttered as she eyed Faust's tent.

"Me?" he said, while snuggling himself comfortably in blankets.

"No, I'm asking for Manta to go look."

Manta hid.

"I guess I'll go check on him." Yoh said, peeling off the blankets.

He walked over to the tent, and suddenly felt a chill go up his back. He motioned Amidamaru to come over to him. Yoh noticed something odd about the tent. One side of it was at a slant. He walked over, and gasped. On the side of the tent, there were several large slash marks. Peeking inside, he saw Faust, sitting and staring back at Yoh. However, he seemed to be spacing out, because five seconds later, Faust jumped back and shook. Yoh quickly went back to the door and let himself in.

"What's wrong, Faust?" Yoh asked.

"It's nothing, really." he smiled back awkwardly.

"Those holes there aren't nothing?"

"Well, last night it was really windy," Faust sighed as he seemed to try settling his nerves, "and all of a sudden, I heard this tearing sound. The side had been slashed. I thought whatever did that was going to try coming in, so I sat here and watched for it."

"All night?" Yoh said surprised.

"I don't mind." Faust smiled weakly, "I didn't want anything to happen to either my dear Eliza or any of you. Besides, I'm used to it." he finished as he pointed to his circles that decorated his eyes.

Yoh tried not to raise an eyebrow.

"Well Anna wants you to come outside." Yoh said as he started to leave.

"I guess I will then. But could you ask her when we're leaving?" Faust asked as he stretched his long arms.

"Why?"

"I don't know, Yoh, but I don't like being here. I've had this bad feeling ever since we entered here, hell, the forest. I suggest we try leaving here as soon as possible."

"Me too, but I think it'll work out in the end if we don't do anything to offend the spirits that live here."

"I don't know. Whatever that was last night felt evil."

"Spirits aren't evil, and you know that better than anyone else does."

"Maybe it was a demon." Faust said as he snuggled his blanket next to him.

"Whatever it was, we'll take it on if it tries anything." Yoh smiled and laughed.

Faust smiled back softly with a small boost of confidence.

The group started their daily trek towards Patch Village in the snow. The sun glistened on the ground, making the fresh snowfall almost light up. The pine trees were laced with snow also, their needles frosted with an icy film. Ryu had to carry Manta on his shoulder, otherwise Manta would have been stuck in the ground, and he refused to be picked up by Faust, even when he started sinking further into the snow.

However, someone else was now having trouble getting through the snow.

"Ren, hurry up!" Horo Horo yelled.

Ren shot him a glare back.

"I don't need encouragement from you, nor do I need help, so let go of me Faust."

Faust let go quickly, treasuring his arms. However, when Jun Tao picked up her little brother, Ren, he did not snarl or threaten to spill blood. He only blushed slightly when his sister put him down.

Everyone else tried not to giggle.

"I know you all wanted to laugh, so go ahead! But I'm warning you, you'll be one voice box short come tomorrow."

Everyone started to looked away innocently.

"Better, now Yoh, do you-damn wind!" Ren yelled as a sudden blast of wind shot past him.

The area, directly hit by the sun's rays, suddenly dropped down to freezing. The wind was unusually strong, and seemed to made a howling noise. The group huddled together, its weakest members in the middle, while the stronger ones stood on the outside. Yoh noticed how the wind seemed to be running around them, feeling it come closer and closer. As quickly as it came, it knocked down Faust off to the side, a spray of blood accompanying his fall. The group went over to him as he laid on the snow, screaming in pain. The wind continued to blow.

"Wh-wha-what hit you!" Horo Horo screamed.

"I don't know!" Faust cried as he held the lower right of his neck, "Damn, look at all the blood I'm bleeding!"

The snow around him turned a pinkish red.

"You just sit right there while we wait for it to leave." Yoh reassured him, "As soon as it leaves, we'll try finding some help."

"...I'm a doctor, Yoh."

"Oh, well do you think you can Oversoul Eliza? She can watch you for now."

"I thin-." Just then, Faust passed out.

Frightened, Yoh lifted Faust's head, some of his blond hair stained pink from his own blood. The wind blew past them fiercely, and then slowed down drastically. Snow had begun to fall."Look over there!" Manta yelled.

Between some trees, a large white wolf watched them, growling. The only color it had besides white was the bright yellow eyes it used to stare, and the deep red blood dripping from its bared fangs. It snarled a bark, and then ran off into the disappearing wind.

Everyone else had a look of terror on their faces, except Yoh. He wore an expression of concern.