The whole of Parades was shrouded in darkness, and the stars and moon were obscured by trees, and except for the faint light of a few houses, it was barely visible. Relying on the only light and familiarity with the streets of Parades, Fern walked slowly out of the village. After rounding a few bends, the group walked into a path between the trees, which was the only way into the village, and it would not take long to get out of the woods as long as they followed it. "Keep up, out of the woods you can ride a horse. Fern looked back.

Outside the woods, the sky was not yet completely dark, but there was still a glimmer of light on the horizon, and the deep blue sky was already full of stars.

"Get on the horse, don't ride too fast first, so that the horse can run more. Fern jumped into the saddle and motioned for his companion to follow.

The group rode on the vast plains, with brilliant stars overhead, and the deep starry sky seemed to overwhelm the sky and embraced people.

Ness was fascinated by the beauty and couldn't help but let out a sound of admiration.

Ray thought of something, rode up to Fern and asked, "What did you see when you went out?"

"Another person. After they connected, the tavern man took something from him and ran away. Fern glanced at Ray.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" asked Rui, puzzled.

"No, no. Fern licked his lips, "But then the man looked over where I was hiding, and it felt ......" Fern swallowed, momentarily speechless.

"Is it that you can't move, you can't make a sound in your throat, and the whole person seems to be obsessed?" Rui asked nervously.

"That's right, I still have palpitations when I think about it. Fern shook his head and looked at Rui, "Did you think of anything?"

"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, they're the Demons, and the people in the north call them Demons. Rui frowned and pulled his cloak a little tighter. "I didn't expect the dark tide to have penetrated to this point. ”

"What's that?" Fern had no clue.

Ness rode on the other side of Fern and took Fern's words, "They are recorded in some ancient books of the Mage Tower, and they are mentioned in the books by several names, in addition to the two that Rui just mentioned, they are also called Faceless or Fearful, and like ghouls, they are also products of magic, but the difference is that there are not many Evil Spirits in the Dark Tide, usually one Evil Spirit can rule dozens or even hundreds of ghouls. ”

"If it were just that, there's no reason why I'd be so scared. Fern chimed in.

"Demons have the ability to shock the hearts of humans, and almost all those they are staring at will not be able to move, although they are clearly conscious, but they can't even scream. Rui explained.

"Not only that, but even they themselves are enough to make the opponent in front of them scatter. Ness leaned over Ferne, "Legend has it that the Spirits' eyes are completely gray, they have no pupils, they don't have noses or lips, and they have a crack in their mouth to make sounds. ”

"So the humans are basically dead when they meet them, hasn't anyone ever defeated the demons?" Fern's hand gripping the reins tightened unconsciously.

"Yes, but rarely, only those who can overcome their deepest fears are likely to fight the demons, and ......" Ray paused, as if sensing something, she looked back at the way she came, and after confirming that there was no situation, she continued, "The swordsmanship of the demons is not bad, ordinary people are not their opponents at all, only human swordsmanship masters can match them. ”

Ness hurriedly looked at Fern and asked hopefully, "Fern, do you think you can defeat the Spirit?"

Fern shook his head in shame, "I'm afraid not. ”

Ness pursed her lips, speechless.

"You don't have to be ashamed, no one is to blame for being afraid of demons, at least you have a name for yourself. Rui said lightly on the side.

Fern was silent, looking up at the starry sky, he hadn't felt this powerless for a long time, the last time he felt this way was years ago, when he watched his companions along the way die in front of him one by one but couldn't do anything, he even doubted the value of living in this world.

No one spoke, everyone thought about their own thoughts, and only the rhythmic sound of horses' hooves could be heard under the silent night sky, and at this moment, it seemed as if there were only three people left in the whole world.

Suddenly, Rui felt a strange sense of oppression coming from behind her again, and she looked back uneasily, and there was no one in sight as far as the eye could see across the plain.

Fern sensed her move and looked back. "What's wrong?"

"I can't be sure, but ......," Rui frowned, "I could feel something coming after us." ”

"Is that guy at the hotel? or ...... Demon?" Fern tensed.

"No, it's not a demon, I can feel it. Rui closed his eyes, "But there's a dark tide." ”

"What's that, we might be able to repel them. Ness took her wand from her waist and held it across her horse with both hands.

"If I were you, I would definitely try to avoid fighting them. Rui looked around nervously.

At this time, there was a terrible scream from behind the three people, which was terrible and terrifying, and then there were screams behind the two wings, and the source of the sound just surrounded the three people, and there was only one way to go.

"Is this a wolf?" Nessy tried her best to soothe the frightened mare.

"Yes, but it's not an ordinary wolf howl, it's a bit abnormal. Fern replied.

"They have the aura of a dark tide, and they are no ordinary wolves anymore, or rather, they are no longer wolves. Rui couldn't hide the nervous look on his face.

"Whatever it is, we'd better speed up and follow me. Fern tightened the reins, clipped his mount between his legs, and galloped out.

Ness and Ray glanced at each other, urging the horse to catch up with Fern. Patches of low bushes passed over the three of them, and the horses' wheezing grew louder and louder, and screeching came from behind and from the sides, a sense of oppression against the pursuers.

Ness felt like her ass was about to be turned upside down, but Fern had no intention of stopping. Small patches of trees began to appear in the distance, and the surrounding grass gradually increased. Fern looked up at the starry sky, and after a few moments, he found the right bearing, and continued to gallop with Ness and Ray to change the direction of travel a little. The screams also turned around, still in hot pursuit.

I don't know how long later, the woods began to appear in large areas, and the grass became very lush, and there were even some small puddles in the grass, and when the horse rode by, there was a splash, and the screaming gradually faded away, although it was not completely shaken off, but the hearts of the three of them were no longer as fearful as before.

By this time, Ness's mare was almost at its limit, and every step seemed like it was using all its strength, but this was beyond Fern's expectations, and he didn't expect this mare to be so resilient. Fern and Ray's horses, though taller and longer-legged than Nice's mares, were not much better, and they were exhausted by the long runs. Of the three, except for Ferne, who was in good shape, Ness and Rui barely grasped the reins and half-crouched on the horse's back to lighten the burden on their butts, but even then, they could barely feel their hips and thighs.

Seeing that he could not run any longer, and that the pursuers would not be able to catch up for a while, Fern slowly reined in the reins, allowing the horses to come to a gradual halt at the edge of a puddle, and the three horses seized the opportunity to gasp for air and drink. "The horses are at their limit, we have to figure out a way. Fern lifted the sheepskin bladder and took a sip.

Rui Shen exhaled and closed his eyes. "We don't have much time, they're still chasing, and once we stop, we're slowly catching up. ”

Ness rubbed her numb ass and her voice trembled, "Fern, is there anything you can do? ”

Fern circled the puddle and surveyed the surrounding woods, and in front of one of the woods there was a canal that connected several large puddles, which were not wide or narrow, and could barely accommodate a raft to pass through. Fern pondered for a moment, then looked back at Ness and Ray, who looked at Fern suspiciously, not knowing what he was thinking.

"It's already a black swamp, and wolves can't outrun long-legged horses here, and I think I can get rid of them. Fern seemed to have made up his mind.

Ness frowned in bewilderment, but Ray heard Fern's plan. "Don't do anything stupid, it's not dead yet. ”

Fern ignored Rui, pointed to the woods and continued, "That woods over there, you go over the canal in front of you, stay inside and don't come out, no matter what they become, they must have retained the characteristics of wolves, and they tracked us by smell." ”

"I said mercenaries, don't do stupid things! There must be another way. Rui raised his voice this time.

Fern didn't seem to be listening to what Rui was saying at all, he dropped his hand pointing at the woods and looked at the two of them. "Go over the canal and they won't be able to smell you. ”

"And what are you going to do with Fern?" asked Ness, shaking her head, "Shall we hide in the woods together?"

"No, someone has to lure them away, or they'll know we're nearby and will be spotted sooner or later. "When the wolves are over, go in the direction you just now, and don't stop, and the next day you will be at Wet Harbor, and when you get there, go find the Swamp Rose Inn, and wait for me there." ”

"You're killing yourself, mercenary!" Rui said sternly to Fern, "You don't have a chance of win......ning!

Before Rui could finish his words, the scream sounded again, more rapid than before, and the horse raised its head alertly, and a sense of oppression hit.

"Remember, Swamp Rose!" Fern turned his horse's head and galloped away in the other direction.

Rui shook his head and sighed, leading the horse towards the woods. "Let's go, they're not far away. She urged Ness to follow her.

Ness reluctantly looked at Fern's distant back, and said to herself worriedly, "Can Fern get rid of them?"

Rui's tone returned to calm. "All we can do is pray for him. ”