"That sounds like a good idea," Hikari agreed, taking comfort in Siri's confidence. She pushed off with the oar and swung the boat around to begin their trip back to Walthus's place.<br/><br/>In the failing light of the evening, the marsh became even more sinister than it had been during the day. Trees loomed out of the foggy darkness like giants, their branches creaking and sighing in the wind as they appeared to reach out towards the boat. More than once a low-hanging vine or bough brushed against the girls with a cold touch wet with dew as they passed by. Nocturnal animals came to life, their chitters and squeaks echoing across the swamp, their forms unseen though their sounds were never far away, seemingly following the boat.<br/><br/>This went on for a while as Hikari tried her best to navigate the maze-like waters back to their origin, until suddenly the sounds died away, plant and animal alike falling silent, even the wind becoming still. An eerie sensation crept over the girls, as though someone or something was watching them... there! Siri caught a glimpse of a pair of eyes shining red in the dark, before the mysterious creature turned and ran into the fog, offering another glimpse of canine-like hindquarters before it disappeared in the misty darkness.