**Chapter 4: The Apparition in the Mist**

The creature's words hung in the air like a challenge, and Cormag felt a shiver run down his spine. He glanced at Sith, who stood tall, his sword at the ready, but his eyes never left the creature. The air was heavy with tension as the three of them stood frozen, waiting for the creature's next move. Cormag's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was this creature, and what did it want? The sorceress's words echoed in his mind: "The Slough is home to many dangers, not just the Raiders." He wondered if this creature was one of those dangers. The creature took a step closer, its eyes fixed on Cormag. "You are not from around here," it stated, its voice low and hypnotic. "You do not smell of the Slough." Cormag hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't know what the creature was looking for, or what its intentions were. Sith, sensing his uncertainty, stepped forward, his sword held high. "We mean no harm," he said, his voice firm. "We're just passing through." The creature's gaze flickered to Sith, and for a moment, Cormag thought he saw a glimmer of curiosity in its eyes. But then, its expression hardened, and it took another step closer. "You should not have come here," it repeated, its voice dripping with menace. "This is a place of death, and you will bring only destruction." Cormag felt a surge of fear, but he stood his ground, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He didn't know what this creature was capable of, but he wasn't going to back down. "We're not looking for trouble," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "We're just trying to find our way out of the Slough." The creature's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, as if searching for something. Then, it nodded, its movements eerily fluid. "I can help you," it said, its voice low and mysterious. "But you must first answer my question." Cormag hesitated, unsure of what to expect. But something about the creature's words seemed to resonate with him. He nodded, and the creature asked, "What is it that you seek in the Slough?" Cormag thought back to his conversation with the sorceress. He had been searching for a way out of the Slough, but also for answers about his past. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he knew he had to keep moving forward. "I'm searching for a way out," he said, his voice firm. "And answers about my past." The creature nodded, its eyes glinting in the moonlight. "I can show you the way out," it said. "But the answers you seek may come at a cost." Cormag felt a shiver run down his spine as he considered the creature's words. What cost could be involved? And what did this creature want in return for its help? He glanced at Sith, who stood watchful, his sword still at the ready. The creature seemed to sense their uncertainty, and it smiled, its lips curling up in a macabre grin. "Come with me," it said, its voice low and hypnotic. "And I will show you the way out of the Slough." Cormag hesitated, unsure of what to do. But something about the creature's words seemed to draw him in. He nodded, and the creature turned, its movements fluid and eerie. "Follow me," it said, its voice fading into the mist. As Cormag and Sith followed the creature into the darkness, Cormag couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. But he also felt a sense of hope, a sense that they might finally find their way out of the Slough. And he knew that he had to take the risk, no matter what the cost.