The Bear Guardians stood on their hind legs, forepaws held out as a warning not to approach the Forbidden Land. They were over two hundred years old, and it showed. Both were one hundred feet high and looked like they were carved from dark stone, but on closer inspection, it was obvious that it was just a facade. Patches of the fake stone had fallen away, revealing a corroded metal latticework inside. Black, vertical streaks of weathering and patches of moss and lichen covered their surfaces, enhancing their imposing presence.

Behind the guardians was a sheer drop-off, a slate and shale cliff two hundred feet high, which terminated below at the western bank of the Hud. In the river lay the ruins of an ancient metal bridge. The twisted and rusty metal remains lay draped over several oval concrete pylons, which emerged from the water at regular intervals.

The Forbidden Land, on the opposite side, was a dark and foreboding background for the Bear Guardians, enhancing Countess’ sense of dread.

As Countess’s team approached, two men dressed in modified Yorke kingdom soldier uniforms emerged from behind one of the statues. Their uniforms were not battle dress but more official or ceremonial in nature. The men had a somber look, and Countess could tell they were not happy to be receiving visitors.

Countess whispered, “These must be the guardians the Baron told us about.”

“Come not here, travelers,” said the older guardian. “Beyond, lies only death.”

“We’re here on the Baron’s business,” said Countess. She presented the Baron’s mark.

The guardian looked sad. “Very well,” he said. “I do not envy you your task, whatever it is. But if you bear the mark, it must be serious, indeed.”

The other guardian, at least twenty years younger than the first, said, “We will escort you to the crossing.”

“So,” said Lin. “I take it you don’t get a lot of people out here.”

“Some,” said the older guardian. “Most, we turn back. All who cross… never return.”

“Great,” said Vance. “Very encouraging.”

“You mean here,” said Countess, trying to keep the team positive. “They never return here. They could just return another way!”

The older guardian suddenly looked older and more sad. “Perhaps.”

The guardians took the lead and entered a treacherous switchback trail that hugged the cliff wall down to the river. The ground was dry, but the trail was comprised of loose slate and shale, so the risk of foot slips was ever-present. Close to the bottom, they arrived at a small plateau and took a rest. There was a nice view here of the river. In front of them were the ruins of the bridge, most of which had fallen into the water.

Countess noticed something on the ground, almost hidden in the grass. It was a faded blue sign, its twin rusted, metal posts bent harshly at their base, so the sign itself lay almost horizontal to the ground. It said: “Welcome to Johnson Iorio Memorial Park.”

After a snack from their backpacks, they started on the trail again and finished their trek to the river. The morning sun helped them find hand and footholds on the way down, but none of Countess’s team relaxed until they reached the bottom.

Not too far from where they had exited the cliff trail, they crossed two parallel metal rails with loose rocks under them. The rails ran far off into the distance, north and south along the river.

“What’s this?” asked Countess.

“Old-world tech,” said Vance. “They called them trains. They used these rails to transport people and goods.”

“Trains,” said Countess. “How did they work?”

“They had wheels, like on a cart, that would ride on top of these rails. The wheels had a flange to keep them on track.”

“Huh,” said Countess.

“Until yesterday, I couldn’t talk to you about trains. Forbidden topic—old-world tech. Operational security, and all that.”

“So what changed?” said Lin.

“The Baron briefed me before you arrived,” said Vance. “Said I could tell you anything you wanted to know.”

“That sounds like it could come in handy,” said Countess.

“I hope so,” said Vance. “Because I can’t fight. That’s on you guys. I’m useless in that capacity.”
 “We’ll see about that,” said Countess. “I might be able to teach you a few tricks.” She shot an intense look at Lin.

“I guess…” said Lin, “…I could teach you a few things, too.”

Countess smiled.

“Unless you piss me off,” said Lin. “In which case, I might let you take a few shots before stepping in.” He chuckled.

“I’ll… keep that in mind,” said Vance.

“We’re here,” said one of the guardians. Countess saw a small boat moored to a wooden post which had been driven into the shore.

“I will stay here,” the older guardian said. “My apprentice will take you across.”

Countess watched as the older guardian nodded encouragement to the younger one. But the younger guardian looked frightened and just moments from vomiting.

The team put themselves and their gear into the boat, which between Lin and Vance, they almost capsized twice. When they were settled, the younger guardian grabbed two short oars which were hidden nearby, got into the boat, and pushed them off from the shore.

Countess turned to look at the guardian who remained behind, but he was gone.

“Where—”

“What?” asked Vance.

“Nothing,” said Countess. She had more important things to think about now.

It took about twenty minutes to get across the river. The ruins of two great metal bridges were on either side of them. The one on the right was completely destroyed. The foundation piers, and random lengths of rusty metal, rising here and there above the surface, were all that remained. The one on the left fared much better. It mostly stood intact, but some of the top sections had collapsed. One in particular was hanging down almost vertically.

“Know anything about these?” said Countess.

“Not much,” said Vance. “The one on the right was called the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Later, they named it the F.D.R. after an important person. Lived in the area, I guess.”

“And the one on the left?”

“It started as a train bridge,” said Vance.

Countess said, “So, the metal tracks we saw before. They went across on top there?”

“Yes, but later, the tracks were removed, and people used it to walk across. Turned it into a park, or something. ‘Walkway Over the Hudson’ I think they called it.”

“That’s twice you used that word,” said Countess. “Hudson.”

“Yeah, in the old world, that’s what they called this river.”

The boat landed on the eastern shore.

“Give me your marks,” said the guardian. His speech was rapid, and he thrust out a hand and made urgent grabbing motions, as if the team were keeping him from relieving his bladder.

“You won’t need them in there,” he said. He raised his chin, indicating the looming dark cloud on the hill. Countess looked up at it and noted it looked positively colossal now.

Countess noticed his voice had become shaky. His previous cool demeanor was gone. Now he looked like a frightened teenager.

“We will return the marks to the Baron,” said the guardian. “This way, he will know we did our job and got you this far.”

“Thank you for the ride,” said Countess. They all handed their marks to the guardian, then rapidly removed themselves and their gear.

“Take care of each other,” said the guardian, as he pushed off from the shore. He was staring at the Forbidden Land and rowing fast.

“Because luck…” He swallowed, “…luck won’t help you in this forsaken place. I’ll pray for you!”

Countess turned to face the dark wall of slowly swirling cloud. It seemed to be alive, reacting to their presence. As they approached, the fog began to change shape, forming monstrous things, flying tentacled creatures, and lumbering hulks. The shapes stretched and morphed, fading into and out existence.

Low rumbling sounds and creaks echoed around them, as if massive structures were shifting and groaning under immense pressure. Occasionally, there were otherworldly clicks and scraping sounds that sent shivers down their spines. It was clearly trying to frighten them, and it was succeeding.

Countess stood her ground, her heart pounding. It whispered to her, voices just on the edge of comprehension, promising doom and despair. She clenched her fists, refusing to be intimidated.

Lin drew his sword, eyes scanning the fog warily. “This place is alive,” he muttered.

Vance looked like he might be sick. “Are we really going in there?”

“Yes,” said Countess firmly. “That’s our mission.”

The closer they got, the more intense the assault became. Shadows darted around them, and the sounds grew louder. Countess felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead, but she kept moving forward.

Countess was a few feet from the angry surface of the cloud wall, when it turned reflective. But it did not reflect the world around her or Lin or Vance. Only her. She saw her face change. It slowly screamed. Then it morphed into a wrinkled, old hag. Then her face melted off, completely, revealing the skull underneath.

“This is just the beginning,” she said, steeling herself. “Stay close, and don’t let it get to you.”

Lin nodded, gripping his sword tighter. “We’ve got this, Countess. Lead the way.”

Vance swallowed hard but managed a determined nod. “I’m right behind you.”

Taking a deep breath, Countess stepped into the fog, feeling its cold tendrils wrap around her. It seemed to pulse with life, an ever-present reminder that they were venturing into a place where reality could no longer be trusted. But she had to lead them through it. She had to keep them together, no matter what.

And with that, they disappeared into the mist, leaving the guardians and the relative safety of Yorke kingdom behind.