Tam's perspective:
They glittered into a foggy valley and Tam squeezed Lihn's hand a little tighter. They couldn't see more than a few yards in any direction. The mist was too thick.

They walked forward, not sure where they were going.

There was movement in the fog behind them. They all turned, weapons drawn.

Marella jumped out of the fog. "Woah! It's just me.

"Marella?" Sophie dropped her arm to her side.
"What are you doing here?" Biana appeared out of thin air next to Marella, who freaked out.

"Mr. Forkle hailed me and explained the situation." Marella explained. "Then, he asked me to go with you."

Tam looked at her skeptically.

"It's true." Marella returned Tam's glare.

"It doesn't matter." Sophie cut in. "You're here now, so, let's just find Valerie."

"You'll be looking for a long time." Valerie's voice echoed out of the fog. "I don't know who this Valerie is, but I can assure you," she walked out of the mist before them, "I'm not her."

Tam heard Wylie suck in a breath.

"You're right." Tam growled. "You're not her."

She smirked at him. "It looks like someone is finally catching on."

"Why are we here?" Sophie asked. "You could've easily come to us."

"Well there's your answer." Valerie replied. "I didn't want to give you the home field advantage." She thrust her hand towards them and spikes of ice erupted from the ground.

They jumped out of the way, rolling across the damp grass.

Valerie chuckled and disappeared into the fog.

"Where'd she go?" Marella called.

"I can't see her." Fitz's pained voice carried through the fog. He must've strained his injured shoulder.

Tam walked carefully towards the others' voices, watching for Valerie to appear.
He bumped into someone and they both jumped.

Tam whirled, weapon raised to find Wylie in a similar position.

They both sighed.

Valerie chuckled, her laugh echoing through the valley louder and louder.

Suddenly, Lihn shouted. "Get out of the fog!"

The world went cold and Tam found himself completely covered in ice. It layered thick over his body and his hair was blanketed in frost.

The air was filled with thousands of tiny frozen droplets that rained down, covering the ground and clearing away the mist.

Grady, Wylie, and Marella stood frozen like Tam.

Valerie stood in the center of their group.
It took Tam a second to realize, Sophie, Fitz, Biana, and Lihn were gone.