The two creatures stood at a standstill, as though they were playing some sort of game of chicken to see who might come out of their frozen state first and book it in the opposite direction through the dark fogginess of the pine forest. Rhaegal's hairs remained on end as his skin prickled. A chill flowing over him despite the fact that the air did not stir. Nothing did, savor the pale smoke which emanated from his empty sockets.

Eventually, however, a creature did finally stir, but it was not the pair of either who locked eyes (or lack thereof). It was Achlys. The real Achlys this time. Quietly, just nearly as the creature in front of Rhaegal, did he come out from the brush and moved along his young brother's side, then passed until he was situated somewhat in between the boy and the unknown cryptid. Maybe his elder brother had seen such creatures before. Maybe he had spoken with them, knew their ways.

Achlys told him not to run and quietly did the youth nod his head as his attention still remained transfixed on the creature before him. It was almost as though he couldn't tear away his gave from it. His focus trained onto those hollow sockets, the darkness there from which that pale blue mist stirred. Darker, deeper…

Rhaegal's ears swept back. I wont… He whispered to his dark brother. Though his mind told him he should do just that, his body seemed nearly in a paralyzed state. Was, was this creature doing this to him? How? By capturing others in his empty gaze? Maybe Achlys could learn such a power too.

Rhaegal had to admit, it was terrifying and yet, exhilarating all the same. Where did it come from? How did he wield such power? Were there others? What is it? He asks Achlys, for the creature was silent before them but to the voices, it would only move, slowly. A spidered leg lifted, a head slowly turning until it was tilting much too awkwardly as it looked at them.