21

[Anastasia]

Silence falls on that, quiet and respectable. What is there to say in face of that?

Content to wait for Iddy's node to finish that segment of it?

[Corwin]

We have no choice, so yes.

[Ebiris]

Waiting, yes.

[Corwin]

I'll make sure that my missing Node members will show up to wait with us, since if we're skipping Tryll and Sylvie's time is running out better that they all experience what happens first hand. And Donald and Elle didn't have a chance to practice, so they can try here offscreen I guess.

[Anastasia]

Noted.

[Anastasia]

As Alicia, Seira and allies wait? Everyone is there, talking quietly when...a shake. Another shake. The last door vanishes before Alyssa and Moore return, friends in tow.

"How did it go?" Syala asks as you all return, but there's hardly time.

Here. Hurry. I thought I had more time.

A blue portal appears before all of you.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Poorly and well at the same time. Seems we have more pressing things."

[Corwin]

Inside, Seira declares, heading into it.

[Ebiris]

"Haste, then," Alicia says as she hustles through the newly formed portal.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa motions her people through and follows.

[Nephrite]

Moore goes through as well!

[Anastasia]

Thus everyone goes through - no time for talk, no time for anything.

Light!

Light!

LIGHT!

Overwhelming light is everywhere. For Alyssa and Moore, it is merely blinding. An overwhelming light. For Alicia and Seira, it is like a dagger to the throat, ready to cut them open. Sheer, animal terror rips through them like claws, only decades of hardened battles and victories enough to stop from screaming in fear.

"....Help..." Amaryl shivers, shaking violently.

Antenora looks on, "Sylvie?" she manages, only a dull tremor to her words.

Dolmaya's striding ahead already, "Where are you?"

"...just...over here..." A voice. Sylvie's voice, her real voice. "...Moore, I kept my promise. Come here."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa moves to help those that seem to be struggling, hoping to guide them.

[Corwin]

She's been frightened by the best! Or would that be the worst? Either way, Seira doesn't let it stop her.

"Tell us what's wrong with you so we could extend your life enough to figure out a solution," she says, forcing herself to head into the light towards Sylvie's voice.

[Ebiris]

Alicia flinches but marshals her willpower and forces herself to advance towards the sound of Sylvie's voice, deeper into that deadly light.