It is known that in some parts within the Malchor's Leap and Cursed Shore regions of the Ruins of Orr, all forms of healing near the statues of Dwayna are reduced and less effective. However, in this alternate timeline, that same environmental effect has expanded to the entire world and cannot be disabled, thanks to the amplified dark energy of Zhaitan's corruption. Healing is still possible but takes longer than usual. As for resurrection, it too is possible but the chances of a successful revival is extremely small.
Black Citadel
Corrupted timeline
In the Charr capital city of Black Citadel, the Vidells have taken refuge there in an attempt to distance themselves from UHoT until they are all fully recovered, especially the Norn warrior Alexis. A few days ago, she was severely injured at the hands of Diina and Zigg. If Kira had not intervened and fought the Asuran duo into retreating, she would most likely be dead.
The city is commanded by Rytlock Brimstone, a male Charr warrior, and is the only Charr known to exist, with no sign of any others found. He has a companion in the form of Caithe, a female Sylvari thief and one of the Firstborn. Her relationship with Rytlock is strictly business and personal survival. With the loss of The Grove, she too needed a new home.
They and the Vidells are the only ones in the city. Most of the statues built as tribute to their legends of past are destroyed or in partial ruin. It is late evening and Alexis is outside the eastern gate on border patrol. Kira is guarding the northern gate. Despite not being fully healed, Alexis was tired of laying around doing nothing and wanted to return to her duties. Both are wearing a special communication device on the left forearm that, with the press of a button, can activate a warning siren loud enough to be heard throughout the city and alert the others.
"Kira to Alexis, how are you holding up?"
The incoming communication startled Alexis briefly. She forgot to turn down the volume to prevent such a reaction. She adjusted the volume setting, took a deep breath and pressed a button to talk back.
"Nothing going on at the moment. Hard to tell what's out there as dark as it is. All I got is this single torch on the wall to see anything at all."
"I know what you mean... but I was mainly asking about your health."
Alexis paused before continuing. "Slowly improving, able to walk a little better. Just needed to stretch my legs and feel the cold winds blowing on me... reminds me of home."
By 'home', Alexis was referring to Hoelbrak, city of the Norn. Like the Grove, it is also completely destroyed, thanks in part to UHoT and a small Risen army that arrived, targeting all non-Risen.
"We should be relieved in a short while. I'll help you back to the barracks at that time."
"You know where to find me. Out." The communicator channel closed automatically. Alexis rotated her head around to loosen a stiff feeling in her neck, then stretched her arms upward and around, doing her best to stay awake.
As she was beginning to lower her arms, an arrow struck her left forearm with strong velocity, pinning her arm to the gate and even penetrating the gate itself. Alexis screamed in pain. After a few moments, she tried to free herself but noticed the arrow had damaged the communicator, rendering it useless. A second arrow was fired. This time, instead of hitting her, it struck the gate to her right. Still pinned to the gate, she turned on instinct, thinking it was striking her.
The second shot not only had a scroll attached but it served as a diversion tactic as a third pinned Alexis' right forearm to the gate. Then another arrow on her wounded left leg. The screaming intensified. She is now completely unable to defend herself. From the shadows, a small dark figure rushed over to her location, stopping just in range of the glowing torch.
Nymhe of UHoT.
Back at Vigil Keep, she suffered about the same amount of injury as Alexis. Yet now, she appears to be fully healed or close to it. How was this possible?
The ranger put away her longbow, pulled out a dagger and stabbed Alexis with it in the throat from the side, damaging her vocal cords but not the ability to breathe. The screaming has silenced, as intended. Alexis could not even open her eyes due to the overwhelming pain. Nymhe's facial expression was totally void of any emotion.
"Thought you can hide from us way out here?", Nymhe said in a cold heartless tone. Very slowly, she turned and twisted the dagger, increasing the torture. "Think again." She then heard what sounded like a group of footsteps in the distance running to the gate. The screaming had alerted both Kira and the others inside. "Just as I was beginning to have fun."
She quickly pulled out the dagger from the Norn's throat. For a brief moment, Alexis was able to open her eyes. Nymhe would be the last thing she ever saw as the dagger was thrust in her head, between the eyes.
Kira and Rytlock had broken off the arrowheads from inside the gate. Violet and the necromancer Charsi Videll held the now dead body of Alexis from falling as Engie and Lynni pulled the arrows out from their end. Violet and Charsi carefully brought Alexis inside and set her on the ground. By the time they even arrived at the gate, Nymhe was gone.
Only the Vidells were in mourning. First, it was Azeena, now Alexis. They have not managed to kill a single member of UHoT to date. Rytlock could feel the pain of their loss but the Charr are not known to cry. He inspected the damage done by the arrows.
"I might be able to patch these holes, assuming I still have any repairing tools left somewhere. Hmm, perhaps installing a metal gate would be better."
For the most part, the Vidells were not listening to him, still kneeling on the ground by Alexis. Caithe entered the gate with the scroll from the second arrow in hand. She has already read what it says. The others somehow didn't notice it being out there.
"Violet, do you have a moment?" Caithe asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
After a few moments, Violet stood up and faced her, seeing that the firstborn was not crying as well. "How can you stand there and not be in sorrow?"
"I will mourn in my own way at another time. There is another pressing matter I need to share." She raised up the scroll. "Found this outside the gate. It is addressed to you. By name."
Violet took it from her hand and started to read silently.
Kira stood up and approached, wondering what's going on. "What is it?"
After reading, Violet slowly let the scroll fall from her hands and quickly walked away, struggling to keep from screaming. All the others were now concerned over the reason for it. Kira picked up the scroll and read it out loud.
'Two down, six to go. Violet, you will be the last to fall... so you can watch all your sisters perish.'
It was in Selene's handwriting.
