Chapter 28

In which nothing can describe the feelings Narlafayn feels

In the silvery palace that Einhasad and her children live in when they are not in their realms, the god of wind stood behind a pillar, listening to his brother Paagrio and sister Maphr talk. Before he could make sense of the things they were saying, he felt the presence of his mother arrive in the hall they stood in, and commanded them to remain far away from Eva that day, as she would be assisting in removing a threat from the world. Staring hard at the marbled ground beneath his feet, Sayha thought hard on what it could be his mother spoke of. His eyes widened as he realized what it was, and he turned to rush from the palace and head to the mortal plane.

"Where are you going?" Gran Kain's deep voice came, halting him in his steps. Sayha looked at his father, making sure to keep his face without expression. Gran Kain wore the cloak he always had draped over his body, but had his hood pushed back to reveal his face. His eyes were red this day, and Sayha knew that his father was in a sour disposition. Sayha swallowed nervously, thankful that he had his golden helmet covering his head at that moment.

"To visit the mortal plane of course, father. They are quite the amusing lot, those creations of yours…" he said, hoping he masked all of the nervousness in his voice. He bowed respectively towards his father before attempting to move past him. Without warning, Gran Kain lifted his hand slightly and the golden helmet concealing Sayha's face shattered, tiny bits of gold showering through the air like rich snow. Sayha reflexively lifted his hands as the armor broke, and his face was revealed to be poised in a frightened wince.

"You always were a bad liar, Sayha." Gran Kain said, approaching his son. While in their physical guises, Sayha was taller than his father, but now he was shorter as Gran Kain grew with his temper. He brought his face in close to Sayha's and glared at him, his eyes, including the whites, completely blood red. His pupils were slitted like Shilen's, and stood out demonically. "Where have you hidden it?" he asked, his voice but a growl. "Why is it that Einhasad's golem is closer to it than I am? Tell me!"

"I don't know what you speak of, father." Sayha said, forgetting to hide his nervousness now.

"Oh but you do." A grin spread on Gran Kain's face that chilled even the wind god to his core. "And you will take off your enchantments hiding it, or perhaps your mother should be introduced to her long-lost granddaughter…"

Sayha turned to face his father fully with this, his beautiful face contorted into a hateful anger. "Blackmail is a human trait, father. It does not befit the god of chaos." Sayha growled, trembling slightly. Knowing that he had Sayha's full attention, Gran Kain smirked and patted his son on the cheek as if Sayha were a child.

"It amuses me to behave as such, especially when it gets cooperation out of you." He said in a friendly tone. He turned away, pulling his hood up to conceal his head once more. "Don't disappoint me, Sayha. You have until the blood moon rises." He paused and glanced over his shoulder, shutting his eyes with his smile. "You might want to hurry up and get yourself a new helmet too…I know how the girls cannot resist your pretty face. Make sure to be stylish this time…that bucket you wore last time was embarrassing to behold." The shadows erupted in a swirl from Gran Kain's feet and surrounded him. As they returned to the spot in the ground from where they emerged, Gran Kain was gone.

Several things of oddity had happened to Narlafayn the day following her conversation with Terebel. First, Narlafayn had burst into Leon's room to wake him that morning, only to find a bewildered Sharmin in his bed. Knowing nothing indecent had happened between the two, she'd shrugged it off, but was still surprised that Leon would still place a sleeping Sharmin in his bed rather than her own. Second, after getting the Gatekeeper's spell cast on them, they were pulled not to Heine, but rather, somehow ended up outside of the Garden of Eva, several days' worth of foot travel from Heine. Third and last, Sharmin was reunited with Komugi, who happened to be traveling to the Garden herself for some reason. The final reason was good, but it puzzled Narlafayn as to why so much was suddenly happening all at once. She had the nagging feeling that the stage was being prepared for something, but she couldn't describe it.

"Garden of Eva? What the heck are we doing here?" Narlafayn asked as Leon shook water from his armor. The Gatekeeper spell had landed him in the water, right off of the beach they all stood upon. "Is there even a dimensional spell that brings people here?"

"Not that I know of…what happened in there?" Terebel answered thoughtfully. He bent over at his waist and began digging through the sand for his dual swords. Behind him, Junk Pixie ran across the sand, chasing a giant alligator-man known as a Nos. She waved her weapon threateningly, and the giant beast seemed terrified of her, despite the fact that she came no higher than his knee.

"There was a girl….in the vortex." Sharmin's voice suddenly came. Narlafayn looked up at her and blinked. "She asked for help and I took her hand….didn't you guys see her too?" Narlafayn gave Terebel a wide-eyed look and he shrugged and shook his head at her. She glanced at the faces of everyone around her, seeing if there was any familiarity in any of their expressions. The Sorceress traveling with Komugi who went by the name Melissan, smiled as Narlafayn's eyes met hers. Narlafayn's eyebrows quirked slightly as a portion of the girl's face suddenly cracked and flaked to the ground like dried clay. Blinking rapidly, Narlafayn rubbed her eyes quickly and squinted as she looked back at the girl. Melissan had turned her attention away from Narlafayn, and the cracked place was gone.

"Well now what, it's at least a full day's travel to Heine from here." Narlafayn asked, putting her hands on her hips. She put on a show of being annoyed, but truly she was disturbed at what she thought she'd seen.

"We'll continue onward." Leon stated maturely. "Something obviously called us here for a reason, and it's our duty to see who it was and why."

"Always the dutiful hand of god." Narlafayn heard Vuylay mutter next to her. "I don't think we should linger here, I don't feel right." She said in a low voice, unheard by everyone except her.

"This is great! We'll whiz right through the Garden at this rate." Valimos, a Dark Elf that had also been traveling with Komugi stated. There was something greedy about his attitude that made Narlafayn want to keep her distance, despite the fact that he was a Dark Elf. He clapped his hands together and rubbed them, adding to Narlafayn's earlier thought of him being greedy. "But if you get any treasure off of the guardian beasts in there, it goes to me, got it?"

"Not if I get it first." Junk Pixie stated, matter-of-fact. She had killed the Nos and was currently trying to stuff the head of a large club into her already full travel pack.

"Well you WON'T get it first then, will you." Valimos growled coldly.

"Now now…" Melissan interjected, holding her hands up. "It's not fair to demand such things from someone if they're the one who kills the monster." She said with a smile. Narlafayn rubbed her eyes again as she thought more of Melissan's face was crumbling.

"Shut up, human." Valimos growled.
"Alright, ENOUGH." Komugi shouted, holding her hands out. "This is nutty enough as it is. Valimos, shut up. Leon, you're insane, but if your idea gets us moving, then we'll go with it. The rest of you, either go away or start walking, I'm tired of just standing here staring at everyone like a dumbass!" Komugi's fists balled at her side as she seethed, and Terebel snorted in laughter at the face she made.

"You haven't changed a bit." Sharmin said happily. Komugi turned her head quickly to glare.

"Alright then, if we're going down there, shall I kiss everyone?" Vuylay said with a heavy sigh, dragging her feet to the center of the group.

"Kiss?" Narlafayn asked, her eyes wide. Vuylay paused and glanced over her shoulder at her.

"Yes, that is the way to cast the spell to help you stay underwater longer." She responded, lifting an eyebrow. "Haven't you ever had that spell before?"

"You're kissing the chicks." Komugi grumbled, moving away from Sharmin to stand next to Vuylay. "Oh, and you're kissing Valimos too." She added.

"Wait, you mean there's actual kissing involved?" Narlafayn tried again, panicking as it seemed there were no men who knew the spell the girls were about to cast.

"Can I kiss the pink-haired one?" Terebel suddenly asked his eyes bright. Without looking, Narlafayn crushed her heel into his boot, wincing as she realized he had metal plates over his toes. "The guilt from knowing how much that had to hurt you has driven away all previous desire behind my question. Buff me up, Vuylay." He said, his shoulders drooping. Vuylay glared at him for a moment before lifting her hand to her mouth. She concentrated for a moment as her fingertips touched her lips, then leaned forward and pecked Terebel's mouth. A blue glow washed over his body and he walked towards the beach, sheathing his swords as his feet touched the water.

Komugi gave Sharmin a wicked grin as she raised her own hand to touch her lips in a similar manner that Vuylay had done. Narlafayn put a hand to her head, knowing exactly what it was that Komugi was going to do. Spell on her lips cast, Komugi approached Leon with a grin and pecked his lips to cast the spell. As expected, Sharmin went rigid, and stared at her sister with bulging eyes. Doesn't take long for them to fall back into old habits… Narlafayn thought.

"Your turn." Vuylay stated, walking away from Junk Pixie and approaching Narlafayn.

"I'll just take my chances…" Narlafayn said, scooting away from her friend.

"Shut up, I don't want to do this either." Vuylay grumbled, grabbing Narlafayn's face roughly to keep her from scooting farther. Narlafayn felt a strange expanding sensation in her lungs as Vuylay kissed her, and blinked curiously as Vuylay moved on to Valimos.

Following after those who had been buffed, Narlafayn approached the shoreline. Quite a distance away, at the edge of the reef, Narlafayn could barely make out a blue glow from orbs lighting the entrance into the Garden of Eva. Taking a deep breath, Narlafayn dove into the water and began to swim towards the entryway.

She opened her eyes in the water and regretted it as the salt water burned them. Still she forced them to stay open as she swam, trying to see where she was going. Terebel, who had been treading water above the entryway, came down after she crossed into the cavern leading into a large room. Behind him was Valimos, followed by Sharmin, Melissan, Vuylay and Komugi. Leon and Junk Pixie were in the lead, Leon scoping things out before waving them all onward.

The water inside of the Garden's entryway glowed with a brilliant green pulsing light, and was unfortunately too cloudy to see far in. At the back of the entry room, the floor had crumbled away, leading to a hidden passage below. Not waiting for anyone, Narlafayn began swimming down, wincing as her ears began to hurt from the water pressure. She stopped halfway through the second room, squinting as something on the walls caught her attention. Quickly assessing how much time she had left before the air in her lungs went stale; Narlafayn left her path of travel and swam towards the wall.

Peering through the murky water, she squinted at the carvings on the wall. Could this be what Ferrol was talking about? Narlafayn thought as she ran her hands over the pictures. She saw a fearsome demonic being dropping a hammer from the sky, and then a bunch of squat creatures resembling dwarves taking the hammer and putting it in fire. A shot of pain went through Narlafayn's head behind her eyes and she shut her eyes tightly. Forcing them open again, she moved down the wall, her hair swirling about her as she peered through the murk once more. The next set of pictures made less sense. A snake had taken the hammer from the fire, and carried it to a being that appeared to be dead, or sleeping. Two beings held the hammer in the next carving, and were cowering underneath a frightful thing with wings.

She jumped as a hand snatched her by the wrist, and turned to find Terebel giving her a quizzical look. He motioned for her to follow him, and began to pull her down towards the pathway. Valimos was still struggling to swim downwards and Terebel toted her up a ramp and helped her out of the water.

"Hello, who's this?" Terebel asked as soon as the hair was out of his eyes. Narlafayn looked in annoyance and found him grinning at a blonde Elf standing near another Dark Elf.

"Amari?" Narlafayn said more than asked. The Spellhowler turned to look at her in mild surprise.

"Hello there, fancy meeting you here." Amari said politely. "This girl that Terebel is ogling happens to be my long-time friend Aerin." He introduced. Terebel looked away innocently as Narlafayn cast him another glare.

"Pleasure." Aerin said shortly, turning away from Terebel. His eyes widened at her disinterest and he gave Narlafayn a pleading look.

"It's been so long since I've had attention and now I'm loosing my touch." He whined.

"What are you guys doing here?" Narlafayn asked, ignoring him.

"Well you see, that's an interesting story…" Amari began. He broke off as the sounds of muted battle met their ears.

"Sharmin got caught by that fairy!" Komugi coughed as she trudged up the ramp. Without hesitating, Leon dove back into the water and swam back down. There was a tense moment of silence, and suddenly three heads broke the surface. Sharmin took in a loud gasp and coughed as Leon and Vlad towed her to the ramp.

"That was fun." Vlad said lightly, squeegeeing the water from his hair by slicking it back.

"If you say so." Leon sighed, turning away from him. Narlafayn raised her eyebrows in surprise at the muted hostility in his voice.

"Does the over-achiever not know how to have fun?" Vlad questioned in a babying tone, sheathing his swords upon his back.

"If a near death situation is your idea of a good time, then by all means, please return to the foyer and dispose of the Guardian Fairy. The rest of us will stick to more comprehendible means of entertainment that are more logical than nearly drowning while trying to dispose of an immortal creature." Leon snapped, helping Sharmin to her feet.

"How many of you are going to show up, anyway? What is this, a planned reunion or something?" Komugi interjected, interrupting the budding argument between the men. "Good grief, this is like the Talking Island convention." She grumbled, wringing her tunic out.

"Beats me, I was just told there'd be killing." Vlad said cheerfully. He turned to Amari, his smile fading into curiosity. "There will be killing, right?"

"Ok we're in, now where are we going?" Vuylay asked in irritation, wringing her ponytail out.

"Down!" Junk Pixie exclaimed, jaunting down a ramp happily. "My shinies smeller says there's lots of shinies to be had down this way!" she proclaimed.

A panicked feeling suddenly jolted through Narlafayn like lightning, and she paused halfway down the ramp to the next landing. She turned to look over her shoulder fearfully, halting Terebel in his trek behind her. He tilted his head at her curiously, and Narlafayn felt her face drawing up as she suppressed a sob in her throat.

"What's the matter?" he asked, concerned. He reached out and touched her chin in a comforting manner. "Don't worry, I'm here." He said with a smile. She swallowed against the tightness in her throat and gave him a feeble smile.

"Nothing's wrong…just a little concerned about why we're here is all." She said weakly. Terebel placed his hand on her face and rubbed her cheek lightly with his thumb, prompting her smile to become genuine with his own. Terebel leaned forward and pecked her cheek lightly before taking her gently by the wrist and pulling her to follow the group.

The journey through the Garden was uneventful for the most part. Narlafayn lingered behind the rest with Terebel, still not strong enough to be of any help against most of the monsters within the Garden. The place seemed to be several circular paths going around a center area filled with water with a tall tower jutting out of the middle. Doorways covered by waterfalls blocked one path from the next, and the party had to wait multiple times in a pathway until the door opened.

"Uh, guys, what's that?" She asked, peering through one waterfall to the next path. Below her floated an elegant looking lady wearing a black filmy dress. She seemed to be an apparition of some sort, as she lacked legs. "It looks like some sort of pale lady wearing black…She's got a bunch of floating guys wearing robes around her." Aerin was at her side in an instant, looking through the waterfall and sucking in a breath of wonder. Narlafayn had never seen a Spellsinger so enthralled by a place as she was. She seemed to be very deep within the religion of worshipping Eva.

"That's Eva's Guardian, Millenu." Aerin said, awestruck. "She guards the Garden from those who wish to harm our goddess, how could you not recognize her?" She looked at Narlafayn in an almost stuck-up manner, and Narlafayn cleared her throat nervously.

"I guess I didn't pay attention in school…" she said, giving Aerin a half-grin. Aerin frowned at her and returned to gazing at the Guardian. Narlafayn glanced sheepishly away from the other Elf and pursed her lips, making a note to herself to have Lavinia teach her about Eva some time.

"So how are we going to get past her?" Terebel asked, resting his chin on Narlafayn's head as he looked over it. He turned away with a wince a moment later. "That looks like it could be painful."

"Well, we could go with this strategy…" Vlad began, pulling a dagger from his boot and crouching to scratch a formation into the polished stone they stood on. Valimos stared at it for a moment then stood with a sour expression.

"We don't have time to cook up something as moronic as that." He said, turning away. His mood had been quickly turning sour at the lack of treasures he was gaining from killing monsters. Junk Pixie, on the other hand, had to borrow Melissan's travel pack to hold the amount of items she was procuring.

"Ok then, how about we send in a decoy and the rest of us run to the next doorway before they close?" Vlad suggested, looking pointedly at Sharmin, who stiffened and glared.

"I'll do it." Leon offered quickly. Everyone except for Narlafayn seemed to be surprised at his offer, and Vlad clucked his tongue in a disappointed manner. "Vlad and I are the strongest ones here, and I can take a beating longer than he can, so I'll do it."

"The over-achiever strikes again." Vlad mumbled. "I don't think endurance is the deciding factor this time." Leon stared at him expressionlessly, his jaw twitching as he tried to control his temper.

"What does he mean that he and Vlad are the only strong ones here?" Terebel grumbled, frowning at the blonde youth. Narlafayn looked up at him, and gave him a weak smile, but he didn't see it.

"Melissan!" Sharmin's voice suddenly cried, and Narlafayn turned to see her racing through the doorway leading to the next pathway.

"Sharmin!" Komugi screamed, and the group sprung into action, racing through the archway after her. Just as they passed through the first archway, the one on the opposite side of the new pathway closed again, Sharmin just barely making it through. Narlafayn froze behind Melissan, who was standing completely still in front of Millenu, her arms outstretched. A strange barrier shone around the Guardian, keeping her and her minions encased behind it.

"Forgive me my master, but it seems the wrong one went through." Narlafayn heard Melissan whisper. Her voice was rough, like she was talking through stone vocal cords.

"Melissan?" Leon asked, reaching a hand out to her. The instant his fingers touched her shoulder; she crumbled into a heap of dust like a dry sandcastle. Komugi cried out and covered her mouth to smother the rest of her shock. The barrier Melissan had encased Millenu in, imploded, taking the Guardian and her servants with it. Narlafayn stared at the spot, her own mouth open in shock, and gave Leon a look of worry. He had panic underneath his cool front, and he raced to the other archway as quick as he could. "Sharmin!" he shouted.

"I don't feel well…" Vuylay suddenly said. She hugged herself tightly, and stared at the waterfall blocking the next archway. Her face was colorless, and she trembled slightly. "Please, let's turn around and go back." She said, grabbing Narlafayn's arm. "I feel like if we go down there, I'll never see you again." Tears sparkled in Vuylay's eyes, and Narlafayn blinked at her in surprise.

"We'll be fine." Narlafayn said with a smile. It came out less than assuring though, her voice flatter than she had hoped. She too was getting the distinct feeling of foreboding, but she had to go on. She didn't know why, but even if Sharmin had not separated from the group, she would've wanted to continue onwards anyway.

"She was a golem?" Valimos' voice suddenly came. He stood over the pile that had once been Melissan, staring at it with large eyes. Narlafayn instantly recalled seeing the pieces flake off of Melissan, and it suddenly made sense. The feeling of foreboding grew into one of dread, and Narlafayn rushed to the archway, her eyes large.

"Come on, open." She urged it under her breath. She wanted to get Sharmin and get out of there. She had never seen such a well-made golem before, if that was indeed what Melissan had been. Something had planted Melissan with them to get them to go into that Garden, she just knew it.

It only took ten minutes after the archway was blocked for it to open again, and Narlafayn stampeded down the ramp leading into the center area. Perhaps if the situation was not so urgent she would've taken the time to gaze at the beauty of the tower, or how the ocean could be seen through the glass domed ceiling above them, but not now.

Komugi darted away from the group quicker than the rest, and called her sister's name as Sharmin walked towards an opening in the wall. It slid shut just as Komugi neared it, and the younger girl turned towards a floating monster standing nearby it, gazing at her without pity. The water was shallow, but as the party approached Komugi, strange creatures that looked to be men with seahorse bodies sprung from the water. Each wielded long pikes, and swung at them. They were known as Theeder Pikers, and were also guardians of Eva's Garden.

One swung repeatedly at Terebel, who deflected each swing with both swords. "Narlafayn!" he shouted. Narlafayn turned just as a Theeder Piker thrust his spear at her, cutting a wound in her stomach. He readied another swing, when suddenly an arrow hit him in the neck and laid him flat. He sunk beneath the shallow water, silvery blood spreading across the surface like oil. Behind him stood a dark-faced Vuylay, who lowered a crystallized bow. Behind her the others fought their own Theeders except for Vlad, who was crouched in the water, curiously draining an injured Theeder of his silvery blood.

"Looks like liquid metal…wonder if its properties are the same." He said to no one in particular.

"Not NOW Vlad!" Amari hissed as he cast a spell. "I don't get it, these things are usually so weak and easy to plow through, so why am I struggling?" he griped as he shut his eyes to cast another spell.

"Must be the power of a god." Vlad said in amusement as he made a surgical cut in the Theeder's chest.

"It's open!" Komugi's shout came. Without looking to see if Vuylay and Terebel were still with her, Narlafayn dashed after Komugi and down a long corridor. She skidded to a halt after Komugi, her eyes large. The corridor opened into a large square room, one single fountain set at the center. Water coursed down the walls and emptied into shallow channels that took the water elsewhere. Ahead of Komugi stood Sharmin and a girl with illustrious blonde hair that floated around her head like a cloud. She wore a strange shell-shaped headpiece, and would've been gorgeous if not for the look of terror on her face.

"Eva!" Aerin's voice came. She dropped to her knees beside Komugi in instant reverence. "Oh holy goddess, how you have graced us with your presence." She whimpered. This is a god? Narlafayn thought, tilting her head at her curiously.

"She looks normal." She said aloud, stepping forward to introduce herself. Eva began to whimper as she stared into Narlafayn's eyes, putting a stop to her feet.

"No, it is the one who will kill us all…" Eva sobbed, tears falling from her eyes. Narlafayn's lips parted slightly and she felt a stab of fear hit her own heart.

Do you want a life of your own? She heard the black-haired woman say in her head.

Noticing her distress, Leon stepped forward now and gave the goddess the gentle smile that usually left one feeling protected. "It's ok; we're not going to harm you." He said gently.

"Or will we?" Vlad said from behind Narlafayn. His voice held the tone of sadistic glee, and Aerin shushed him. Eva did not seem comforted by Leon's words, and drew away from them while holding her hands to her cheeks.

"Stay away from me, destroyer of gods!" she wailed. A waterspout erupted from her feet and encased her within it. When the water receded, Eva still stood before them, but she seemed taller and more mature. She lowered her hands as she stood up to her full height, towering above even Vlad a good foot. She stared down at them with a gaze as cold as the deepest parts of the ocean. This was a goddess to be feared, and Narlafayn's heart thudded in her chest in anxiety. Eva's eyes met hers and lowered in satisfaction.

"The ones you requested are in place, mother." She said her voice as cold as her eyes. Another waterspout encased her as she held her hands out. As the water subsided, the light in the room dimmed and a portal of light rolled open on the far wall. Images emerged on the other side of it like eyes coming into focus, and Narlafayn's breath caught in her throat at what she saw.

On the other side was a bustling city; very different from the cities of Aden. The houses were white, and had round roofs. A great cliff towered around the city and blocked out much of the sky from where they could see. Memories rushed through Narlafayn's head in a great flood, and she suddenly remembered everything she'd been struggling to recall for the past four years.

Vana'diel, San D'Oria, Gustaberg…all of these words that she had forgotten now was there, identifying everything she saw in the portal. The street led to the large fountain in the Marketplace. She could clearly recall sitting there, writing in the book that she was to give to her mother to explain her reasons for becoming an Adventurer. Zeal, the name of her mother came next in her memories, followed by memories of Juri, her best friend. Eclipses and Oona, the two people she was closest two in the linkshell that Eclipses had given to her while hunting in Gustaberg. Everything came back, even the memories of Rasta. She looked over her shoulder at Terebel with this thought, her heart in a conflict of emotions. What would happen if she stepped through that portal? Would she be able to return to Aden? Would Terebel go with her to Vana'diel?

"Holy Mother Einhasad, what is that?" Leon breathed. Narlafayn looked back to the portal, yearning to go through it and see her mother again. To throw herself in her arms and tell her all of this world and everything that had happened to her in it. To be scolded and tucked into bed when she was tired, her mother smoothing her hair from her head while she slept. Oh to return to being a little girl…it seemed very, very desirable to Narlafayn now.

"It's Bastok…" Narlafayn explained in a soft voice, reaching out a hand to touch the portal. "It's my home, the place I came from…" Terebel stiffened and tried to take a step towards her, catching the yearning in her voice. He recognized Narlafayn's silent wish to return, and he didn't want her to. He stopped, one leg bent and ready to take a step, as time was stopped within the room.

Too caught up in gazing longingly at the marketplace of Bastok, Narlafayn never noticed the portal of light opening up at the back of the room, in the air. She never saw the figure of light step from it and pull a bowstring taut as it aimed an arrow for her back. She was suddenly pushed roughly away from the portal by Sharmin as the arrow flew through the air. It struck the girl in the chest, slamming her into the portal, which began to suck her in like a thick jelly.

"A curse upon you Pirate King!" the being of light shouted as a new person with long blonde hair bound into a ponytail and wielding dual swords cut through it. Narlafayn could only sit on the ground with large eyes as Leon darted for the portal.

"Leon!" Sharmin exclaimed, her voice echoing and fading to nothing as the portal closed on her. Leon's fingers barely touched hers, and then she was suddenly pulled back by a great suction, the dimensional rift sealing up.

"SHARMIN!" Komugi cried, running up behind Leon a heartbeat after the portal shut.

"NO!" Narlafayn heard herself shout mournfully before bursting into tears. Vuylay was at her side in an instant, clutching her protectively to her body like a mother does a child. She rocked her and shushed her reflexively, now understanding that all of the stories Narlafayn had told her of the other world were real. The urge to cry fled Narlafayn quickly, and she stared out into the air with large eyes, her body wracked with shivers. Will I ever belong? She asked in her mind, but could not discern a reason for asking it. Oh mother…