Ruth was patient. Filled with seemingly endless understanding and tolerance, she could sit quietly and find the patterns to solve her problems. When she found herself in the strange world of the Underground, she took the time to learn and make friends. Ruth was very happy...until one day her patience faltered. And that one moment- that one misstep- led to her downfall.

Brandon was brave. Almost recklessly, he was ready to take on any situation, burning with courage, love for his friends and glowing orange magic. He powered through cold, hunger and fear, until he met a foe that was too strong, and his warmth petered out, leaving him frozen forever.

Payton persevered. With a constant goal in sight, they did everything in their power to learn and achieve. They stayed on track, making both friends and enemies, until they were betrayed, and even their perseverance couldn't help them to keep holding on.

Ivory had integrity. Always sticking to their morals and telling people the truths they needed to hear, they had a strong spirit despite the gravity that often weighed heavily on their soul. They danced and soared high in the air, until they were cut down to heal a hurt they had no part in causing.

Kendall was kind. Selfless, compassionate and full of love that they extended to everyone around them. They helped many monsters, but began to neglect themself, and little by little, the heat of Hotland turned their fragile sculpture of kindness into charred, melted mush, and them along with it.

Jayhawk was just. Forever standing up for others, and showing his fierce love for friends and family. He went looking for something important, but the realisation that he could not find it cut him to his core. He went on a rampage, his sense of justice twisted beyond repair, until those he hurt were forced to fight back.

Now Ruth waits. She's scared and lonely, but has vowed to stay patient, and holds on to the hope that her mother will find her.

Now Brandon waits. He's cold and weak, but tries to scrape together the shards of his bravery and convince himself that he's ready for whatever happens next.

Now Payton waits. They're curious, but saddened, consumed by what-ifs and betrayal. Only their perseverance keeps them from giving up completely.

Now Ivory waits. They're confused and missing their home, but they try to make the best of it and dance the pain away. Things will get better, they always do.

Now Kendall waits. They're stuck and hardened, but they refuse to lose themself, and they refuse to lose hope. They'll keep kindness in their heart, and who knows? Maybe something will happen.

Now Jayhawk waits. He's angry and filled with guilt, confronted with the realisation that his justice had turned into vengeance. Maybe, though, just maybe...he can be reunited with his sibling. That's all he wants now.

Soon, something happens. Something big, and freeing, and strange...but not good.

Once, Ruth was patient and understanding. Now she has nothing to wait for, no hope to hold onto, no way out of this hellish glass prison. She attacks because she has to, wanting to survive simply because she's so scared by the idea of dying for real. But by the time she hears a call for help, she has grown numb, and sees no harm in acting quickly for once. She has nothing to lose, after all.

Once, Brandon was brave but smart, to a degree. Now there's no trace of the line he used to draw, and all he knows is fighting. He's lost and scared, but knows he can't show weakness, so he lashes out at anything that moves. He hears a call for help and falters as it brings back a memory of when he stood on the other side of this fight.

Once, Payton never gave up on their dreams. Now they're dead, gone from the world but somehow still here, and they have no dreams to follow. They see no point in perseverance if there's nothing to work towards, so all the words they scribble in their journal are of hate and despair. Until they hear a call for help. They see that someone else has hope, and suddenly they have something new to strive for - helping someone in need.

Once, Ivory was honest and reliable. Now their existence is a blur. They don't know what's right or wrong, truth or lies, life or death, and their integrity has nothing to latch onto. They try to dance away, but their kicks are ones of force, not grace. It's only that call for help that gives them a moment of clarity.

Once, Kendall was boundlessly kind. Now, instead of sparing, they attack with the same burning hurt that others once threw at them. Caring for others has only brought them pain, suffering and death, so they lose the will to love. But then they hear a call for help that awakens something deep inside them, and they feel the fire of their bitterness die down just a little.

Once, Jayhawk was just and protective. Now, with his soul twisted in vengeance and his heart wracked with guilt, his last hope - that he might see his sibling again - has been ripped away, and his wrath has returned anew. But as he shoots bursts of light into the darkness, he hears a call for help, and his anger fades, replaced with guilt and a wish to stop hurting. A wish that can come true.

They band together.

They connect their magic.

They are filled with determination...

And together, they are free from the hurt and the vines and the glass. They are united, and reunited, and finally at peace.

For now.

And that's enough.