Chapter 25: Natural Connection
Attention all planeswalkers! This is Jace Beleren again, the… now former Living Guildpact. If you can hear this, then please, listen carefully to what I have to say. You've no doubt seen the sudden change in our situation. Do not, under any circumstances, allow any Eternal to make physical contact with you. I'm not quite sure how, but even a single touch is now enough for them to kill. Keep your distance at all costs! Only fight if you can maintain some range, otherwise, try and evacuate to the outer city limits, past the Simic Combine. There's a temporary shelter for those who need it. But please, if you are able to fight, you are needed. My allies and I are still working to put an end to this, so any help you can offer is infinitely valuable. Thank you.
It had been several minutes since this psychic transmission played across Ravnica, but the words still echoed in Chandra's head. Even deep in the Selesnya Conclave's territory, surrounded by the tumultuous sounds of combat, it came in loud and clear. She was grateful to hear that Jace was alive and that his mission was still going, but now, she wanted nothing more than for the telepathic remnants to leave her mind and let her focus on the task at hand.
When Jace's voice suddenly appeared, Chandra had nearly tripped over her own feet, which would have undoubtedly sent a fireball careening off course. She managed to catch herself in time, planting her feet on the pavement and slinging the messy immolation towards an incoming Eternal. It barely missed, leaving a scorch mark on a nearby wall. She had cursed under her lips, blaming Jace's intrusion for her inability to hit. Unfortunately, most of her brain knew that it was not Jace's fault, as it was far from the only attack she had missed recently. Something was bothering Chandra, but she did not know what.
It had nothing to do with the shifting scenery of their advancement, the industrial landscape of the city now almost completely subjugated by verdant greenery that she barely noticed. Surprisingly, she also knew that it was not the suddenly darkened sky, nor the malodorous aura billowing from the Eternals flanking her on all sides. If Chandra was completely honest with herself, she knew that her attention should have been on all these things. Instead, her oft-scattered brain was keenly focused on the movement and attacks of her allies. Rather, on one specific ally.
Since her rescue, Chandra could not take her eyes off Nissa. Even as she moved forward and slung disparate fireballs at the enemies, her attention could not pull away from the elf. Though their reunion had been everything Chandra had wanted for so long, she knew that halcyon daze could not last forever. She was fine with that. They had a mission to accomplish, and though she wished they could spend some personal time together, now was not that time. There was little time to talk as they worked their way through the Selesnya territory, consistently plagued by all manner of Eternal. Whatever sparse communication there had been evaporated with the Elderspell's activation. Still, even this did not damper her spirit, as any time she caught Nissa's eye, she was always greeted by a smile that, while subdued, made her heart flutter. And yet, even in the face of all this, there was something about Nissa that filled Chandra with unease.
Articulation of ideas was never Chandra's strong suit, which most likely explained why this mystery absorbed most of her attention. She intently watched Nissa, currently commanding a nearby tree to skewer a line of Eternals with an enhanced branch. From a simple look, it was the same as any other spell Nissa had cast on any of their myriad missions together, but for Chandra, this was not the case. She could see, and practically feel, a difference in Nissa's motions. Normally, her body swayed with the natural rhythm of a windblown leaf, but now, she was curt and stiff. There was a choppiness, an almost apparent reticence to her spellcrafting. Chandra saw this, recognized it, but could not understand it, and it was driving her insane.
What's wrong with her? It can't just be the zombies, right? She's seen zombies. She's seen plenty of zombies. She's killed so many zombies. And it's not like they can get close to her. So, what is it? Did I do something? Oh gods, what did I do?
Her thoughts continued to spiral, swirling around the basin of her brain in an exhausting whirlpool. She had reiterated the same points ad nauseum, but she was still unable to quell the storm. There was little doubt she would be stuck in this fugue for the duration of her journey, but a sudden call from Jaya was enough to pull her focus back to the front line.
"I think I see it up ahead. Chandra, help me clear a path!"
Her head snapped towards the call, where she saw Jaya brandishing her pinpoint fireballs against a veritable wall of Eternals standing in their way. Past this opposition, however, was a sight that instantly grabbed Chandra. During their excursion through the Selesnya sector, they had been continually flanked by either sprawling gardens, meandering parkways, or pristine, open-air greenhouses sprouting a cornucopia of vegetation. Now, after plunging as far into the area as they could, the minimal structures were fading from view, opening to reveal the massive, awe-inspiring sight of Vitu-Ghazi, the City-Tree.
Chandra had never thought much of nature, seeing it more as a pleasant alternative to the mechanized cities of her home or the flat expanses of her training. The sight of Vitu-Ghazi, however, was enough to dazzle her into exhaling a single, muted, "Whoa…"
The temple sat in what she could only assume was the center of the Selesnya territory, with every road in the vicinity leading to its base. The tree was larger than any Chandra had seen before, with twisting branches that reached for the heavens and leaves that looked like stained glass. Even in the artificial darkness, its shadow was still visible across a hefty swath of the surrounding land. Embedded into its substantial trunk, Chandra could spy a large, marbled stairwell that led to a collection of ornate edifices and pointed spires, which she could only assume was where they were headed. These structures were also impressive, with buttresses and archways that appeared to be built around the tree's hulking roots and branches. This consideration for nature, she mused, must be a novelty among the citizens.
Left unchecked, Chandra knew that she could stare at the breathtaking sight for hours. Fortunately, Jaya's voice was one that she could never seem to shake. Tearing her vision away from their destination, Chandra quickly surveyed the endless ranks of Eternals before them. Two fireballs materialized in her palms, growing in intensity until they engulfed her hands completely. Striking a sturdy pose, Chandra brought her hands together, fusing the flames, before pulling them apart into a single, flowing ribbon of fire. The flaming arc shot forward, the recoil threatening to knock Chandra over had she not positioned properly. In the blink of an eye, it crossed the distance, breaking harmlessly across Jaya's back before splashing across the Eternals' chests.
The impact sent the front line staggering back, clearing some space for them to advance. Though the Eternals stayed upright, her attack bought enough time for Jaya and Nissa to shift their focus, dropping the vulnerable ones with succinct blasts of flame or root. With them down, the three could keep moving forward, but even in the face of their progress, Chandra could not help but feel discouraged.
Shit, those Eternals were supposed to get knocked down. What the hell happened…?
Her face scrunched in frustration. Today had been so long already, and so much had happened, yet her attacks were still not as effective as she felt they could be. Before today, she thought she knew why her powers were sporadic. Between Nissa's departure, Liliana's turn, and the unknown of Bolas' plans, there were plenty of stressors to damp her abilities. Now, everything was laid bare, and she had a clear, direct plan, but still, something would not click.
Unfortunately, she knew there was no time to dwell on it. All she could muster was a tired sigh as she waved the thought away and attempted to keep her attention on moving forward with her allies. Luckily, their natural rhythm kept the Eternals at bay even through Chandra's struggles. Jaya's darts could now drop two or three Eternals at a time, while Nissa's elemental prowess kept their flank and their airspace completely clear. Though her controlled blasts were still not refined enough to pierce the lazotep shells, Chandra continued to send them out. Despite her dissatisfaction, she at least knew that rebuking was better than nothing.
As they drew closer and closer to Vitu-Ghazi, the number of attackers seemed to thin out. This surprised Chandra, who assumed that the central structure of the guild would have made for a more appealing target. From a distance, it had been difficult to make out any details about the area directly surrounding Vitu-Ghazi. It was not until they fully stepped into the shadow of the City-Tree that she understood the situation.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the voluminous shade, but fortunately, her full vision returned just in time for her to avoid tripping over an Eternal's body. It was a winged creature, possibly an angel, its head and wings perforated by over a dozen arrows. The sight gave Chandra pause, but as she surveyed the area, she realized it was not an uncommon one. All around them, limp husks littered the passage, each one embedded with a lethal collage of projectiles. When her eyes lifted from the ground, Chandra could see that the air above them, and some of the spots near them, were filled with the deadly buzzing of incoming arrows. They gave the air an energetic look, as if a torrential rain swept by overhead. The archers were hidden from view, most likely camouflaged in the foliage or protected by the ivory steeples. Chandra tried to pick an arrow and follow its trajectory, but they moved too fast for her to keep up.
Despite the fatal accuracy of the Selesnya's archers, even they could not dispatch every Eternal that dared to approach their sanctuary, and they were useless in dealing with any combatants that managed to get into close range. Luckily, they were not alone. As Chandra, Jaya, and Nissa continued carving a forward path, they noticed that, while the number of impaled bodies cluttering the street diminished, the number of Selesnya warriors rapidly grew. Heavily armored centaurs, elves striding atop decorated rhinos, and sledge-wielding loxodons populated the vicinity of the Tree, clashing with whatever Eternals made it past the archers. Though individually they were not as strong as the Dreadhorde's soldiers, they more than made up for it in sheer numbers. For every Eternal that came close, five Selesnya fighters appeared, ready to take it down even if they went down alongside it. These battle displays, which were present all around her, left Chandra feeling conflicted.
I mean, it's good that they can fight back, but do they really need so many people here? What about the rest of the city? They have so many more fighters than any other guild. They can definitely spare some away from this tree, right?
She played these questions back in her mind, inspecting them thoroughly and editing them to her liking. This was their mission, after all, and any preparation she could have to convince the guild leader to help the city was greatly needed. Her fractured focus was, luckily, not as much of a concern now, as the Selesnya dealt with the surrounding Eternals, clearing a trail for the three women to follow. Seizing the opportunity, they broke their battle formation and charged forward, ducking around whatever brawls happened to fall across their path.
With only a few spells needed to truly carve out their pathway, it took little time for Chandra, Nissa, and Jaya to traverse the battlefield and make it to one of the scattered entrances to the temple. Once there, however, they were stopped by an unforeseen obstacle. Tightly packed around the tree's base, a ring of soldiers created a steadfast wall. Their armor and weaponry looked mightier than those leaping into the fray, acting as a final, definitive line of defense to keep the Eternals out. It seemed to work, with dismembered zombies covering the ground and no bodies visible beyond them.
"Do you think they will let us pass?" Nissa asked, raising her normally subdued voice above the din of war. "Their perimeter seems rather secured."
Chandra had not even considered this. She started to wrack her brain, trying to remember the things she had planned for persuading the guild leader in case they would work on the guards. Before she could organize her thoughts, however, Jaya chimed in, having no trouble making her voice be heard.
"That one over their looks to be in charge. We'll talk to him." She pointed towards the front entrance, and Chandra saw a golden-haired elf riding an oversized white wolf. Both he and the wolf were heavily plated and bore the symbol of the Conclave, and they were the only members that were patrolling the area rather than staying put, seemingly barking orders at the others.
Chandra and Nissa nodded in agreement, and the three altered their trajectory so they could intercept the wolf-rider. As they approached, deftly stepping around the many corpses, both friend and foe, they seemed to catch the elf's attention. With one hand on his mount's reins and the other brandishing a sword, he steered the wolf to face them.
"Halt!" the elf bellowed, leveling his sword at Chandra, who's speed made her arrive at the head of the group. "You do not bear the mark of the Conclave. Do you come seeking shelter?" Though his question seemed altruistic, the violent timbre of his words and the scowl on his face told another story.
"Um, well, not exactly…" Chandra began, already stumbling over her words. She did not know whether it was the elf's intensity, the sword aimed at her face, or the mounting stress of the day, but her mind was starting to haze. She sent a swift, chastising kick to the back of her brain, which, accompanied by a conspicuous clearing of her throat, helped knock loose the words she was searching for. "We're here to speak to your guild leader."
At this, the elf's face shifted slightly, the edge of his aggression dulling in the presence of a newfound confusion. "What business have you with Trostani?"
Chandra took a moment to properly formulate a response, but this time, it was Nissa who stepped forward. "We need to speak with her, now." Her words were formal, but her tone was much blunter than Chandra was used to hearing. She nearly reached out to try and stop her, but she caught herself after seeing the elf's rapt attention. "We are here on behalf of the Gatewatch. My name is Nissa Revane, and this is Chandra Nalaar and Jaya Ballard. We have come at the behest of Jace Beleren to speak with this Trostani so we may procure your guild's help with fighting this threat across the city. It is of the upmost importance that we speak to your leader as soon as possible."
It was not until the mention of Jace's name that the elf lowered his blade. He sheathed it in the wolf's saddle, grabbed its reins in both hands, and called to the soldiers before him: "Let them through. They are the emissaries we've been expecting."
In militaristic style, the two centaurs standing in front of them stepped to the side, opening a small channel through which to enter. Nissa stepped through, followed quickly by Chandra and Jaya. Once they passed through the barricade, the soldiers stepped back together, instantly reconstructing their tight formation.
Now inside the barrier, the elf addressed them again. This time, the fervent tone had disappeared, replaced with an apparent weariness. "I apologize for my initial hostility. Today's proceedings have been taxing for all within the Conclave. My name is Tolsimir, and this is my companion, Voja." He patted the large wolf on the head, who eagerly leaned into his hand. "I am a member of the Ledev Guardians and current infantry leader for the protection of Vitu-Ghazi. Come, I shall take you to Trostani. I pray that you may help them."
With a slight pull of the reins, Voja turned away from the planeswalkers and proceeded up the stairs into the Tree's awaiting chambers. Nissa, Chandra, and Jaya followed suit, keeping close behind Tolsimir as he guided them.
The sights within Vitu-Ghazi's inner sanctums were even more captivating than what Chandra had seen before. The interwoven nature of the temples and the gardens, spiraling to the sky far higher than she could see, gave everything an ethereal, almost heavenly atmosphere. She probably would have continued staring off at the scenery for the duration of their short trip, but her mind was already occupied by another matter entirely.
"Tolsimir," she called out to his back. He turned his head sideways, keeping one eye on the stairs before him and one on Chandra. "What did you mean when you said 'help them'? We're here to ask for Trostani's help, not the other way around."
Before responding, Tolsimir let out a beleaguered sigh. "Unfortunately, the matter is not so simple. Communicating with Trostani at the moment may prove difficult."
"And why is that?" Nissa interjected, her voice carrying an unexpected haughtiness.
Tolsimir paused, gathering his thoughts. "As of late, Trostani has been… discordant. She battles against herself, unable to come to any decision for the guild. This has left her paralyzed. Now, she rarely speaks to her followers at all."
"Wait, so then who's been giving you your orders?" Chandra inquired.
"That is… a complicated matter. There are many orders within the Conclave, each with a unique chain of command. Several of us in the higher ranks have been acting as a makeshift council in Trostani's absence. Currently, the high priest Emmara Tandris is acting as our leader."
All three women cocked their heads in confusion, though Nissa was the first to speak what they were clearly all thinking. "Then why are we not speaking with this Emmara?"
At this rebuttal, Tolsimir's features grew strained. "Though she is acting as the leader, her word is not final on guild business. She cannot interpret the will of Mat'Selesnya, so any decrees she offers are by no means binding. If you are truly here for the collective help of the Conclave, then I am sorry, but Trostani is your only option."
With this response, Tolsimir turned his full attention back to their path. He tugged at Voja's reins, and the wolf quickened its pace, putting a few steps of distance between her and the planeswalkers. Chandra could tell that something in their discussion had struck a nerve with the knight, his dislike of Emmara clear as crystal. She wanted to press him for answers but figured there was little point in angering their guide. Silence fell over the small party, with only the padding of footsteps and the clacking of Voja's claws to break it up.
They proceeded in this fashion for a while, Tolsimir and Voja slightly ahead, followed by Nissa, then Chandra, and finally Jaya at the rear. They climbed the stairs that led to a series of winding hallways and rope bridges that connected various outcroppings. It felt like they were travelling through an intricate maze, but though her spatial orientation was fuzzy, Chandra could tell that they were drawing closer to the Tree's center. Sadly, even her feeble attempts to map her position failed to keep her attention.
The silence between them was growing unbearable, and with so many questions building in her mind, Chandra felt fit to burst. She was watching Nissa's back, and her movements seemed at odds with Chandra's memory. Normally, her shoulders were not so tight, her posture not as rigid as the bark adorning the tree, but now, her stiffness was painfully obvious. It was just like her previous observations, but now, there was not the chaos of the battlefield to keep them from speaking.
Ah, fuck it. Now's as good a time as any.
Chandra picked up the pace, gliding forward until she sidled up next to Nissa, their shoulders practically bumping into one another. To Chandra's distress, Nissa did not even seem to notice her presence.
"Hey," Chandra began, cutting through the unbearable silence. This subtle remark seemed to catch Nissa by surprise, as her head whipped around suddenly. Once she got over the initial shock, her elven features settled into a warm smile that made Chandra's heart melt just a little.
"Oh, Chandra, you startled me. I'm sorry, my thoughts were elsewhere." Nissa's voice was like honey to Chandra, but she was still picking up on pointed crystals within.
"Yeah, I get that," Chandra added, running a hand across the back of her head. "Sorry for the sudden, you know, intrusion. We haven't really gotten a moment to, like, talk or anything since you saved us."
Nissa nodded ruefully. "I know, it has been rather hectic. At least we have a slight reprieve now."
"Yeah, it's nice."
Chandra paused, taking a moment to gather some courage. Her fingers frenetically danced in her red hair, tapping against her skull with an incessant rhythm. Nissa looked at her expectantly, green eyes wide with a friendly curiosity that only served to deepen her anxiety. She took a deep breath through her nose, forced it back out, then plunged in headfirst.
"Nissa, I wanted to ask… is everything ok? I mean, like, with you, not this whole… invasion… thing."
Chandra saw Nissa's shoulders heave up and back down at her ramblings, which took as a sign of amusement despite the lack of laughter. Closing her eyes for a moment, Nissa offered an affirmative nod.
"Yes, I am doing fine, considering the circumstances."
This answer might have placated Chandra at a different point in time, but with the mounting evidence she had gathered, she was unsatisfied. This short response was conspicuously light on detail, which only served to pique both her interest and frustration. She tried to mask her emotions, but as she and Nissa both knew, her expressive features were all too eager to share her secrets. Knowing this, she decided to press further.
"Are you sure? I mean, it's been a while since you left the Gatewatch, and now you're here, which is great, don't get me wrong, but you don't really seem like yourself, if that makes sense. I don't know, I just want to make sure you're doing alright, because I care about you, y'know?"
Rather than shunting her emotions off, she decided to let them flow a bit freer than usual, hopeful that the appeal would loosen Nissa's own tongue. Once she finished speaking, Nissa's smile widened, filling her face with welcome affection. She took Chandra's hand in hers, their palms cupping tight, and after raising it to chest-level, Nissa gently placed her other hand on top. Chandra could feel the faint whisper of Nissa's pulse through their gloves, which made her own heartbeat quicken. The excitement, however, was short-lived.
"I greatly appreciate your concern, really I do, but it is truly unnecessary. I am sorry if I seemed different than usual, it must be the mission. So, please, do not worry yourself over my wellbeing."
No matter how kind the tone, no matter how much she wanted to believe the words, this was not the response Chandra had hoped for. It took a mighty effort to keep the crestfallen expression off her face, but she managed as best she could.
"Ok," she said with a forced bravado, "I can try my best."
This seemed to be what Nissa wanted to hear, as her shoulders bounced with enthusiasm. "Thank you." Breaking their eye contact, Nissa looked to the path ahead, which started to splinter and curve along the weaving branches of the Tree. "We don't want to lose sight of Tolsimir. We should probably hurry up to him."
Not waiting for a response back, Nissa gave Chandra's hand a final squeeze before letting go. She sped up, closing the gap between her and their guide while leaving Chandra to plod along behind her.
Chandra made no effort to catch up to her. She looked at her hand, the phantomic sensations of Nissa still hovering around her fingertips. Her face started to crease, eyebrows furrowing and lips tightly pursing as she thought about what Nissa had said. Her breath was more audible than before, trembling slightly as it passed in and out of her nose. No cohesive thoughts flowed through her mind, only vague pockets of raw emotion. It filled her with static, unable to filter anything out or take anything in. The only thing she knew for sure was that she did not know what to do.
"Hey, Chandra!"
Suddenly, a hand fell on her shoulder, clamping firm to establish its presence. It took a moment for the spoken words to penetrate her fugue, but once it did, she turned to Jaya, who was now by her side. Her face was stern, and while one hand gripped Chandra's plate, the other pointed just over her head.
"You need to calm down. Otherwise, you might take the whole damn tree down."
Turning her eyes up as far as she could, Chandra saw the brilliant illumination playing from her hair. The unexpected ignition danced high above them, almost licking at the leaves dangling overhead. She was overcome by a wave of embarrassment, knocking the rest of her emotions off their feet, and she quickly cut her powers off. Her hair fell back to her shoulders, and she let out a huff.
"Thanks," she muttered, the word barely passing through the tight line of her mouth.
"You doing ok?" Jaya asked, voice softening.
Before responding, Chandra ducked her shoulder down, gently escaping from Jaya's grasp. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just got a little caught up in something. I don't know… Nissa says that nothing's wrong, but I know something is. I don't know what, but it's something. Why won't she tell me what's bothering her?"
Out of her periphery, Chandra saw Jaya's mouth curl in contemplation. "Is this why your attacks have been off the mark since she arrived?"
"I guess," grumbled Chandra, brow creasing in annoyance. "Usually, when Nissa's around, I can focus a lot easier. This time's different…"
"Well," Jaya began, crossing her arms over her chest, "I don't know much about Nissa aside from what you've told me. If that's any indication, then you should listen to her. She's a strong girl, and if she needs to tell you something, she'll do it in her own time. Right now, I think your priority should be on honing your firecraft, like we talked about."
There was a pause, and Chandra felt her features tighten up even more than before. She could feel something bubbling up within her chest, but seeing Jaya from the corner of her eye, she managed to tamp it down.
"Yeah." Though the word was affirmative, her tone was sharply curt. She looked away from Jaya, not needing to read her face for a response. "We should probably catch up to them."
Without waiting to hear back, Chandra picked up her feet, moving at a quick clip that sent reverberating heel clicks throughout the sheltered pathway. Once she was far enough from both Jaya and Nissa, she slowed her pace to match theirs, keeping them stratified for the moment. They proceeded along in silence, each woman having no one to talk to.
They ascended a massive spiraling stairwell hidden within a hollowed bough, then traversed a series of rope bridges connecting several of the ivory spires. Chandra looked out at the constantly shifting landscape, but only a modicum of wonder registered in her heart. Eventually, she saw Tolsimir command Voja to stop before an enormous wooden door. As she approached, she could see an intricate carving adorning its face, depicting an artistic rendering of Vitu-Ghazi, its branches splayed in a vast umbrella and its roots twisting a complex maze. Chandra did not know too much about wood, but she suspected that this door was far older than any of them.
It took a moment for all of them to gather before the towering entranceway, but once they were all assembled, Tolsimir dismounted from Voja. He gave the wolf an assuring scratch behind the ears before turning his attention to them.
"This is the entrance to the heart of Vitu-Ghazi, where Trostani stays. I'll accompany you inside to ensure that nothing untoward happens. I trust in you and your mission, but I cannot be too careful with my guild master. Should you try anything, I will not hesitate you bring you down."
Tolsimir's steely voice, and even steelier gaze, sent a shiver down Chandra's spine. She knew that he posed little threat to them, a planeswalker's power far dwarfing his, but his devotion in the face of this disparity was both admirable and terrifying. All she could muster was a quick nod of understanding, which Jaya and Nissa replicated.
Seeing their acceptance, Tolsimir placed both hands against the door, covering several carved roots. A pale green light began to glow from his hands and flow into the wood. It entered the roots before spreading up the length of the tree. In a matter of seconds, the carving was filled with an ethereal verdancy. This was followed by a forceful trembling as the door split down the middle and started swinging open. Once it was fully ajar, the shaking ceased, and the chartreuse light dissipated. Tolsimir lowered his arms, went to grab ahold of Voja's reins, and beckoned the others inside.
The three planeswalkers stepped into the City-Tree's heart, with Tolsimir close behind. Chandra's eyes flitted back and forth, taking in the gorgeous scenery around them. She had expected the inner sanctum to simply look like the inside of tree, a carved-out nest for the leader to reside. Instead, the area was basically its own biome, a lush forest brimming with life. Small trees, bushes, and flowers covered the room, leaving only a small strip of undisturbed wood to serve as a walkway. Every plant basked in the light from an enormous glass window at the back, with bathed the room in tessellating patterns.
The sunlight also served to highlight the center of the room, where a confluence of the collective roots from the plants within formed a makeshift pulpit. Atop this natural platform, Chandra identified three figures standing in a triangular pattern. One stood in front, with the others on either side behind. None of them were facing each other, the one in front looking out at the room and the others standing with their backs to one another.
At first, she thought they were simply women, but upon further inspection, she saw that their skin looked like bark, their hair like moss, and they had no legs, their torsos instead supported by thick trunks that melded into the unruly mass of roots below.
As they delicately stepped along the trodden path, Chandra turned to Tolsimir. "So, which one is Trostani. I assume the one in front, right?"
Tolsimir glared at Chandra, turning up his nose at her question. "They are all Trostani."
She took issue with his tone, but knowing where they were and why they were here, she swallowed her pride and let him continue uninterrupted.
"You see before you the three sisters who together form the leader of the Conclave. To the left, Oba, Sister of Life. To the right, Ses, Sister of Order. And in front is Cim, Sister of Harmony. Three dryads, once separate entities, but now bonded to each other and to Vitu-Ghazi. They alone can communicate with Mat'Selesnya and interpret its will for the guild."
Chandra nodded, now repressing her embarrassment at what she realized must have been a rather foolish question. Silently, the party approached Trostani, stepping just before the earthen tangle propping them up. As they grew closer, Chandra started to notice faint whispers playing around her, like gusts of air clashing with one another. She knew there was no wind within the closed space, but she did not know where these ghostly sensations were coming from.
Chandra, Nissa, and Jaya stood side-by-side, looking up at the dryads, while Tolsimir and Voja stayed a few steps behind, ready if anything happened. Now standing just before Trostani, the fluttery whispers grew louder, and Chandra could almost make out words dancing along the currents. They sounded almost contentious, two streams swirling around one another, each trying to overtake the other.
"Do you hear that?" she asked both Nissa and Jaya. "Like, that windy sound. I'm not crazy, am I?"
"No, I hear it too," Jaya nodded, "though I can't really make anything out."
"It's them," Nissa succinctly answered. Chandra turned to her and saw her eyes locked on the dryads, wider and greener than usual. She had a hand raised, pointing two fingers at the left and right Sisters.
"Ses and Oba, they are talking to one another. They're speaking through the vegetation. I can hear them."
"What are they saying?" asked Jaya, crossing her arms over her chest.
Nissa squinted as she focused on their wispy words. "Ses, she wishes to work with the other guilds towards a mutual peace. There was a contract, or treaty, and she wants to sign. Oba opposes this. She says the Selesnya should focus on their own safety first, fortify their home and ensure the Conclave survives. Neither one seems willing to back down or compromise."
"And what about the middle one?" Chandra tentatively inquired. She watched Nissa's face as she concentrated, but her placid features soon crumpled in confusion.
"I cannot hear anything from her. She is silent."
Chandra could plainly see the distress on Nissa's face as she eavesdropped on Trostani's conversation. A pang resonated through her heart, shooting nervous energy up and down her body. It propelled her forward, much to the surprise of Nissa and Jaya, and she turned her eyes up to meet Cim's closed ones.
"Excuse me," she called, projecting her voice in a confident, wholly unusual candor, "my name is Chandra Nalaar, and these two are Jaya Ballard and Nissa Revane. We come on behalf of the Gatewatch to ask for the guild of Selesnya's help in our fight against Nicol Bolas, the one controlling the Eternals throughout the city."
As her words echoed around the enclosed area, Chandra let a slight smile overtake her face. Normally, she hated diplomatic talking, with its unnecessary formality and pompous posturing. This time, she felt like she absolutely nailed it. Unfortunately, this pride did not last long. The echo of her voice eventually died down, and Trostani did not budge.
Feeling her heart drop slightly, Chandra shifted uncomfortably on her feet and swallowed hard. "Um, excuse me, Trostani?" she tried again, raising her volume yet again until she was practically screaming. "We would like to talk to you. We need your help!"
Still nothing. The three dryads were like statues, not even the delicate petals adorning their head moving in response to Chandra's pleas. Her lips curled to the side, an expression that fused her deliberation with her mounting irritation.
"Hello!?" she yelled out, barely controlling the annoyance in her tone. When the triumvirate of dryads held fast, Chandra let out a frustrated snort. She turned to Tolsimir and animatedly gestured to Trostani. "What the fuck is going on? Why won't any of them answer?"
Tolsimir shifted his posture, leaning against Voja's side and crossing his arms. "This is as I told you. Trostani has grown incapable of communicating with us, all because the Sisters cannot decide on a proper course. We have been unable to help them, as communication is impossible. Even Emmara can only interpret the whispers you all hear."
"Then how are we supposed to do our job?" Chandra asked, belligerence seeping into her tone.
Tolsimir remained unfazed at their hostility. "Until their paralysis can be lifted, I am afraid your mission ends here."
Chandra felt a heat begin to rise just behind her eyes, pulsating in tune with her growing heartbeat. Her body tensed, causing her fists to ball and her teeth to uncomfortably clench. Her gaze bore into Tolsimir's, and for a moment, she could see the outline of orange light beginning to appear around her vision.
No. We came all this way, put up with all this bullshit, and now we might just be done, just like that? Why the fuck is it so hard for something to go right today!? I just…
Before she could fall any further into the mental quicksand, Chandra was alerted to a sound beside her. She turned around in time to see Nissa walking closer to Trostani, the butt of her staff ticking against the twisting roots. She stopped just before Cim and knelt down on one knee, gently placing her staff on the ground beside her.
Chandra's eyes widened. "Wait, Nissa, what are you doing?"
Nissa turned back to look at Chandra. Her normally stoic features now carried a sense of severity, which steadily crept into her words. "I will try and communicate with them. I can hear their words clearly because of my natural affinities. If I can connect to Vitu-Ghazi, I might be able to draw them out. This is our only chance, and we have no time to waste."
Chandra opened her mouth to protest what seemed like an uncharacteristically rash decision, but she could get no words out before Nissa placed both hands on the root bed. She kept her face toward Trostani, which started to glow with green, primordial magics highlighting her eyes and tattoos. Her gloved palms alit with her attunement spell, mana leaking out from beneath her grasp. The sylvan energy penetrated the roots, and Chandra watched it surge just beneath the barky surface. It left an ethereal green trail on its path as it traced through the roots, up the tree's myriad capillaries, and into the trio of dryads.
As soon as Nissa's magic reached the three sisters, the whispering winds ceased. An intense quiet fell over the sanctum, causing Chandra to shift nervously on her feet. Then, she nearly leapt with surprise as they started to move. Oba and Ses, who had been facing away from each other in clashing repose now straightened their posture. They turned to face Nissa and shifted forward, the root system beneath acting as their legs. They stopped just behind Cim, whose eyes remained shut and head remained bowed.
Ah! A newcomer in our midst. Oba's voice cried out in Chandra's mind, catching her off-guard. It was a gentler telepathy than that to which she had grown accustomed, but she was startled nonetheless. Oba's tone was boisterous, bordering on the singsong energy of springtime birds.
Indeed, nodded Ses, her tone even as a winter pond. This is a presence we have not felt before. Who are you?
There was a pause. Chandra looked to Nissa expectantly, but her expression did not change from its nigh-trancelike state. After a moment, however, Ses's voice reemerged.
Nissa… Nissa Revane. How fascinating. I sense a great connection in you, a symbiosis to a world that is not our own. You mind and soul are well ordered, my dear.
Oba's eyes glittered with a jade mischief. I sense power, and spirit, and an abundance of life! Oh, this is a wondrous gift. You must have come to aid me in strengthening the Conclave's defenses.
Ses quickly cut her Sister off. Though neither her voice nor the auburn tangle of leaves cascading down her back wavered, her forcefulness was obvious. No, she is surely here to assist me in signing the peace treaty with the other guilds.
Oba turned to Ses, eyes shifting to a smoky brown. You are surely mistaken, Sister. Nissa communes with Mat'Selesnya. She knows well of power, that it comes from within, not without. She would never agree with you.
It is you who has been mistaken, Ses calmly responded. Her mind is that of a warrior. She understands that true strength lies in unity. It is as the grass feeds the brushstrider until it returns to the soil. Your plan would see it starve.
Nay, we shall flourish! Oba threw her hands up, a thin haze of pollen falling from her skin. Mat'Selesnya's strength is the strength of Ravnica. If the plane is to thrive, we must ensure our own protection. No land is so razed that a single seed cannot bring it back, but we must be the ones to protect that seed!
Ses swept a dismissive hand at Oba, rustling her leaf-crowned brow. Why allow the land to be razed at all? You forgot the balance we can uphold, that we must uphold. We may not agree with the guilds, but the bees needn't agree with the birds or the flowers. Order must come before life, or there shall be no life left!
Chandra watched the two drayds bicker, their movements and gestures growing either more hostile or more reserved. She could feel the blood rushing through her ears as she listened to their debate, neither one giving an inch. Her eyes fell on Nissa, who still had not moved since grabbing hold of the roots.
This isn't working. Chandra could not help but wonder, her inner voice growing more and more anxious. All Nissa's done is let them talk out loud. She can't help them agree. Oh gods, what if we can't stop them? Is our mission really gonna fail? Are…are we d-?
Suddenly, Chandra's own thoughts was interrupted by another telepathic voice entering her mind. This one did not carry the kinetic tone of Oba or the tranquil tone of Ses. It was regal and commanding, but also had a gentle warmth to it. Lifting her gaze to find the source, Chandra saw Cim, the Sister of Harmony, standing upright, head held high and eyes open.
Sisters, cease this squabbling.
Instantly, the room fell silent in the wake of Cim's decree. Both Oba and Ses turned to their sister. From behind her, Chandra could her the clinking of Toslimir's armor as he jolted upright, clearly startled by this development. In the ensuing quiet, Cim's eyes fell on Nissa, still entranced by their feet. She glided forward on her wooden base, stooping to look into Nissa's unblinking eyes.
Nissa Revane, child of nature, I thank you. You have opened my eyes to what must be done. Through your communion with us, and with Mat'Selesnya, I have seen what you see, felt what you feel. This place is not your home. You were ripped from there and are unable to return. Your soul calls out to it. You wish for nothing more than to rejoin your home so you may protect it, help it rebuild and overcome the tragedies it has seen. I feel your fear, your pain, your helplessness.
Our souls are not unalike, Nissa. You are bound to your home as we are bound to Ravnica. Your love and devotion is just as ours was. I had lost sight of this, allowed my sisters to war without knowing what course was right. You, Nissa Revane, who have come in search for help, have given more help than we have to offer. I shall converse with my sisters and inform you of our decision.
Cim's voice disappeared from the air as she severed the telepathic connection. Turning away from Nissa, Cim rejoined Oba and Ses, the three huddling tightly together and keeping their faces hidden. Soon, the faint whispers reemerged around the sanctum as the dryads debated.
Though she was extremely interested in Trostani's ultimate decision, Chandra had no desire to focus on their undoubtedly heated discussion. Instead, her sole focus was on Nissa, who was slowly standing up from her kneeling position, the emerald light having left her face. She leaned against her staff, dizzy from the prolonged connection with the City-Tree. Once she was fully upright, she turned around to Chandra. A deep sigh escaped her lips as a sad smile spread across her face.
"So, I assume you heard all that?"
Chandra vigorously nodded, unable to form any words. As Cim spoke, Chandra listened, and the churning storm of emotions inside her head, and her chest, neared a maelstrom's intensity. Now, looking into Nissa's beautiful eyes that seemed filled with a deep-seated regret, she could no longer keep the rain at bay. Tears began to flow down her face, nearly evaporating as they streaked down her cheeks.
Nissa picked up her staff and rushed to Chandra's side, her padded footsteps moving in time with the halting sobs. When she reached Chandra, she placed a delicate hand on her shoulder, squeezing it just tight enough to make her full presence felt.
"Chandra, what's wrong?" Nissa inquired, her voice shaky with concern. It took a moment for Chandra to get control of her breathing, but eventually she found her words.
"I'm so stupid. You told me not to worry about it, but I knew something was wrong. I should have known what it was. Of course you don't want to be here, you want to be on Zendikar. You're just trying to leave as soon as possible, and all this keeps getting in your way. I'm sorry."
Chandra's eyes fell to her feet, which were only barely visible through the waning fog of tears. She waited for Nissa to respond, fully expecting her to step away. Instead, Chandra felt a second hand take her chin, tenderly raising her head back up to meet Nissa's gaze. As their eyes locked once again, Chandra could see a reflective sadness playing in her vast pupils.
"Chandra," Nissa whispered in a soothing, almost mystical tone, "you have nothing to apologize for. I am the one who owes you the apology. You are right, I did keep my feelings from you. I should not have done that, and I am truly, deeply sorry.
"I was in the middle of an ancient Joraga cleansing ritual when I was abducted to this plane earlier today. As I was pulled here by… whatever it is that did that, I could feel the connection to my people snap. It hurt, deeper than I had ever experienced. Every second I am here, I feel that my people, my plane, are becoming more and more lost. But this is my pain, not yours. I kept this from you because I did not want to burden your mind with worry for me. You have seemed so distressed since I saved you, and I did not want my problems to hurt you unnecessarily. It seems that I did more harm than good, though. I am still… working on proper emotional interaction, and I apologize."
As Nissa concluded, the space between them grew quiet. The lingering voices of Trostani seemed more withdrawn that before, as if the two planeswalkers had shielded themselves from the outside. Then, to Nissa's wide-eyed surprise, Chandra started laughing. She did not know where the light tittering was coming from, but she found herself unable to stop. Nissa withdrew her hands, looking at Chandra with deep confusion.
"I don't understand," she puzzled, "did I say something funny?"
Chandra held up a hand, desperately attempting to regain her composure. After a few deep breaths and a quick swipe across her face with the back of her hand, Chandra stood up.
"It's just, that last thing you said, that's exactly how I feel all the time. Dealing with emotions, interpersonal stuff, I'm also terrible at it. The only difference between us is the volume, I guess."
She had hoped that a joke might diffuse some of the tension she had unnecessarily dredged up, so when the corners of Nissa's mouth turned up ever so slightly, a surge of warmth exploded in her chest.
"I suppose that is true," Nissa nodded along, the concerned creases on her face slowly releasing. "But that does not excuse my actions. I fully understand if you are angry with me. If you and Jaya wish to travel separately from me for the rest of the mission, I will be fine." Her features drooped as she said this, eyes descending to the floor. She was clearly grappling with the consequences of her transgressions. Seeing this, Chandra was quick to jump in.
"I could never be mad at you. You know that, right?"
Nissa's pointed ears perked up, and her eyes darted back to Chandra's. A splash of color bloomed beneath her tattoos. "Even after what I have done?"
"Of course! I mean, I am a little hurt, I can't say I'm not, but I understand why you did what you did. I have been kinda frazzled today, and as soon as you showed up, I dumped all my issues right on you. That was shitty of me. But, I want you… no, I need you to know that you can talk to me about anything. No matter what it is, no matter how big or small, I will always be here to listen. Because like I said, I care about you… a lot."
Chandra could feel a heat rising in her own cheeks as she spoke, but the sensation could not stop her. Throughout the day, her feeling had done nothing but buck and thrash inside her head, but now, in this quiet sanctum, looking at the wondrous woman before her, the storm started to calm. She watched as the smile spread wide across Nissa's face, amplifying her radiance.
"I care about you as well. I will try my best to be more open with you. It is not easy, but I am willing to try."
"And I'll do that too," Chandra nodded, desperately fighting back a fresh wave of tears, though this time borne of joy. "Honestly, I had assumed that, once you got here, everything would just magically get better. I should have known that's not how the world works. All we can do is try and make it better. I know you hate being here, but we'll get you home as soon as we can."
Nissa playfully cocked her head to one side. "As long as you are beside me, I cannot hate it here."
Chandra felt her heart nearly break through her ribcage with an emphatic thump. Nissa took a step towards her, sending a waft of earthy perfume to envelop her. Feeling the deep flush in her cheeks, Chandra followed suit. The gap between them closed, leaving only a few inches separating them. They stared at one another, completely lost in each other's eyes. Just as it had during their reunion, time seemed to stand still, encapsulating them in their own world. Chandra could sense the elemental magnetism of Nissa's magic, and she had little doubt that Nissa was aware of her own fire.
The pyromancer's mind was finally quiet. No rambling words or turbulent polarity, only a single, overwhelming sensation. It called out to her, urging her forward, wanting nothing more than to destroy the space between them. She felt her body move on its own, ready to lean in as far as it could go, priming for what she knew must come next…
We have reached a decision.
And just like that, the moment was shattered. Trostani's voice leapt into Chandra's mind, tearing her out of her stupor and unceremoniously dropping her back into the heart of Vitu-Ghazi. She looked at Nissa, whose face was just as startled as she assumed her own was. They looked at each other for a moment before each bashfully turning away to face their addressor.
Where once the Three Sisters had stood apart, they now clustered together, tightly embraced in the center of their rooted nest. The voice that had abruptly appeared in their heads was not of any individual dryad, but the collective voice of all three. They spoke in perfect harmony, each tone complimenting the other to create a rich tapestry of sound.
All six of their eyes fell onto Nissa, moving in unison. Thanks to your intervention, Nissa Revane, we have once again reached concordance. You have shown us the true and righteous path that the Conclave must take. As such, the might of Selesnya will come to your aid.
Chandra, Nissa, and Jaya all let out a collective gasp at this revelatory news. While they enjoyed a brief celebration, Trostani's attention turned away from them.
Tolsimir? they called out, instantly grabbing the knight's attention. His posture straightened, then dipped into a deep bow.
"Yes, my Mistresses? How may I serve you and Mat'Selesnya?"
Arise, great warrior. Rally the Ledev and send them out into the city. They shall lead our troops to meet the threat, wherever it may fester. Tell Emmara that our grown ranks must be ready to march.
Tolsimir rose from his bow and offered a slow, courteous nod. "I shall make the arrangements now. Thank you, Mistresses. And, if I may say, it is good to hear your voice once more."
In one swift motion, Tolsimir grabbed hold of Voja's straps and flung himself onto the great wolf's back. Landing with a thud, he gave a quick snap of the reins, and the pair made for the exit with acute speed.
Once the clattering of wolf claws drifted into the distance, Trostani's attention fell back onto the small party of planeswalkers. They each extended a hand towards one of them in a welcoming show.
Now, how else may the Conclave assist you? We are unfamiliar with the scope of the threat to our city.
"Well," Jaya piped up, projecting a bit louder than necessary, "the amount of zombies that are outside your doorstep doesn't come close to the number in the rest of the city. Are you sure you'll have enough soldiers to fight?"
The dryads nodded in unison. Indeed, we shall have enough. Our temples are populated with scores of able warriors, all grown for this purpose. They shall fall upon the city's blight as locusts upon the field.
Jaya turned to the other two, shrugging her shoulders to gauge their opinions. Nissa and Chandra both nodded, readily accepting the guild leader's promise. Seeing their approval, Jaya turned back to Trostani.
"There is also the matter of the intrusive new structures around the city. Nicol Bolas has made himself rather at home."
That is most unsettling. I had sensed the fracture of Ravnica's leylines, but our schism left us unable to understand it. What has this Nicol Bolas done?
This time, it was Chandra who answered, voice dripping with contempt. "He cut through the leylines with a magical portal, which is how all the zombies are arriving. He also built a huge fortress in the Tenth District, and he destroyed the Transguild Promenade with the ugliest statue I've ever seen."
The dryads craned their necks to one another, silently holding a conversation to themselves. It did not last long before they relinked their telepathy.
If Mat'Selesnya is to survive, so must the city. These affronts to our home must be taken down. Unfortunately, the Conclave's power is great, but in numbers rather than stature. How are we to bring low such mighty structures?
The Sisters looked on expectantly to the planeswalkers, each set of eyes glittering with a different hue of green. Feeling their penetrative gaze, the three retreated into their own minds. Nissa held her chin in her hand, Jaya kept her arms crossed tight across her chest and her eyes closed, and Chandra covered her mouth, eyes pinballing around the room.
It was only after minutes of pregnant silence that it was shattered by the sound of a fist landing hard in an open palm. Nissa and Jaya both turned to Chandra, who had a tentative grin spreading across her face. She looked, not to Trostani, but to Nissa.
"I think I have an idea."