The Floating Island
Tower of Eternity Zone
Despite being a Pashil of some considerable standing, his life dedicated to the security of the Floating Island, Knuckles had never before been this high up in the Tower of Eternity. The sheer urgency of their flight had distracted him somewhat, but as they paused before the beautiful crystal door that led to the Elder's domain, the presence of the environment swept over him; an intangible breeze of regency.
"Elder V'oda…" he began, but the Elder silenced him with a casual wave of his hand.
"This is not the time to respect formalities" he said, placing his hands on the door and closing his eyes in concentration.
The door glowed around his hands for a second, and Knuckles' attention was drawn to the fascia that had been intricately carved upon it. The scene depicted the birth of the Floating Island, the discovery of the chaos emeralds and the final ascension of the island. The sequence was highlighted further by the golden currents of light that now flowed from where the Elder had placed his hands to all across the door. Knuckles was lost in the serene beauty for a few moments, before it dawned on him that this would be soon be forever lost, like everything else on the Island. Tears of rage began to prick the corners of his eyes.
The glow faded and the door slowly opened. Kite gasped as the interior of the Elder's domain became visible to them.
The sound of footsteps began to echo up the tower. Numerous and metallic.
V'oda gestured at the open doorway.
"Now, come forward and meet your destiny."