Original timeline

Metrica Province - Akk Wilds

Shortly after the now infamous 'Time Gate Explosion', the Arcane Council of Rata Sum insisted that if further development and improvement of temporal technology was to be carried out, then it should be done as far from any large civilized area as possible. Diina and company agreed with their decision, determined to perfect the process and help bring two lost travellers back home.

The council permitted a special grant to build a lab specifically for this purpose, located in the Akk Wilds of Metrica Province. The project is led by both Diina Dia and Zojja, but Zojja is technically only there in an advisory role because the original timejump equations were hers... even though flawed. It took three months to build what is now named the 'UHoT Hyperbolic Timelab' (or just 'Timelab' for short). Another three months was required to plan out and construct a new primary time-based device.

Mekk, Ellie and Lynni are also part of Diina's krewe. They are all on temporary leave from UHoT to focus on the Timelab project but are still part of the guild. The services of Engie Videll and Mech Bat were no longer required, wanting this to be an all-Asuran group.

The VM units worn by Selene and Azeena are designed to allow for various configurations and re-programming. Since travel by portal had been deemed dangerous and too risky, the device now to be used is known as a Quantam Temporal Transmitter (QTT, pronounced the same as 'cutie'). It is the shape of a large box, made of a dark silver semi-transparent material and with a slow pulsing energy core that emits a soft blue glow. The idea is to transmit a new configuration directly to the VM units, which will allow safe return to this timeline.

There's only one problem. They need a signal from either VM unit to lock on to. And according to research data, such a signal has only been received once. It was from Azeena, when her Signet of Judgment caused the Time Gate Explosion, which also spread to the corrupted timeline, destroying that gate as well and causing a number of deaths in the process. Unfortunately, her signal wasn't maintained long enough to save lock-in information.

With Selene, it might be possible if she was near something that boosted her signal. But Azeena can definitely do it all by herself, if the Signet's power was channeled very high, as it was six months ago. In the meantime, all that the krewe can do now is conduct more testing and monitor the spacetime continuum for a VM signal.

Corrupted timeline

Divinity's Reach

Even though six months may have passed in the original timeline, it hasn't in this one. Himedahl Rimewind is on patrol in the outer housing ring where the main gate of the city is located. Very light rainfall started only a short while ago. The housing itself is mostly in shambles and ruin but some could be used as short term shelter if there was need of it. The Norn had his longbow in hand, hoping to use it on someone. It has been a while since he spilled the blood of others.

Nearing the main gate, Himedahl paused and turned towards a small bonfire in a corner. He thought he had sensed something move near the fire, like a person. Curious, he slowly walked in the fire's direction while preparing an arrow on the bow. After getting closer, it was definitely someone crouching against a corner, where the fire was. He didn't recognize who it is so he raised the bow as a precautionary measaure. "You there! On your feet!"

The stranger was startled by the sudden command. With the face now visible, it is a female human who wasn't expecting anyone else to be here.

"Do as I say!" Himedahl shouted. She quickly did so, showing signs of fright, but was in a semi-crouched position. Her hair is blonde and tied back in a single ponytail style. The armor appears to be that of a warrior. He slowly got up much closer, with the arrow pointed directly at her head.

"P-please... don't hurt me..." she pleaded, "I just wanted to... get warm... by the fire."

"Never seen the likes of you before. Identify yourself," Himedahl said.

She stood up more straight. "Quickblade... Jaina Quickblade."

"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

"As I said... getting warm. I... I have nowhere else to go. I won't cause any trouble."

Himedahl then had an idea. Perhaps he can have a bit of fun out in this rain after all, at her expense. He lowered the bow and put it away. That calmed her nerves some.

"All right," he told her, now acting unusually friendly. "I think there is a small hut with a bed around here somewhere."

"Really? Oh, thank you so much!"

"This way." His smile was almost downright creepy but Jaina didn't notice as he led her to the hut a short distance away. After arriving, he opened the door and gestured for her to enter in a gentleman-like manner.

"You don't know what this mean to me. Thanks again." she said before stepping inside. He calmly closed the door and then flipped over a locking mechanism to keep her from leaving. Again, she didn't notice.

"Um, excuse me," Jaina said with confusion, facing a very small opening in the upper section of the door. "There is no bed in here. What am I supposed to lay down on? The ground is too cold."

Himedahl reached over to the side of the hut next to the door and placed his hand on a lever, which was hidden from view. Jaina could still see his face through the opening.

"You can lay down... in your grave!"

He immediately pulled the lever. By the time Jaina got around to responding to that comment, long and very sharp spikes shot out from opposing walls of the hut, penetrating the warrior's body in many places, killing her instantly. Himedahl laughed as he raised the lever back up and the spike retracted back into their hidden grooves of the walls. Jaina's body fell to the ground in a bloody mess, her face frozen with fright forever.

"I could do this all day and not get bored," he told himself.

"I'm sure you could." said another female voice a short distance away. It sounded like a Norn.

Himedahl turned and readied his bow again. For a Norn, his reaction speed is impressive. "Who's there?"

The female stepped into view of another burning fire. She is wearing elementalist gear. Himedahl lowered the bow again, recognizing her

"Well, I'll be... Rasolnika... it's about time you returned!"

"More like about time we returned," she assured him, giving a signal to something behind her.

Four others approached Rasolnika's position. Zura Azu, female norn engineer... an unknown male charr warrior... Marjory Delaqua, female human necromancer... Kasmeer Meade, female human mesmer.

Himedahl laughed again, delighted to see them all back safe. "Selene almost gave up on you, thinking none of you were not coming back."

Marjory stepped closer to him. "Sorry to keep you all in the dark like that. But we were busy in other regions of Tyria... you know, killing innocents and all, looking to recruit others in our guild."

Himedahl then approached the charr. "I thought your kind were extinct by now. Who are you?"

"Brondor Gorfang. Not quite extinct yet. Very few of us remain."

"Let's head inside and you can all tell us what has been going on out there," Himedahl told them, gesturing towards the palace area. "We could use the extra numbers to finish off those Vidells in dominant fashion."

Zura was taken by surprise, hearing the Videll name. "You mean you haven't already killed them? What are you waiting for?"

"I'm sure they have their reasons," Kasmeer told her. "Now let's get out of this rain, please."

"Why?" Marjory asked, approaching her with a smile. "You look great in the rain, all nice and wet."

It looked like the two were about to kiss but Himedahl had already rolled his eyes and turned around to lead the others to the palace.