Darkness.
Her mind was just now beginning to return to consciousness.
She can feel the light breeze of the wind blowing on her body. The sounds of birds chirping is heard a short distance away. She needed to wake up. Her eyes slowly began to open. It is a mostly cloudy day, with a beam of sunshine shining through the clouds now and then. There are wheat crops and some tall flowers swaying in the wind on either side of her. Judging from the lighting and position of the sun, it seemed to be around midday.
"Wh- ...where?"
Selene Lion pulled herself up to a sitting position on the soft grass beneath her. She had a minor headache but doesn't recall anything hitting her in the head.
Wait, something did.
The last thing she can remember was the encounter with the elder dragon Zhaitan. She and Azeena were attempting to neutralize its power and prevent the Awakening altogether. There was a massive energy shockwave from the dragon itself that struck them both. It knocked her out cold.
She looked around and finally realized where she is now. The Gendarren Fields, about a five minute walk to the northern gate of Lion's Arch.
"How did I get all the way over here?"
She got up to her feet, a little dizzy, using a fence post to keep from falling back down. She then wondered if the mission was a success. Only one way to find out. She got out her guild communicator.
"Selene to Diina."
She looked around while waiting for a response. There wasn't one.
"Selene to Azelia."
Again, no answer.
"Selene to any UHoT guild member, please respond."
Silence.
She wondered if the communicator might have been damaged from the impact of the energy shockwave.
"Great. Now how am I going to get a hold of them?"
A male voice spoke out. "Are you looking for UHoT?"
She turned around to see a human farm worker looking at her.
"Yes, I am."
"I just came from Lion's Arch just a short time ago and I saw them heading to the Crow's Nest Tavern. If you hurry, they might still be there."
Better than nothing, I guess, she thought. "Thank you."
Selene reached behind to make sure her longbow and arrows were still there. She didn't feel them. Looking around close to where she was laying in all directions, they were nowhere to be found.
"Lose something?" the worker asked.
"My bow and a quiver of arrows."
"Well, if I happen to find them, I'll be sure to get them back to you."
"Thank you again."
She started walking down the path leading to Lion's Arch, taking her time since her legs are still a bit numb. The worker then got to thinking, glancing back in her general direction. She seemed familiar to him.
"Oh, um... what was your name, in case I can't find you?"
She paused and looked back for a moment. "Selene Lion." Smiling, she continued on her way, unaware that the worker is standing there with a slight look of disbelief.
"The wife will think I was out drinking again when she hears about this."
Lion's Arch
Eastern Ward
Selene arrived at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Crow's Nest Tavern. Her VM unit is not at full power and cannot be used in its current condition. The headache she had since waking up was fading as she walked up the stairs. A few citizens who were walking down the other side seemed rather surprised to see her after she passed them, just like the farm worker earlier. She didn't say anything or look back, or more like didn't notice it.
She entered the tavern, which was unusually quiet for a change with small amounts of conversation. She then saw a group of familiar faces at a large round table. They are members of the Unified Heroes of Tyria; Azelia, Zura, Himedahl, Bat, Catherine, Nymhe, Rasolnika and Tesla.
Marjory Delaqua was even with them, although not officially a guild member. She is considered an ally. Kasmeer Meade was not with her. The rest of UHoT must be out doing other things.
Selene slowly strolled over to the table. The group appeared to all have sad looks, as if in mourning, and were sharing drinks together mostly in silence. She then noticed something strange. There were no Asurans sitting with them and none of the Vidells were present.
That reminded her of something. What happened to Azeena?
"Logan sent us a message earlier this morning," Marjory said without looking up at anyone in particular. "Queen Jennah and the Seraph extend their deepest condolences for our loss. They also congratulate us for our biggest victory to date."
"That was sweet of them," Azelia replied after a pause, not knowing what else to say. Her eyes were focused on the still full mug in front of her, slowly rotating it around in place.
"I'll drink to that," said Himedahl. He then held up his mug. "In her honor and loving memory."
The others held up their own mugs. "In her honor and loving memory," they all said in unison before putting the mugs to their lips. As Tesla was beginning to lower her mug, she glanced over and saw Selene standing close to their table. Startled, she almost started to choke on her mead but quickly swallowed it. Tesla then sat there, staring in surprise. Azelia then noticed the look on Tesla's face.
"Tesla, what is it?" she said while turning her head around. Azelia gasped. Now everyone was looking to see what's happening. They all now have the same look of surprised disbelief.
"Hey everyone," Selene said after a few moments of awkward silence. "I'm back. Tried to contact you on my communicator a short time ago but no one was answering."
Everyone at the table rose to their feet, their facial expressions not changing. Selene looked behind her, thinking they were looking at something else. She turned back to them, realizing it was indeed her they are staring at.
"What is it? You all look like you just saw a ghost," she asked, slightly confused.
Guardian Bat glanced at the others, then decided he would be the one to respond, looking back at Selene. "We... buried you... less than two days ago."