She lay there, hovering between dreams and reality, her magick drained from her by the reeking decay on Felucca. Hours? Days? Time lost all meaning as she slowly began to rebuild her shattered mind, gathering from the living world around her what she was lacking. The tall trees lent her strength, imbuing her with their solid mass, letting her feel how deep their roots imbedded in the fertile soil. Earth.. the first void slowly began to rebuild itself. Half waking, she struggled to remain lucid, building a small fire to keep at least some of the shadows away. Fire.. the acrid smoke coiling around her to gently fill the second void. Depleted by the simple task, she succumbed to dreams again, drifting as her magick worked to repair itself. Her breathing slowed, letting the flow of air moving through and over her soothe the trembling of her exhausted body. Air.. currents unseen began to saturate the third void. And slowly, ever so slowly, the world began to focus again.

The sparrow woke her from her dream-state. The light tugs on her hair finally bringing her to consciousness. With a weak moan, she slowly rolled herself over, her eyes opening just enough to register the darkness around her. Nighttime. But.. which night? Seeing the woman’s lashes flutter, the delicate bird peeped softly then took flight. She almost managed to smile, watching the familiar sight soar off into the dark, but the simple task was beyond her still. She brought a hand to her face, groaning from the effort and leaving a soot streak along her cheek. Her hair was being its normal, disobedient self, and she slowly managed to brush the unruly tendrils from her haggard face. She was in desperate need of a bath, that much she could recognize. Flowers had woven themselves into her hair as she healed. There was dirt caked under her nails from digging her slender fingers into the soil as the trees showed her their strength. Wood ash spattered her clothing and clung to her skin, but even beyond her bedraggled appearance, there was a listlessness that was unmistakable.

Managing to push herself up, she sat there, panting softly from the exertion. She felt horrible, weak as a new-born and more vulnerable. She recognized the area, she was near the Falls, but it seemed like such a long walk. Casting a tired glance around, she began to slowly gather her things, each movement an effort that weakened her further. Haphazardly slinging her backpack over her shoulder, she curled her trembling fingers around her staff, using it to lever herself to her feet. She clung limply to her staff, swaying slightly as her knees tried to decide if they really wanted to keep her upright or not. It took time to persuade her legs to listen to her wishes, but the young woman was finally able to take a cautious step forward. With a goal in mind, she slowly started to drag herself by sheer force of will towards the Falls.

The damp air and crashing roar managed to lift her spirits slightly. But knowing that in her weakened state she would be unable to avoid the current, she turned slightly northward, around the edge of the lake that fed the rush of water. The gentle, recessed pool beckoned to her. With a sigh of relief, she carelessly dropped everything to the ground, only taking enough time to remove her clothes before falling into the lake and letting the water rush over her head. Bliss. The chill water closed around her in a lover’s embrace, welcoming home one of their own. Water.. the forth void filled as the water caressed over her body. The piece that had been missing. The water’s fluidity soaked into her, further bolstering her healing as her mind clung to the gentle ebb and flow of current. Surfacing, she took a slow, deep breath as details slowly began to return.

Standing there, waist-deep in the lake, she slowly started sorting out her thoughts as she bathed. The wet length of her golden hair lay along her slender back, picking up the glint of moonlight as it washed over the world around her. She had survived, though she knew how close she had come to a different outcome. And she had recovered what she sought, which in the grand scheme of things made the peril worth the risk. Cupping her delicate hands, she lifted some water to her lips, drinking slowly as more details returned to her. Thoughts that had been scattered slowly began to reorder themselves, a slow weaving of the four to support the one. Yes, she had found what she sought. He had helped her, but she had felt how weak he was. The land was draining him, but there was something else.. but what? An echo whispered through her thoughts.. there are others here, Joylah...

She felt a wave of regret, she knew she could not save him. Others with the strength to survive on that dead world would need to do that. Others with a magic different from hers, who found power in something besides the life that now teemed around her. But they needed to do it quickly, or their efforts would all be for naught. Lowering her head as she stepped out of the water, she absently began to whisk the water from her skin, thinking about what was and what might still be. She had promised to help him when his need was greatest. She had the means now to do so, she only hoped she would have the strength. Glancing at the horizon as she limply lowered herself to the ground near her things, she decided sunrise was still another hour away and began to slowly hunt through her pack. Pulling out a bundled and tied shirt, she rested it on her bare knees and began to work the knots loose, struggling with them as her fingers trembled with fatigue. The seamstress in her noted the shoddy workmanship absently, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her soft lips.

Closing her eyes, she let her thoughts drift, seeking something within her mind she knew was important. A phrase, yes, he had told her. It would protect her.. what was it? Slowly, she began to replay their encounter, feeling the drain on her magick anew as the scene played out in her mind’s eye. Weakening, but forcing herself to find what she sought, she focused her search, finally finding the phrase he had taught her. Yes, that was it, her mind clinging to the words before they escaped her grasp, again. As she folded back the last layer of cloth, she whispered softly in the night air, “Daerna R’zhabbanonn.” Her shoulders slumping with exhaustion, she forced her eyes open one last time.

She managed a weak, triumphant laugh as her gaze fell on the glyph hidden in the folds of fabric. Exactly what she had been seeking. Something he would remember, something uniquely his. Her arms trembling, she placed the necklace over her head, letting it rest between her breasts as she slowly gathered her clothes. Dressing sapped her of what strength she had left, but she took extra care to tuck the glyph protectively under her damp shirt. Somewhere in the recesses of her tired mind she knew to keep it from the light, and she was too tired to flee from the approaching dawn. All she wanted now, was to rest. To let the power around her heal her wounds and reconstruct her fragmented spirit. Curling into a ball, her knees tucked up to her chest and her head nestled down, she drifted back to dreams. Embracing them feverishly...her last thought before she gave herself wholly to their embrace was the haunt of his voice, so tired... “There are others here, Joylah...”

The spirit’s features distorted into what looked like a frown. Xas... I... understand. He did not, but that was of little consequence. She was weakening quicky.

She spoke again, straining against the assault. I wish... it could be otherwise. Her face looked uncertain as she leaned heavily on her staff. But... I... am unsure if taking you from here... Again she spoke things he did not understand.

Where will you go?

Her eyes glinted, for just a moment, with a fondness evoked at the mere thought of the place. Paradise, Kesar. I go to paradise. What was here, is now
elsewhere.

I do not understand. Though, perhaps he did. If there lay a paradise beyond all this death, it would explain the emptiness of the glade...

I am unsure if I can explain. She paused, thinking for just a moment. I can show you, though.

He watched her slump slightly, another assault against her clearly evident. In his own being he could feel it. I do not want to keep you here longer... I have begun to... feel... your weakness...

She frowned slightly, trying to bolster her defenses as they started to crumble. But it was no use. This world, this death was too much for her to bear. Whatever force had corrupted it now drained her of her essence, stripping her bare as it had done to the land. Yes, I know.. I am.. so sorry.

He spoke with thoughts the he knew she could hear and understand. Joylah... please... you must go.

She knew the truth of it. You may follow, Kesar... but I must... yes. The half-elf nodded, knowing that this place was defeating her. She pushed against her staff, slowly bringing herself upright. For a moment, she managed a teasing lilt to her thought. Remember, Kesar. If you do not, I will have to come back. But her feint did not last long, as the weakness again overtook her. The spirit frowned again, his worry clearly evident in their shared thoughts.

I will try to follow. It was the best answer he could muster.

Joylah nodded as she made her way out of the small temple. Sai’quel. She pushed weakly against the door, managing to open it, but looking even more overcome with grief as she stared at the barren waste that was once a lush glade.

An armored man wandered by watching the woman and the spirit make their way out of the guild hall. “Ahh. So this is the feller.” He nodded to them. “Greetin’s.”

Joylah nodded a tired greeting. “Uma.” She passed him and reached the clearing, managing to recover a small stone from her pack. With shaking fingers, she placed it on the ground. “It is time.. for me to go.” She spoke those words, but the spirit also felt her think them, and he could sense her dread and pain at remaining in this place a moment longer. She leaned on her staff, fearing collapse, as the stone began to settle into the ground.

The spirit stopped. In the corner of his vision, he spied another entity approaching. A twinge of fear began, and had he still possessed a heart, it would have quickened its pace. In the trees, there was another. And on the hill in front of the tower there was another. They were not moving, it seemed. But the menacing stance was no less disconcerting.

The stone on the ground glowed briefly, and then illuminated the night with a magical light. The armored man scowled for a moment, “Bahh! Not that cheery place...” Meanwhile the spirit had found two more phantasms stalking the area. And this time, they were beginning to close in.

Joylah let out a quiet laugh, looking at the man as if he were slightly mad. In her thoughts, though, she only wished to step through the gate. As she moved forward, she uttered only a single word. “Home.” The spirit saw her vanish through the strange portal. He felt the tether that linked their minds begin to weaken. Hoping to continue the communion, he moved in on the gate, hoping to follow her.

That is when the phantasms — ten of them now — closed around him. The spirit panicked. He tried to make it to the portal, but each of them had drawn eerie, ethereal blades that were blacker than the depths of the Underdark. He managed only a single thought before his link with the half-elf was severed by the closing of the portal...

There are others here, Joylah...