It was fair to say that Fenriz wasn’t particularly perceptive. And at first, the boy hadn’t taken notice of any palpable change. He was fairly accustomed to the darkness. It was all he really knew the outdoors to be like. But even for him, lack of perception and all, it didn’t take long before he realized something was off. Very off.

By this point he had become fairly accustomed to the plains, having spent a considerable amount of time traversing it in his attempt to leave Canelux. No matter where one was headed, it almost felt like they had to cross the plains to get there. He knew places to hide when the need arose, places to rest during the day, and particularly paths that saw high levels of traffic. These were places that he usually avoided while traveling solo. Most people only meant well, of course, seeking to reunite the boy with the parents they assumed were nearby, a few would even offer to bring the “brave lad” with them in their own travels. But Fenriz knew that even among these good natured citizens, there were those that knew his kind, could tell what he was, and only meant to cause him trouble.

But this night, be they good natured or not, they were seemingly nowhere to be found. At first, Fenriz figured this meant storms, as the usual moonlight that spotlighted his travels was seemingly being blocked by something. But he had traveled the plains during a storm before, and even then there were still the foolhardy souls that threw caution to the wind and pressed on regardless of what nature had in store for them. Even the animals that normally populated these plains appeared to have vanished, leaving behind an unusual, uncomfortable silence, and an uneasy feeling in the young vampire’s stomach.

It wasn’t until screams of agony shattered that silence, that Fen’s fears were realized.

When the first shriek hit his ears, Fenriz was torn on whether or not to run toward the source, or away from it. Before a decision in that regard could be made, another horrible screech came from the opposite direction. It wasn’t long before he was surrounded by a cacophony of dreadful wails. It didn’t take long before he too, found out why.

From the ground wispy shadows began to take shape around the boy. At first, he thought little of it. Ever since the encounter at the cemetery, the shadows had seemed to come alive around him, typically to protect him from some unforeseen danger. But those shadows were usually formless. These had formed into some vaguely humanoid shape, each of varying height and size. Most jarring was the one they all centered around, a shadow that looked disturbingly similar to himself, right down to the height, “clothing” that included an identical cloak billowing in the soft breeze, and fangs exposed in a creepy grin.

Shadow Fenriz slowly began backing away from the real one, and in the distance between the two more shades began to take form. Fen would take several steps backward, and made an attempt to call on the shadows himself. Closing his eyes, he tried to tap into the shadows around him, manipulate them to carry him away as they had several times before… but nothing happened. He would try again and again, each time producing the exact same result. With a naive hope that this was merely a nightmare he was waking up from, he opened his eyes, still face to face with his shadowy counterpart and his growing army.

As the boy began to take steps back, the ground beneath him began to tremble, and from small pockets crawled other people-like creatures, with partial skeletons exposed and what little flesh remained was decaying and rotted. The living corpses, though significantly outnumbered, forming a wall between Fenriz and the shadows, seemingly intent on fighting a war of unholy nature.

Naija was unaware of what chaos had now descended upon the world as two deities played their game. The dusty roads of Bohar were sprawling and endless, a peaceful interlude between cities of the north and south. Yet something strange occurred which was concerning. Having slept early the evening before, she awoke to find it was still night. At first she had passed it off as her waking up in the middle of the night for no reason, and returned to sleep. But when she couldn't fall back asleep, that was when she noted that this wasn't right. Her body was aware it had slept enough, but it should be morning. There was an empty chill in the winds, something completely different from the soft ambient sounds of the plains after nightfall. There was a distinct absence of sound. No insects singing, no frogs croaking, no cries of wild animals. An unnatural and uneasy silence filled the void.

It was very dark, the moons were blackened though it was not the right time of year for them to be new. At least one moon should be visible, yet there was nothing. There were no stars, only a pitch blackness. With her sitar in hand, she cast a spell to create a sphere of light. Like a miniature of the sun, it floated above, allowing her to see within a certain radius. However, even then there was something about the dark that tried to snuff out even what little light she had. Though she was alone, she pressed on. She would find a city soon, and perhaps ask if anyone else knew about this strangeness.

A scream shattered the silence, making her jump. It was so sudden, and something in it made chills run through her body. What was that? Was someone in danger?

Moving in the direction of the scream she saw someone else vaguely in the shadows. She could not make out who it was, and called out loudly so her voice could carry. "Hello? Are you unhurt? If you would be so kind, please tell me your name!" They were moving, but it was odd. Stumbling, or moving back abruptly as if something startled them. Then Naija heard a low hissing, and rustling in the grass. Sending the light to swing in that direction, she caught a glimpse of something slithering through the plants. It was legless, large, and scaled. Holding her breath she realized what it was. The rattling hiss grew louder, and this time from another direction. Snake!

Quickly Naija plucked the cords of her instrument, sending a sharp note as a warning. The sound wave rippled outward from her through the grasses, exposing whatever was hiding there. But as the waves of grass parted, the silhouette of the serpent was gone. Her usual smile was gone, and she pressed her lips to form a tight line. She never wanted it to come to this, but she would defend herself with what she had.

Given the circumstances it would be hard to imagine anything taking the boy's attention, but for just long enough someone had managed it. A shout from beyond the way echoed across against the otherwise silent air. In the excitement of shadows and corpses still rising around him what exactly was said had gotten lost, but the fact that it was another sentient being capable of dialogue was more than enough for Fen. Both lifeless entities began to battle, though it was clear from the outset that the undead stood little match for their incorporeal opponents, most crumbling away at even the lightest strike from the tenebrous creatures. But, if nothing else, they did provide enough of a distraction for the young Fen to try and slip away, running toward this newcomer with as much haste as his short legs would allow. It was certainly the sign of an unusual situation, Fenriz sprinting toward a stranger rather than away. But whatever this person's temperament might be, whatever their personal feelings toward his kind was, unless they were the source of these nightmares it was almost a guarantee that this actual person was was less of a potential hazard than the alternative.

Again he attempted his abilities to manipulate the shadows. An ability that would potentially never be more useful to him than right now, when the world around was nothing but shadows. So naturally, it was here and now that this trait seemed sealed off to him. Why? The power was new to him, and he was far from having full control of it, but typically this meant it acted of it's own accord; if anything this should be the type of scenario where it went haywire, causing mischief as infinite as the darkness surrounding him. But be it by his command or not, the only shadows that seemed to come alive were those led by his hazy counterpart, leaving him with no choice to press on by foot. He was closer now, close enough to work out a few details about this person. Namely he could see a light, a considerably dim light, but at present served as both a figurative and literal beacon of hope.

Shadow Fenriz had not let his retreat go unnoticed. Fen had managed to separate a sizable distance between the two, but unbeknownst to him his shadow glared at his retreating form, the sinister grin never fading from its face for even a moment. It had held out on any action for so long, almost as if it was contemplating allowing Fen to have this little rendezvous, knowing it would matter little in the long run. If this was the case however, it seemingly changed it's mind. It lifted a hand into the air, and fingers morphed into murky tendrils that began chasing the small boy. Nearly they had found their target, lapping at Fen's heels before suddenly being retracted. A few of the still rising undead had managed to force their way through the ranks of the shadows, and were now swarming the lead shade, narrowly preventing it from halting Fenriz.

As soon as he had made it to this woman he took refuge behind her, standing about as close as he could manage without actually making contact. He looked up at her with pitiful eyes. It was a look that pleaded with the woman for her assistance, or at very least an explanation. Whether she would or was even capable of offering either he couldn’t say, but he was limited in other options.

In the increasing number of things for him to be concerned about, he felt something brush passed his leg. When he snapped his head around his eyes caught something sliding through the grass, although what it was exactly he couldn’t tell. He surveyed the ground as best he could with frayed nerves, however just as quickly as he sensed it’s presence, it seemed to disappear.

It was just as well, as his shadow counterpart had slayed the corpses that were distracting it, and once more set sights on Fenriz himself. For a moment it disappeared, melding into what appeared to be the very ground itself. The shadow weaved beneath the feet of the still rising army of undead, leaving its own battalion to deal with them for now. The Shadow would reform in front of the both of them, though its eyes locked firmly on Fenriz. A shadowy hand was raised once more, and tendrils began to reach out, hoping to pull the boy from behind his newfound “friend”.

It was gone. With a sigh, she breathed in. This was all wrong, very unlike how things had been nights before. Was she really awake, or was she still asleep? The patter of footsteps and stumbling from nearby drew her attention as what appeared to be a young boy running through the grasses quickly approached. She was still tense about that snake's rattle when she saw the fear shining on his face. Him too? With her having the only light in this expanse of darkness, she had never thought that it would draw others to her. The frightened boy hid behind her, looking around as if he had been chased too. A prickling sensation came over the back of her neck and arms, as the rustle of movement made her whirl her head to glance what was there.

A shadow–no, maybe something worse was there in front. Grinning with what even Naija could see as wicked malice, it raised a hand to attack. Then the rattling came back again, hissing even louder than before. From behind the terrible shadow something greater and even larger loomed above, towering over with a slender familiar shape. Stretching upward, its body fanned out and widened into a hooded head. Two green-glowing eyes pierced the dark night as out of the shadows emerged what Naija had feared was real–a massive spitting cobra. She could still remember the markings of its hooded head. The tawny brown and dark pattern of its scales that made it blend in so well with the sandstone in dim light. Its fangs, hissing forked tongue, and how it nearly…

Strumming several chords, she cast a spell weaving light and magic together to shield her and the boy from their terrors. The light hopefully would keep the shadows at bay, and with her hands tightening around the neck of her sitar she began to sing. The only words that came to mind were an old ballad of a valiant divine warrior who descended from heaven to chase away the demons plaguing the land long before the war of the gods, before the fall of Parvpora's world tree. Eyes fixed on the monstrous serpent and fiendish shadow, the light around them took on a rainbow hue, like the auroras in Glaciem in the high mountains. Waves of light moved in time with the music, swirling about them like currents. The more she sang, the more her fears weakened in the comfort of her music.

Still afraid, but holding onto a sliver of courage, she faced the danger like any minstrel would. Naija could only hope that her protection would be enough should either enemy choose to attack with greater strength and swiftness. A small area around her and the boy was now within the circle of the auroras' holy light. The serpent hissed with spiteful disdain, something in its eyes she could recognize. Wait, why could she see this? Beasts had no thoughts in such matters. This wasn't truly a snake, wasn't it? This snake, it was really…Vashti. Yes, it was Vashti. The same look in its eyes; that coldness and venomous hate. Snakes' eyes never had such feelings. As she came to this realization, a terrible transformation came upon the great serpent. Its head and neck began to change into the form of her fellow bard back before she was forced to flee Abed. In fact, she was the very reason Naija had to flee.

"You took everything from me!" The snake-woman hissed. "You stole their attention, and they all ignored me! I should have been the one who was chosen! If it wasn't for you, if you didn't exist–I would have never been second place!" Her face contorted with rage, baring her snake-fangs. "I'll tear out your neck and break your limbs, so you will never overshadow me again!"

Surrounded on both sides by these nightmares left Fen paralyzed by terror. Though he couldn’t see it, somewhere behind him he could hear it, a cobra weaving through grass blades, an unsettling rattling sound echoing from what felt like varying directions each time. He wanted to spin around, search for it, make sure it wasn’t prepared to strike, but his eyes dare not waver from the mirror that stood in front of him. The shade stared back with sinister intent in its shadowy eyes, its grin glowing larger as fingers turned tendrils started to curve themselves around him. He closed his eyes, resigning himself to the seemingly inevitable.

With vision cut off from the world around him, he braced himself for the no doubt unpleasant experience the shade was set to put him through. But it never came. Ears that had only detected the unnerving noises of a serpent stalking its prey, were now suddenly filled with a far more pleasing melody. Strums from a stringed instrument he had failed to notice earlier mixed with an enchanting voice reciting lyrics he didn’t recognize. Despite this, there was something almost soothing, comforting about the combination, giving Fenriz just enough courage to allow his eyes to open, and reveal the glowing aura now surrounding the both of them. The light seemed to dance along with her balad, almost blissfully defiant of the horrors surrounding them. For a fleeting moment the rhythmic movement and myriad of colors managed to tap into Fen’s more childlike side, eliciting eyes wide with wonder, and even a small smile despite the situation.

His doppleganger however, found the barrier of light far less appealing. The shadow surprised Fenriz with a ghastly wail, as the protective prism forced the retreat of its extended appendages. It circled around the duo, the grin replaced with a frustrated grimace, as it sought to find some way to penetrate the radiant barricade. When its search proved unsuccessful, it melded into the darkness, flashing its sinister smirk at Fenriz before disappearing

For the time being, this left them with one. One horror that seemed to be far more interested in the bard than Fenriz. Despite the snake’s indifference to the boy, he in turn felt no less scared, shifting himself just that much closer to his musical ally in an attempt to ensure as much a barrier between himself and the towering serpent. Little did he know that this was far from it’s most frightening form.

It had transformed, retaining some of it’s snake-like form, though the face now resembled that of a woman. Whoever this serpent woman was, she seemed to know the bard though whatever memories they they shared, they weren’t pleasant. That much was certain, the rage and hatred seemingly dripping from her fangs as she hissed out her venomous tirade.

Perhaps it was his childish naivety. Perhaps it was due to him being an outsider in this situation. But listening to her rant, Fenriz couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic toward it. He wasn’t certain if that’s what she really looked like. He wasn’t certain any of this was real. But there was something about it’s monstrous appearance made him feel a bizarrely sorry for it. The boy glanced up at the bard, still singing the unfamiliar tune. He wasn’t sure how, but he felt that her singing and the barrier of light were intertwined, and thus interrupting her seemed like a poor idea. Left with no other choice, he stepped in front of her, and addressed the snake-hybrid itself.

“Miss… Snake lady?” the fear and uncertainty was written all over the boy’s face. Yet he soldiered on, trying to speak loud enough to be heard, but not so loud as to distract the other from her song “I’m sorry that something bad happened to you.I’ve had a lot of bad stuff happen to me, too. But I don’t think that taking it out on this lady is going to fix that. I don’t think that hurting people ever fixes anything”

It was likely a fruitless attempt. He wasn’t even certain if this thing was capable of hearing him. But trying to reason with it was all he could think to do. He didn’t dare try to flee, not with his shadow no doubt lingering out there somewhere. Not to mention he’d never be able to live with himself if he just abandoned the woman now. But in his young heart he had to hope something would be successful.

Even though she had thought it was all behind her and in the past, Vashti's face and screaming accusations made her falter. It showed in the aurora surrounding them–sudden erratic ripples in the otherwise smooth and flowing melody. She knew it hadn't been her fault, but ever since she left Abed Naija had been thinking the events over again and again. She had been so blind to everything. How could she have overlooked it? Why didn't she notice those brief glimpses of displeasure and disinterest when she spoke with her fellow minstrel? Why didn't she grasp the meanings behind those seemingly-odd exhortations the senior members of the guild gave to her during the days of the competition? Why didn't she sense Vashti's feelings when she ranked lower than her despite passing the first round? Why didn't she know all of this sooner, before it happened?

Maybe if she had just talked to Vashti, maybe if she had asked her what was wrong–if she had asked her to be honest with her feelings… She wouldn't have been so angry. Angry enough to want her dead. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry Vashti. But I don't understand! Why do you hate me?" The tune of her music took on a slower pace and sorrowful tone. The circling rainbow of colors gradually shifted to tones of blues and purples. "I never thought about overshadowing you. All I wanted was to dance and sing to the music I loved so much. I didn't care about becoming our guild master's successor or inheriting the style of the school! When they asked us to take part in the competition I saw it as a chance to share what I loved!" 

The naga-hybrid of Vashti shrieked at the words of them both. "Liar liar LIAR!!! You'll never understand what it was like being pushed aside and forgotten like an old garment! Before you came, everyone looked to me! I was the one who was asked to play before the merchants and traders in the evenings! I was the one whom younger pupils would ask for lessons! And I was the one they praised and worshiped!"

How did things come to this? How did someone she had thought of as a friend become such a pitiful shadow of her former self? When they first met they grew close through their shared love of the performing arts. She had always admired the way Vashti carried herself with an alluring and mature air when performing before the audience. But at one point things started to change. Vashti was no longer as happy after conducting her performances. Even when Naija gave encouragement and appreciation when she voiced her self-doubts, Vashti's mood did not improve. Soon when she went to greet her friend in the mornings, the woman would throw her a glance and turn to walk away. Not long after she herself began to hear others' comments on the quality of Vashti's performances, and Naija herself could feel it too. It was like she had lost her love for dance and music, and it had begun to show. 

The full brunt of the shock hit her just after she had been bitten by the snake and had collapsed on the floor. Though her vision was blurring, she saw a face briefly peer through the partition separating her chambers from the hall. From the person's eyes and emerald teardrop earrings, the pain of the realization was worse than the spasms from the poison. It was as if someone had drove a knife deep into her heart, and had left it there. She knew who it was, even when she tried to tell herself she had been mistaken. Emeralds set in gold was a favorite jewelry style of Vashti's. 

Naija's voice was wavering, she was doing all she could to hold back tears. "Why? Why did you become this way? Didn't you tell me how much you loved dance and music, that it was like the air you breathed? You used so many metaphors for how much it meant to you: like water to a lotus, the winds beneath a bird's wings, the oil to the wick of a lamp. You loved being a minstrel. I knew you did as much as anyone in the guild! So why did it all change?" 

Seething with hate, the woman-serpent thrashed as she devolved into hysteria. "It was all because of you! I was just as talented as you, but that old man always thought your songs and your dances were better! No matter how hard I worked, how hard I tried, how much I pushed myself to meet that stupid guild master's expectations–HE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED ME!!!" With blind rage, the hideous monster charged at them and clawed at the barrier, smashing itself against the shimmering waves of light again and again. Screams intermixed with hissing filled the air as it clutched and grasped to pull the minstrel apart. The sheer anger coming from it was palpable, almost nauseatingly so. Naija finally broke down into tears, as she heard with painful clarity the voice of her former friend's deep-seated jealousy. Her barrier of light was starting to weaken, and the naga-woman's violent assault was wearing it down. It wasn't going to hold much longer, unless someone helped pull the bard out of her own personal nightmare.    

After Fen had given an attempt to reason with the terrifying hybrid of woman and snake, the bard did the same. The monster had a name, and both Vashti and the other bard apparently had history, although it was hard for the boy to identify what exactly that history was, other than obviously not being a pleasant one. What he did notice however, was the barrier that only moments ago danced with a wonderful vibrancy, had begun to morph into a mournful shade of dark blue. Much like they conversation Vashti and the bard were having, Fenriz was unable to tell what the cause was precisely, but knew that this was not a sign of good news.

Vashti screamed at their words, causing the startled Fenriz to nearly leap outside of the protective light. As she continued her angry tirade, the boy once more took his place behind the minstrel, though his eyes never strayed from the shadow’s disturbed face. With little other option, he did his best to piece together the past that these two shared, while simultaneously hoping the barrier didn’t give out. Even if somehow, someway, they were able to appease Vashti, he knew that somewhere nearby his own demon lurked, biding its time like a vulture.

Which of the two, if not the both of them, Vashti was speaking to was impossible to tell in such a hysterical state, but the line about not knowing what it was like to be forgotten struck a chord somewhere within the child. Though deeply buried by a much stronger feeling of fear, a part of him was almost offended by it. Though mentally, he knew that his parents hadn’t abandoned him by choice, that they would certainly be here if they were capable of doing so, the emotions of someone so young were rarely that logical. Every now and then before it was time for him to rest for the day, tired thoughts would turn to his parents and he would wonder: if they were still alive, were they looking for him with the same fervor that he searched for them? Or had they simply cut their losses and moved on? What of the few friends he had made along the way? Despite being an unknowable distance away, he they were frequently in his thoughts, but he couldn’t help but wonder if the inverse were true, or had most resumed their lives without him with barely a remembrance of his name? Of course these answers lied with the people in question, so in that regard Vashti may be right. He might not know what being forgotten was truly like, but he did know that the possibility was almost more frightening than Vashti or his own shadow.

Despite this brief twinge of anger, Fenriz was able to escape his own thoughts to paint a broader picture of where Vashti was coming from. Her diatribe was one of jealousy. The one he was standing with was a musician, that much was obvious, but apparently so was Vashti, though in this context it was difficult for Fenriz to imagine her playing any music even half as wonderful as her counterpart was capable of. Perhaps that was the source of her envy.

Vashti violently insisted, however, that she was every bit her equal. As she continued to rant of the injustices against her, the frail threads of her sanity had seemed to finally unravel, as she tossed herself at the barrier of light, desperately trying to destroy it, as well as the one that had summoned it in the first place. Fortunately it still held, yet even Fenriz knew that this would not last for much longer. Though the prospect of taking his eyes of Vashti for even a moment was not an appealing one, he turned to the friendly bard, intent to question her on what the next steps might be. Fenriz had heard her voice waver a moment ago, audibly fighting a battle against tears, though now he could see that she had not triumphed in that fight.

It only took a moment for the boy to realize whatever was to happen next, it was up to him to set it in motion. But what exactly was he to do? The both of them had tried reasoning with it, to no avail. Trying once more to command the shadows all around also produced no tangible results. Instincts began to suggest that he flee. After all, he wasn’t the one Vashti was after. Whatever background they had, whatever this business with the guild master was, none of it concerned him. If he ran now, and just kept running, he just might be able to…

No. Even if it might save his own life, it wasn’t right. Without even knowing his name, she had protected him. If he had abandoned her now, he’d be no better than the self-serving vampires that gave his kind a bad name. If this woman were to perish, than he would do so as well.

Almost as if spurred by Fenriz’s unusual display of bravery, some of the previously motionless corpses began to rise once more. This time, however, with Fenriz’s own doppelganger still nowhere to be seen, the corpses began to descend upon Vashti. Even now, he was uncertain where this loyalty the undead were showing him had come from, given his prior experiences with the risen saw them very much on the opposite side of the battlefield. He was certain, however, that the momentary distraction would be a welcome one, albeit short-lived

“Umm… Miss?” the boy gently tugged at his protector’s arm, just enough to hopefully get her attention. As he spoke there was a noticeable unease to his voice, only natural given the circumstances. But there was also a sense of childlike honesty in his words.

“I’m sorry your friend is mad at you. But if it helps, I really liked your song. And the lights were really pretty! I don’t know a lot about music, but not even my mother could make lights appear when she sang, so I think that must mean you’re really good at it! It’s not a bad thing to be good at something. I kind of understand why Miss Vashti is upset. It must be kinda hard, being friends with someone that good at something. But real friends should be supportive of their friend’s accomplishments. At least… that’s what I think”

Despite it all, Fenriz actually managed a genuine smile, momentarily forgetting about the macabre scene around him. His speech was a bit rough, about as eloquent as someone his age might manage. But the sentiment was pure.

The boy she had created the barrier around spoke up. His voice was wavering, but even so he spoke with genuine honesty. "Yes?" Wiping tears, Naija did her best to put on a brave face for him. They were both frightened and alone in a strange place. Giving words of encouragement and comfort, her heart was eased by his kindness. There was much more that he did not know, but the most important portions he had grasped. With a smile, she said quietly: "…Thank you. Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much I wanted to hear those words." That was the truth. She had admired Vashti so much that it hurt to see a friend consumed by jealousy. If this was how the other bard truly felt, then she never understood what place Naija had her in her heart.

The colors of the barrier returned to their iridescent brightness as she gathered her resolve. It was hard to look at the naga that bore Vashti's face, but she could no longer run away anymore. Vashti had decided to end their friendship long ago. "Vashti, if only you knew how much everyone cared for you." She said sadly. "When your music lost its spirit, we were all worried. We tried asking you what was wrong, if everything was alright. Anil always paid attention to you, you know? He told me not to tell, but whenever you were called to perform outside he would sneak in, hide somewhere out of sight, and listen. And the master of our school always recommended you as one of his first five choices."

"You were my senior, you taught me much. You showed me how each person's music and dance was unique. I cannot do what you do best, Vashti–your ability to make watchers feel as if they are the only one in your eyes. I've forgiven you countless times since I left Abed, and I will do so again and again…until we can be friends once more. I am sorry Vashti, for not understanding how you felt sooner. But I have to let you go. I can no longer run from the fact that we may meet again. And when we do, I must be ready."  

With a renewed determination, Naija plucked at the strings of her sitar. Sitting cross-legged on the ground she closed her eyes and began to play with increasing pace. A rich cascade of sound echoed and rippled like waves, pulsing the air. The air itself began to move, swirling along with the light of the barrier. The winds picked up, whipping at the snake-woman, pushing her back. Her screams and shrieks were being drowned out by Naija's music and the rushing winds, as a vortex of air formed a rainbow column. The force of the vacuum created by the air currents were sucking Vashti in, to where the nightmare's immense form was engulfed by the light. 

"Begone, kusupna! You shall not torment me with the face of my friend anymore!" With a flash of light, the vortex of colored winds began folding in on itself until it shrank and compressed into a spiral, then it vanished. A burst of light motes rained down from above, sparkling like stars in the unnatural darkness. For a moment, it was not so frightening. Breathing deeply, the pain in her heart ached a little less. Yes, one day she would have to face Vashti. How things would become then, time could only tell. But for now, she had to come to terms with her former friend's betrayal and move on.