Chapter 1 (rewrite)

The Rift

In the empty darkness of the void, the Goddess waited silently.

The world was constantly changing, but the Goddess had long left Arborea behind. She had witnessed the consequences of her actions. Her husband punished the races before vanishing from his elven children forever. The Divine War ended many lives and weakened the Gods, and the Argon Conflict had plagued the lands for centuries. Now, the God Lakan's cult of Devas and Archdevas was on rise.

But now, things had turned for the worse. The Goddess's daughter, Mystel, who had the power of foresight, had already been weakened from the Divine War, there was no way she could have seen this event coming, especially when it involved forces not from their world…

The Goddess had watched helplessly as the two corrupted beings began their plans.

She sighed and looked on from the void. The Goddess had been waiting for this moment, for her last gifts to the world to truly prove themselves.

"My children," She spoke to herself. "Your test begins now."

A deafening crack echoed, shaking the ground; Erune and Princess Rida jolted from their meditation in the small, secluded stone room.

"What in the-" Rida began, hopping to her feet, her sleek squirrel tail sweeping around her skirts as she stormed to the door. Erune quickly followed after Rida, the fur on her cat tail still puffed up in shock.

As she came up beside the Elin Princess and looked up at the Arborean sky, her purple eyes widened in horror.

Bright green etched itself furiously across the sky - an oozing wound, a long gash across the blue canvas.

And then the rip burst.

From the middle of the crack, a large, swirling bolt of green light shot down and exploded upon the earth. The ground shook immensely, nearly toppling Erune over. She and Princess Rida braced against the rippling shockwave that blew through the valley. Erune's nose wrinkled at the pungent smell of burnt brimstone that came from the green fissure, far from Pora Elinu.

As the quake lessened, the Priestess blinked slowly before raising her head. The swirling spire of crackling green energy stretching from the sky crack continued to whip around in the distance.

Soon after the fissure appeared, sounds of chaos erupted from the rebuilt city of Pora Elinu; Princess Rida began barking out orders to her guards.

For Erune though, the world around her became muffled and then muted as she focused on the green spire.

"Oh, Goddess Elinu..." She whispered to herself. "What is happening?"

[A few days later...]

Eirai shot two arrows at the ghostly being that had rushed towards her, the strange ghoulish creature letting out a blood-curdling screech before boiling away into green smoke, which was quickly sucked back into the small green tear that mirrored the one in the sky.

The rabbit Elin's ears winced from the howl of the defeated monster, but the rest of the creatures had finally been extinguished. She looked over at her friend, Finnoe, and nodded.

Finnoe signaled for her colleagues to work quickly - the Mysterium Order scholars moving to set down glyph pillars around the green crystalized tear. Once the totems were put in position, the barrier was activated, sealing the area around the rift.

"That's the last of them here." Finnoe remarked, marking down in her notebook the quarantined areas in the region.

There are still more, though." Eirai noted. "Your co-workers cannot simply cover every single one of these rifts."

Since the green spire had appeared in the sky, numerous smaller version of the tears had also appeared around the two continents that made up Arborea. From these rifts, strange beings burst forth. None of the bestiary records had seen such monsters before-not even the Archdevas' monstrous experiments resembled them.

"Of course not." the Fox Elin huffed, tossing her twin blonde braids over her shoulders. "We've only contained the ones near towns and cities. Refugees have been coming in for some time now." She glanced at her friend. "Have you heard from the Federation leaders? They've been discussing the matter for quite a while, - I expect them to call on you and your sisters soon..."

Slinging her bow on her back, Eirai crossed her arms. "The Federation is still trying to understand who this new foe is. Princess Rida has also been called in on their meeting as far as I know."

"Princess Rida?" Finnoe paused in her notes, surprised.

Eirai nodded. "Apparently such events are troubling, even for our Gods. Rida told Erune that the Goddesses Seren and Mystel have expressed concern." She glanced back at the quarantined rift through her magenta bangs and mused aloud. "The Archdevas have been silent since we last drove their leader into hiding, so who is this new foe?"

"The Mysterium Order is running tests as we speak." Finnoe answered, tucking away her notebook. "Hopefully we will have some answers soon."

[Elsewhere…]

Amongst the withered old elvhen trees sat countless rows of large mirrors. Some had large cracks; pieces of glass gone for centuries now. Others held no reflection, their insides dark and bleak. However, a lone mirror still functioned, its magic flowing out into the elderly woman's palm.

The woman had her eyes closed in concentration, listening to the echoes from the mirror's hidden network. She ignored the twinges of disturbances from the Fade and continued to search for an outlet, the place where her world ended and another's began.

At last, a reply.

"Who are you?" She questioned the alien force.

She felt a response. Its name was Seren, Moon-Goddess of Arborea. When it asked the old woman for her name, she smirked.

"Some call me a God, but my name is of little concern. More importantly, it appears that our worlds are now linked - as well as our fates. Because of this, I cannot stand by idly and let this continue."

[A few days later…]

Eruno loudly chewed on some sugar pine taffy, her arms behind her head as she and her three siblings walked through the halls of the Federation headquarters in Velika, one of the three main capitals. The Valkyon Federation was an alliance composed of seven of the main races of Arborea, each of their leaders from each of the capitals.

Over the last few years, the Federation had called upon the Fae Sisters, special agents to help investigate delicate matters concerning the welfare of the nation-particularly since two of the Elins were considered Mystel's Chosen.

The Fae Sisters consisted of Eruno Fae and her twin sister, Erune, and their two older twin sisters, Eirai and Zyllian Fae. The youngers twins were Mystel's Chosen while the older two were unofficially titled as their Guardians.

"So," Eruno began, rolling the candy idly between her teeth. "Guess they finally figured out something?"

"We shall see." Zyllian said sharply, the Elin Reaper standing out the most from the rest of her Elin kin.

While Elins tended to have the tails and either ears or horns of the animals that were found in nature, when Zyllian appeared with the Reapers during the Argon war, some of these Elins had demonic horns and wispy long tails that looked as though they had been dipped in dark black ink.

Zyllian's eye twitched in disgust at her younger sister's laid-back behavior as Eruno continued to loudly chew. Instead of admonishing her though, the Reaper focused her attention forward.

Erune kept wringing her hands. It was too soon for her to be sent on another mission. Especially after - she mentally shook her head to clear the grim thoughts that continued to plagued the corners of her mind. Eirai noticed her sister's discomfort and gave her a pat on her shoulder as they walked together.

As the sisters came across a set of double doors, the human and elf guards nodded at the girls before opening the doors to announce their presence.

The administration room was massive, countless shelves of books and scrolls lined the walls, stretching high up above to the glass ceiling. Through the windows, sunlight beamed down upon the large world map in the center of the room. The Federation's world leaders surrounded the map, with Princess Rida taking center stage.

Though she looked like a child, like other Elins, Princess Rida had the age and experience equivalent to the leaders that stood before her. Many had long learned not to take the youthful-faced race so lightly, as some like Rida had lived far longer than a typical human's lifespan.

Upon noticing the Fae Sisters' presence, the Elin Princess curtsied before turning to address the four. The rest of the leaders continued to discuss amongst each other.

"Perfect timing." Rida's well-groomed squirrel tail swished around in excitement.

Eirai was the first to salute, followed by the rest of her siblings. "I take it that you have information?"

"Yes, we do. Seren contacted me. The large fissure," Rida moved aside to gesture at the green mark upon the world map. Various smaller marks littered the rest of the parchment. "is called The Breach, a Rift that is a gateway-to another dimension-to another world."

The Fae Sisters fell silent, the information sinking in.

Eruno's mouth gaped. "Yer fucking kidding, right?" The squirrel Elin started to scoff, only to nudged hard in the ribs by Zyllian. "Ouch!" Her older sister only replied with a glare.

Princess Rida rolled her eyes before continuing. "No, I am not. The creatures that have come forth from these rifts are demons from the Fade-the spiritual realm for that world-similar to the Dream for us.

Seren has managed to contact one of the Gods from that world. The Breach originated from there, but the cause of it stretching into our world was not simply done from just one person.

While they themselves do not often interfere in the affairs of their people, the 'God' could sense that this incident was assisted by someone from our side."

"Do they know who that person is?" Eirai spoke up.

Princess Rida shook her head. "No, they do not. The 'God' was unable to discern who or what they are-only that their aura originated from our dimension."

Zyllian's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms in suspicion. "Can we even trust this…'God'?"

"We cannot," Rida answered. "But they are the only ones we are able to contact and gain information from. Mystel's foresight is unable to see things that are happening in that world, so we must rely on that 'God' for now. Seren, Mystel, and the other Gods agreed.

"There is apparently someone on the other side who may be able to close these rifts, but they do not know how drastic the situation really is, as it affects us as well. We cannot rely on whoever this person is to fix things in a timely manner. This is where you four come in." She looked at the four. "The others and I have discussed about sending envoys over to the other side to aid the person who can seal off the Breach. Mystel has already placed her opinion in the matter: she sees you four as the best choice."

"Only us?" Eruno questioned.

"Seren has discussed with this God about the races from our world and theirs. They have humans and elves like we do, but would possibly view Castanics as demons. Amani and Baraka also look similar to their "Qunari" and golems.

If we are to convince the people of this other world about the conflict that affects us both, we must send a race that looks alien, yet unintimidating. The "God' apparently took quite a fondness to us Elins and Popori, saying we look the most innocent." Rida then huffed, her tail ruffling in annoyance. "Just because Elinu crafted our race to initially have very youthful bodies does not mean one should not take us seriously. Honestly, much of us have lived for many years and-" The Princess continued to rant to herself in front of the Fae Sisters, who were all watching her with stupefied looks.

Erune delicately raised her hand and spoke up with a small voice. "Um," Princess Rida halted in her disgruntled mumbling. "If the Popori also suffice, why are none also being sent?"

Rida placed her hands on her hips. "Eventually the 'God' thought Popori just looked like 'dwarves' or whatever race they have, in animal costumes. Besides, the 'God' can only aid a few of us to their world. And then there is Mystel's recommendation based on her foresight. While she cannot see the events in that world-nor can she identify who the perpetrator who caused it-she sees that you, the Fae Sisters, must go there to handle these affairs."

"Does the 'God' know who started the Breach on their side?" Eruno asked. When Rida shook her head in reply, Eruno snorted. "So... we have an unknown evil from their world who was assisted by an unknown evil from our world, that cause this great fiasco which is threatening both their world and ours, but it appears that there is someone on the other side who can close these rifts?" The Princess nodded at Eruno's annotated summary of the situation.

"Whoever this person is, they do not know about the enemy from our world." Eirai noted, Rida agreeing with the oldest Fae sister. "Simply standing by and relying on them to seal the rifts in a timely manner to avoid threatening either of our worlds is not enough. Besides, entrusting our faith in them to even do the job is risky. Will they even help prevent the threat or not?"

"If they don't do anything, it'll be considered an act of war. Especially since it's from their world to ours." Zyllian growled out from behind her mask.

"Indeed. We cannot wait, as time is of the essence." Princess Rida said sternly. "Seren and the 'God' have arranged to take you to the other world." She then paused, her eyes downcast. "You four may be gone for a long time, so be sure to take everything that you need for this journey."

"We'll be ready in three days' time." Eirai made a salute to the Elin Princess, her sisters following suit.

As her older sisters and twin walked down the hall to pick up their Federation-issued supplies, Eruno hung back to see if one of their friends was present.

Skipping down the halls, the squirrel Elin poked her head in the soldier barracks and grinned when she saw that the large Amani was there, busy sharpening his broadsword on the bench, his back to her.

Before she could try and sneak up on him, he grunted: "I heard you before you came in. Don't even try jumping on me." Arzel stood up at his full height and turned to face her. The Amani's massive form towered over the Elin as she craned her head to look up at his shark-like face.

The Amani were very draconic in their features, their thick skin resembling hardened reptilian scales with large horns protruding from their heads.

"You're no fun." Eruno folded her arms and faked a pout. Arzel let out a soft chuckle, to which Erune returned before lightly punching him in the side. "So, whatcha doing?"

Arzel looked his sword over before putting it aside. "With this 'Breach' going on, the Federation has been sending many of us agents out to the other capital cities. I am to be stationed in Allementheia." He looked down at the small Elin. "I've been told what you and your sisters will be doing of course. Traveling to this other 'world' are you?"

Eruno shrugged. "Yeah. Looks like we might be gone for a while."

The Amani reached down and ruffled the Elin's green hair. "You take care of yourself, alright?"

Grinning back at her friend, Eruno puffed out her chest with pride. "Don't worry! I'll be fine! Since my sis and I are Chosen Ones!"

Arzel let out a louder laugh this time.

[Later…in Pora Elinu...]

Zyllian walked past a Castanic who was sobbing in front of the memorial of their Elin friend who had passed recently. Under her mask, she wrinkled her nose and had to remind herself that the Castanic wasn't a Deva or Archdeva-she could smell their filth anywhere.

Ignoring the mourner, she continued past the remnants of other graves for her Elin kin. Some gravestones had been removed after the appearance of the Reapers; her eyes avoided one particular spot and made her way up the stone steps surrounded by flowers.

The guards bowed and allowed the Reaper access to the sacred gravesite-exclusively for the Elin royalty, though it had very few occupants.

Before her were two very recent placards of the names of the two princesses who had lost their lives:

Syona and Zolyn

Kneeling before the crests, she removed her mask and gently traced the letters of Zolyn's name.

"My Lady-" She stopped herself.

No. She wasn't Zolyn's retainer anymore. After... what had happened, her oath was void when they became Reapers.

She could have re-invoked it, but she was ashamed.

Ashamed of how things had turned out.

Ashamed of the other Elin's blood on her hands.

Ashamed that she couldn't do anything to save her.

Please Zyllian...This is my last order to you… The words echoed in Zyllian's head, her hands turning into tight fists until the nails dug into her palms. Images of a deformed hand reaching out to her before the corruption took over the Princess once again.

Taking deep breaths, she calmed the shadows that crept close to her form. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead upon the letters and spoke with a low voice. "Lady Zolyn, I have to go away for some time-but I promise you. You WILL be avenged…I WILL find him, no matter what it takes."

She slipped on her mask, sealing herself off from the world before rising and leaving the gravesite.

Finishing the last of the ties on the supplies, Eirai placed the items in her knapsack, letting out a satisfied noise as they disappeared into its depths without a trace. Her rabbit ears twitched at the sound of the front door opening, followed by a set of light footsteps. Turning around, Eirai found her friend Finnoe standing in the doorway of her bedroom, the fox Elin musing to herself while cleaning off her monocle.

"So," Finnoe began, putting her monocle back on, her blonde braids bouncing back. "The Federation has informed the Mysterium order of their plans-mainly about the Fae sisters."

Eirai nodded. "So soon after the events of the Northern Arun expedition too." She let out a sigh. "I worry for Erune and Zyllian. Those two still haven't gotten over it."

"I read the reports. It has been hard for all of us Elins with our Princesses' deaths." While the Mysterian scholar had left residency of Pora Elinu years ago, she and other Elins who migrated away from the forest city still held their royalty in high regard. Finnoe sat down on a chair in the room and folded her hands in her lap. "How bad is it for those two?"

Eirai settled down on the large bed across from her friend, lifting her head up to look at the ceiling. "Zyllian...has become snapper than usual. She has lashed out against Castanic soldiers-especially ones who defected from the Devas."

"The shadows?"

"They are growing slowly stronger, but I've been keeping an eye on her. Though she hasn't been getting much sleep lately."

Dragging a hand down her face, Eirai let out another loud sigh. "Erune has been depressed like Zyllian, but her way of coping is different. She had been seeing Princess Rida for meditations often, but this new mission right after what had happened - she's not ready."

"It cannot be helped." Finnoe agreed sadly. She knew how fragile the youngest Elin was. The poor Priestess had shut down when they returned back home after the expedition a couple of months ago, she had been utterly traumatized by the incident. "She may never be ready for such things-but the world cannot wait for her-not while our enemies are still plotting their next moves."

"I know." Eirai relented. It was hard sometimes, being the oldest of the four. She had to be the one to take care of her younger sisters. Still, she tried her best to help the three through their struggles, as she had no one to turn to for comfort when she was alone before. "I just wish there was more I could do for her."

Rays of sunshine fell down upon the lake's rippling surface. At the edge of the water, Erune knelt, her hands in prayer as she meditated, her mind dancing through the wisps of the Dream.

"Erune?" Princess Rida's voice broke the Priestess's concentration, the sounds of laughter from children fading as Erune's mind was brought back to the physical world. Rising from the flattened grass, she turned and curtsied to the Elin princess.

"Greetings my Lady."

"We will be leaving soon. Are you ready?"

Erune hesitated, gripping the hem of her robes. She tried to swallow the lump that developed in her throat as she replied to her Princess and mentor. "I... I don't know…" Nervously, she clutched her hands to her chest.

Rida noticed Erune's uneasiness. "What's wrong?"

Tears pricked the corner of Erune's purple eyes. "I'm scared my Lady," She confessed aloud, her head ducked down in shame. "What if I fail? What if I can't do anything like last time? What if I can't save anyone like-" Erune burst into sobs. Rida quickly grabbed her shoulders, reaching to wipe the young Elin's tears.

"I know Erune I know. It wasn't your fault though."

"B,but...Paesyn...and Lady Zolyn...I was too late…" The Princess winced at the mention of her sister's name. Zolyn and the Popori, Paesyn, had been with the four during the expedition. During that time, they had learned of Princess Syona's fate when she had gone on ahead as a scouting party for the exploration.

"It wasn't your fault Erune. Neither my sister Arin, the Queen, nor I blame you for their deaths."

"I... I just..." She continued to cry into her hands. Rida let Erune sob freely until she finally calmed down a little. "I'm scared of being alone. I know my sisters will be there but…"

"You won't be alone Erune. The Dream connects us. Even if its reach is farther away when you are in another world-you will still be able to tap into it. The Children will be with you." The squirrel princess hugged her protege. "And Seren will watch over you and your sisters." Kissing the top of Erune's head, just above her circlet, Rida drew back and smiled. "Now come, the others are waiting."

Much of their magical items and equipment had to be left behind, Rida advised the four that the distance from being from the Dream would render such devices ineffective. Eruno had pouted when she was told she couldn't take her snow tiger mount friend. Finnoe assured the four she would take good care of their belongings while they were gone, to which Eirai nodded in thanks to her friend.

The Fae sisters and Princess Rida were escorted by Federation soldiers across the desolate, quarantined plains towards the Breach. When the group finally reached the crater, they saw energy swirling around and ascending to the hole in the sky.

A tall woman stood at the edge of crater with her back turned to them, her robes flowing in the air the spire's energy was stirring up. One of the guardsmen shouted at her to leave the quarantine zone and drew their weapon, but Princess Rida told him to stand down. The woman then turned to the group.

The woman was elderly but held an air of pride and strength. Parts of her shaggy white hair were styled into two horns on each side of her head. She smiled as the group approached.

"So, you are the Elin Princess Rida? Your Goddess, Seren, has told me much about you." The woman surveyed the rest of the group, her pointed greaves clanking slightly as she spoke. "And I presume that these four girls are your representatives for our negotiations? All siblings?"

The Princess nodded. "Though I would not call them all girls, ma'am. The older two have already reached adulthood some time ago while their younger sisters are just in their prime."

A hoarse chuckle came from the old woman. "My my. Your race is very peculiar. Your lifespans are like elves but you show very little signs of age. No matter." She bowed to the group in a sign of respect. "To whom do I owe the pleasure to?"

Erune came forward and curtsied. "Greetings, God from another realm. I am Erune Fae, one of Pora Elinu's Priestesses, and youngest of the Fae sisters. What is your name, if I may ask?"

"Well, aren't you a polite young lady?" The Priestess flushed at the God's words. "However, my name is of little importance."

Princess Rida raised an eyebrow but Erune did not let that faze her. "It is an honor anyways."

"And who is the rest of your company, little one?"

Eirai strode next to her little sister's side. "I am Eirai, eldest of my sisters. Zyllian is my twin and the other is Eruno."

The woman looked at Eruno and Erune. "Ah, the fabled Chosen ones by your Gods. Excellent.

"Now that all the formalities are all out of the way, I presume you four are already ready to go." The eldest of the four glanced at her sisters before nodding. "Then, we shall depart."

Blue energy began to gather around the woman's hands, trailing off to surround the Fae sisters. She turned to the Rift and held up her hand to the spire, the magic from her hands creating a doorway to a dark abyss. A brief hint of metallic aroma filled the air around her.

Stepping partway into the abyss, she beckoned the four to follow. The Fae sisters looked back one last time at their world before entering the portal. As soon as they all entered, it closed behind them.

"May the grace of the Gods guide you four." Rida whispered.

"What is this place?" Eruno wondered aloud as she looked around in amazement.

Boulders both massive and weightless, architecture torn from its foundations from places far forgotten, dangling spindles of rubble and landmasses strayed too far from their rightful place were suspended eerily, a putrid ochre miasma hanging itself in the air where it ought to seek the ground instead.

The smell of ozone filled the air.

"This, my dears, is the Fade. Magic comes from here, as well as demons and spirits. Mages from this world receive their magical power from this place and can enter it spiritually in their dreams. Souls of those who die return to the Fade."

"Like the Dream from our world." Erune was in awe but then hesitated. "But, it does not feel comforting like it…"

"The Dream does not have demons. That is probably why." Zyllian spoke in a quiet voice. "I feel uneasy here…"

The elderly woman began to walk away from the four. "Come. This is not a place for the inexperienced to linger. Be on your guard."

The four trailed after the woman through the strange realm in silence. Eirai stalked ahead of her sisters. "Where do you plan on leading us out to? I would presume that this... Fade is not our final destination."

The woman turned her head and smirked while continuing to stroll casually away. "You are correct, but worry not. Our entryway was the Breach in your world, and our outlet is where the Breach originated."

"When we arrive, what customs should we be aware of? Besides the fact that there is this Breach and soon-to-be inter-dimensional relations now."

"Planning ahead, I see. Very wise. However, it is not my place to explain. You must educate yourselves when you arrive."

Erune held her staff close. "Will you not come with us? Perhaps your presence could ease the people's hostility over our appearances."

The woman laughed at Erune's comment. "My dear. Unlike your Gods who willingly show themselves often, I would rather avoid the people. I have experienced enough of their madness to stay away from their affairs."

Zyllian's eyes narrowed. "Then why are you helping us?" Her armored fists clenched as she eyed the woman warily.

The woman stopped walking and turned to look at them. "I only interfere to help nudge history along its path. Some things need more of a shove than a simple nudge.

"Fate is inevitable for everyone. I have seen what your Goddess of Fate has seen. This crossover of the Breach has interrupted the histories of our worlds and we must mend it to bring back order to our Fates.

"If you solve the cause of this unforeseen event, things will resume as they once were and should be." She paused and frowned, her eyes focusing on something in the distance in the whirling mists around them. "They have arrived sooner than I expected. Now is the time you must make haste without my part as a chaperone." A roar echoed through the air, startling the four.

Blue energy crackled in her fists. "Follow the path and you will reach the outlet. I will hold them off as much as I can, but some may get past me. Try not to let them through the outlet with you." She lifted a hand to point ahead of the group before purposefully striding away in the opposite direction.

"Come on, it's time to go." Eirai hurried ahead, closely followed by Zyllian. Eruno glanced back one more time before trailing after her sisters.

Erune took a long look at the departing woman. "Thank you." She murmured. "May the grace of my Gods bless you." Turning around, she ran to catch up with the rest.

The woman chuckled. "Such a polite little lady. Now…"

Giant segmented legs clambered over the ruins, heaving up a grotesque, bulbous form, attended by a seething mass of arachnids. The woman smiled. "Your timing is impeccable. Shall we?"

The vast creature opened its gaping mandibles and hissed.

High shrill screeches rang out among the chunks of ruins that the four ran through. Loud roars followed the shrieks.

Eruno whipped her head around to find the sources. "How much further?" She yelled above the noise.

Eirai looked ahead at a crossroad. "I don't know, but we have to stay together. Stick close-" A bony hand burst out of the ground near her. "RUN!" The other three followed her down a random path, avoiding more arms that exploded from the ground.

The restless arms wrenched themselves from the dirt, revealing themselves to be green, elongated beasts - malnourished and skeletal. Their bony tails whipped back and forth as they up righted themselves and turned their hollow, yellow eyes to their prey. Other creatures burst out of their hardened cocoons in a shower of molten slag, fiery arms outstretched. Some slithered up from their shallow graves, unwinding their spindly, cloaked bodies, covered with a fog of ice. The lesser of these beings rose with the filth of the ground itself, forming themselves into hooded figures, quickly gliding along the ground in the direction of the Elins.

Thudding footsteps of armored legs tearing through the ground signaled the approach of the army's general. The demon had massive, swollen biceps with calloused spikes jutting from its elbows. As its seven spider-like eyes landed on the girls, the creature it reared its crustacean head up and bellowed, piercing the battlefield and dampening the morale of the four.

Eruno swore under her breath. "We can't run forever, sis! We already lost the path!"

Zyllian growled under her mask. "That damn 'God' left us here to die!"

"This way!" An unknown voice called out. The four looked in the direction to the source.

A golden glowing form of woman beckoned to them. "Hurry! I am here to help!" She turned to run through the mist, away from the screams of the demons pursuing the group. "Quickly!"

"Eirai?" Zyllian glanced at her sister for orders.

Eirai furrowed her brow. "We have little choice." She dashed after the spirit.

The Fae sisters followed the glowing figure through more ruins until they reach a broken wall with a green fissure on the stone's surface.

The radiant being put her hand on the wall besides the green shimmering scar. "This is your outlet."

"But it's closed." Eruno frowned.

"I cannot open it. You must wait for someone else to do so." The noise of the demons began to approach.

Zyllian turned and got into a stance, holding her twin scythes out. "Whoever it is, better hurry…" She snarled.

Eirai let loose a flurry of arrows: as they landed, they transformed into small trap glyphs. "We have to hold these demons off until then. Like the 'God' said, we cannot let them through."

Smirking, Eruno hefted her axe from her back. "Well, time for a warm-up exercise! Bring it on!"

The demons were visible now and coming closer, their general leading the assembly. It let out a loud roar before charging.

A low hissing sound came from behind Erune, causing her cat ears to twitch. She looked at the fissure on the wall. Cracks began to form around the scar, causing it to widen. "Eirai, the fissure is opening!" She cried out.

The four let their guard down for a split-second. The hulking demon dodged Eirai's traps to let the other demons be caught instead as it threw itself at the group. It lifted its arms and summoned a ball of coursing energy with an intoxicating scent around it.

Eruno jerked her attention back and tried to make a shield barrier with her axe, but the demon's energy blast barreled into the four. As the explosion knocked them back, the fissure behind them opened, pulling them through the portal.

Zyllian, Eirai, and Eruno hit the rocky ground while Erune collided into a soft surface that grunted before falling backwards.

Erune struggled to get up from the body she crashed into, her eyes moved from the green coat fabric, to the grey scarf, to a pale tattooed elven face with sea-blue eyes and white hair. His left hand glowed with the same green glow as the Breach.

The elf opened his eyes after closing them from the impact. He looked back up at the opened portal where the glowing being vanished and then stared at her in disbelief.

"By the Creators…" He breathed. "Who are you?"

The Goddess smiled to herself as she watched from the void, the wheels of fate linking with one another.

Two who were still young and learning, the anxiety hidden behind their naive masks

Two who suffered a great deal of hardship; both burying their darkest secrets from their forgotten pasts

And one who was like each of these four, learning to survive, their decisions not always the best but they tried to do what was right.

Even so, the anger within them reminded the Goddess of her husband. How his rage from grief hurt those around him.

But that's what the other four were for. To help this one. To heal this one's pain while having theirs mended as well.

She was not the only one to know of this. Others were aware of these events that were to come. She knew how each of them, including herself, played a part in the destinies for these five.

Now, it was time to see how it all unfolded.