Etana pulled her sister away from the burning home. Annalina fought against her in an effort to reach the corpse the rescuers had pulled from the burning building. Etana’s Destroyer class allowed her to exert more power over everything than normal, and she easily wrestled her sister away. Despite all of her strength though, she couldn’t stop Ann’s grief.

Etana held Ann as she wailed in sadness and loss. She tried to comfort her. “Ann! That’s not Vina. It’s not her. I promise you.”

Ann’s grief was beyond reach at this moment and Etana knew she would be inconsolable for now. She held her sister tightly as she cried into her shoulder for many minutes. Her own emotions were battered at seeing her sister’s suffering, but she knew the truth. She glanced once more at her quests and saw the evidence she needed.

Personal Quest: Keep your sisters alive for 6 months.

When Ann stopped sobbing, Etana loosened her hold. “Ann, Vina is not dead. Look at your quests.”

Ann’s eyes looked first at Etana and then they unfocused as she read something only she could see. “Wha… we didn’t fail the quest? How? We saw her body.”

Etana took her sister’s hand and began to walk her back to their home. When she spoke her voice was low and quiet. “The Watch lies. We know this. We know they were watching Vina and that she broke a promise to Ebba. I think they took her away.”

Ann was quiet until they were home. “Who was that body then if it wasn’t Vina? Where did they take her?”

Etana shrugged as she made Ann’s favorite tea. She knew it would help Ann to process her emotions and think more clearly. Etana loved her sister, and she knew Ann often acted with her heart first. “I have no idea where they took Vina. The body definitely wasn’t Vina’s though. It was some other poor woman The Watch was eliminating. I bet they achieved two goals tonight in one deft move. Maybe even more than that.”

As Etana set the tea on the table, her sister gave a squeal in surprise. Etana looked at her and saw she had a note in her hand and a small wooden box. “Where did you get those?”

“They were in my bag!” Ann said in surprise. She set the two items on the table and grabbed another box from her bag. “This one has the letter E on it.”

Etana fought to contain her surprise and excitement, “Vina had to have done this. What does the note say?”

Ann unfolded the note as quickly as she could and began reading aloud.

Dear Etana and Annalina,

  It is my great pride that you two have made it here today. It is also to my great dread that I must ask you two to do something difficult. If by the time you find this note and the gifts left here, but your sister has not returned, I ask you to seek her out. I reluctantly write here that her name is Vina. Please keep her name secret until you are reunited.

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  I have been told by your father she would return to an old prison once controlled by The Darkness. The Watch long ago cleared it out and made it safe, but there are eyes always watching that area. I have provided Vina with her own instructions that I hope she will follow. She will arrive in the Town of Prosit roughly a week after her arrival. I worry she may become lost there and unsure where to go.

  I recommend you start your hunt for Vina first in the Town of Prosit and travel back through the forest until you find the prison. It is my great hope you’ll be able to find her if she is delayed.

  Once you have reunited with your sister, I have another request, but I understand if you are uncomfortable or unable to do it. I ask that together you find Trina and restore her. I believe between the three of you this is possible and that together you will right many of the wrongs you no doubt already see in this world.

  My dear daughters, I share this weakness to you only. Just like you two, Vina was born into this world, but unlike you she was sent away to another world. Once she returns, she will be subjected to the status of a Traveler.

  Trina has set up rules to protect her aspects from leaving this world. One such protection is that Travelers are unable to bond with aspects. This will be one of the greatest challenges facing Vina. I ask that you protect her to the best of your abilities with the gifts Shan has prepared for you. Please do not worry too much, your sister has hopefully already received her gift. I hope to see you soon.

Love,

Priya

Etana had Ann read through the note twice more before she spoke. “Vina found them. She found the gifts Priya told us existed and brought them to us.”

Ann began to tear up again, “She cares for us so much.”

Etana nodded slowly, “We’re the only family she’s ever had, Ann. And now we’ve lost her.” She slammed her fist onto the table in frustration.

“What did Priya mean by she hopes to see us soon? Do you think Priya is still alive?” Ann asked.

Etana read that part of the note again, “There’s no way to know. At the very least Priya thought she would see us again. I wonder where Vina found this stuff.”

Etana reached for the box with the letter E engraved on the top and flipped it open. Inside she found a folded up necklace. Etana had seen drawings of this necklace before, but to see its majesty in person took her breath away. The portion that would normally hold the embellishments was completely empty of gemstones.

Ann looked over her shoulder and gasped, “Is that… Trina’s Necklace?!”

Etana reached out and picked up the necklace to further examine it. But the necklace leapt out of her hands and wrapped itself around her throat before she could react. She gasped in fear as she tried to pull it away, but it had already stopped moving. She looked down and could see it had fused with her skin.

Ann screamed and Etana tried to comfort her. “It’s okay Ann. I’m okay. I think it’s a type of aspect. It’s bonded to me now”, Etana said.

Ann tried to calm herself down as Etana poked and prodded her skin where the necklace had made itself part of her. “Ann”, she spoke softly to not scare her sister, and took a few steps back, anticipating what could be in the other box. “It’s your turn. What is your gift?”

Etana watched in equal parts fear and hope as Ann slowly opened her box with shaky hands. They both stared for a long time, unable to accept what was in front of them.