“Where is my sister?”

Alma was sitting on her sleeping bag in front of the fire pit. Standing across from her was Derleth, tall and imposing with the smaller Qu’l-Nia by his side. Hwalín sat on the left side of the pit, on top of her own sleeping bag. The foggy light of the sun had already vanished below the horizon, enveloping the eldritch camp in primal darkness. The only light that remained was that of the strangely roaring fire and the weird, somber glow of the enormous tree trunk beside them. The ex-soldier finally realized something that had been bothering her. There was a distinct lack of odor to this place. Not even from the fire in front of them. It was as if all of it was being sucked out somewhere.

“I do not have an answer to that.”

Qu’l-Nia gave Derleth a questionable look but remained silent.

“No, of course you wouldn’t.” Alma sighed deeply and pushed her face into her palms. “You’re just the all-knowing ex-ruler of this universe, right? Why wouldn’t you know something so simple?”

“Alma, the disappearance of your sister is anything but a simple matter,” insisted the eldritch woman.

“Come on. I went on cleanup duty for you. Can't you like, send out some of your drones or probes or whatever to look for her? Just this once?”

“My constructs are not meant for such trivial a matter.”

“Trivial—?!” Alma half-jumped from her seat before grudgingly sitting back down. She let out a tormented sigh. “If that’s the case, it should be easy-peasy for you to track down a person. Wouldn’t it?”

“You have more pressing concerns at the moment, Daughter of Man. The location of a single mortal does not lie within my purview.”

“My pressing concern is my sister. The rest can burn for all I care.”

“Alm,” called Hwalín sympathetically. “We’re gonna find her. I promise. But there won’t be any point in rescuing her if there isn’t a planet for her to be saved on.”

Alma bit her lip. Hwalín was right, but she hated the thought of letting her sister slip from her priorities. For now, she would acquiesce and figure the details out later. “Fine. To business then.”

“You've been so feisty lately, mate. I love it. But as much as I'd love another go at this prick, we need his intel on our mutual enemy.”

“Thank you…?” Derleth cleared his throat. “As I previously specified, the enemy in your way is known as The Knights of the Lost Star. They carry many ancient artifacts in their possession. Objects that are capable of turning this world inside-out, yet something stays their hand—I know not what. Perhaps conquest is not their goal, or maybe they cannot fully utilize the relics they collect. One thing is for sure, however… They are in the process of trying to destroy this world—albeit indirectly. One of their rituals seems to involve a certain sideral relic of unknown origin that is powerful enough to affect gravity itself. I know not what their intended purpose is, but if you aim to stop them, then that relic would be your priority.”

“I believe I now know what their intentions might be,” stated Qu’l-Nia anxiously. “These are simply gravitational disturbances. It would be almost impossible to see if not watching from the outside like I had been. This relic you claim they are in possession of appears to be moving the stars themselves. They are somehow attracting an entire galaxy towards this one for what I now believe is a singular purpose. I erroneously believed they were attempted to merge galaxies for some hitherto unknown purpose, but I now believe they are trying to condense the mass of these galaxies to recreate their own massive dirge star. This is a much more dire event than I had feared.”

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Both Alma and Hwalín gasped at this new revelation.

“I see,” said Derleth. He seemed to be contemplating something for a moment. “I trust that you will see this prevented, Dancer. I will continue to monitor the situation from here for as long as I am able.”

“Waaaaaait,” uttered Alma. “Why can’t you come along and help us stop them?”

“I have other matters that require my attention.”

“More important than saving the world?”

“Yes. Such as looking into your Outer One.”

Alma's eyes widened. “You let me know immediately about anything—ANYTHING you discover the second you discover it. Alright?”

“Very well, Daughter of Man. If I discover anything of note, I shall inform you on next we meet. And if you happen to discover anything in that same vein, you must inform me right away.”

“Alright, old man. You got yourself a deal.”

“About that artifact,” mentioned Hwalín, taking a puff from a newly lit cigarette. The Hecatian sat crouched down with her arm resting on raised knee. “Now that we know what we’re looking for. …Any idea where we look for it?”

“Yes. Using my extensive army of probes and certain orbital sources, I’ve been able to pinpoint an approximate location of where these gravitons are being the most disturbed. It is in arid region of the planet, and another reason I wouldn’t fare too well. In the desert country of Ulthar.”

“Wait, what?!” shouted Hwalín, shooting up like a rocket. “That’s where Mitra is. My home!”

“That’s kinda far, isn’t it?” Alma was already pondering the best way to get there. “I don’t think I know yet how to teleport somewhere I’ve never been before. The last time was weirdly subconsciously and I doubt I can pull that off again.”

“It is quite alright, Alma. Hwalín and I arrived here from there, it should not pose an issue to return the same way. That is where I first arrived on this planet and if I had only known it was right under my nose back then, I would not have needed to drag either of you into my mess.”

“Don’t sweat it, Nia! Least I get to head back home where I don’t have to worry about freezing my arse off.”

“I’m with Hwal on this, Q. Besides, you’d still be running naked through the scorching desert if not for us.” Alma dug her thumb into her chest. “I’m seeing this through to the end. And now I get to bug Hwal for some souvenirs of that spooky canyon she discovered.”

“Oi, mate. That place was no laughing matter. We ain’t setting foot into any cursed canyon temples this time.”

“I am afraid that might be exactly what we are going to do,” replied Qu’l-Nia. “It could be that your mystery oasis is the exact place where a long-forgotten cult might be hiding themselves.”

“This world is replete with cryptic vestiges buried by time,” stated the eldritch man who up to that point had been quietly meditating. “Hidden locales untouched and unseen for countless eons. Places no longer known to man or beast. Knowledge of one in the exact location you’re searching already puts you at a distinct advantage.”

“That’s a yes for spooky canyon then?” Alma’s eyes seemed to light up at the prospect of such a dangerous venture.

“This will not be a simple, leisurely trip to another country, Alma.” Qu’l-Nia’s expression was as blank as ever. “There is a very real chance of encountering mortal danger from an enemy we know almost nothing about. We need to prepare. And in that, I believe now would be a good time to get some rest. Then we should depart at first light tomorrow.”

“You know, I am weirdly tired,” noted Alma, stifling a yawn. She plopped herself back, resting her head on top of her hands. The sky above her was a mass of inky blackness. “Then again, I guess it has been a weirdly long day. And that means it’s time for another nightmare tonight. Yay…”

“Yikes. I feel ya on that one, mate.” Hwalín finally finished her cigarette, flicking the butt off to the side. She noticed Derleth’s eyes had followed its trajectory, but he didn’t say anything about it. “My nightmares are always filled with the weirdest shit. Luckily, they’re pretty rare these days. Must be because I experience enough nightmarish shit in the waking world.”

“Wish I could say the same,” replied Alma.