Despite the distance and the visual magic to their eyes. It was only that first step that mattered. Light blurred as the scenery shifted around them, and then they were standing inside a wide room with six thrones on raised dais. Each held nothing, not even remains of something.
The only difference was a jewel set in the top of the thrones. Each with their own colors, and everyone but Marshall knew which one was meant for them. Then, the shade appeared.
"Here you stand before the Court of Six, the absolute rulers of the Realm, bask in their wisdom." Its hands gestured at the empty seats. Everyone raised an eyebrow at its actions, and waited to see if something would happen.
The silence stretched on, and the shade didn't move either. It got to a point that each of the respective children walked up to the related Throne. After a few seconds of waiting, and poking in the case of Yana. Each just decided to sit down, thinking that this was the move the shade was waiting for.
"And so they have arrived," The shade's attention shifted to the now occupied thrones, "Thank you Great Ones, please give these children wisdom. They have been born from the Project, and will save our race!" They all glanced around.
The shade wasn't intelligent like they thought. In fact, it seemed like it was more like a scripted spell. Performing actions based on commands, and unable to work outside of those commands.
"Perhaps it is time to turn off the System then." Solas almost shouts down at the shade. Which pauses for a second, and then turns it's face towards her.
"The Suppression System is facing critical vulnerabilities due to outside influences. If it was disabled the Door would likely open." It's words coming out without feeling, like writing on a wall. Yana leaned forward, it seemed like some kind of control for this whole place.
"I believe it is time to open the Door." and the Shade suddenly jerked into several poses before settling on subservience.
"I do not believe that a single success makes us ready."
"You believe?" Gaoth asks, tilting their head, "You are to provide information, not opinions." Marshall could feel that command in his bones, and understood what the others had said about this boy being born from a War Queen. Even the shade dipped into a low bow.
"Of course, Wind." It replied, "Since the emergency lock down 1043 years prior, we have no information about Earth outside of the war. Due to the temporal distortion within the Realm only a fraction of that time as past." Gaoth waved a hand, and the other seemed willing to let him be the voice.
"Assumptions," The word sounding like a curse from his mouth, "A war would make Earth an easier target for infiltration." The shade flickered again before resuming their pose.
"It is likely that the war is now over--"
"Likely, perhaps, maybe," Gaoth was starting to flicker with energy, "Incompetence is what it is, over a thousand years and no attempts were made?" The shade shrank back.
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"It is this servants observation that Wind is acting in a manner more like Flame. This falls to the other five to make a ruling about their fate." The words were delivered with subservience, but Marshall could swear there was a hint of amusement. Like this had happened before...
"Regardless of our element we are all impatient after seeing success." Pyra spoke, leaning forward with flames surrounding her form. The shade slumped slightly at her display, "We have already decided to end the Suppression System at this time. We have enough strength with the Realm to gather information on Earth." The red gem above began to glow bright, the others took her lead.
"I agree." was chorused in near unison, each wrapping themselves in the pure mana of their element. Each gem glowing in response, whether to the words or power it didn't matter. The shade visibly shrank down at them.
"You cannot do that." It's words pleading, "She will not be forgiving to us." Marshall didn't miss the fear there, who was the she? Did the System actually have a person lock in it?
"That is for us to handle." Pyra continued, "This is a command."
"It is done." The shade flickered a few times, "May the Dragon have mercy on you." Those words echoed oddly in the chamber, before a roar that shattered the room rang out.
---
An echoing roar rang out to the very edges of the Realm and the massive frame of the Door released sounds like shattering stone. Clouds bent towards it as the mana was drained from the lands, and filled the twisting lines of it's runes which began to glow a rainbow-white.
People fell to the ground everywhere as the words and symbols of the System suddenly vanished from their minds. The enchantments on gear and towers failed as the energy of the world was taken to power the Door.
---
The group quickly got out of the thrones and looked around for an exit. Yet, only the large windows seemed like they would work. Beyond the windows was a foggy expanse of shapes that could have been buildings, but it was unclear through the smoky glass.
That roar had shaken them all, and the loss of the System could be felt even though their own magic systems had been changed to prevent it from affecting them. It was like a limb was suddenly gone, but it was a muted feeling that they brushed off as they stepped up to the glass.
"That was a dragon's roar," Yana whispers to the rest, as the ground shakes with another roar, "They had used a dragon as a core to the System. It makes so much more sense..." Pyra punched his shoulder.
"Focus, it's an angry dragon, and we need to get some space." Yana, shook himself before nodding, and made the first attack on the glass. It cracked, but then sealed back up again. Then, another roar caused the room to shatter again, including the windows. Everyone jumped with Gaoth creating a wind to guide them to another roof.
These buildings were very similar to those near the lake they had seen. Now that they were closer they could see more of them, and there seemed to be two very different styles. One the very square buildings with pillars, and the other looking more like the old churches in the Realm.
As these thoughts crystalized a shape exploded from the palace they just left. It's size made them turn and run for the rainbow bridge they could see in the distance. Without a word using their elemental powers to speed their wild jumps.
"Fae, fuck you all." A growling voice boomed through the ancient city, and it had enough force to push them off their feet. The ground shook again as they managed to reach the bridge, and they all flickered.
---
I looked out at the land that I had claimed as my own for the first time with eyes and not Will. It was a weird feeling which hit even harder when a wave of power pulled most of the mana from the air leaving me breathless. I even staggered as my body took a moment to adjust to the lack of essential energy for a moment.
Then, the sky vanished into the swirling void. Where once you could see the rolling clouds and blue sky, only the void now remained. Yet, the light of day was still present as I looked towards the pull of mana. My children were also in that direction, and I would be damn to leave them again.
Gathering myself for a second, I pulled hard on the well deep below and filled myself with power and raised a hand- my hand. To weave the spell I had been working on.
"I am coming."