Fel. 1099 years ago.

Reylynn spent a considerable amount of time with Anathi as he and his people healed from their wounds during their flight from Ciel and subsequent fight in Fel’s courtyard. She had learned a great deal about their anatomy as Nilaa had taken a keen interest in Utitshala, the one whom she'd helped reattach their arm.

To call the Ikhwezi simply beings of crystal, rock, and metal was to do their true nature a disservice. They could, at will, alter their appearance, taking on just about any form they could imagine. Indeed, Anathi had told Reylynn that the armored form he and many others wore was intended for protection in battle or exploration of unknown worlds. He preferred a more humanoid, organic build with soft, dark skin and his signature braided, floor-length locs.

For his part, Anathi had mastered Revi Sign Language and was, if Reylynn were being honest, an even more fluent signer than she. His people were nomadic by nature and he would leave for days or weeks at a time. He often visited the other settlements around the asweyr continent and even went down to Terre’s surface on occasion.

But he always returned to Reylynn and Nilaa's lab and would tell of what he’d seen and done.

Reylynn was just getting ready to bed down for the night when the light above her door flashed on and off.

Anathi was at her door and Reylynn didn’t need to use their telepathic bond to read the sadness in his eyes.

“What’s bothering you?” Reylynn signed.

“The dragons have refused to assist us once more,” Anathi replied. “Rellar Azureth is stubborn and her long lifespan leaves her people with the idea that they are beyond this. I am unsure what to do, given the failures we have endured so far and the ones you say are yet to come.”

That plan he had told her about involved the need for a great concentration of mana, beyond that which even the Revi could provide.

“We will find a way. Take me with you and we will speak to the dragons together,” Reylynn said.

She let out a yawn and Anathi cocked his head.

“You’ve been up late.” It was a statement, not a question.

The truth was she hadn’t slept in a few days now. The Dreams she had kept converging on that one potential future the closer they drew near the final day.

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One would think seeing the sealing away of the entirety of two entire races and the death of the person she’d come to love over and over would numb one to its coming would numb one to it, but no. Reylynn couldn’t get that future out of her mind and she couldn’t see a way to change it.

With the dragons’ help, they might have had enough combined power between their three races to do something, anything.

“Come, you need sleep,” Anathi said. “I will stay by your side.”

Anathi didn’t need to sleep. Instead, he sat down at the side of Reylynn’s bed in a meditative pose with legs crossed, one hand in his lap and the other resting on Reylynn’s own. She felt the comforting warmth of his skin as his fingers intertwined with her own.

Reylynn slept and saw the Dream play out the same as always, the push through the Gate that culminated in the slaughter of so many of their people. And the sword, thrown from somewhere she hadn’t seen, killing Anathi.

It always ended the same: her kneeling beside Anathi, his head cradled in her lap while staring at the ugly black sword sticking out of his chest and her waking up shortly after.

Reylynn was behind the action, playing Lindsong, covering the battlefield in musical auras that served to strengthen those on the battlefield. She had killed and assisted in the kills of hundreds. Of thousands.

Lindsong had done exactly what it had said, strengthened her with the energy and mana it drew from those slain. Her auras could cross the entirety of the battlefield, bathing every combatant in its radiance.

Reylynn watched Anathi clutch the sword as it drilled through his chest, shattering the armor it penetrated like glass. That white liquid spewed from the wound and the small spider-like symbiont drones rushed from their hiding places to repair the grievous wound inflicted upon their host. But they couldn’t repair the breaking of his heart crystal.

The nine others whom Anathi had trusted with his weapons dragged him back and defended each other as they pulled their dying general off the battlefield and back to camp.

Reylynn ran to Anathi as he lay dying. The Dream usually ended, but this time it continued.

Anathi raised his hand and cupped Reylynn’s cheek. “Find me, Reylynn. Find me and my army. Bring us here. We can win.”

Reylynn woke as Dream Anathi’s hand drifted to the ground. The real Anathi, however, was still holding hers.

Solaire’s light was just beginning to creep into the room, illuminating Anathi’s dark skin.

He glanced towards Reylynn and signed, “I told you I'd stay by your side.”

Reylynn squeezed his fingers.

“Still no change in the Dream?” He asked.

Reylynn answered with a sad nod.

“I have been thinking and I might have a plan. One we can use without the help of the Dragons.” Anathi paused. He opened his robes, revealing his bare chest. It fractured like a dropped plate, the individual pieces slid out of the way, revealing a small blue crystal.

Anathi pulled it from his chest, holding it up for Reylynn to see. “A different kind of bond of the three energies. Mana, creating a shield blocking Isiphelo's touch. And a soul to pilot it.”

The crystal shifted from blue to a soft purple as Anathi made a motion with his free hand.

“I cannot build this bond as you've said I will not be around to implement it. But you can. I can teach you to Soul Forge as I do.”