Nervous murmurs filled the air as the mansion's staff. Curious passersby and grieving anxious neighbors formed a crowd. Muffled whispers rippled through, while the officers indoors encircled, methodically investigating the scene. In the living room sat Nara with a detective on the front couch.

“Just ask anyone,” Nara insisted, her voice steady even though unease churned within her. “I was on duty, everyone in town knows I'm only a news carrier.”

the officer narrowed his gaze at her and asked. “So can a neighbor prove that they received news from you fifteen minutes before?”

“Not really…I took a different approach today’s morning” Nara crossed her arms defensively and pressed. “ but that doesn’t mean I killed him,”

“Of course not, not unless with a witness ” he countered, skepticism evident in his tone.

confusion mingling with indignation as she faced the officer. “ not with that butler again. ”

“Your neighbor stated that Mr.Hoizeld had threatened to report you on several occasions. Is that true?”

“Yes I snuggled him to death with a wire as he wandered in the digitals just because I was afraid of losing my job. How would do such a thing ?”

“Let's stay away from sarcasm, otherwise your words will be taken as a confession ” he interrupted, his demeanor unyielding.

“Please, you have to believe me, I don’t know why the butler would say such things, but I didn’t do it” Panic rose in her voice, cracking under the pressure.

“With no alibi and a witness implicating you, your words won’t save you, Nara Sowjan.” The officer began to turn away, dismissing her.

Just as despair began to wash over her, a thought struck.

“Wait” She stood up, a spark igniting in her eyes. “I do have an alibi, I was in the digital realm, I was with my friends,”

“ Unless you can provide a Memorick from the host showing your digital print activity, any testimony cannot help you”

“I can, I can get the Memorick, I have tech bricks that I can print the data on it, just give me more time”

“Two days, This time frame aligns with the legal procedures we are following. Give me your alibi during this timeline or else you will be pressed charges for Mr.Hoizeld Rahus murder.” he replied dismissively.

Nara pushed past the officers with a determined gait. She walked in the mansion’s halls where her gaze caught the two butlers, sitting in chairs, resolutely together, never having left each other's side.

Between the eyes among those who gathered around the mansion, and with her thoughts racing, she went back home. She flung open the door and lunged for the device on the table, fingers shaking as she sent an urgent request for Aurelith to join their digital lobby.

She started speaking as soon as she entered “I need the data from this morning—can you send it to me as quick as you can” tiriness slicing through her voice

“ Was I not clear this morning ?” Aurelith spoke tensely.

“You were, listen, I can’t explain everything right now, but you’re the host, there is no one else I can come to, You must understand this is crucial ”

Aurelith’s expression dimmed. “I told you, Nara I can’t talk to you anymore”

“you don’t have to, okay ? Just send it to me and that's all it is “

“What’s going on with you?”

-“ I need to turn it into a Memorick. I don't know how else to say this, but It's my alibi. I have been convicted of a murder. “ Nara sighed and pleaded “ Please, I won’t ask you anything else after this “

but Aurelith hesitated. After an agonizing pause, the word that shattered her hope slipped from her lips.

-“No”

Confusion washed over Nara stepped closer, repeating Aurelith’s word. “NO ?”

“I finally have a better understanding of myself, with these people I met, my new friends, they actually see me as who I am, that my spiked limp is not an illness. That I am not less than any human, better in fact. I am an Armadorn”

-“ Armadorn ?. You are Aurelith. But I see now where this all is coming from. This group…they are a bad influence. “ Nara tension grown “No matter. You still can’t do this to me, this is a death sentence.!” Nara said

“If you want the Memorick,” Aurelith stood firm, the intensity of her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with Nara and continued with an unyielding voice. “Then come and get it. Because It’s not happening otherwise.”

She attempted to end the conversation. But Nara felt as if a whirlwind of thoughts was crashing through her mind, each one more unsettling than the last, leaving her struggling to grasp all the reality of what was unfolding before her “What about Advan? Are you really going to turn your back on him?”

Aurelith paused, the mask of determination faltering. “Just tell him to stop reaching out to me.”her heart was aching as she spelled those words, a deep throb that echoed in her chest, but she refused to show it. A bitter wave of pride was ignited within her.

a mix of incredulity and pity dancing within Nara, her brow furrowing in genuine disbelief as she leaned forward “You know he wouldn’t” the sting of her words lingered.

Aurelith logged off, ejecting her into the empty digital realm. Isolation pressed heavily upon her, panic rising with the warnings flashing in Nara’s vision—alerts of elevated pulse from her device. Exiting the digital world, yet she remained in the cupid room, pacing anxiously as she sat down supported by the walls within, which felt smaller than it ever did before. Her mind scrambled to figure things out, figuring out what to do next.

Nara was teetering on the edge of tears. Gwenore walked to their home. She noticed her distress and asked “did something happen?” but Nara simply shook her head no in response and retreated away into her room.

Later that night, Gwenore entered, offering her water. Nara thanked her and while Gwenore stood by the door she looked back and asked “ something happened, didn’t it ?”

Nara let Gwenore sit in the bed with her and she recounted everything—the accusations, and the gravity of her situation. Gwenore listened intently before pausing thoughtfully.

” I think we should contact mom and dad, they can help can’t they ?”

“ I need to find a way to fix this first, I don’t want to stress them out when there is nothing for them to do”

“ This is scary, what will happen, will they take you away ?”

-“ something like that. But I’m sure it won’t end like this, there should be a way to fix it all, but …Gwenore, you can take care of yourself, if it ever comes to that, right?”

” We are not about to find out. They will see you didn’t do it and find the real killer, I am sure. If I’m being honest, Mr.Hoizeld is known to have his own demons. He must have crossed many people.”

A new day has begun and the timeline for Nara has decreased. Gwenore wore her bag to her back and passed on Nara, who was sitting on the coach. “I’m heading to school. Did you get in touch with Aurelith?”

. “Not yet. But don’t worry about it, okay ? Just enjoy school. ”

Gwenore said goodbye as she opened the door and then walked herself to school.

When the break bell chimed, Gwenore slipped out from behind the stone wall of the school, ensuring no one would catch her as she scaled down the side.

She made her way to Gregory’s tool shop, she approached it, unease swirling within her when she spotted an unusually crowd of sharply dressed figures milling in front of the entrance. Their closed suits featured a black high-neck blouse adorned with a silver zipper on the side. And a fern green trousers, she walked closer, slipping into the shadows, straining to overhear their hushed exchanges.

One man leaned in. “Is it true he has a child?”

“Yes, I heard it was an eleven year old boy.” another incredulously replied.

“Heck, we must have been reckless for them to slip our notice all these years. ”

“Enough chatter and keep working. We need to finish early to move to guard duty at the Niart. They’re short on personnel“ the man replied

A chill ran down Gwenore's spine as their words coiled around her like a vine. she burst out. “Did you take Gregory to the Niart? Are you sending him to Scaleward?” Her voice sliced through their discussion, sharp and unexpected.

One of the men turned, irritation etched across his face. “Who are you ? Were you eavesdropping?” he snapped, advancing towards her. Panic surged in Gwenore as she stepped back, narrowly avoiding a collision with a woman who emerged from the shadows.

The woman stood tall, her striking orange hair framing an elegant face marked by a prominent scar on her chin. There was something regal about her—an air of authority that sent a shiver through the gathered men.

“Chief Vernon,” muttered one of the men, a tremor in his voice as the atmosphere shifted with her arrival.

“Is there a problem, officer Mangus?” she inquired with a steady and commanding tone.

“No- I mean yes. This girl was Spying on us, but we were taking care of it, weren't we ?” Mangus stammered when the facade of his confidence slipped and the other man nodded back to him in agreement.

Chief Thanny turned her gaze sharply onto Gwenore. “Spying is a lousy habit, young girl.”

Gwenore’s heart thudded in her chest and she stuttered. “He didn’t do anything”, fear creeping into her voice. “ Why is he being taken away just because his father is an Armadron. It not fair.”

“The boy had set his loyalties onto his father“. The Chief said then stepped closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “ I’d say you’d be wise to reconsider your loyalties too, otherwise you would face the same penalty as anyone who questions our duties, young or old.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

She pulled back to meet Gwenore’s gaze with an unsettling intensity. It felt as if she could see not just her, but the very core of her thoughts and fears. A chilling smile unfurled on her lips, and that smile felt like ice and said “ perhaps you want to join him aboard ” Gwenore Heart’s pounding, she turned and fled from Gregory's shop,

she yet to feel an insatiable need to see him one last time.

She walked past the land, from the bricked ground to the dirt, buildings around her turned few then fewer, until she stood among carriages and people roaming around carrying stuff around, Gwenore stood there, her eyes glimmered as she saw the Niart consist.

Niart had always been a mere story to her, Never did she realize its grand form atop the far off hill. Long that her little dark eyes can’t see it ends. compartments one after the other, made by the kingdom's finest resources yet left unfinished. Only half of it was done and later repurposed for transporting supplies to Scaleward rather than embarking on the joyful journeys it was meant for. But its windows are still facing lowered down to give a view of the kingdom as it rides. Gwenore saw stripes of lights made by high technology among its vibrant color, maroon. She passed her hand with the stripes. A wash of a past she never lived passed her, she wondered how life could be in the past if Niart was built, if the Parasite never occurred, and how many stops Niart would have if the kingdom was never divided. She walked towards it unnoticed by others. She saw no entrance but a lid on the roof of the train caught her attention. Gwenore crouched low on the train's roof, the rhythmic clattering of wheels beneath her providing a strange comfort. The cold metal was biting against her skin, but the thrill of sneaking away propelled her forward, she slipped down, deftly landing on her feet. her feets sound hitting the ground have gone noticed by a man in the other compartment. She hid behind a wooden box as he came inside, his eyes were fixed on the open roof lid, yet he was called to carry the carriage inside. As Gwenore leaned her head to see if he was gone, her eyes were caught by other eyes. A warm feeling she had when she saw Gregory in the other compartment. Upon entering, she found him seated by the wall, his face lit by the fading light, deep in contemplation. Beside him stood his father, a tall muscular man that appeared in his late forties, with a fair pale undertone, he seemed to carry a lot of worry in his serious features. a few blonde hair on his head or facials. He wore a large leathered glove on his left arm. He looked at Gwenore with eyes narrowed slightly, assessing her intentions. and asked her what she was doing in here.

-“I’m sorry sir. I just wanted to see Gregory, is that okay?”

Due to Gregory’s will, his father has agreed to let Gwenore stay for a couple of minutes.

-“ I really wished you would be with us in the concert tomorrow “

-“…you do ? But why, you don’t really know me.”

-“ I know, but you seemed nice, I thought we could be friends.”

-"Really? “ Gregory blushed, "you seemed nice too. Is that why you came ?”

-“ yes. I just don’t understand why you have to go too. You are not an Armadorn”

-“ My father is. It's just him and I alone. “

-“ but how would you live together ? I heard that if you touch the spikes on Armadorn’s arm could kill you in minutes”

-“ My father wears thick fabric on it. He is not what they say Gwenore, he is a good person, he never hurted anyone. You can get to know him yourself.”

-“ well..not in this case, Niart is departing tomorrow. “

-“ oh..I didn’t know…they don’t tell us anything..”

“ I’m sorry…but hey, there will always be digital realms we could meet in.”

-"Yes…you are right, thank you, Gwenore.”

Gregory’s father warned her as the man was soon to be there. She grabbed the lid on the roof and jumped out of it. With a final glance over her shoulder, she slipped out of Niart,

On the far side of Pureahylles, in the warmth of a sprawling mansion. Starlight spilled through the long windows of Advan’s living room. While Nara sat, rocking her chair with her legs as they chatted. Advan was wearing his digital mask, busy aiming and waving away a technical stick that was attached to the wall by a wire. He was still listening to what Nara did come to him for. For what she was searching for guidance in.

. "Come on, she’s not as you perceive. There has to be a good reason for her actions. You know what she’s really like."

"But do I?" Nara replied, frustration was creeping into her voice. "I don’t want to believe the worst, but she seemed genuinely serious about it. I feel stuck. It’s not as if I can convince her; she’s completely cut off from my connection!"

“She’ll come around. Don’t be too harsh on her. You know she has been having a hard time fitting in Scaleward.”

“This is giving me a headache. Let’s talk about something else. Oh right, tell me about the prize."

“Cheater!” Advan shot back playfully, not looking up from his device.

“It’s not cheating if I might be executed before I even find out what it is. Besides, I have an inkling it’s a creature from your collection, perhaps a one with feathers and sharp talons...”

Advan removed his mask with a sigh. “First, please don’t joke about an execution. Second, no, it’s not my Eagleish creature.”

“What is it then?”

“Follow me” He led her to his room and opened a drawer, pulling out a small pricelet, with crystal flowers on it.

“The prize can’t be a REAL pricelet.” she said, skeptical.

“I made a digital replica. What do you think? Do you believe Aurelith will like it?”

“I see now. But you know her winning streak has to end at some point. Still, I should have known—you expected her to win this again. She keeps beating your games, doesn’t she?”

He stared at the prizelet in his hand and replied. “She does. It’s why I keep creating them.”

Nara leaned in his room against the porch railing, bathed in moonlight. “You know… she told me something last night. She said if I want the Memorick, I should go get it from her myself.”

“Go as in Scaleward?” Advan followed her outside.

“Yes. And wouldn’t that solve not one but many issues I’m facing right now?”

“…and they say I’m the one with the odd thoughts.”

“What’s so wrong with it? It’s not just about the Memorick. I could buy myself time there, They won’t follow and arrest me!”

“Because you’ll already be on death row. You’re dead the moment you touch an arm of literally anyone you encounter.”

Nara maintained. “I’ll be careful.”

“Right, because hundreds perished seventeen years ago before the Divide, all because they weren’t careful enough. This is madness, Nara. Don’t even consider it. Even if you were arrested a day from now, there must be clues and evidence that will clear you.” Advan scoffed.

“ But what if not ?. I don’t gamble on luck.”

“What about gambling on justice?”

Nara sighed and said as she walked out of the porch to his room“…Fine, you’re right. That would be a foolish risk.”

Before Nara left the mansion, Advan rushed to her side. “Wait! Before you go, have this, it is a contact code for an attorney I read about. He lives in Scaleward but I heard he is really good at handling matters such as this.”

“Thank you, Advan, really, For everything.”

“You’re welcome, but please don’t talk like someone who’s about to die.”

“Maybe I am.”

“Yeah, keep that positive attitude.” His playful tone faded, seriousness taking its place as he added, “Good night, Nara. Take care of yourself.”

“Good night to you too.” She walked away, a smile playing on her lips.” May our next meeting lead to a better path.”

“May it be,” Advan whispered to himself as she disappeared into the night.

The final day of Nara’s timeline had dawned, though Gwenore remained blissfully unaware of the timeline. Her mind was preoccupied with the arrival of a certain celebrity at school: none other than Annif Geisa himself. She timed her day just right, eagerly awaiting his entrance. By his arrival he strode through the bustling school hall, the sound of raucous cheers from excited students reverberated. Channeling the energy of their enthusiasm, he made his way to the graduation stage and began to sing, his voice was soaring through the air, students of all grades cheered. After a couple of songs, he paused to take a break, inviting the eager students to ask their burning questions.

“Hey, I’m Rosabelle! What age did you start singing?”.

-“ Rosabelle ? What a sweet name. I actually started when I was about your age.”

Annif flashed a charismatic smile and replied.

Rosabelle squealed, turning to Gwenore. “Did you hear that? He said my name is sweet!”

Gwenore took a moment to respond, Rosabelle called her to get her back to reality and she responded “Sorry, I got distracted. Yes, this is amazing…”

The questions kept flowing until one pierced the air—a decidedly sensitive inquiry from the crowd.

“Hey, Annif! Did you hear that the son of the arrested Armadorn was here in our school?”

“Ah, yes, I’m aware,” Annif cautiously responded.

“He sat next to me in class. I can’t believe he’s from an Armadorn family” another student exclaimed, tension etched across her face.

“Oh, that must be unsettling for you all,” Annif replied, his tone dripping with condescension. “But thankfully, the boy isn’t here now. Authorities have ensured our safety.”

“ Gregory,” Gwenore interjected, her voice steady yet unexpectedly firm, silencing the surrounding chatter. “The boy you’re referring to, His name is Gregory Gentry.”

“Ahm, I see. Thank you for letting me know—” Annif began, but Gwenore cut him off and said pointedly .“He wanted to come, to the concert,”

“Well, he could have if he hadn’t chosen the way of the Armadorns. We’re all bound by the divide, and it’s in our best interest to respect it.”

Gwenore felt a spark of discomfort surge within her“But his father is an Armadorn. Why should he choose to abandon him?” She ventured with unwanted words among the crowd, and the remark went unbacked up.

“This is the problem with your generation,” Annif shot back, his smile fading. “You haven’t seen the true face of the Armadorns; you haven’t lived through the horror of their poison seeping into our world. Anyone who opposes the divide should be banished to Scaleward—let them find their place among those beasts. If anything, this planet needs to be cleansed of them, only then will we, the actual endures between all of that, will be welcomed into the outside of the kingdom, to be free, to pursue dreams, in a real stage rather then…-”

Gwenore recoiled at his harshness. This was not the Annif Geisa she idolized.

He tried to regain the atmosphere and announced.“Perhaps we should wrap up the break here and return to the music”

But Gwenore felt a dark twist within her, emotions mingling in ways she never expected. What had begun as a source of excitement had spiraled into confusion and anger. The other students, who once seemed familiar, now appeared cruel and senseless, and it stung to think that the renowned Annif Geisa could provoke such feelings within her. Her spirit surged with an unshakeable truth as she stormed out of the concert and school.

Once home, Gwenore slipped into her room, the silence enveloping her as she stared blankly at the posters that lined her walls. This encounter had shattered her idealized image of her idol. Doubts swirled in her mind—had she said the right things? Was she right to challenge him? Her heart is heavy with disillusionment.

She stepped out of the room and Nara saw her, as she was sitting on the couch of their home.

“I didn’t see you come in,” Nara remarked.

“What?” Gwenore absentmindedly replied.

“I was just checking in.”

“Oh. Right. Did you figure out what to do?”

“Working on it. I am actually contacting someone who might help. What’s going on with you?”

“I’m heading out to see someone,” Gwenore admitted.

“Oh, right! The concert... Annif G eisa, Did I get that right?”

“I’m actually going to see Gregory.”

“Yes! Gregory G eisa! It was on the tip of my tongue”

With a sigh, Gwenore nodded, “Sure,” and then made her way out, the weight of her earlier experience trailing behind her like a shadow.

Nara pushed open the labored door of the kitchen, reaching for a handful of berries—her staple comfort in tumultuous times. As she chewed thoughtfully, a sudden chirp from her device jolted her back to reality. Hovering on the cool, tile floor, she was connecting to the attorney whom Advan had recommended.

“Hello, is this the private attorney assigned to Scaleward?” she inquired

-"Indeed it is. This is the known Dorian Truss himself writing. How can I offer you assistance ?”

Nara hesitated, the weight of her predicament settling heavily on her shoulders. “I don’t know how else to say this but, I’ve been convicted of a murder I did not commit. I need your help to clear my name.”

“Splendid! That’ll be a fee of seven hundred and fifty. To proceed, I’ll need both your name and the deceased’s, the location of the incident, and the last activity before it occurred.”

“Of course, but first, you should know—I’m not from Scaleward; I’m from Purahylles.”

“Ah, a rare clientele! Since you’re my first client from Purahylles, I will offer you ten presents for this mission.”

“So, my location won't be an issue?”

“Not at all, Miss Sowjan. I have associates within Purahylles who can access the case files. However, this will increase your fee to three thousand six hundred.”

“Dear God! That’s exorbitant! What about with the offer?”

“This is with the offer, my dear.”

“Okay, I will send it over, but please understand—I'm on death row here. It’s a matter of life or death if their defense falters.”

“You have nothing to fear. My team is more than capable; they’ve faced the justice courts with even graver cases.”

-“ Did you receive it ? I have sent the fee to your contact.”

-"So how am I finding them ? . Tomorrow Is the day I will be facing the judge.”

-“Will they show up at the courtroom tomorrow?

-“ Hello ?…”

It didn’t take long before she realised that she was robbed. Nara snapped, turning off her device and throwing his contact details aside in frustration. As her options lowered till nothing. That day stretched on like a year. Sleepless and raw, she braced herself for the next day—a deadline looming over her like a guillotine, not just for her—not just for her, but for Gregory, who faced a crucial moment with his father before the scheduled departure of the Niart.

Her thoughts flickered to her parents, the agony of their news fresh yet distant. She felt the ache of longing, wishing she could embrace them one last time before the world collapsed around her. But they remained oblivious, and even Gwenore, who was aware of the storm brewing, was clueless about the urgency of time.

Emerging from the confines of her house in the morning, Gwenore slipped through the grounds, already knowing her way to Niart. Upon her arrival, Gregory's face lit up with a brightness that momentarily chased away her shadows.

“How was the concert?” he asked, crafting an oasis of normalcy in her chaotic world.

“It was just okay,” she admitted, shaking off lingering thoughts about Annif's engineered voice. “I think he must’ve used a lot of digital editing; his real voice is a bit high-pitched.”

Gregory chuckled, mismatched joy breaking through the tension. “It is?” Then as the conversation went further he said “ thank you for coming to see me here, really .”

-“ I really wished we have more days to hang out more”

-"Yes, they officially announced it to us, Niart will move an hour from now.”

-"So..this is goodbye? “ Gwenore, asked.

On the other side of Purahylles. Before the police station, Nara stood with despair. She tried to bring herself to walk a step closer, saving herself the chained forcefully walk towards there like an actual criminal. But her expression has shifted, shifted slowly from despair to resolve. she murmured to herself. “To heck with it, I killed nobody.” She turned her head and walked away. She pivoted, her belongings clutched tightly as she steeled herself against the suffocating weight of resignation.

Just as she moved toward the great transport, the Niart, hesitation gripped her. Each step closer made her heart race, a cacophony of dread and adrenaline thrumming in her veins. She ducked behind crates, desperately seeking the shadows. Yet, something caught her eye—a familiar figure emerging from the gloom.

“Nara? What are you doing here?” Gwenore’s eyes widened, confusion mingling with concern.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” Nara replied, urgency lacing her words.

“I came to see my friend Gregory. Is that a bag on your back?”

“Listen, you need to go home.”

“Are you… are you trying to leave?”

-“ I can’t explain to you right now. You are a kid, don't get involved in a bigger matter.”

-“ and you’re an adult, don’t do such a stupid matter ”

-"Excuse me, this isn’t your call to make.”

-“ you think mom and dad will be okay with this ?.”

“Gwenore, just leave! People are coming!”

“No. If you’re leaving, then I’m going too.”

Before Nara could refute her, Gwenore seized her hand, pulling her toward Niart’s cabin. Without knowing where this bold decision would lead, Nara found herself complying with her sister's fervor. Gwenore climbed and while Nara was confused about what she was doing, she yelled at her to follow her quickly

Upon boarding, they spotted Gregory and his father. Just as they prepared to converse, an officer entered from the opposite side, prompting Nara and Gwenore to duck behind the wooden boxes.

Four Mens and two womans of uniform walked in and one of the mens have spoke

“You are being charged with immigration violations and threatening the lives of others as an Armadorn” the officer announced. “You will be sent to Scaleward land for a lifetime or till a cure has been found. Is that understood?” Gregory’s father remained silenced.

The train fell into a stunned silence. Suddenly, an imposing figure with striking orange hair entered—a woman in a sharp suit who commanded attention looked at Gregory’s father with a powerful ring of voice “It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Arkadiul Gentry?”

Arkadiul stood tall, “Were you missing me, Thanny Vernon?”

Cheif Vernon laughed lightly, her voice calm yet authoritative. “Of course! You were my first colleague. Every member of the squad misses you… “ she took a minute and changed her tone when she said “ except of course those who you have killed.”

“No one dares to question orders that have been given. You would’ve done the same if you belonged to the kingdom” Arkadiul protested, desperation thick in his voice.

“Well thanks to you, I do now. ” she replied coolly, as she turned to a counter, pouring glasses of wine.

“Listen to me, It’s different now. I haven’t killed anyone. My hard gloves are the solution. No one has ever been poisoned around me. My son is safe to stay with me with them on.”

“Okay,” Vanny said nonchalantly.

“Okay?” Arkadiul questioned her

“ Yes, since you say your kid is safe around you “she remarked, then continued while leaving she said with a smile, as she walked away to leave.“,I am sure he will do just as wonderfully with all the other Armadorns in Scaleward as he is doing with you.”

Niart rattled to life, beginning to roll away. slowly departing from Purahylles, exchanging a look of dawning realization of the station slipping away, an unsettling feeling dawned on them: there was no turning back now.

The journey to Scaleward would take seven days, and uncertainty loomed large in their minds. All they could cling to was hope—hope that it would end up well, that those who seek something would find what they needed before returning home, if indeed they could ever do so.