“Raise your hand higher!” Charette instructed.

Reial frowned and did as she commanded. Wasn’t it enough that he was already standing on the water’s surface?

“And take that frown off your face! You’ll ruin the image!”

He thinned his lips to a line and suppressed a heavy sigh as Yusjek scrambled around on the palm of his hand. Its three-toed, slimy feet made him shiver. “Better?” He asked.

“Now put your other hand in front of your face and do Relrel’s pose!”

“What?”

“You know!” Charette struck a vaguely familiar pose. Just where had he seen it before? “Something like that, but make sure you’re holding Yusjek to the sun! And Yusjek, copy the pose Scorch is doing!”

Reial glanced at the salamander, then at Scorch. The drog lifted his right paw and head up high, all whilst his plume tail stuck out straight. It reminded him of similar art pieces depicting hunting drogs in earlier times.

Somehow, Yusjek was able to comprehend her order and imitated Scorch’s pose. Its tail curling slightly upward instead of straight out like the drog’s. Let’s just get this over with. Reial thought tiredly. He took in a deep breath, and swallowing his pride, struck then pose. His knees bent and arm held upwards towards the sun, so it appeared like the salamander was Solvaylius itself.

“Excellent! Now hold still.” Charette cheered.

“For what?”

The water behind him began to rumble, pushing and pulling against the space he was manipulating. Pillars of water erupted all around him like ancient Aunesfernish architecture, bending and twisting until they formed one whole. He stood before a miniature replica of the World’s Throne, and although it wasn’t a perfect recreation, it was a close third. Wait a minute… He had seen this before! It was from an odd comic that was popular in Thírion called Relrel’s Quaint Sojourn. The characters on the front were usually glamourous and striking unnaturally flexible poses.

“Perfect! You can come over now.” She called.

At that, the recreation melted back into the water. Reial sighed and made his walk back. He wasn’t wet, at least not completely. Things tended to avoid him altogether when he summoned his barrier. The weather, harm, gravity in most cases.

“How’d it come out?” He asked her.

“Pretty good, see for yourself.”

An image popped into his mind, one from her perspective of the situation. The sun shone on Yusjek’s slimy skin, revealing it to be a dark green and red mix. A rather strange mix. He nodded, mostly because he didn’t want to see himself striking that dumb pose. It was embarrassing enough to do it, but to actually see it. He’d rather fight a Nether Dweller.

“Thanks for being cooperative, Yusjek.” Charette smiled, stroking the salamanders back with a finger.

Yusjek closed its eyes and whipped its tail from side to side. Was it truly capable of comprehending speech, or was there something else Reial didn’t account for?

“Why does it matter?” Linithesis inquired. “It’s just an animal.”

“I know, but don’t you think it’s strange?”

Linithesis hummed. “No. Your Almagest granted those that can wield Essence a higher capacity of being, as well as intelligence. If anything, it’s normal.”

“How do you know this?”

“I was born before the Almanesian Diaspora, Reial.”

Reial blushed, suddenly feeling stupid. “Oh, right.”

“Although I wasn’t privy to all of their secrets, Solvaylius had informed me beforehand that the nature of Essence, and by extension, the Solvaylian Arts, was a poorly understood subject. Even to the Almagest.”

“What? That doesn’t make sense. How could they gift us with the ability to wield Essence when They didn’t fully comprehend it to begin with?”

“You have to keep in mind that Essence is still an abstract concept. What you think you see when you use the Solvaylian Arts isn’t truly the form or shape of what that energy looks like. It’s what our minds have been ingrained to see in order to comprehend our reality. You cannot give shape or form to that which has never had one. Neither can a non-entity create if it has no concept of thought or itself.”

“I’m confused.”

“So am I. And I’m two million and a half years old.” Linithesis confided.

“Two million years?” He said aloud.

Charette looked at him strangely.

“Sorry, talking to the voice.”

She smiled and went back to petting the salamander. But two million years to ponder the same unknowable question? Reial would be driven mad after just a month.

“While I share that same sentiment,” Linithesis continued. “There is a solution to the question. Something that Solvaylius had told me Itself.”

This piqued Reial’s interest. “What is it?”

“Simple: You cannot know what is unknowable. It is unknowable because it exists outside of our comprehension. Much like how a person who’s been blind all their life can’t comprehend color, so too can’t we understand why this force that exists outside of our universe seemingly cooperates with us to create and destroy.

You cannot reason with what doesn’t think. You cannot bend or break which has no shape. Instead, you must create a temporary facet for it. That is how the Almagest managed to ingrain the ability in us.”

“Linithesis.”

“Yes?”

“I understand almost nothing you said.”

The Pneuma roared with laughter, rattling his mind like an infant’s plaything. “I would’ve been terrified if you had.”

Reial gave the Pneuma a moment to recover from his fit. He wasn’t angry or bitter about being unable to comprehend the full scale of the matter. It was unknowable because that was the only way it could exist. Probably.

He’d never thought of Essence so extensively before. Mostly because he couldn’t use it himself effectively, but what was it really? He knew now where it came from, vaguely at best, though vaguely was probably the most accurate the answer would ever come to.

But how exactly did someone’s intelligence factor into being able to produce anomalous effects? There were no rules set in place, at least none he’s ever heard or read before. Did it just work because they thought it would?

“Rail?” Charette called, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Yes?”

“Can we take Yusjek with us to Thírion?”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want them to be lonely.”

Reial stared at her in disbelief. “You want us to take Yusjek hundreds of miles away from its home, across a salty gulf just because you don’t want them feeling lonely?”

“Yes.”

“That’s as good a reason as I’ve ever heard,” Linithesis interjected.

“Now’s not the time for your sarcasm, Linithesis,” Reial shot back.

With a sigh, he peered over the hills and up to the obelisk towering in the sky. Its height was thrice that of the World’s Throne, though its beauty was lacking. Gaiceranes was what the Recundian’s referred to it as, though he didn’t know if this was a nickname or an official one. That was mostly due to the lack of news that came out of Recunda. It might as well have been another world.

“You can always check the Sygnal if you want to know,” Linithesis suggested.

“No thanks, I don’t want to.”

“Aren’t you curious though?”

“I don’t care enough honestly.”

Linithesis uttered something so quiet that Reial wasn’t able to catch what he was saying, which frustrated him because it was his mind.

“Wow, you still haven’t gotten over that?” Linithesis inquired.

“You know, Linithesis, something’s are harder to look past than others.”

The Pneuma chuckled but said little else. He had been rather pleasant recently. Being quick to make jokes or point out odd things. What a stark contrast to the day before. The city wasn’t in sight, but the Pneuma’s presence was enough of a painful reminder of what was to come.

He thought back to Charette’s request and hesitated. If he were to give into it, wouldn’t that just be another burden she would have to care for? A drog and a pet salamander to feed? Traveling all by her lonesome across a foreign continent. One dotted by islands. Would it be too hot, or humid? What of the storms that frequent the land? What of dangerous creatures that inhabited the many glades around the place? Would she stick to the land, or venture there?

He was doing this because he cared about her, but wouldn’t it make more sense to be with her and try to resolve these issues? To want to confess how terrible of a person he was for being the root cause of all the bad that’s ever occurred in their life? It was because of her that he was the way he is.

Upon thinking that thought, he became terrified and immediately tried to forget it. He didn’t want to blame her for what was his fault. She hadn’t done anything wrong. It was all because of him. Like his teachers had always said. To be Aunesfernish was to acknowledge everything wrong in your life as your fault. He had to accept that responsibility, he had to overcome it by himself. That’s what it meant to be Aunesfernish. To be strong and independent, like Rei himself.

“But you can’t be like him,” Linithesis whispered. “He had the technology, and a society willing to listen to him. You’re just one child, don’t try to act like it doesn’t hurt.”

Reial swallowed the hard lump in his throat and tried to speak in an even voice. “Fine, Yusjek can come along. Just make sure they don’t leave a ‘mess’ wherever we go.”

Charette beamed and held up a little white paper bag that he had used for his rasdham. “Already on it.”

“Gross.”

“How was it by the way?”

Reial arched a brow. “How was what?”

“The rasdham when you tasted it. You never told me if you liked it or not.”

“Oh, right. I liked it. Definitely a lot more filling than I thought it would be. Makes me wonder how you managed to scarf down half that box in one day.”

“Because they were tasty.”

“They are rather tasty.” He muttered underneath his breath, suddenly feeling regretful for not purchasing more. “Do you happen to know if they sell them in Endona?”

“I hope so, I can go for another two dozen right now.”

Scorch yipped, causing Yusjek to flinch and disappear entirely from sight.

“And we’ll make sure to save some for you too, Scorch.” She added. “But you shouldn’t have too many or else you’ll get sick.”

“Says the person who ate an entire dozen in a single day,”

“They were tasty!” She said defensively.

Reial rolled his eyes. He knew better than to argue about food with her. Besides, it was a beautiful day, he didn’t want to waste his breath by talking about her voracious appetite.

A wet sticky limb pressed against his hand, and upon closer inspection with his Veil Sight, he found that it was Yusjek. The salamander had somehow managed to scale up his body without him realizing it. That, or he leapt from Charette’s hand and onto his, which was equally as impressive. It was no Veil Strider, but it was as brave as they come. I wonder, did you learn that by watching us?

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

Yusjek eyed him suspiciously before turning its attention to the river. Nature’s road. Where did its many streams and brooks lead to? Perhaps somewhere fantastical like an ancient city hidden in the shadows of tall hills, or hidden treasure buried in the wilds. Or maybe even a floating city, like Amadanazeflious! He thought excitedly.

A relic said to not only rival but surpass the World’s Throne in beauty and size. Making it one of the most, if not the largest Remnants crafted by the ancients. The Elusive Remnant. Its name alone made him shiver. No artistic depiction could do the legendary city justice, and although many believed it to be a mere children’s tale, he knew it was real.

Linithesis hummed. “Amadanazeflious…”

“Yes? What about it?”

“Nothing, it’s just a fun word to say.”

Ever-drifter. Reial wondered if he would ever have the luck to glimpse that magnificent ancient city one day. Perhaps he would find it in Thírion.

“Oh, so you’ve decided to go with them then?” Linithesis inquired.

Reial hesitated. “Amadanazeflious is a tempting sight. I suppose I can stay with them a bit longer.”

“You know, I’ve heard that sightings of said flying city are more common in the everglades to the east.”

“Really?”

A sensation like someone nodding their head registered in his mind. “Saw it there once myself. Long before this whole Nether Dweller business.”

“What did it look like?”

“Pioneering silver, with plenty of Remnant-like structures built atop of it.”

“So, it’s real?” Reial asked excitedly.

“As real as you and I.”

“Can you show me it then?”

The Pneuma made a resounding clicking noise. “I’d rather not.”

“What? Why?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Your reasons are vague at best, Linithesis.”

“Yet they are reasons all the same.”

With a sigh, Reial withdrew from the conversation and found himself still staring at the river. Yusjek crawled all around his arm, trying to get a better vantage point of the place before climbing off of him. Charette had a glazed look in her eyes as she stared at nothing. Was she too communicating with the voice in her head? And for that matter, did it claim to be a Pneuma as well?

Reial went over and tapped her on the shoulder, bringing her out of her trance. She blinked, appearing surprised. “Oh, sorry, was I gone for long?”

“I’m not sure.” He admitted. “How’re they?”

Charette’s expression became exasperated as she tapped a finger against her thigh. “They’re certainly a handful. Spending most of the time fighting amongst each other more than anything else. I never knew that voices could be so annoying.”

Reial grinned. “Tell me about it.”

She returned the smile and searched the ground. He was about to ask her what she was looking for before he saw her pick up Yusjek and settle them down on Scorch’s back. “Let’s get going. We have a Remnant and rasdham waiting for us.”

“I feel as if you’re more excited about the food than the ancient manmade wonder.”

“They’d be too if they knew how delicious it was.”

While it may have been an exaggeration, the thought of having more of that fried food made Reial’s mouth water. “I wonder if they have a white chocolate variant.” He mumbled. “I love white chocolate.”

“That’s the spirit! Now, Stride us away!” She ordered, making a scooping motion with her arms.

“Do I have to?”

Charette nodded. “Of course! That’s how we’ll get there faster.”

“I’m not a cabbing service, Charette.”

“Come on, if I were a Veil Strider, I’d carry you without complaint.”

Reial arched a brow at her. He was very particular about the way he wielded his powers. He didn’t exactly know why, though he assumed it had to do with how he viewed the Veil Striders of old and Vaes. Nowadays, most Veil Striders use their power for sports or simple transportation-based jobs.

Would those same old Striders be proud of what they had managed to accomplish if they saw them as they were now? Maybe there didn’t always need to be a reason for this power to exist. A power meant to embody God and utterly destroy their enemies.

“Fine.” He relented. “I’ll take us there, but no more Striding once we’re inside.”

Charette jumped at him, catching him by surprise as he instinctively caught her in his arms. Scorch followed suit, coiling his body around Reial and tucking the salamander beneath his chin. Once they were all settled, they smiled at him.

“I see everyone’s comfortable except for me,” Reial noted.

Scorch responded by licking his face.

“Yeah, yeah, I love you too buddy.

And with that he Strode forward, crossing miles of hills, rivers, and creeks in the blink of an eye. Coaches stood motionless on the opposite road as they approached the massive city in the distance, their hulking frames casting failing shadows. Fields of crops surrounded them on both sides as he continued down the slim path, passing people walking their drogs or tending to the fields. Some looked like foreign workers, which made him wonder just how much they were being paid for toiling in the sun. He could never see himself doing that type of work. Not because he was lazy, but because he was disinterested in farming as a whole. There was nothing wrong with that, was there?

Although he tried distracting himself with the sights of the land, he could not deny the attention-grabbing effect of Gaiceranes. The Remnant is said to have shielded the city from an army of Strider’s one-hundred strong. Something which hadn’t been seen since the late days of Vaes’s Crusade.

Their attempts to enter the city resulted in some manner of temporal anomaly, causing every Strider to temporarily lose the use of their powers. No one was really sure why, but the Striders who had survived claimed they were taken to a time where the floor beneath them didn’t exist, despite still being physically present in the city itself.

As a result, the Remnant was viewed as a bad omen by many Veil Striders. Reial wasn’t one of them. He didn’t know how people could be superstitious about a structure created by the ancients. After all, it was built by one of the most advanced societies that ever existed. They could’ve had the foresight to create something that prevented people like Striders from running amok. Though how they ever predicated them coming into being was another question entirely.

There was a certain weathered quality to Gaiceranes’s appearance. A bent here, a scratch there. Reial knew that to be Vaes’s doing. The entire gulf for that matter was his handiwork.

It was still strange to see a Remnant look so battered and old though. Then again, the fact that it was able to survive an attack so strong that it managed to wipe an entire mountain range from existence was equally as impressive. The same could be said for Thírion.

Linithesis remained silent during the duration. Never uttering a single word or response to Reial’s thoughts, which did make him feel a bit lonely. The world was deathly quiet. It would’ve been nice to hear a familiar voice to break the silence.

With each step, he exploded with power, pushing harder and harder to the city’s entrance. Ruby sparks trickled across the ground before they evaporated, returning from whence they came from. Reial wondered where that place was exactly.

He checked up on Charette and frowned. There was something missing, something he hadn’t thought of before. He searched for the answer in his memories, but they always seemed to elude him. Every time he was close to finding that answer, it would slip from his mental grasp. It’s just like… Just like what?

Again, the thought slipped his mind, and he was left with a blank slate. Nothing. It was as if some outside force was suppressing his thoughts. Was that Gaiceranes’s doing?

“Perhaps.” Linithesis said. “Remnants are no ordinary tools.”

Tools? They weren’t tools, they were works of art built by the ancients. “Oh, so you can hear me when I Stride?” Reial asked. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“I thought you preferred this time alone to think.”

“Well, yeah, but I do get lonely.”

Linithesis hummed. “So that’s what it is.”

“What?”

“I’ll leave you be for now. I need to go and meditate.”

“Meditate? For what?”

“That’s better left for me to know. If you have need of me, just call my name.”

The Pneuma’s presence flickered before shutting off, making Reial’s head feel fuzzy. He wasn’t sure why Linithesis was doing any of this, but he shrugged it off. Maybe the Pneuma wanted some time to think to himself too. That, or there was something urgent that required his attention. What that “urgent” thing was, he didn’t know.

Ruby sparks erupted from Reial’s heels as he came to a sliding stop. Dozens of people returned to motion, passing underneath a white stone arch with the city’s name engraved upon it. A simple, yet attractive traveler’s entrance.

Then the muttering began. The incessant, dwelling muttering. Scorch unfurled from him, allowing him to comfortably put Charette down. Afterward, they hastily made their way down the street. Those that managed to catch a glimpse of him Striding into the city tapped two fingers against their forehead reverently, uttering a solemn thanks to the Almagest and Solvaylius.

It made Reial’s skin crawl. People believed that—for whatever reason—spotting a Veil Strider was a sign of good fortune. That their mere presence was enough to disrupt the wrongness in a person's life. He knew that was anything but true.

The temptation to Stride away was too great, but he realized he would just end up causing another scene if someone caught sight of him. Unwarranted attention is so bothersome.

He wondered what it must have been like for the very first Striders. Were they seen as something divine, like the Empyreans, or were they seen in a negative light, like the Nether Dwellers, bringing about destruction wherever they went? Reial imagined it being more accidental than purposeful, though he couldn’t say that about every first Veil Strider. Most of them turned out to be tyrants in the end.

Recundian banners fluttered against the sea’s breeze, a blue diamond surrounded by an ocean of white at the top and green at the bottom. He didn’t remember what the symbol stood for, although he vaguely recalled Eston mentioning something about virtue. How you found simple colors virtuous was beyond him.

Charette twisted and turned her head as she watched the long strips of cloth join the clouds, obscuring the greater heights of the city from her view. Despite Striding them to the city, Reial didn’t catch a good view of it on his way there. He blamed Gaiceranes for that. Remnants, even one as weathered and dull as it, always demanded his attention.

Many of the buildings were constructed from the same stone-white material as the archway entrance. He didn’t know where or how they managed to acquire so much of that matter considering there was nothing resembling that rock outside the city limits. For all he knew, they could’ve just created it from pure Essence. Things like that weren’t unheard of, just rare.

Even with their powers, people still loved to build with their own two hands. He sometimes wished he could do the same, but his unruly Essence didn’t allow him to. That was the cost of being a Strider.

They came upon a towering stone-arch way, one decorated with a variety of fluttering banners. Recundian, Aunesfernish, Uvandran, Yusanese, and one he didn’t recognize. A once whole nation standing united again.

Reial passed through the archway and gaped. Few things could rival the beauty of the World’s Throne. Cerauhlaan, Rei’Xchal Yamin, and Firven Stadium, but this? Endona won the right to be compared to one of the most beautiful Remnants in the world.

Five massive ringed complexes were built at the center of the city, taking up a majority of the landmass. Three of what he would call “lesser” rings made up a majority of that space, while the two “greater” ones circled the peak of the city.

Towers and skyscrapers were built atop those two stark white rings, with a palace residing at the very center. Its walls bulged outwards while the golden metal roof rose upwards, piercing the sky with a sharp, knife-like point. Large, shell-like constructs shielded the rings from all but one direction. Their golden knife-like points curling inward on themselves.

Behind the palace stood Gaiceranes. Its weathered geometries crowing the sacred building with pride. Although the time of monarchs had passed, the palace still reigned over one of the oldest and longest-lived cities in all of Yushiloc.

All roads led to the rings, including the sloping one they stood on. Endona was the treasure of Recunda first, and a port city second. Reial felt nothing but shame that other Striders before him had once tried to destroy this wonder. Wasn’t it enough that the Nether Dwellers had obliterated the world before this one?

“Wow,” Charette breathed. “Why aren’t more places in Recunda like this?”

“Perhaps we just haven’t been to them yet,” Reial answered.

Figures darted from one corner of the sky to the other, leaping off of the dragon spires that dotted the cityscape. Gale Gliders. A rarity in the west. They didn’t move quite as fast as a Veil Strider, but their movements were graceful and free flowing, even when they lazily drifted about.

There were enough of them to count on one hand, but this was the most he’s ever seen in his life! The way they twirled about, shooting up through the clouds, diving down and through the spires in playful loops. He could almost hear them whooping and hollering in complete bliss.

Charette wasn’t able to view them as clearly as he was, but she still smiled nonetheless as she watched them. What was the root of their intoxicating joy?

Then an image popped into Reial’s mind. It was of them standing underneath the stone-white arch, but as if viewed from a rooftop. Specifically, a roof top from the northeastern-most direction where a stark white and red banner fluttered. A precognitive warning from the Striders of old that silently inhabited his mental scape.

He whirled around, ruby sparks exploding out from underneath him as he faced the tall building with the familiar banner. Nothing. Reial scanned the area with his Veil Sight, searching the alleyways and rooftops for signs of a supposed stalker. Perhaps it was just another Strider passing by, but he wasn’t so sure about that. The images hardly gave concrete ideas.

“What’s wrong?” Charette asked.

Reial frowned, looking around once more before shaking his head. “Nothing.” He didn’t want to worry her when they were just about to leave.

“Well, you turned around awfully fast for it to be nothing.”

“I thought someone was trying to sneak up on us. You know, rob us.”

Charette arched an inquisitive brow. “In the middle of the day?”

“You never know.”

“Exactly!” A third voice boomed.

Reial jumped backwards in surprise, finding a woman in a blue and golden trimmed cloak standing beside him. She hadn’t been there a moment ago. Was she the Veil Strider he had sensed? No, something was off about her.

Her visage was partially hidden behind a long hood, obscuring the upper half of her face. The sleeves of the cloak hid her hands and feet from view, like a child wearing their parents’ clothes. She grinned at him playfully, her head bobbing from side to side as if she were listening to music. There’s definitely something wrong about her. He thought warily.

Several lines ran down from the top of her hood to where he suspected her ankles to be. He didn’t immediately recognize the pattern they shaped, but there was something vaguely familiar about it. Like he had seen it in passing before, or at a church.”

“You’re madermaline and resshon must’ve raised you right to be so wisely cautious!” She added.

Reial blinked. That accent, the way she emphasized her S’s and H’s. She was Thírian. “Um, hello there. Who might you be?” Reial asked politely.

Her mouth opened in surprise and then she smiled again. “Sorry, I have a bad habit of turning up uninvited. My name’s Zariya.”

“Zariya? That’s an interesting name.” Charette commented.

Zariya nodded. “May not be as fancy sounding as most, but it's a name all the same!”

Reial found the saying to be somewhat peculiar, but aside from that, she was pleasant. “Say, did you need something, Zariya? We aren’t trying to be rude, but is there any particular reason you approached us?”

Zariya shook her head. “Nope, I just heard you say something I agree with and wanted to tell you I approved of it.”

“Oh, thanks?”

She smiled again. He could almost catch a glint of her burning orange eyes. “You’re welcome! By the way, would you two happen to be new in the city?”

“Yes, how did you know?” Charette asked.

“Because I saw you staring at the city rings as if they were Mechora herself.” Zariya said. “Don’t worry, they tend to have that effect on newcomers.”

Reial blushed. “Well, do you mind if we ask you what you’re doing in the city?”

“Not at all! I’m just passing through on my way to another Convention.”

“Convention? What’s that?” Charette asked.

“It’s where Followers of Exania Mechora gather to discuss advancements in technology both scientific and Solvaylian based.”

Reial frowned. “Sounds exciting?”

“It is! Most of my time in Yusanik is spent participating in said gatherings. You guys really know how to celebrate. Much more than the Khaantanese. Formal bunch, the lot of them. Almost fell asleep once on a presentation turned lecture.”

“That sounds terrifying…” Charette mumbled.

“It was. That’s the last time I ever go to Khaantan.” She shifted to the side. “Where’re you two heading?”

Reial and Charette exchanged a brief look. “To the port, but we don’t know where that is.” Charette answered.

He nodded. “Yeah, the city’s so dwelling big.”

Zariya perked up. “Care if I show you the way then? I’d like to play a tour guide! Though I don’t know much about the city itself if I’m to be honest.”

“Just getting us there is good enough.”

“Then it’s a deal!” She pulled on the sleeve of her right arm, revealing a translucent golden hand.

Reial stared at it. “Uhm?”

“Shake it! In Thírion, it means we’ve agreed upon the terms of deal.”

He threw a backwards glance at Charette, who just shrugged. A rather foreign display he wasn’t all too comfortable with. To the Aunesfernish, laying your hand upon someone who wasn’t a friend or family member was the ultimate sign of disrespect.

With much reluctance, he reached out and took her hand in his. In response, her entire arm came off. Reial looked down at her disconnected limb and blinked. His mind empty of all rational thoughts. Finally, a piercing scream tore through his and Charette’s throats as Zariya cackled menacingly.