Darkness expanded as far as the eye could see. It blanketed Gemini's surroundings as he hovered amongst the many planets and stars. Glimmers of light sprinkled across the area as Gemini smiled to be back at his workstation. This was Aingeil Wing, the pocket dimension connected to Veith that allowed him to "babysit" all of the regions; and, though not always a fun experience, this duty was a necessary one. He had fond memories of Tolvia teaching him the ways to monitor the world. It used to be a task they did together. Nevertheless, that time and the festival was over. The trip down nostalgia lane needed to end so that the real work could begin.

He stopped and placed his right hand out. A soft glow emanated from his palm as numerous planets and stars clustered together. He waved his hand aside forcing the cluster to sway. This layout of planet and stars was his personal preference to view the world. With his authority in this dimension, Aingeil Wing transformed into whatever shape he saw fit.

He placed his left hand out and manipulated the other planets and stars in a similar fashion. After waving the cluster aside, he looked at the first cluster and hovered around it.

"Okay," he said, "Kindrala is shaping up pretty nicely even after the festival." He poked one of the stars. It expanded and formed into a translucent globe before landing in the palm of his hand. Footage of busy people emanated from within the globe. Most of them were simply breaking down their respective booths and discarding any leftover trash from the crowded festival. Nothing out of the ordinary for the quaint land.

He twirled around to the second cluster of planets and stars. They all shone just as bright. He tapped one of the planets. It too became translucent showing several rows of men marching back and forth like soldiers. "As I would expect from the land of Virtin." Indeed, it was a population drenched in tradition and honor. Gemini wouldn't think anything else but order from this land.

Just then, a blazing light illuminated from his right. It was one of the suns. He extended his hand and drew it to him. It had a throbbing hum that echoed like a large bell in his ears.

Gemini raised in eyebrow. "Why is Patrice alerting me?" He then shook his head. "No matter. It probably needs to be addressed."

He then clasped his hands together and disappeared in a pillar of light. He reappeared in an open field next to Patrice. She had her hands extended, glowing with yellow light. Sweat adorned her face. Right next to her hovered the small yellow orb known as the communication core. It's mostly used for Integras to stay in communication over vast distances. But, as silent as she was, he wondered if Barum's communication core was active as well.

"What's wrong, Patrice?" Gemini asked.

Patrice jumped and turned to Gemini. "Oh Gemini! You came faster than I thought you would. Aren't you still on scouting duty?"

"Less questions about me. You sent out a signal. What's going on?"

Patrice winced as sweat slowly dripped from her face. "Well, Barum hasn't responded to my voice signaling lately."

Gemini raised an eyebrow and pointed to the orb next to her. "I'd think being in another world could tamper with his communication core."

"I would think that too, but we've communicated just fine the moment he landed on the other side."

Gemini narrowed his brow as he looked at the tear. It was sporadically pulsating like a beating heart. He gritted his teeth. "Your Secure hold won't last for much longer. How long has he been over there?"

"He's been there for well over 5 hours."

Gemini eyes widened. "5 hours? Why so long?"

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"I...don't know," Patrice panted as she kneeled to the ground with her hands still extended towards the portal. "I don't know why. I wanted to send another Integra to retrieve him, but there's no telling if the portal will hold much longer."

Gemini stood by her side, helping her back to her feet. She was definitely getting tired. And the portal could collapse on itself at any moment leaving Barum stranded on the other side. Gemini then closed his eyes.

"Patrice, get two of the other Integras over here."

"But, what about the tear? I need-."

"I know! I'll stabilize it for longer, but we need two others to hold it while I go through!"

Patrice's eyes widened. "You'll go over there after him?"

"Yes. I put him up to this and I'll bring him back. Now, go!"

Patrice nodded her head and ran in the opposite direction through the field. Gemini faced the portal and extended both of his arms.

"This should help," Gemini said while he closed his eyes. His hands then began to glow brighter. He shot his eyes open again and yelled, "Secure"

An energy ring shot from his hands and filled in the portal. It heaved little-by-little before stabilizing to its circular shape. And to think Gemini thought it would be a peaceful morning.

As he stood alone with the tranquil portal, he spoke to himself, "Patrice, Barum...did I really do the right thing here?"

~

Early afternoon set in when Patrice returned with two fellow Integras, Weis and Frey. Gemini had a feeling she would gather these two rather quickly. In the regions they were guarding, Nocturn sightings were minimum compared to other areas.

"Weis, Frey," Gemini said. "Did Patrice update you on the details?"

Weis and Frey nodded. Their lips tensed and eyebrows furrowed at the sight before them.

"We can use Secure to hold the tear in place," Weis said. "Patrice showed us the precision needed to do so."

"For how long do you want us to hold it?" Frey said.

"As long as humanly possible," Gemini said. "My release ring should remain stable for about 2 more hours. But to be safe, I need you two to hold it in place to extend the time." It was a good thing that the Integras had a shared skill set, because Secure was one of several skills needed to keep Veith safe from threats. The two Integras may not have previously held portals but they knew the skill well enough for Gemini's taste. Though the skill's primary use was to utilize energy rings to tighten and hold enemies in place, those same energy rings could also be used to form barriers that kept various physical materials from collapsing.

Weis and Frey nodded, extended their hands, and in unity said, "Secure!" Immediately, several energy rings rushed to the portal filling the interior of Gemini's energy ring. Such energy should hold the portal for some time.

Gemini then walked over to Patrice. "I can perform a quick soul healing if you'd like."

Patrice nodded. "I'd like that."

Gemini smiled and nodded. Soul healing was used primarily to heal the weary and sick citizens, but this was a better time than any to heal a weary friend. He placed his hand out as aura flowed from Patrice's body into Gemini's hand. She closed her eyes and stood perfectly still. He placed his aura-filled hand over his chest absorbing it. The right half of his body, from head to toe, glowed and faded. He then faced his palm out towards her and shot the aura back into her.

Patrice took a step back and opened her eyes. "Whew. It was pretty comfy in there."

Gemini laughed. "People tell me they'd like to vacation there someday. How do you feel?"

Patrice stretched her arms and then shook her arms loosely. "Much better now."

"Good." He walked towards the portal slowly before stopping. "If I don't come back by sundown, close the portal."

They all gasped. Patrice stepped forward. "But if we do that, you may be stuck there forever!"

Gemini waved her off. "No worries. These portals are all over the place. I'm sure a new one will form in due time."

Patrice frowned. It seemed clear to her this wasn't the safest idea. But, then again, what other choice did they have? One of their own was trapped somehow on the other side in a land foreign to them, and a world with rules that could be much different from their own.

"I'll be back. I promise," Gemini said with a wink.

"Funny," she replied, "before leaving, that's exactly what he said."

As Gemini walked through the portal, he laughed and waved at his comrades. This was not good-bye. For him, this was a necessary but convenient reason to explore the unknown once more.

~~~~~~

Patrice couldn't help but wonder about the other side of the portal. The temperature, the climate nor the people has been discussed. Were there people? She shook her head.

Things didn't need to be explained. She just knew they needed to be made right. Barum should be alive and well. Gemini should come back arm-in-arm with him. And hopefully nothing else comes through to our side.

She looked back up at the portal and noticed the face of it was pitch black, which triggered another thought. What does it feel like to touch pure darkness? But such thoughts brought upon memories of the Integra that knew the feeling all too well.