When her twilight eyes peeled open once again, all she saw was ever-expanding darkness. Hoisting her upper body up with her core muscles, she looked around, and still all she saw was darkness. For a moment, Deyanira thought she'd gone blind from Aurelie's attack. That is, until she saw a figure moving towards her.

"Deyanira!" a feminine voice she recognized to be Aylin's called out. Soon, the girl was next to her. "Thank God I don't have to wake you up," the mint-haired woman deadpanned. Deyanira turned to her, slightly offended.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Aylin waved her off without a reply. Letting out a huff, Deyanira didn't pursue it further.

The two quickly got to discussing what they knew. Aylin spoke of her experience so far, while Deyanira just listened, having been asleep the whole time. Though the space distortion was certainly catching up to her.

"So, how do we leave?" Deyanira started after Aylin had finished speaking. The other thought for a while, holding her chin as she pondered. Her golden eyes then snapped up abruptly, hand quickly moving to pull Deyanira towards her by the arm.

The fire-headed woman was beyond confused. That was until she saw a death wraith barreling to where she had just been. A horrified look overtook her face as she watched the ashen, corpse-like creature.

Aylin's brows were furrowed as she studied it. "There's more. Is Ignis working?" she inquired severely, referring to Deyanira's Geo. Deyanira nodded. "It is, but it seems weakened somehow."

Aylin only looked ahead at the wraiths beginning to gather. Quietly, she unsheathed one of the daggers she always kept on her person. Without a word, Aylin slashed her forearm on its sharp blade, causing Deyanira to freak out.

"Lin! What are you doing?!"

The woman let a stream of blood flow into the void. As it did, it seemed to crystallize and hold its form in mid-air.

"It seems fighting Adira for so many years wasn't so useless, after all."

Deyanira was still confused. But soon, she realized what Aylin was doing. Through fighting Adira, a Vinmeen with expert-level blood manipulation, Aylin could begin to harness her own attribute as well. And certainly, blood seemed to be a good enough weapon against the wraiths.

The fight went on for a while. Deyanira couldn't really do anything as her Geo was too weak to sustain an attack that would actually deal sufficient damage against those things. She noticed Aylin step back until she ended up next to her.

Confused, the fire-headed woman looked towards her opponent; the last wraith remaining. Aylin was obviously being cautious. Maybe it was a particularly strong one? The golden-eyed woman said nothing either.

"Keep your guard up," Aylin started. "She-"

Before the woman could finish her statement, a suffocating darkness engulfed the two. Aylin knew that feeling full well - it was the same memory miasma that made her relive her past experiences while Deyanira was still knocked out.

She did not want to relive anymore of her memories. This far was enough. But, oh, how could she possibly break away? Memory miasma was encompassing - once it held onto a person, it would not let go.

"Fret not, girls. We can make it."

An overly familiar voice rang in both of their ears - so loving, so reassuring that Deyanira thought she would break down right then and there. And one they had not heard in 25 years. The silhouette of a woman of medium stature and long, curly hair appeared in their visions.

Subconsciously, Aylin reached towards it.

"Ai...?"

The woman looked back. Her amicable hazel eyes seemed to smile at them as her honeyed blonde curls perfectly framed her soft face. The tenderness of her presence was something neither of them could ever forget. But the darkness swallowed her up once again.

Aylin's heart filled with desperation as she tried to get to where the woman had just been standing, while Deyanira remained frozen in place.

Ah. So that was the cruelty of Oblivion. The void that knows no mercy, the darkness that sought to bring down the wishful mortals. She realized now that she had underestimated it.

That familiar voice sounded again. This time, Deyanira looked away. She couldn't bear to look at the woman one more, knowing that she'd never see her again.

"Deyanira. It's me. This time, it really is me."

A soft, tender hand gently held her face, bringing her gaze forward to where the woman had been standing. Behind her, Aylin remained in place, smiling a little as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Aiyana..." the twilight-eyed woman began. And yet, her words failed her in that moment. Silently, Aiyana's hand fell from her face to her hand, lovingly holding it as her other hand went to take Aylin's.

"Come with me, you two."

Aylin had once heard rumors that people can meet the souls of the dead in Oblivion. However, she'd always treated it as if it were just that - rumors. Never in her life... would she have expected to meet Aiyana again.

The three seemed to warp through space-time. Both women were fascinated at all the lights and colours they'd never before experienced. All until now - with Aiyana, their bygone friend and close companion.

Once the lights subsided and faded, Aylin and Deyanira found themselves standing in what seemed to be an entirely different universe. Their eyes fell on Aiyana as she walked forward before turning back to them. She gave them that same smile she always did, waving a little with her hand.

"I am overjoyed to have met you again, Deyanira, Aylin."

Before they could respond, she'd already dissipated among the falling golden leaves. Beyond where Aiyana had been standing, a great, golden tree extending far into the heavens stood, leaves swimming around its branches the way autumn winds sweep the colourful leaves off the trees in October.

And standing at the base of the tree was a woman with light-coloured hair and stature that greatly resembled Aiyana's. However, she did not look back at them even once.

It couldn't have been her. She'd just disappeared right in front of them... right? The duo looked towards each other and nodded, choosing to approach the woman. As they got close, her soft, melodious voice sounded in their ears.

"I'm aware that you're here, humans," she said, not looking back at them. "What is it that you seek?"

It was not Aiyana's voice. Out of curiosity, Deyanira asked, "Who are you?"

The woman finally turned to look at them. Her eyes were the golden sun in all its splendour, her hair a waterfall of molten silver. Her features were what one would define 'pretty' to be - soft jawline, round eyes, stoic expression.

She was heaven had it been a maiden, embodying the golden tree that so domineeringly towered over her figure. Pearly white robes adorned her body, drawing attention away from the void black horns that protruded from her head.

In the golden sheets of her eyes were slits that despite her unthreatening presence would cause a hundred men to think twice, and from her ears, golden earrings the shape of battle swords dangled innocently, clanking a little with her every movement.

The duo found themselves unable to look away from the woman - the demon - in front of them. Aylin found herself questioning how a demon would be that pretty, that docile. And most importantly... what was this place and why was she here?

She managed to gather herself up first. "Who are you, and what is this place?"

The woman was quiet for a while. "This is Tiamat... the Vein of Life, the great tree of the world. And I am the Keeper of Life, Zielle Celestria." Her eyes fell on both of their Geos, recognizing the aura they exhibited. Yet she didn't comment on them, choosing to turn a blind eye to their presence.

Aylin felt as though she'd heard both names before, but couldn't pinpoint when. So instead, she hardened her gaze. "We wish to return to Earth."

Zielle thought for a while, expression unchanging. She then nodded. An ornate staff materialized in her hands as Deyanira finally snapped out of her trance. Zielle then pointed the tip of the staff at one of the roots. She looked back at the two.

"Come closer." They both obliged. The Keeper closed her eyes, letting out a small breath. She concentrated her Dya at the tip of her staff, paving a way for them to return to where they came from. When they left, she let out a breath as she leaned on the staff.

Her eyes trailed up the humongous tree, lingering on one of its smaller branches. It seemed to be glowing just a little brighter than the rest.

"It seems like a dormant attribute has been awakened. I do wonder, how will things go from here... Tiamat?"