The mountainous canyons pulsated with glowing markers, pulsing in response.

An angelic cry could be heard on the wind, carried into the cities and towns. The song was so sad, overwhelming the souls of the people with sadness and misery.

The priests and Śeinq all chanted and prayed to the Śeingt. The event was clearly a sign.

For some in occupied R'einsel, it was a warning for revolt. The dissent was rising but was squashed by the invading army.

The scene shook Commander Yidd and General Nash'al, awaking from their homage. Even Kaldy and Losuii shot up. It all drew them to the source behind the giant canyons surrounding the Province.

"Aya!!" Shassii let out.

"Don't worry, it's the Śeikl just grab the loot. Yannu help me for now quickly, while we have time!" Kairui suggested, unfazed by it all.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!?"

"That's my sister in there…"

"Shassii, listen to her for now... I know how you feel" Quine backed Kairui up who was now already getting the rest of the gear.

"Do you? Quine... Do you?" Shassii questioned. Vehemently fuming with anger and sorrow.

"Shassii, please… now's not the time"

"You're right! Shassii don't worry. Let's quickly prepare" Yannu reinforced as he kitted up. Turning her away from the lake.

"We'll get her out, Shassii don't worry!" Ussu shouted from the other side of the lake.

Aya was stuck, now affixed in the mist. It had subsidized dissipating into the lake once again. The Śeikl walked on water once again standing before her on all fours.

It screeched once again into Aya's face, tearing past every fabric of her being burrowing deep into her soul. Each screech was like a wave or a gush of wind tossing her. It slapped her face as it dug past her layers of mental fortitude she had put up.

A message was whispered to her that day. Shedding a soft tear, she was struck with fear and resolve. A loud chant echoed through the gorge as it ricocheted down the corresponding rivers. Ripples could be seen, tearing up the rivers. The waters gushing and splitting apart revealing the water bed as a powerful force. Made its way through.

The Śeikl then spoke out. Speaking indirectly to Aya's heart.

"The Śeingtt watch over you child, we shall see… where your fate leads you. This is… a favor from your mother…" she concluded.

Crushed at the remembrance and humility of her mother. Rubbing her head down in the water.

Her tears trickled down into the lake.

She turned to the carriage as the mist evaporated revealing the anticipating trio.

She saw Shassii and Kairui stunned as they met eye contact.

Shassii was confined to the carriage. The form of the Śeikl confused her. She didn't feel anything, no contempt, no worry, no-fault, or anything that would make her worry. Seeing Aya okay put her heart at ease.

Aya's body didn't respond to her. All she could do was cease her crying. Her Movement was limited to her neck and her head, yet it felt like an invisible hand grasped her head still.

The tiger dashed away leaping from the lake landing atop of the carriage. Shaking it side to side before settling as its other paw rested. Kairui fell onto the ground, trying to get back up. A loud purr was let out from the Śeikl. Shassii anxiously peered up. Meeting the tiger's sharp glimmering teeth, each one filled real. Its body swayed and flowed around like the wind, but its eyes and teeth were constant in place.

As it purred, it's body hair flew into a deep frenzy with each hair spiking up.

Opening its gaping mouth wider and wider. Inside nothing lay there but pitch darkness. Like hallow empty space. It caught Shassii's attention, captivating her.

It was nothing and yet it was something.

It enchanted her.

The darkness pulled her in closer.

She entered deeper and deeper into its mouth as it drew closer. It's purr got louder, and aggression fuelled in the carriage. Her reflection mirrored into her as she saw herself in the white teeth. Her image passionately stared back at her before smiling at her. Urging at her to reach in.

"Shassii, what are you doing??" Yannu asked anxiously.

She followed the murmurings of the voices, leaning in closer. As her reflection stretched out as she opened her mouth.

On the outside were razor-sharp, spiky lengthy teeth. Ready to clamp down on Shassii.

The Śeikl roared at Shassii.

Unaware Kairui turned back. To see Shassii swallowed head whole by the ferocious tiger.

Inside Shassii was floating through an endless space. She could see images and futures play out in an instant as if she was a Śeingtt.

The thoughts of had she passed over into the afterlife crossed her mind. Time passed quickly as she saw the futures speed up and events happen.

Then they all came to a stop and faded away.

Silence came first.

Greeting her, her sense of time left her next.

Everything was dark and empty, everywhere she looked, there was nothing. The sight of it drove her to insanity. Hurting her brain, the more she kept her eyes open.

Soon her mind started hallucinating. She couldn't decipher real from fake. The figures her mind made all acted out following a grotesque script. Committing atrocities on what seemed like her people, and soon even.

Aya!

Yannu was filled in dismay.

"SHASSIII" Ussu screamed as she raced into the lake after her.

Quine chucked her short sword at the tiger. Before it bounced back and flung past landing on the soft sandy shore.

Kairui unsheathed her daggers duel wielding in each hand. She chanted out in what sounded like a spell in a foreign tongue.

Yannu was filled with dread, worrying about what might happen to his friend. He pulled himself together.

Reached out, trying to remove the tiger from eating her. But his fingers cut as he made contact with the fur.

The daggers were thrust deep into the tiger's mystical body. A loud screech bellowed from the Śeikl throat. Kairui fought hardly being as she pressed into the body; the tough air thrust them back. The screech of the daggers rang out, deafening everyone around them.

Eventually, the Śeikl let go. Its hairs jumping as it's body barely stayed intact, spasming around.

Freeing Shassii, who fell to the ground. Collapsing in fear she shook at what she saw. Yannu slowly picked her up.

She shook frantically while gripping onto his robe.

He tried calming her down, but the tear back into reality made her freeze. She witnessed the creature above the carriage. Letting out screams she lost her voice becoming almost mute.

The Śeikl popped its head out the carriage before giving a discerning look to Kairui. Then it stared at Shassii who was barely conscious and turned to Aya.

Aya found her way back to reality. Rushing back into the carriage.

"Shassii, Shassii are you okay?"

Aya span Shassii to her.

Shassii froze staring blankly at her. The two hugged her, trying to make her feel safe.

Kairui turned to make sure the coast was clear. Her eyes following the Śeikl's escape.

Interesting?

The siren of the lake then pounced fleeing across the river again. Racing into the distance as the mist of its body faded away, bit by bit, breaking and vaporizing into the air. A loud sonic boom chimed out as a vacuum of wind thrust into the sky, splitting it open. Seeding away the mist from the area.

The clouds parted once again, returning to normality. The moon shining once down back onto the lake.