In a courtyard beside the glory of the silver halls, inside a busy capital trapped between a dark valley and a white mountain, two figures moved in sync. Their movements seem to mirror the other, but at a closer look, one moved faster and smoother than the other. By the side, sat Lizzy and Si Sanga sipping on soothing tea, watching the figures dashing around the courtyard.
"The seal will soon break," Si Sanga said, "In the time it takes to brew tea,"
The figures moved as though they had not heard his words, their movement too fast, yet visible to Si Sanga's eyes.
"My lady's steps are getting smoother," Lizzy said to Si Sanga's shock.
"You can see them?" he asked and she paused and lipped her veil to place down her tea from under it.
"Should I not?" she asked and he could only sigh.
"I wonder why I thought you should not. You are a Nether person, are you not? And a highly ranked one at that, I should be less surprised by now,"
"Don't make assumptions about me," Lizzy said. Though her words sounded nothing from the usual, her fist was clenched under her wide sleeves.
"Am I wrong?" he asked.
"I am mortal," she said and he paused.
"That is hard to believe,"
"I still am," she said and he picked up his cup and looked away from her.
"That sounds grim," he answered and the figures appeared beside them. after all that movement, one would have thought them sweaty and panting, but Helen and Kheal only sat calmly on the table as Lizzy served Helen tea.
"Has it broken?" she asked Si Sanga.
"Not yet," he answered and Kheal sighed.
"Are you sure there is no way to enter?" she asked.
"This is not a skill that can be copied," was all he said as he looked away.
"We have been invited to the silver halls for brunch," Helen said.
"We will not go, sister," Lizzy answered.
"Why?"
"I suspect there is someone from home in the silver halls. We must not go, in case they find out who you are," Kheal answered.
"Or who you are not," Si Sanga said.
"We stay away from the silver halls," Kheal said.
"What about tonight?" Helen asked.
"Even tonight. I suspect they will come for us tonight. If I am wrong, they will be waiting for us as we climb the mountain," Kheal answered.
"Will I come with you, my lady?" Lizzy asked.
"Of course, I can't leave you behind, Lizzy," Helen said.
"I have heard stories about the mountain," Si Sanga said.
"Stories that are all true. She cannot come, for her safety," Kheal said.
"No, Lizzy comes too," Helen insisted.
"She cannot come, we cannot watch them all the time," Kheal said.
"No! Sister, if Lizzy does not go, I will not!" Helen insisted.
"The dark realm heir can take care of himself, but she can't," Kheal frowned.
"Dark realm heir?" Helen seemed confused before her eyes settled on Si Sanga.
"The seal is broken," he said and they descended to silence.
"She will be fine, trust me," he said and glanced at the silent Lizzy slightly as maids walked in and bowed, before serving lunch.