Resonance

Suggested Audio Shadowfell

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Shadows swirl and flicker through Azowyr's Plane, charcoal smoke splashing to and fro like an umbral hurricane while the plane itself remains utterly silent. Tia finds herself here again amid this storm, hovering within the eye with no viable portal within reach. The shadows lick at her skin and sweep her about, silken but swift as they circle her. A human form peeks through the walls of shadow, one silhouette pointing at her in accusation.

I know your kind! she hears Ifani's voice again, distorted by the plane and nearly swallowed up You're weak, you're selfish!

The storm worsens, quickening and whipping at Tia as her anger builds. This time she can't help but grit her teeth, offering an acidic sneer.

I'm not weak! Tia screams her yet unspoken denial into the typhoon and her voice echoes, pacifying the shadows directly around her

Tia begins swimming through the satin shadows, kicking and thrashing against the flow and slipping along as they embrace her. Andrea and Zetian's laughter sound as she resists the storm, their figures lost amid countless others which ridicule her. Tia shrieks her wordless fury at them as loud as she can muster, splattering the storm into a tenebrous mist. Finally, the plane settles enough for Tia to regain her bearings, finding herself hovering over the wispy depths. As she peers about again, its as if the storm had never existed. All that is left is her own shadow, peering back at her from below with an unnerving gaze reflected in murky waters. Haltingly and with clear uncertainty, Tia moves left and right, testing this umbral mirror of herself and feeling relief as it imitates her. But there is also a presence she hadn't noticed before looming behind her shadow, ominous and heavy. When Tia whips around there is nothing behind her, only smoky, rolling waves. As before, whispers of the physical world overlay the umbral sea and little grey wisps of portals waver gently in the distance. All is tranquil and calm... on her side of the sea.

Within the ominous mirror below, a storm only intensifies especially as the harrowing presence within focuses entirely upon Tia! One colossal hand reaches for her shadow. At first dozens and then hundreds of shadow hands imitate it, reaching and pressing against the seeming barrier of the umbral waters. While the surface bends and presses upward, the barrier remains unbreached. He appears then beside her shadow, barely visible, and places his hand on her shoulder. Tia feels she is vibrating as he looms darker and darker astride her shadow, a shadow which no longer imitates her own motions. She remains unperturbed as Tia grows defensive, fear rising from within as strange vibrations ring through Tia in a way that is beyond physical—her soul itself is quivering! Tia swivels towards the portals in the distance, a dreadful resonance accumulating in her chest. In response, the countless umbral hands reach through the wipsy umbral waves, stirring the sea into a frothy fury and probing blindly for Tia. Tia struggles against them, kicking and thrashing as they first grip her ankles, followed by her legs until eventually she finds herself waist deep!

Child...

An unnaturally sonorous voice sounds all around her, vibrating the entire plane!

As Tia struggles against a sea of shadowy hands, her shadow still and calm in contrast to Tia, she suddenly feels something odd connect in her chest. A quiet, serene and soothing sensation envelops Tia, wrapping itself about her soul and sheltering her. She closes her eyes, realizing that she already knew this energy and she wonders how she had ever overlooked it. While others fear or even resent this presence it had welcomed and guarded Tia in her loneliest moments. It whispered validation in her ear and guided her on her isolated path, an unseen companion. But it is also resentful and contrary, gripping her soul and pushing the outside world away. This sensation lingers in her chest until she realizes she is being pulled down into the waters, smoky black hands intent on submerging her entirely. Tia's fear revives all at once, instinctively gasping for air as the water reaches her neck which she cranes to keep her face skyward, nearly engulfed as the portals disappear from sight. She is overwhelmed by fear, by her own helplessness, as whispers urge her to let go.

Tia! Duff calls to her but she cannot see him, the darkness intensifying about her as she is yanked into the ominous presence, consumed by it...

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Tia gasps suddenly awake, a sharp pain digging into her hand. Duff is biting into her but to her horror, she is still inexplicably within the shadow plane and she feels a cold panic sink into her stomach.

How…! Tia yelps and whips around

The presence within the shadow has faded away but her fear is still dreadfully palpable. The resonance in her chest remains—a link remains.

Come on! Duff husks, guiding her towards a portal

Tia swims after him, still heavily reeling from the dream and too shaken to question how she navigates the plane on her own.

H-how did I get here? Tia asks but Duff is silent Duff, how!

You... must have used Euan's form while you slept Duff lies and peeks his head through the portal

It leads to a dark alley in the recruits' lodging zone. Once he is sure its clear, he gestures for Tia to go through. She drags herself up and out. Clear of the plane, her body is heavy again but she had never felt more grateful for gravity. Duff leers into the plane, projecting a harsh sentiment to the entity within before joining Tia in the physical world.

What was that…! Tia demands, her voice cracking

The sun peaks over the wall of the compound into his silence. The bell tolls seven times and recruits begin emerging from their cabins. She is grateful the two of them sit in an inconspicuous alleyway.

You need to avoid that place. Duff states simplistically, offering her no explanation

Tia leans her back against the wall and tries to regain her composure. She had never had a nightmare that intense before, more vivid than the waking word.

Why do I keep having these dreams? Tia questions more forcefully, her voice conveying desperation. He stares back at her with empty silence. Tia scowls in response and shuffles to her feet. Fine! she spits and leaves him in the alleyway

Tia uses the direction of the dawn to find her way back to her building. A light goes out in her room and she presses against the wall. Ifani emerges and disappears quickly towards the common area. Tia makes her way inside, hoping no one had touched her belongings. To her surprise, and brief anxiety, the hallway is empty as she clears the stairs. She scrambles into the room to find all of her belongings placed back inside neatly as if Ifani had never touched them. Tia rubs at her eyes, too tired to consider why, but decides she doesn't have the time to care. She changes into a fresh set of clothes and cleans herself up before making her way back out.

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