In a very short time, Graydon and the rest approached the only room in the structure that always remained the same. A place where memories and dreams intertwined.
This room intended to coax you to stay, its lures nearly irresistible. Graydon had always thought this place was the real test. This was where a person's true colors could be seen.
They spilled into the room, the sounds of dripping water and the pain-filled cries of those caught within the depths of a nightmarish realm greeted them.
Graydon took the scene in with a glance. Kira floated in a bubble, liquid spinning in two separate directions around her to create something that was eerily beautiful. Columns of the watery liquid had speared Aeron and Devon through the chests, raising them to float in midair.
"She's pulled them into her mind," Amila breathed in shock.
Hers wasn’t the only surprise. It took an exceptionally powerful mind to swamp another's in this fashion. That Kira could, spoke of a discipline and strength even the members of Roake hadn't been prepared to attribute to her.
Loudon coughed, sucking in air as he sat up from where he'd collapsed. He looked up at them, unmistakable shock on his face. "Harlow, what are you doing here? Even you can't interfere with the uhva na."
No one moved for several seconds, realizing Loudon didn’t know they’d been warned of his betrayal. He either thought Joule wouldn't make it out, or he didn't know the boy had survived whatever he'd done to Wren.
Harlow stepped forward, Graydon circling to his right, putting space between them as he tried to flank Loudon without the other man realizing it.
The boys abruptly seized as whatever Kira had shown them caused their minds to buckle. Loudon barely glanced at them, keeping his attention on Harlow.
If Joule hadn't warned them, Graydon wasn't sure he would have been able to spot the other man's deception. His acting was perfect, not even a hint to show the traitor within.
"I would argue circumstances aren't normal, wouldn't you?" Harlow said, taking another step toward Kira and the rest. "The Trial of the Broken isn't meant to be taken with others."
Loudon hesitated. "The trial opens to whoever it pleases. It isn't my place to second guess its will."
"Is that why you're here?" Harlow asked.
Loudon drew himself up. "As a herald, it's my duty to observe."
Graydon nearly cursed as Loudon retreated a step. The Overlord stopped, frustration in the tightness around his eyes and mouth. Both of them knew they were still too far and Loudon too close to Kira.
Devastation filled Loudon’s expression.
"You know, don't you?" Loudon asked finally.
Loudon didn’t wait for an answer, whirling and bringing his hands together. Ki wrapped around him, boiling the air before surging toward Kira.
Graydon's blood turned to ice as he charged, yanking at his ki. Denial roared through him. He was going to be too late.
Out of the watery depths, the ghostly form of a small lu-ong appeared. His jaw dropped, swallowing Loudon's ki, leaving the man staring open-mouthed at the apparition.
The baby faded as quickly as he'd come.
Loudon remained frozen as Graydon powered toward him.
He seemed to come to himself, reaching for the blade at his side. He never got the chance as Finn shot from the darkness, his en-blade a streak of motion as it bit into Loudon's shoulder.
The traitor screamed as his arm fell to the ground. Sobs echoed in the room as he clutched his wound. Loudon staggered before sagging to his knees.
Finn stood over him, his expression merciless.
Graydon nodded at him. "Well done."
A grunt was Finn's only response.
Graydon put Loudon out of his mind as he walked toward Kira, knowing the oshota wouldn't let the other man out of his sight. It allowed Graydon to focus on what was important.
Harlow joined him, staring up at the watery cocoon Kira had wrapped around herself. "Someone find Quillon and tell him we have a second patient for him once he’s done with Wren.”
Loudon laughed from his spot on the ground, the sound nearly insane. "You won't be able to save her. There's no way to break the link, and if it persists, she'll kill them all."
Finn kicked the other man in the stomach, satisfaction skating across his face at the sight of the other man’s pain.
“How did you get here?” Harlow asked.
“He came with us,” Raider said, stepping into the room with Solal at his back. “Wasn’t expecting him to race ahead without a by your leave, but it appears it’s a good thing he did.”
The room was quiet as Raider’s lips quirked. “I see the Phoenix is rubbing off on you. I'd watch that if I were you, or you'll end up being just like her."
Finn’s expression was stony as he remained locked on Loudon.
Seconds later, Raider blanched at the sight of Kira hovering in her sphere of water. "What the hell is that?"
"The trial," Graydon informed him.
Agonized cries ripped from Devon and Aeron as hazy images flickered in the water's depths. Insubstantial and faded but growing more pronounced with every second they lingered.
Kira was silent and still, even as the other two twisted, unable to stifle their pain.
Raider frowned. "I know that place. It's Atlas right before the battle for the planet." His gaze found Graydon, his eyes hard. "Why is my captain trapped in a nightmare?"
"I have a feeling she did it to herself," Graydon said grimly.
"Why would she do that?"
Graydon's attention moved to Devon and Aeron.
Raider caught his hint. "They're living this too?"
Graydon nodded.
Raider grimaced. "Poor bastards. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone."
Graydon's hands clenched, frustration at his helplessness eating him up inside.
"I didn't realize she'd held onto this battle so tightly," Raider said softly, his gaze moving over the images.
"You wouldn't." Jin drifted out of the shadows.
The oshota went on the defensive, en-blades appearing in hands. The tension in the room ratcheted up as arrows of energy formed in the air around them.
Raider grimaced. "I forgot to tell you. He's the reason I was able to get here so fast. I was already on my way when Solal found me." To Jin, he said, "You were supposed to stay out of sight."
Jin harrumphed. "Like I was going to listen. Really."
"What abomination is this?" Makon asked.
Jin made an aggravated sound. "These guys are a touchy lot, aren't they?"
"Perhaps it's the fact you're not supposed to be here," Raider suggested as the room hovered on the edge of violence.
All it would take was one jumpy oshota, one misconstrued gesture from Jin, and Graydon would lose control of the situation.
He couldn't afford that with a helpless Kira in the mix.
"He's Kira's friend," Raider said in explanation. "I wouldn't try to hurt him. He's far more dangerous than he looks. Not to mention if you're successful, Kira will likely kill you when she wakes."
"Aw, you say the sweetest things, meat sack," Jin crooned.
"I hate you so much, Tin Can," Raider said without heat.