The Primordial Bridge

Once everything was in order, the ex-slaves and prisoners turned over to Matthew's crew, the freedom fighter gave a hearty goodbye to them as they departed from Vestia, who was left alone now, other than to watch the remainder of the crew, waiting to go back home through Inari.

Inari stood in front of something massive in the Observatory, really the only thing big enough to hold it. It was an incredibly large portal opening that glowed with infinite and brilliant colors that swirled in a tumultuous vortex. In front of this opening was a circular stone slab, the surface of it completely covered in patterned runes as an elegant railing held up only by five different pillars circled its perimeter. Inari smiled at those who came in.

"Unlike your... Creator... friend... We wont't be forcefully tearing apart the fabric of space time to send you immediately back. It's much too risky and puts a heavy strain on the universe that could easily put it back into a Heat-Death reset. No doubt your Creator friend will be hearing from his Counsel soon about it." Inari explained, bowing slightly to them. "Instead, we will be travelling the much longer but much safer route. We're going through Space and Time; behold, the Primordial Bridge."

She looked back at the incredible vortex, smiling. "It will take a few hours, but we won't be harming any of the Fabric. My mirror and your friends will be waiting on the other side."

Ethan looked at the portal, suddenly very nervous. He had been planning to leave this universe for over a week now, but actually seeing the portal that would get him out of here really made him realize what he was about to do. He was leaving this ship, this life, everything he'd ever known, and he'd probably never be back. For a moment he was overwhelmed, dizzied by the magnitude of what was about to happen. After a bit he pulled himself together. He hated this stupid universe and every painful thing that had happened here. He wanted OUT, and this was OUT.

James placed his hand comfortingly on Ethan's shoulder. "It's gonna be okay, man," he said, as much to reassure himself as to reassure Ethan.

Tala sniffed the air curiously.

Asher was staying near Kay. Despite his latest personal failure tearing at his conscience, he still felt better being near his boyfriend.

Bianca was in Asher's shirt pocket, poking her head out to look around.

Ellie was staying near Shane, clinging to him a bit in nervousness.

Shane and Starr stood quietly looking at the portal and the stone slab, both glad to be going home and nervous of this trip.

Skye was eager to get out of this realm and back to one that didn't want to make her magic. She was almost bouncing in happiness to be going home.

Dawn and Rigel stood together, both glad to leave this universe behind.

Sawna stood with them, Andre would be going home, but she wanted to see this other universe.

Kay glanced up at Asher, chewing his lip nervously. He stood close to Asher, fingertips carefully glancing Asher's hand.

Mourn grinned up at Ethan and James. "Last chance to back out robot!" He told Ethan. He actually kinda wondered what would happen if they left Ethan here with one simple order to live, would that work? Mmm, he'd probably never know.

Matt stared at the swirling portal. "That.. is beautiful." He declared drunkenly.

Esk remained silent, a little distracted by all the swirling lights. Matt was right, it was beautiful.

"OH!" Matt reached into pocketspace and pulled out a few things. "I'm taking these..." He snickered, holding up a pair of glasses and a bottle of expensive champagne.

Kay shot his brothers an irritated glare.

They ignored him.

Luka looked nervous and anxious, she remained close to James, one hand on her gun because it made her feel better.

Armin had strapped his supplies to himself, and stood with his head bowed, silently praying.

Asher did his best to look reassuring. It was hard to do that when he was still so plagued by self doubt and worry and he really just wanted to hold Kay tightly and block out the entire world, but he tried. Kay needed that, right? Asher knew he needed reassurance, so probably Kay did too.

"Hell no, I'm not staying here," Ethan told Mourn. "Screw this universe."

James smiled softly at Luka.

Mourn cackled. "Okay! "

Kay smiled softly at Asher, grateful to have him here.

Luka smiled nervously back at James. "Anything we should know before we set off?" She asked anxiously.

"Well, if you see any movement within the vortex that is NOT the vortex, have no worry." Inari nodded her head reassuringly. "It is merely Primoridial Elementals curious of our presence within the Bridge, their home realm."

"Primordials!..." Vanessa suddenly gasped softly, before falling silent and looking the the floor, standing loyally by the ever emotionless and cuffed Merith, who had his eyes closed. Still, there was no denying the sudden awe in her voice.

Shock shuffled his feet. He was eager to be home. Meanwhile, Prime Sara straddled over the back of Quinn. John was silent while Lilian looked worried. "I don't care what kind of things are in there." She admitted, "I just hope the kiddos are okay..."

Starr nodded and glanced to the bag she held with the cure for lycanthropy in it. It had worked on those here, she just hoped it would work for Kay and the others like him.

Shane looked to the portal curiously "Primordials? What are they?" He asked, not really caring who answered

"Primordial Elementals are ancient. Very pure spirits." Inari sounded almost wistful. "It is very rare you'd find an enraged or violent Primordial Elemental, but may the gods help if you do. Primordial Elementals are beings of the First Kin, their elemental power blurring the lines of the five philosophical elementals we know today, since they are the direct forefathers of elemental beings." She motioned towards the rather drunk Matt. She had a dreamy look in her eyes as she seemed completely smitten by their existence. "They are the only purities we know of when it comes to the power of space and time itself. Only the lesser of the First Kin, the Entropium and Anamcara, share that same title to be considered First Kin. The Kin that can control the very Death and Birth of the universes..."

"Primordial elementals?" Matt looked up. "Cool." Yeah he was too drunk to really process much of what Inari was saying.

"Five elements?" James looked confused. "I thought there were like four or something."

Shane smiled again and looked back to the portal "that is incredible" He said, glad they would be able to see these beings

"No, five." Inari said, holding up her hand with all fingers out. "The fifth one is non-secular, and has no tangible form. It is very rare to find any of the elementals of the fifth now. When they did start splitting to their respective forms, there were five," as Inari counted off the elements, she put a finger down, "Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and finally Aether, and it also can be named as Void. It is the element not seen of our universe. Heavenly things outside the material realm."

"Huh. Magic is such complicated stuff," James said. That was kinda cool to be honest.

"Now, with that explanation out of the way, are we ready to go?" Inari clapped her hands together, smiling.

"Yes" Shane said eagerly, followed up quickly with Skye's 'yes'

Starr, Dawn, Rigel and Sawna simply nodded their heads

Inari turned and allowed them onto the slab, bowing to them.

Matt mumbled something to himself "Spirit which had no balance... "

"What?" Esk stared at him.

"huh? oh.. nothing.. nothing. "Matt waved a hand dismissively. "I wonder how the elemental elders fit into all this..." He mused as he found Thalia and leaned heavily on her.

"Yeah let's blow this place!" Matt cheered.

They both made their way to the slab.

Esk held back, waiting for everyone else to board the thing.

Kay nodded to Asher, time to go. He was honestly pretty relieved.

Armin nodded. "Yes." He scurried over.

Mourn bounded over merrily.

Luka gulped, nodded and headed toward it warily.

Ellie got onto the slab with Shane, looking a bit excited.

Ethan headed over, followed closely by James.

Tala stepped up as well.

Asher looked down at his pocket to make sure Bianca was still there, then smiled weakly at Kay and followed him over.

Starr paused beside Inari as the others all got on "Thank you" She said gently, truly grateful for what the other female had done for them.

"Mention it not." Mirror Inari bowed again. "Myself, Ash and Cyprus will escort you to your realm to make sure you are there safely before we return to our own." Both foxes nodded in agreement at her feet, their tails twitching in anticipation.

As soon as Thalia stepped onto the bridge, she suddenly paused, blinking and looking confused. Her hands flexed. Inari smiled at the reaction, "Ah, you feel it, Young One... A power lost to our kin long ago..." She too, stepped onto the platform, and took a heavy sigh. Merith opened his eyes at that sentence, his eyes sparking with an unknown emotion. He seemed almost disappointed when he was ushered onto the platform by Vanessa, Inari shaking her head and motioning to Merith at his wrists.

John, Shock, Lilian, Sara and the Anamcara stepped on as well. Shock ran to the railing closest to the portal, followed behind Quinn and Sara, all eager to see the inside of this Primordial Bridge.

Kay looked over to Inari, he didn't dare make eyecontact with her. Should he thank her? or was remaining as small as possible and not drawing attention to himself better? He wasn't sure.
He chewed his lip and looked anxious.

"Hey.. fox lady." Matt slurred. "and little fox dudes.. yeah.. you guys can have the cards.. wait wait.. I have some somewhere.. "

Thalia took the bottle of champagne off him before he smashed it, dropped it or hit himself in the head with it. Drunk moron.

Matt produced a deck of cards and handed it to one of the foxes, then looked back to Thalia. "Power? We aren't gonna like.. blow stuff up or set anything on fire right? We're good?" He glanced to Inari for confirmation it was all aok.

"They are tied to the elemental magic" Starr said as she got on and found a part of the railing to watch from, shifting to her dragon form as she did. Yeah, this was going to be so awesome to see.

Matt found a railing to lean heavily on. "Man.. elementals... " drunk as he was, he looked excited.

Esk kept away from everyone as best he could and looked awkward and slightly annoyed. He didn't really like being crammed together with people. He held onto the nearest bit of railing for support and stayed quiet.

"No, not the elements." Inari chuckled. "The Primordial Realm resides a power the Keepers lost many millennia ago." As she stepped on, the stone slab powered up and began to float. It slowly began moving into the wormhole as everyone was on. Inari sat on the floor, where Ash and Cyprus curled up next to her. "A power that was lost, and made many of us lose our very minds..."

Merith seemed to visibly stiffen and flinch, his eyes widening in disbelief. Inari continued, "Of course, Keepers whose current magic is being suppressed wouldn't be able to feel the remnants of our lost purpose..."

With that, Merith's body visibly slackened, and he turned away.