[PurpleXVI]

Lorath

As soon as Lorath's hand was inside the opening, it closed around it, fitting him like a glove and holding him still. For a few seconds nothing happened, then there was a stinging pain in his palm, and he had the distinct impression he was being tasted.

This impression was reinforced by the fact that almost immediately afterwards, he was spat loose, being sent stumbling backwards by the door's reaction to him. It didn't seem like he had convinced the thing to open, as it remained in place.

Before he could embark on another brilliant plan, however, he heard a clear ringing in the distance, as though someone had struck a glass gong.


Ulik, Evon

Ulik did not see the sphere impact the rock just under the surface of the water, but he heard it, a tone as pure as a crystal bell rang out, and then the shockwave hit him.


Lorath, Ulik, Evon

It was almost invisible, except as a rapidly expanding sphere of faint motion in the air, like a heat shimmer, which passed through everything, air, walls and living things, completely uninhibited. It was completely soundless except for the initial note.

As it blew through them, they felt invigorated like never before, as though they had just awakened from a restful slumber, inhaled a thousand pounds of stimulants and then been struck by lightning. Any minor nicks and scratches they had healed instantly, and even old scars disappeared.

And they weren't the only things affected by the wave.

Evon's burned and eviscerated beetle suddenly sprang back to life, as good as it had ever been, and swiftly scuttled into a crack in the rocks. Roots that had penetrated the walls and ceiling began to twist like tentacles as they grew frantically, adding several feet to their length in a matter of seconds, even the very stones of the walls seemed to twist for a few seconds as they were touched by the wave. For a few moments, the whole place looked as though it was prepared to collapse on their heads, as the walls twisted and the roots tore apart stone in their growth.

There was no telling how far the wave had gone, as it passed out of sight for all of them within a split-second. As it disappeared, so, too, did it's effects seem to leave. The roots calmed down, the rock was once again still and their sudden burst of energy began to leave them. The wounds and scars healed, however, remained healed.


Bas, Tamora, Anne, Balth

Balth did not seem to notice he was being spoken about, rather, his attention seemed focused on the forest away from the cliff. Whether he was thinking or listening to something extremely faint was hard to tell, but occasionally it looked as though he mumbled something inaudible to himself.

Above them the sky was clear, and the air was already starting to become chokingly warm. If not for a faint breeze that had suddenly sprung up from the west, it would probably already be hard to breathe.