Prophecy (Part Two)

Islana's spirit moved away from Alexis and Tarmen, and further into the desert. Past countless dunes and drifts, or so it seemed that way. It could have really just been the anticipation that she might see more of her friends.

There was literally no telling if she floated for minutes or hours as time felt quite strange in this state. However long it was though the feeling was freeing and left her with a sense of ease that Islana hadn't really ever felt before.

Past what seemed like a fort of sorts, Islana could see the piles of bones and wondered what happened to the poor souls but, and perhaps fortunately, that wasn't her current destination.

Apparently she was headed for the lights of campfires on the sand. A rather large caracas of some sort of animal laid across the coals, men in robes sat discussing - whatever it was they were discussing. Islana once again couldn't hear them and doubted she would understand them even if she could. She sensed no magik from these men, but they certainly were a unit of some sort. Priests? Perhaps. It was only a guess and clearly not who she was there to see.

Then he came into view, just like the woman from Garrah, the man with his tattooed body and more delicate features which hid the actual knowledge he had for defending himself, she would recognize him anywhere. The other friend who Islana considered family - Gonyaul.

With him sat Voah, though she seemed different in a sense that Islana couldn't quite place. The two were drinking something, as Voah appeared to be trying to communicate with the priests in a sign language of sorts.

Islana still didn't understand what exactly had happened to get them separated from Alexis, but the couple was clearly in love and the fact they were with each other was a good thing. It made her heart melt a little to see it.

As with Alexis and Tarmen, the visit with Gonyaul and Voah was also short lived as Islana found herself flashed to a future time and another place.

A dimly lit room. A house or maybe a dungeon, Islana cannot tell. The floor is piled with mutilated bodies. Her eyes landed on the Arbiter holding her sword, blood dripping from the sharp metal into the stone. She stands above someone who appears to beg for their life. Their face hidden in shadows but the young witch can hear the desperation and terror in their voice. The blade rises and falls with a sickening thud. A heartbeat later Islana realizes in horror - it was the voice of a child...

The young woman felt sick for a moment and as if she had to catch her breath but there was no time as another flash hit her.

Her exotic friend - in chains. Gonyaul's face is beaten, lips busted, nose broken, his eyes almost shut swollen. His head is covered in patches of short hair as if having been sheared off with a blunt knife. Standing across from him is a tall, thin man with pale skin and red eyes. The man sends a shiver down Islana's spine and terror like she has never felt before grips her heart. This is no Preacher or Lord Vasant. This is a demon in the flesh of a man.

Like the ones for Alexis and Tarmen, the visions for Gonyaul and Voah were disturbing and heartbreaking. Once again, though, Islana found herself with no time to contemplate on them as she was whisked away to somewhere new.