This is how it began
Rachel kept her pace steady, her rainbow eyes glowing faintly.
"Now, where are Rebecca and Struns exactly?"
Her brother walked beside her, eyes shut as he reached out across their realm. Rachel waited, forcing herself to be patient, though her blood churned like an icy river.
Trannisa felt strange to her after thar short time away. Twelve floating continents hovered above the black unexplored abyss, some tethered, some free, none anchored. They were beautiful, yes—but foreign to her now, as though even her home wanted to remind her she had been gone far too long, and for reasons unsound.
Finally, Cramnal spoke.
"Struns is still tracking, he is on Sibba. Rebecca is on her way to us—five minutes, maybe. You know she doesn't like my doors."
Rachel cracked her neck twice, her voice low, almost a growl.
"Then tell me who I have to kill."
And when she killed, the realm itself would know she had returned.
---
Sibba Continent
Struns Branwein crouched on a high perch above the biggest city on Sibba continent, his gaze fixed on the busy four-level intersection below. Cars and air-wagons zipped past, but his focus never left the one carrying Anis, the love of his life, his soulmate.
It was moving quickly within the traffic and his assassin eyes kept track of it with no problem. He frowned as the vehicle sped up, as if thr drive found a tail and was trying to lose it.
Struns flicked his eyes quickly back along the busy highway and back to tue vehicle, again finding it easily, no one pursued, perhaps his gaze was a bit to strong and the driver sensed him, here, in Trannisa realm, that was all too possible.
He had found his Anis hours ago, placing one of his mental trackers onto her and the vehicle she was in. It was an old technique of the Yarril, and he used it often, and well.
He should never have reported in, never should have told Cramnal that Anis was missing. He should have known the practical brother would call Rachel. Once that happened, as an Antrunie, Struns was obligated to hold and wait for her, and he never sherked his obligations.
So now he had to wait for Rachel. Now he had to stay back and leave Anis in the hands of some...
He closed his eyes and breathed slowly. He had known Marce for a long time. Antrunie and Conglomerate higher ups were always interacting, neither of them had to like it, but it was a necessity.
As an Antrunie and Anis' future mate Struns saw more of the Conglomerate than he wanted, but it gave him a unique insight and understanding of the current situation.
Because of this rage simmered beneath his calm, each second stoking it hotter. His fist sunk into the dark rock of the building he was perched on.
He hadn't realized he hit it as the cement like surface gave easily to his anger.
Anis was too kind. Too trusting. People always took advantage of kindness.
Struns flexed his fists, small pieces of debris falling from one, then forced his body to relax. She wasn't weak—just vulnerable. Still, when he thought of Marce having her, his heart constricted like iron bands wrapped tightly around his chest.
Another fist sank into his perch.
"Marce really wants to die," he muttered, jumping down to the highest street level with effortless grace. His black body suit flexed along his skin in subtly ripples, adding camouflage and defenses, as he covertly moved toward the towering condominium where Anis had been taken. Until Rachel arrived, all he could do was watch—and burn.
But when she came… he promised himself, he would not hold her back.
---
Playz Continent
Rebecca's voice was sharp with frustration.
"You know realm doors aren't safe for spirit beings in general! What if I lose one of my companions inside? Then my strength is diminished!"
Rachel rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. Everyone knew Rebecca's companions wouldn't abandon her—Rachel herself had anchored them. The truth was simpler: Rebecca collected too many, and hated when even one felt at risk, and Rebecca, herself, hated portals which was another insanity since she frequently had death realm duties.
"Becca. I'm not angry with you. I'm angry at Marce for taking Anis." Rachel's rainbow eyes flared, releasing prismatic sparks that scorched the air before dimming again.
"And we all know you have an irrational loathing of portals and traveling through the layers."
This time Rebecca rolled her eyes. "You would too if you got lost in the Death Realm." She shivered rather dramatically and Rachel frowned.
"You are a spirit being that controls and wields spirits, souls, and apparitions, are you saying death scares you?!"
Cramnal cleared his throat. "None of that is important now," he spoke calmly and pointed ahead.
Rachel exhaled, and slowed her steps. They all stopped at the edge of a high steep cliff at the edge of Playz continent. Rachel looked over the edge, down to the Abyss below, then she looked over to Sibba continent not too far away.
She took a deep breath and took it all in. Sibba glittered like a jewel—skyscrapers piercing the endless sky, rivers and forests weaving through sprawling cities. From this height, it looked serene. Peaceful.
It was a vast contrast to Playz's rolling farm lands, and quiet fishing villages. Sibba was only slightly lower in the sky and that suited their purposes well today. For this was a short cut and a way to travel that was fairly quick and Rebecca approved.
Rachel's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she gazed at the continent. She knew Sibba's true nature ran deep, into the abyss.
It's crystalline underside a long used conduit for Conglomerate led rituals and rites, why else would they have chosen Sibba for their headquarters.
And no they had her sister within its shadows.