Point of View: Elena
We were at the Core.
The very heart of the planet.
From there, we watched Genesis' projection as he prepared to depart with the leaders for the campaign. The image slowly faded as they stepped through the portal.
Loki let out a soft chuckle.
"He really enjoys this, don't you think, Elena?"
I smiled faintly.
He was right.
Genesis enjoyed every moment where he could provoke, test, or surprise others. He liked playing with tension, making jokes only we could understand. To everyone else, he was the unshakable guardian.
To us… he was still the same.
But Loki's tone changed.
His voice grew serious.
"Are you ready, Elena?"
I looked at him. I knew exactly what he meant.
I nodded.
"Yes. Let's do it."
We stepped closer to the Core. The colossal sphere of energy pulsed with deep, steady rhythms.
With one hand, I pressed my palm against its luminous surface. With the other, I took Loki's hand.
The energy vibrated beneath our fingers.
"They thought that month was for them to prepare," Loki said calmly. "But in truth… it was for us to recover."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
He was right.
"To create Dalaran, we used mid-tier arts," I continued. "And we're only peak Level Two Ascended… we overreached."
We had pushed past our limits.
And now—
"Now we'll go even further," Loki said, squeezing my hand slightly. "Dalaran helped us coordinate better. We know it's possible."
We looked at each other.
There was no fear.
Only determination.
We spoke at the same time.
"Arts."
"Arts."
Five white circles formed around each of us, rotating slowly.
The Core responded.
"Command Center."
"Command Center."
Beneath the Core, a crystalline platform began to form. From it, pillars rose upward, supporting the colossal sphere without damaging it or disturbing its flow.
In front of us, an image of the planet appeared… a perfect, detailed miniature suspended above the platform.
We released the Core and stepped toward the projection.
We looked at each other once more.
This time, there was no trace of lightness.
Only absolute focus.
We extended both hands toward the image.
"Barrier."
"Barrier."
Energy burst from the Core and descended upon the planetary projection.
A layer began forming around it.
At first, it was almost invisible.
Then denser.
More complex.
Deeper.
The first day passed without us moving.
The barrier was barely perceptible—just a slight distortion surrounding the world.
On the second day, the pressure began.
I felt the weight of energy coursing through my arms and chest. Our skin turned pale.
On the third day, our bodies trembled.
The energy demanded more than we could give.
I clenched my teeth.
We could not fail.
Not now.
By the fourth day, we could barely remain standing. Our backs were hunched, but our hands stayed extended toward the image.
The planet remained.
And the barrier… nearly complete.
The pain was dull and constant.
Just as I felt my consciousness beginning to fade—
A click echoed.
A clean sound.
Precise.
The barrier was finished.
We collapsed onto the platform.
My breathing was weak. The air felt too heavy for my lungs.
Hours passed.
Six… maybe more.
Eventually, I managed to turn my head.
Loki was beside me, just as pale.
"That was… harder than planned," I murmured.
He let out a faint, exhausted laugh.
"Yes… for a moment, I thought we wouldn't make it."
We remained silent as we regained a fraction of strength.
The planetary projection floated before us.
Now it was wrapped in a nearly imperceptible layer.
Perfectly integrated.
"How long will we remain like this?" I finally asked.
Loki closed his eyes, calculating.
"If we stay awake… ten to eleven years to fully recover."
Unease stirred within me at those numbers, and Loki continued.
"But if we sleep within the Core… I'd say around two years."
There was no real choice.
"It seems we'll have to sleep."
Loki nodded slowly.
He rose with difficulty.
"Elena… I'll see you when I wake."
I smiled faintly.
"See you soon."
His body began dissolving into particles of golden light. Silently, he merged with the Core.
I remained alone for a few seconds longer.
I looked at the barrier one last time.
The concealment barrier.
Invisible to any Level Three Ascended or below.
While Genesis carried war beyond our world… we ensured no one could find it.
That no one could invade it.
That no one would even know we existed.
I checked the barrier.
Stable.
Functional.
My body could no longer support itself.
I transformed into light and ascended toward the Core.
As my consciousness faded, I whispered—
"See you later, Loki…"
And everything fell into silence.