“Are you certain that this is going to work?” Kio asked, the doubt apparent in his voice. “Absolutely not.” Awa replied with a huff. “The theory is sound, but nothing like this has ever been attempted before. For one thing, the device was never designed to be powered with elemental magic. And then there’s the matter of the imbalance…” “If you’re not sure this is going to work, why are we even doing this?” “Do you have any better ideas?” Kio fell silent, restlessly tapping on the brooch that served as his badge of office. He didn’t have any better ideas, and they all knew it. As far-fetched as this plan was, it was nevertheless the best they had. “And you’re completely sure the Godslayer still lives?” Mora asked. “It has been three thousand years since his departure.” “It’s been three thousand years on this world, but the Stone Memoirs suggest that time passes very differently in the other world. According to my calculations, less than a decade should have passed in the world without magic.” “Do you think the Godslayer will want to be my friend?” Jarak asked in dreamy tones. The others turned to look at Jarak with worry on their faces. Everyone knew Jarak was a bit more Amber-blooded than anyone was completely comfortable with. But it took him a bit differently than most. Where most of the Amber-blooded would latch on to a small group of close friends or lovers and devote themselves to those select few with a loyalty that bordered on insanity, Jarak seemed to collect friends like other people collected marbles or postage stamps. “I’m sure he will, Jarak.” Mora said kindly. “I sure hope so, anyway.” Kio muttered under his breath. “Can we just get started already?” Awa pleaded. They took up their places at the cardinal points of the elaborate magic circle on the floor, but Kio still looked uncertain. “Are you sure we’re the best people to do this?” “We’re the only people who can do this! The spell requires four magi channelling power through their artefacts. It’s not like the magi of the Starlit Republic can do it, since they’re missing a bloodline.” “I’m just saying, I’d feel a lot better if I wasn’t the oldest one here. I’m barely past twenty, for Sun’s sake.” “It’s not like I wanted to succeed my father as magus, you know.” Awa said reproachfully. “I never wanted to be a magus. I just wanted to study magic theory. But we can’t always get what we want. We need a full set of four magi to cast this spell, and right now we are the only full set of four magi in the world. So suck it up and deal with it!” “Fine, fine. No need to get so aggressive about it.” With carefully practiced timing, they each raised their artefact and begun channelling their power into the complicated array of runes between them. Eternal Rain glowed softly with a shifting blue light as Awa pointed it towards the centre of the room, her grip on the massive longsword still awkward and unfamiliar. Mora had locked Mountain Home, her twin bracers, into guard position, and both they and the layer of magical stone that covered her skin were glowing a steady green. Radiant Blaze shone with a flickering red light as its haunting song echoed around the stone chamber, Jarak smiling softly as his fingers played across the strings of the magical harp. And Guiding Wind’s brilliant yellow light flashed like lightning as Kio poured every bit of magic he could muster through the ornate mirror. The play of magical light grew stronger and stronger, bathing the chamber in a dazzling display as the ritual progressed. The stones of the ancient chamber, still scorched and seared from the fire that ravaged it long, long ago, seemed to vibrate and thrum with immense power. And then, without warning, the world seemed to turn itself inside out. For a moment the gathered magi could see a swirling blue portal forming in the centre of the chamber, but within seconds the maelstrom of magical energy had vanished in a direction that didn’t seem to properly exist in three-dimensional space, leaving the chamber as empty as it had been before they started. Sweating and panting with exhaustion, the four magi collapsed to the floor. “Did… Did it work?” Kio asked between heaving breaths. “I… I think so.” Awa replied. “I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.” “How long will it take?” “I think it depends on how far the Godslayer is from the point where the portal appears in his world. Probably somewhere between a few minutes and a few days, our time.” “We should go inform the starlit magi that we completed the ritual.” Mora suggested. “And we should get First River from the vaults.” Jarak added. “If I was the Godslayer, I’m sure I would want to get my sword back the moment I returned to this world.” “Those are all fair points.” Awa admitted. “But maybe we could hold off a little on all that? I’m still catching my breath, and those stairs are murder on the legs.” Kio snorted and walked over to the recumbent water magus, reaching down to help her back on her feet. “They’re just stairs, you pansy. Come on, let’s go tell the others.” Awa groaned pitifully, but nevertheless followed the other magi down the stairs.