The darkness of the night made it easier for Storm to frown without others seeing. As Guardians and Elementals gathered, the upcoming absence of her family loomed within. While her husband?s simple words of safety and best wishes accompanied by a kiss and smile were meant to make it easier for her to walk away, it made her feel worse.
But she was not home now, and would not be for a few short days. Taking a deep breath in, she placed the longing thoughts away where they could not distract her focus further. The frown disappeared as she looked over the crowd, the conversations barely making the threshold above silence. Anticipation and the unknown brought an undertow of energy that seemed to lift everyone?s spirits.
?We are all here.? Cornelious walked up behind her and draped an arm over to shoulders to give a light squeeze, ?Are you ready, then??
She mustered a smile for him, ?Yes. Would you like for me to get started??
He looked over the crowd, then back down to her, ?I think that would be preferable. If it is too straining Storm, then you must stop. I will not let you bring harm to yourself and the baby.?
?I will not, I promise.? With a reassuring smile, she moved her way from under his arm to where a clearing was set from the building of the portal. It did not take long to build, the gift stored within her for this specific purpose. It was the ability to hold it open for so many different Elementals that had her brow twitching in concentration. Giving it the form of a doorway, each corner was held with a different element, adding something of everyone.
Nodding to signal that the portal was ready, she moved to stand behind it and make sure it did not crumble under the stress of its use. The time seemed endless and without measure, but the strain was only made present at the temples in the form of a headache. The time came for her to be the last to walk through, and the pressure from the portal did not hide the sinking feeling of the other side.
Nothing of the grounds were living. Grass, shrubs, trees and all forms of greenery were present, but the color reflected a dull brown, and everything crunched under their boots. Despite the lifeless form of the trees, they remained upright was if they were thriving with life. The absence of elements echoed and vibrated a dark tone within.
Her portion was almost done. Now all she could do was wait and endure a place that was absent of everything she needed.
But she was not home now, and would not be for a few short days. Taking a deep breath in, she placed the longing thoughts away where they could not distract her focus further. The frown disappeared as she looked over the crowd, the conversations barely making the threshold above silence. Anticipation and the unknown brought an undertow of energy that seemed to lift everyone?s spirits.
?We are all here.? Cornelious walked up behind her and draped an arm over to shoulders to give a light squeeze, ?Are you ready, then??
She mustered a smile for him, ?Yes. Would you like for me to get started??
He looked over the crowd, then back down to her, ?I think that would be preferable. If it is too straining Storm, then you must stop. I will not let you bring harm to yourself and the baby.?
?I will not, I promise.? With a reassuring smile, she moved her way from under his arm to where a clearing was set from the building of the portal. It did not take long to build, the gift stored within her for this specific purpose. It was the ability to hold it open for so many different Elementals that had her brow twitching in concentration. Giving it the form of a doorway, each corner was held with a different element, adding something of everyone.
Nodding to signal that the portal was ready, she moved to stand behind it and make sure it did not crumble under the stress of its use. The time seemed endless and without measure, but the strain was only made present at the temples in the form of a headache. The time came for her to be the last to walk through, and the pressure from the portal did not hide the sinking feeling of the other side.
Nothing of the grounds were living. Grass, shrubs, trees and all forms of greenery were present, but the color reflected a dull brown, and everything crunched under their boots. Despite the lifeless form of the trees, they remained upright was if they were thriving with life. The absence of elements echoed and vibrated a dark tone within.
Her portion was almost done. Now all she could do was wait and endure a place that was absent of everything she needed.