3 2 - Sliver

"Noemi, wake up. We have to go the rest of the way on foot now," Petra was telling her as she shook her friend awake. Noemi rubbed her eyes and peered outside the windows: the sun had set, but there was just enough light to illuminate a thick grove on a hill a little ways in front of the car. Noemi got out and grabbed her backpacks, slipping one on and tossing the other over her shoulder.

"You think those in Talomét will notice our return?" Noemi asked as Petra locked the car, the two of them walking towards the grove.

Petra rolled her eyes. "We'll find out soon enough. I'm sure, at the very least, there will be scouts within an hour of our being there." She pulled the double-bagged dog from her messenger bag and, using her right thumb and forefinger, she struck them together as if lighting a lighter, producing a fire that hovered just above her right thumb. Petra held the bag over the flames and watched the whole thing ignite before tossing the lit bag to the side. They were deep in the grove, and the car was out of sight.

Noemi hunched her shoulders forward, pouting as they walked on. "You think we'll be enlisted again? A Pyrokinetic and a Berserker Haemokinetic that have been AWOL from our home realm for the past 6 months?" They reached a pair of trees that curved and grew in towards one another, forming a natural archway; Noemi looked at Petra, waiting for her response.

Petra shook her head. "To be honest, I don't know. But I do know that we left because that idiot wanted you to stay with him, knowing that the Order wasn't happy about that at all. They've got plans for you, Noemi. I'm not sure that they've given up just yet."

"That's what I'm worried about…" Noemi muttered, peering between the two trees. She rolled her shoulders and wiggled her fingers taking a few deep breaths before taking another step closer to the archway. Then, she began to recite a few lines.

"The Gates of Talomét, they open for me.

For I, myself, am one of thee.

Peel back the veil and uncloud the mists

So that I may pass into this eternal bliss."

The space beneath the archway darkened and began to shimmer with flecks of light, a low hum starting up. Petra shifted her messenger bag on her shoulder. "I'm glad you remembered, because I sure as hells didn't. Let's go." She stepped through the shimmering passage, disappearing from the grove.

Noemi rolled her eyes and cast a glance back at the grove they had traveled through. This mundane realm…I have a feeling I'll be returning… She felt for the key to the house, still in her pocket, then turned and followed Petra through the gateway.