Seconds stretched toward eternity.
Doubt began creeping into everyone's expressions.
Vlad's shoulders tensed, prepared for the realization that the rejection would doom them all.
Then softly one symbol glowed.
Far to the north, where the tide surged up and down like waves, someone placed their hand on a golden symbol. A thin stream of light rose toward the sky, arcing across distance toward Marie's position in Helios.
Then another symbol was activated, which was a different location and a different person. Another stream joined the first.
Then another, and another.
Then dozens simultaneously began glowing with the streams that varied wildly.
Some were thin threads barely visible against the sky, while others were thick beams shining with large amounts of magic. Some spiraled elegantly, and others flickered uncertainly.
But all flowed toward the same destination, toward Marie standing with wings spread and hands holding a growing sphere of light.
