There was once a city.
A city at almost the corner of this world, filled with people of many different kinds. A city built by its inhabitants to welcome anyone at their gates. A safe haven for people thrown out of their homes.
'But that city is no more.'
The woman turned around to look at her sister. Her sister's eyes were mostly covered by the coarse woollen cloak they had brought with them, but it did convey the slightest of ache in her eyes. 'Come sister, we have to reach there before nightfall.'
The woman turned away from where she had been gazing and followed her sister's footsteps. Charred rocks and old ruins were now the only things that stood there. Edifices which were carved into the mountain, built for accommodating that ever-growing population now stood still and empty. And the winds blew harsh and cold in the abandoned land.
They trudged across the rough landscape, trying not to slip off the slanted gravel. Alongside them, a young girl's body floated in mid-air, suspended by the golden strings swirling around her body. They seemed to be flowing from the woman's hand, as it glowed in the same iridescence.
They walked quietly for some time, until her sister paused. She raised her hand from beneath her cloak and moved it about, trying to feel the air. 'We have an anchor point.'
From beneath her cloak, she brought out the dice-like relic that they required and placed it onto the ground.
'These Realmtears are not very stable.' She said, as she straightened herself. 'I was only able to get the prototypes. They keep a record of every one of the newer ones.'
The woman nodded at her sister. 'I understand.'
She exhaled as she felt the weight of what was in front of her. Her daughter needed peace, not years of prodding and questioning.
'Are you sure, this is what you want to do?' her sister asked, her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes concerned. No, it was worry.
'I do not have a choice.' She replied as she looked at the young girl, floating beside her. 'And you know that.' Her voice was grave.
Her sister pursed her lips but nodded, accepting the answer. 'Will you return?'
'I do not know.' The woman interjected. 'I will try my best to make sure I don't have to.'
Her sister's eyes softened as she looked at the young girl. She walked towards the floating body and caressed her head. 'Take care of her.'
The woman placed her hand on her sister's palm and nodded. Her sister pursed her lips, nodded and stepped back. 'And of yourself as well.'
'As do you, sister.'
Her sister walked towards the Realm-Tear and kneeled down. 'You will have very limited time, Kiara.'
The woman nodded as her sister closed her eyes and concentrated on her spell. Her hands began to glow in the same light as the strings around her niece as she placed it on the relic.
Immediately a small spark, almost invisible to the naked eye, shot up from the Realm-Tear and disappeared right in front of them. Strings of gold burst from it like fireworks and slowly formed into concentric circles. Writings of an ancient language appeared and started dancing in between the circles. The dance halted in the destination's name burning brightly like little suns. Each circle lit up from the centre and vanished one by one into a gaping black hole, tearing their reality apart and conjoining with another.
The woman walked towards the portal and then turned back to her sister. Her eyes were glassy.
'Goodbye.' It was barely heard in the rushing wind.
Her sister nodded, unable to speak.
The woman turned towards the portal and waved her hands, allowing the strings around her daughter's unconscious body be pulled towards the gaping hole. With a deep breath, she followed, leaving her home behind.