((Author's note: this post actually occurs prior to Sekhmet's revival, and even before the first Sage Stone was found on the forum.))

Quar Dimens - no date

The dark void was scattered with stars as usual, the bright red, halo-like ring circling endlessly overhead. The bright blue viewing crystal was focused in on one Arissa Stutenberg, in the cozy environment of the Crimson Blade, in Plefterre, Zarack.

Eio Itchuskai watched intently as the number of faces in the Blade steadily increased over time. As much as it pained her, she knew what was happening elsewhere in Mona, and she realized just how important it would be to every living citizen on the face of the planet. Namely Arissa and those surrounding her.

"Ayane," Eio called. There was silence in the void of Quar Dimens, a signal that Ayane had not heard her.

Eio, however, knew otherwise. "Get over here, Sis." Again, there was silence.

"Dammit, Ayane! Get your butt out here!" Eio shouted.

A silver wisp appeared in front of the violet-haired goddess and formed into Ayane's characteristic visual projection trick. Eio raised an eyebrow in disgust.

"What are you doing?" Eio demanded.

"Does it matter?" Ayane's image asked innocently.

"It might. You're obviously too preoccupied to actually come to me."

"Tch. Ticky ticky." The wisp disappeared and a shadowy form appeared in its place, filling in with color as Ayane teleported from her "corner" of the void. Her red hair contrasted violently with the viewing crystal in the center, but was lost as Eio looked up at her, meshing with the red ring overhead. "What do you want?" she asked numbly.

Eio pointed at the viewing crystal, still staring up at Ayane. The crystal reasserted itself to show a muscular man in a dark cave. "This isn't good. We have people wanting to resurrect Sekhmet. And they're close to doing it, too."

Ayane shrugged. "And?"

"And I don't want that to happen," Eio growled in annoyance. "People will die. Innocent people who don't have anything to do with the War."

Ayane's green eyes rolled in their sockets. "You and your soft spot for the mortals," she muttered.

"You know you love them too," Eio grinned. "Just admit it."

"Tch. They're just bugs to me," Ayane said, looking away. "You were always the one who actually cared about the other realm."

"Anyway," Eio said, waving a dismissive hand, "I'm going to need access to the Sage Stones in case Sekhmet actually returns to Mona. Can you do that?"

Ayane's eyes snapped to lock onto Eio's face. There was a look of pure delight on her face. "You mean I can break the Seal again?" she asked like a child asking to go to the candy store when they already knew the answer was yes.

Eio raised an unamused eyebrow. "Yes, Ayane. That's exactly what I mean. But can you do me a favor and not spread them out like you have in the past?"

Ayane made a face. "But that's no fun, Sis! You have to have more originality than that!"

"What are you implying, Ayane?" Eio demanded. "This isn't a time for games!"

Ayane's eyes flashed as her face twisted into another grin. "I think it's the perfect time for games."

Eio's eyes widened in horror. Ayane was the only person with total control over the Sage Stones, and to her, Mona Proper was a game field. If left up to her...

"Catch them if you can, Sis," Ayane called as her figure disappeared into the void.

In the void of Quar Dimens, two small yellow orbs narrowed as Eio's eyes flashed dangerously. "Damn you, Ayane. I'll get you back for this."

A voice drifted over the emptiness of the dimension as Ayane's laugh echoed through Eio's mind. "I heard that, Sis, and just for that, you're going to have to look for the Stones, too! No inside knowledge for you!"

Suddenly there was an ear-splitting scream as Eio raised her voice as loud as it could go. When it ceased, Eio felt amazingly better, but something in her still lingered.

The Sage Stones had been scattered. The Seal had been broken, and Ayane was responsible. There was no turning back now.

Eio sighed as a wave of fatigue overtook her, vanishing just as fast as it had come. After all, she couldn't become tired or hurt inside Quar Dimens. She sighed and looked over at the Door, its golden frame shimmering in the mixed violet light cast by the viewing crystal and the red halo. With another sigh, Eio moved towards the Door.

Guess we might as well get started.