Xoe began to feel herself drift again, dissociating form the world around her, the voices of the people in the room growing distant. No, no, not again. She fought to hold on as the panic began to drive through her. She dug her nails into her other hand but she lost the battle regardless as her vision was overtaken by white.

She was on the top of the mountain again, snow swirling in the wind. Bright red and orange banners that seemed to glow in the sun behind them. The wooden gates. And the bells. This was a different bell than last time. Last time there had been three bells between her and the curve of the mountain, now there were two. Why had she moved again? Why was there blood this time.

The bell resonated without moving. The sound echoed in her head, bringing her to her knees. 4 rings. Last time had been 5. What was it counting down to? Her vision began to swim, but Xoe wouldn’t have it. She dug desperately at the snow she couldn’t feel.

“Please! Tell me what you want from me! What do you mean! Why am I here! What do you want! Tell me! Tell me!” She repeated as the vision began to fade away.

“Xoe! Xoe, tell you what?”

Xoe snapped to reality. She pushed off of whoever she had been leaning against and tucked herself in the corner, drawing her knees to her chest. Her breathing was fast, shallow, panicked as she tried to come back to reality. Slowly, her breathing slowed.

“Xoe?”

She looked up and looked at Corey with a tired face.

“It was the bells. Again. There was one less this time. Im not sure what it’s counting down to, but its something. It has to be something, right? Whatever it is, it’s big.”

“You don’t know that.” Grey offered. “Maybe it’s just warning of Gia’s temper exploding again.”

The group chuckled at Gia’s expense, who crossed her arms and pouted, but the laughter was tense, dripping with the dread they all felt.

“Let’s get going.” Morgana said, offering a hand to Xoe after she stood up. “We need to keep moving.”

Xoe nodded and stood. The group set about packing their few things before exiting the tavern room. They were soon exiting the town, and though Xoe checked in all directions many times, peering into the shadows even when others passed, she still had the feeling of eyes watching her every move.