& oh, poor atlas - the world's a beast of a burden
The Tower.
Everything is ripped away in the blink of an eye, and Amalia is left dizzy and dazed, blinking up at a monolithic structure the likes of which she has never before seen. Spires to rival the one in the Grounds surround gateways and arches and hallways and doors, so many doors that the Shield doesn't know where to begin. She is left without instruction or guidance and as the flush of wonder slides from her shoulders familiar anxiety begins to rise.
What is she doing here? What is she doing here? What is she doing here?
Three questions for which Amalia has no answer to give.
At least Jyoti is with her, and Ronin somewhere, too. Clutching the starlit whale to her chest, the Shield stares up at the grandiose entryway, a lump massive lump lodges in her throat. She feels very, very small, and for a long moment considers turning away. Flying back home and begging Vi to reconsider. Running across the surface of the sea as far as she can go.
She does none of these things. Instead Amalia takes a breath and holds it, two, three, four. Exhale two, three, four, and the girl steps forward, bare feet dancing on the cobblestones. Amalia has no idea where she's going, but she knows she has to get there. Whether the Shield is ready or not, her future has arrived.
Everything is ripped away in the blink of an eye, and Amalia is left dizzy and dazed, blinking up at a monolithic structure the likes of which she has never before seen. Spires to rival the one in the Grounds surround gateways and arches and hallways and doors, so many doors that the Shield doesn't know where to begin. She is left without instruction or guidance and as the flush of wonder slides from her shoulders familiar anxiety begins to rise.
What is she doing here? What is she doing here? What is she doing here?
Three questions for which Amalia has no answer to give.
At least Jyoti is with her, and Ronin somewhere, too. Clutching the starlit whale to her chest, the Shield stares up at the grandiose entryway, a lump massive lump lodges in her throat. She feels very, very small, and for a long moment considers turning away. Flying back home and begging Vi to reconsider. Running across the surface of the sea as far as she can go.
She does none of these things. Instead Amalia takes a breath and holds it, two, three, four. Exhale two, three, four, and the girl steps forward, bare feet dancing on the cobblestones. Amalia has no idea where she's going, but she knows she has to get there. Whether the Shield is ready or not, her future has arrived.
you've been holding on a long time
