The new world felt quiet in a way that was almost unnatural, as if sound itself did not fully exist there. The ground beneath their feet was smooth and pale, stretching endlessly in every direction, while the sky above carried a soft, shifting glow that never stayed the same for long. Jenny stood still for a moment, taking it all in, but her focus quickly returned to the faint light in the distance. It was steady now, no longer flickering like before, and she could feel it clearly. The others noticed it too, though not in the same way. Without needing to say anything, they began moving toward it together, careful but determined.
As they walked, the environment around them seemed to respond to their presence. The air shifted slightly, and the faint glow ahead grew stronger with each step. Zoe tried once again to read the energy through her device, but it continued to behave unpredictably, the readings rising and falling without pattern. Louis suggested that this place might not follow normal physical rules, which would explain why nothing they used was working properly. Kevin remained thoughtful, observing everything closely, while Jake stayed alert, watching for any sign of danger. Stebin, though quieter than usual, kept his eyes fixed ahead, as if he did not want to miss whatever they were about to find.
When they finally reached the source of the light, they slowed down. The glow was no longer distant. It was right in front of them, forming a soft, almost human-shaped presence. It was not solid, not fully visible, but it carried a feeling that none of them could ignore. Jenny stepped forward first, her heart beating faster with every step. She did not question it anymore. She already knew. As she got closer, the light shifted slightly, reacting to her presence, and for a brief moment, it became clearer. A familiar shape, a familiar presence. Not fully formed, but enough to recognize.
Jenny stopped just a few steps away, her voice quiet but steady as she spoke her name. The light responded instantly, flickering gently, almost like it was trying to answer. The others watched in silence, unsure of what they were seeing but certain that it was real. Zoe lowered her device slowly, no longer relying on it, while Kevin took a step closer, trying to understand what this meant. Jake remained calm, but even he could not hide the slight change in his expression. Stebin clenched his fists, not out of anger this time, but out of something closer to relief.
The presence in front of them did not fully return, but it did not disappear either. It stayed there, glowing softly, as if it was trapped between two states. Jenny realized then that Elisa was not gone, but she was not fully here either. Something had changed her, something connected to the energy of this place. Still, she was there, and that was enough to change everything. Jenny took another small step forward, her voice softer now but filled with certainty. They had found her, and no matter what this place was or what had happened, they were not leaving without her.