Like Evennette, Vurckair is unaware of what happened.
{I was told we'll enter together as a group of eight, due to the Collaboration… Where are the others?… Wait!. I can see it!}
The idea seems obvious, and Vurckair checks the transmissions on the hexagonal screens.
Evennette can't see Vurckair's screens, but the young man's body language is too obvious.
Likewise, Vurckair notices he cannot see Evennette's screens, even using the latter's stream.
{In the park, Ervius must had allowed us to watch those streams…}
"This is very strange." Murmurs Evennette half absentminded. Then, she rises her melodious voice. "«Vurca»; Have you noticed the screen's frames?."
"Yes. They have different, but defined colors to divide our Team. True-Silver to denote Naíndra and Cincaid. Yellow is for Ervius and Naylyn. While Blue is Mätzeniä and Yacron. You are True-Wine; So i should be the same."
Evennette stares at Vurckair.
{Did i say something wrong?}
Vurckair asks puzzled. "«Venne?»."
She blinks and giggles with nostalgic sadness. "It's nothing, Vurca." Evennette adjusts her hair, and attitude. "I'm simply surprised that you take this situation so casually. But it's to be expected of your first time; Because you don't know how it should be. But; «The screen's frames usually are black or white»."
{Okay… If the base design is monochromatic, colour is certainly an oddity}
"Black Frames are for transmissions within the Quartzal; And White Frames involve streams from the outside. And i had never heard of a frame having colour."
"I see… Could be related to the little tablets we use to form the Couples?".
"Maybe." Admits Evennette, closing her jacket as she turns around to face the freezing tomboy.
"Tell us your full name, along why your team isn't here with you."
"My name is «Nellia Arfand Eckhart», and I entered in this Quartzal on my own."
The tomboy's initial boasting is cut short by an involuntary tremble; The humidity in the air has moistened her skimpy clothes.
"You dare to enter alone?." Evennette's incredulity, and weariness puts Vurckair on alert.
He is not from Ell'Thane, lacking general knowledge, and common sense in relation to the current planet.
Nevertheless. He also pays attention to his surroundings; And learned that Four people is the bare minimum to enter in a Quartzal.
{Crossing alone should be impossible. Unless…}
"You enter the Quartzal with a group. Had an altercation with them, and preferred to go into the monolith alone; Instead of waiting 20 hours doing nothing in the Food Court."
The Tomboy's eyes widen in surprise, perplexed by how assertive is Vurckair's analysis.
Her lips are pressed together, trembling ashamed; Then she spasms with the impact of a chilling wind passing under the bridge.
The cold gale forces Nellia to stand her ground, withering uncontrollably.
Evennette has the Nimbar for her protection.
While Vurckair's Halo acts as an area of exclusion the wind adamantly avoids.
"Aren't you going to talk?."
"Do i have to?." Responds Nellia, her breath frosting as she speaks. "You already said it all."
The temperature drops low, and the blizzard gets stronger, the lamps in the pillars are brutally slammed, and broken against the bricks.
The oil immediately ignites, and falls like fiery paint; Though the flames last only a few seconds before they are suffocated by the wind.
{Something must be in the air}
Ominous glowing mist advances rapidly from the valley's end.
Evennette exclaims hurriedly. "We need shelter!. «Shining Fog» tends to be plagued with Braddiers!."
{They can possess anything alive that hasn't acquire access to a Profession}
"Venne. Bridges of old designs have maintenance rooms, or staircases leading to the upper part."
Evennette understands, and uses her black sclera eyes to observe the temperature of the pillars.
Vurckair's Ascension Animal Affection has a similar effect.
Both run in opposite directions, and search for an entrance.
"I found a wooden door."
The phrase comes from Evennette's stream, and Vurckair sprints back. On the way, his eyes land on Nellia; The tomboy is barely moving, and the frost that covered her clothes has turned into a layer of snow.
This strange reaction leaves Vurckair confused, but not not in an idle state.
He grabs Nellia, picking her up like a sack of potatoes, and despite the extra weight, he doubles his running speed, crossing the entrance.
Once they are inside, Evennette locks the door, and seals the passage with a weave of her hand.
She casts Four True-Wine Nodes that fly from her palm, and are arranged in a large ethereal square that prevents the fog from infiltrate through the entrance's gaps.
"Pu-Put me do-down." Nellia demands; But her stutter, along her weak voice, deprive her of from the right to express an opinion.
"Vurca will do it when you can keep up with us.". Evennette states flatly, as she moves to the adjacent chamber.
Metal vertical stairs are embedded in the wall. They are not rusted, but several parts are hanging, while other sections are on the floor.
{The architects must have forgotten about how to reinforce pressure points in a structure; And when the bombardment start, some segments snap, or directly collapse}
With the stairs out of service, their attention turns to a platform that contains an electric generator next to an elevator of simple design.
"Do you think it still works?."
"I'm no engineer, Venne. But it seems to me that the metalwork in this place is top-notch; Or at least the builders didn't skimp on the materials."
"If that is the case. And the residents of this Quartzal have electricity. «Why would they use oil lamps, instead of lightbulbs?.»"
"A valid question Sexy Tomboy. They must a latter addition due to shortage of power; Unless the residents made a technological breakthrough during the construction, and they left the oil lamps out of nostalgia."
Vurckair examines the generator and note there is a built-in battery.
{It must have run out a long time ago, maybe i can spark it with some juice}
The young man's hand creates static electricity that transforms into blue electric arcs.
Then he hesitates.
{Natural electrons might fry this device, but if i use any of the other weird electrons, it could explode}
He sighs.
{Is there anything in this world that won't detonate upon being supplied with energy?}
The question lingers on Vurckair's mind as a hissing comes from behind the group.
The Shining Fog is entering through the door's gaps, causing the square barrier to flare and flick.
"The protection won't last too long, Vurca."
"Argh!. I abhor doing anything without knowing if they are going to work." Vurckair angrily complains. Upset towards his own ignorance. Yet, his electrified hand goes closer to the battery. "Here goes nothing…"