Bastion, Elysian Hold.
Traveling along the route from Oribos, Devos passed through the turbulent currents of anima.
When Devos had first followed Rowan to Azeroth, the engine beneath Oribos had still operated smoothly. Less than a year had passed, yet the Maw had already changed the rules governing the Shadowlands.
Having regained the form of her previous life, Devos folded away her Paragon wings. Like any ordinary Kyrian Ascended, she arrived at the first stop in Bastion: Candidate's Rest.
Kleia guided Devos with her usual enthusiasm. Though no new souls had arrived in Bastion for a long time, she still loved her work and carried out her duties faithfully.
"Traveling through those unstable anima routes must have been exhausting." Kleia fetched Devos a cup of hot tea from the forgekeeper's cottage.
Concealing her identity and authority as a Paragon, Devos smiled. "The unstable currents certainly made it difficult. Fortunately, Oribos's ancient engine still works. But if this continues, I'm afraid this route, which has operated for tens of thousands of years, will shut down completely."
Kleia clasped both hands over her chest, her expression anxious. "What's happening to the Shadowlands?"
Seeing Kleia's bewilderment, Devos knew the Archon had yet to take action.
"I was just about to bring news to the Archon. Please help transport me to the Temple of Purity first. I'm counting on you, Kleia," Devos requested.
This was the first time Kleia had seen an Ascended with such a perfect figure. All Ascended had forgotten the memories of their previous lives, and their souls had accepted the inscriptions of Ascension, so they did not judge beauty through worldly eyes.
But everyone loved beauty. A young woman's flutter of excitement still lingered in Kleia's heart, something even the inscriptions upon her soul could not change.
Kleia lost herself