The yellow sands of Silithus swirled through the air. In the distance, the sun was setting, and crimson clouds filled the sky, painting the horizon as though it were ablaze. The howling wind lifted the grit like rising dust. Far away, the towering Colossus of the Qiraji formed a landscape all its own. Standing amid the endless shifting sands, a person was like a brushstroke in a painting. The magnificent scenery took all three of their breaths away. Even the carefree Lady Anveena stopped gnawing on her cake.
Dick had once thought he loved the boundless sea, but at this moment, he suddenly realized that the sea's freedom was hardly worth mentioning beside this desert that had existed since time immemorial.
This place was itself a part of history.
And they stood within that weighty history.
In his left hand, the Paladin held the Blue Crystal Orb, which had already become a perfectly rounded whole. An unceasing gray storm spun inside it, linking a black sky to a barren land, with specks of lightning glittering above, as though another world had been sketched inside the orb.
Thunderaan remained silent. Dick could roughly imagine his mood: longing mingled with a trace of fear. If seas had become fields and everything once familiar had been destroyed, this Wind Traveler could hardly be feeling very good about his homecoming.
But Dick felt he should still give him his blessing. After all, Thunderaan had helped him, and he seemed to be one of those rare elemental creatures with whom one could communicate well. There was also a Wind-Kissed Elf who was still waiting here for him, even after tens of thousands of years.
Seen another way, this fellow was rather fortunate.
Jaina held the pale blue Vial of Rebirth in her hands. This strange