As the blood-red knight reached behind his right shoulder to stow his tablet, Zephyr watched intently, her head nodding in acknowledgment of the gravity of the task ahead. Her heart quickened with anticipation for what was to come, and as if in response the ground below her feet started to rumble and quake.  The portal erupted with life as humanoid green monsters surged out, their high-pitched screams piercing the air. She felt the vibrations in her bones as they echoed all around them, an overwhelming symphony of chaos. As the thought of fending off the beasts came to mind, she caught a glimpse of the armoured knight signalling for them to hold back. He was always quick-thinking, and at that moment, she knew he had a plan.

Zephyr watched in awe as Ethan ran his sword through the goblins, slicing them apart effortlessly. His movements were like a dance of death, a symphony of destruction, and he cleared a path toward the tent with incredible speed. 

Before either she or her companion could join him, however, she noticed in horror a pair of skeletal hands reaching up from the portal. The ground beneath the two trembled even more violently as the elder god finally made its entrance. Its presence was immense, filling the air with an overwhelming sense of dread. Despite having a prior understanding of what they had to deal with, she had to admit the malevolence radiating from them sent shivers down her spine. The wind whipped violently around them, carrying the eerie cries of the demi-goblins and the foreboding presence of the elder god. Time seemed to slow down entirely as if the very world was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.

Wasting no time, Zephyr took out her tablet, her familiar spell already on her lips. 

“Don Graph Van Graph Un Ur” 

As her consciousness merged with the ancient essence of the god, Zephyr found herself in an ethereal realm, a mental battlefield where her will clashed with the malevolent intentions of the powerful creature. The struggle felt like an eternity, but with unwavering determination, she prevailed, asserting her dominance over the god's mind. In less than a minute, she subdued the formidable entity, forcing it back into submission.

Returning to her physical body, Zephyr felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion and disorientation wash over her. The mental strain had taken its toll, and she struggled to keep her composure, battling the urge to vomit. She steadied herself, drawing on the strength within, knowing that there was no time for weakness in the face of such a perilous situation.
 
As the adrenaline coursed through her veins, Zephyr felt a surge of power within her, a connection to the ancient forces of the universe. With a focus that bordered on the divine, she channelled her psychic energy through her sword, infusing it with the essence of her being. The blade glowed with an otherworldly light as she swung it with unparalleled precision, severing the god's skeletal hands from its body. 

The psychic energy sliced through the air like a celestial arc, and the god's hands fell to the ground, writhing with dark energy before finally succumbing to stillness. The ground beneath them trembled, responding to the disturbance caused by the severed connection between the god and its manifestation. With the god weakened and its grip on the portal broken, the chaotic surge of goblins slowed, and the portal itself began to close. The once-booming symphony of chaos dimmed, being slowly replaced by the soft whisper of tranquillity returning to the realm.

With the portal finally closing, Zephyr and Adrith surrounded Ethan, providing him with a shield of protection as he carried the wooden crate containing the dangerous artifact. The ground beneath them steadied, and the chaotic energy that had filled the air slowly dissipated. Once Ethan reached their side, they all exchanged a quick nod, their unspoken communication clear. Without hesitation, their respective spells activated, closing the rift to the otherworldly realm. The glowing portal shrank until it disappeared entirely, leaving no trace of the havoc it had unleashed moments before.

With the immediate danger averted Zephyr felt relief wash over her. The battle had been intense, and she was still catching her breath, but the knowledge that they had successfully thwarted the elder god's manifestation filled her with a sense of accomplishment. As the adrenaline subsided, the sorceress glanced at her companions, seeing the weariness in their eyes. They had faced a powerful and ancient evil, and it had taken a toll on all of them. But they had come out victorious, and that was what mattered most.
"We did it," Zephyr said, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and triumph as they finally disappeared from the sandy desert.
 
[b]PRESENT DAY: New York City, New York [/b]

Where Nina once stood in her study there materialized a bright white portal. The air crackled with energy, and a strong wind emanated from the swirling void, causing loose papers and books to lift from their shelves and float in mid-air. 

[b]The Immortal Hills [/b]

As Nina approached the group of people nearest to her, her curiosity was piqued when she noticed a strange, blue-skinned creature approaching them. Its appearance was unlike anything she had seen before, and its manner of speaking was equally unusual, with a melodic quality that seemed to resonate in the air. Her eyebrow shot up in confusion as she tried to make sense of the creature's words. Its language was unfamiliar to her, and she couldn't quite grasp its meaning. However, the creature's body language and gestures seemed to convey a friendly demeanour, and it didn't appear to pose any immediate threat.

At the creature’s gesture while in conversation with a boy with a pair of headphones on, Nina turned to where it pointed. 
“I’m guessing…we go that way?” She noted, realizing too late that she’d spoken aloud.
 
The creature's eyes, however, seemed to sparkle with amusement as it nodded in response to Nina's guess. It seemed that she had correctly interpreted its gesture, and it was indeed indicating a direction for them to go.

"E’ys, o’yu ollo’fw ha’tt oa’rd," the creature replied, its melodious voice resonating in the air. Nina gave a small smile in return. 
“Thanks for your help,” the girl said, before following the path indicated by Tell'sa, paying no mind to her previous interlocutor. She didn’t know how he could even have a conversation with those things on.  [i]Also…it seems kinda rude[/i], she thought. 

Thus, her first impression of Ethan was made. And it was not a good one. 

The landscape around her seemed to shimmer with mystical energy as she walked, and Nina couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity as she ventured further into the unknown. As she walked, she found herself lost in the beauty and wonder of this magical realm. Other strange and fantastical creatures crossed her path, each one just the same as the last. Some greeted her with stares, while others simply went about their own business. She didn't mind either reaction. Her journey had only just begun, either way.