After talking to Renin, the rest of the journey to Jul’ritarzi was of quiet contemplation. Loria didn’t mind; the chat she had had with the Ranger was more socialization sooner than she had expected and much pleasanter considering her status as a prisoner. [i]It’s technically former prisoner, now[/i], she smirked at the thought. Loria settled as comfortably in the caravan as she could, watching the Wastelands pass by absent-mindedly. The dreary, desolate land was enough to depress anyone. She had known it before but the long stretches of dead or dying planet awakened the sense of importance for their mission like nothing before.

The sun was steadily climbing higher and even being inactive and in the shades of her caravan, Loria still started to sweat uncomfortably. The mountains never got so bad and even working outside for hours on end wasn’t often that harsh, she knew from experience. As she wiped the accumulated sweat from her brow, she saw that the others weren’t faring that much better. [i]Really, who’d want to live in the Wastes?[/i] She almost snorted at the humorous irony in that – living in the Wastes was obviously something that was more manageable than going into the Void. However, she was somewhat curious what exactly it was about the Void that drove people mad. It couldn’t just be the hopelessness and relative solitude…could it?

She shifted uneasily and focused her mind on something else. Thankfully, ignoring something she had no idea about wasn’t such a hardship. [i]So what if I’ll have to face the unknown with a bunch of strangers? [/i]she thought sullenly. [i]Well, there’s Renin at least.[/i] Loria sighed softly. She knew better than to rely on and trust someone she’d just met, but…Well. [i]Better be careful,[/i] she warned herself. Her ex-cellmate, Ram, was proof enough how likely otherwise inconceivable friendships became in certain situations. She had had her own share of unpleasantness with or because of that woman, but Loria considered that a part of human nature. [i]What a laugh that rascal would have if she thought I missed her,[/i] Loria shook her head, amused at the turn of her thoughts.

It was finally getting well into the afternoon when Loria became drowsy. She blamed the rhythmic sounds and caravan movements, but closed her eyes to take a nap. [i]Time enough,[/i] she reasoned before her consciousness slowly drifted away into sleep.

“Loria,” she heard a faint call. She opened her eyes but it was already too dark to see clearly. Even so, she tried to follow the voice she had heard. But it was now eerily quiet. As she walked she realized she was in a house, rather lavishly decorated. [i]Home?[/i] she furrowed her brow in confusion. She proceeded through an intricate labyrinth of halls, rooms and stairways and after what simultaneously felt like an eternity and as if only an instant passed, an undiscernible figure appeared in front of her.
 
“Loria,” the voice was clearer, sharper, and she almost gasped as she recognized it. Suddenly, she saw him just as well as she had heard him. “Avenall,” she whispered, not knowing what else to do. “Wh-why?” he asked her plaintively, as he clutched at a terribly bleeding wound in his abdomen. “I…I o-only…wa-nt…”he said quietly but with determination, slowly removing his hand. Loria watched horrified as his incision grew, spreading as if someone cut him open for dissection. He looked remarkably like one of those cadavers that doctors-to-be practiced on, but even so he took a step forward, staring at her without regard for the state of his body “wh-what…was…right,” he finished, now in front of her. Loria tried to step back, but couldn’t, as if trapped. He reached for her, gently petting her head. “[i]Murderer,[/i]” he crooned softly.

Loria woke up with a sharp inhale of breath, her body tense and heart beating fast, as if ready for a fight. She looked around with little movement; thankfully no-one seemed to pay her any attention. With a glance she determined the sun’s position and guessed they would arrive to Jul’ritarzi in approximately two hours. [i]Small mercies,[/i] she thought irritated. She began an exercise of breathing deeply and concentrating on each inhale, exhale, inhale…[i]Why do I have to be haunted by that Seroux bastard when he’s not even dead,[/i] she exhaled harshly as bitterness overcame her. [i]Inhale…One, two, three…Exhale.[/i] Loria didn’t remember where she had learned that breathing trick, but it was surprisingly helpful if one was patient enough. With two hours’ time and a determination not to get off on the wrong foot with the rest of her crewmates, she was eventually able to calm down.

Noncaring for her troubles, the sun set at its pace. Their party arrived at Jul’ritarzi soon after the dark began overtaking the east of the planet. The stragglers were shooed away, only the vital people being let through the second set of gates after a thorough search. After that they were led to the Hall of the Void. It was certainly…Impressive. [i]Scenic, in a way,[/i] Loria considered as she admired the ceiling. As the various people went to their places, so did Loria step closer to one of the sets of backpacks. There she waited for what would apparently be some sort of meeting.