Ghent responded with a slow, thoughtful nod. An introduction in return wasn't necessary; Smaya already seemed to know who -- [i]or what[/i] -- he was. Her eyes conveyed unimaginable anguish, but answers too. He was sure of it.
	The wheels were turning in his head. If the guardian of Hollow Forest was as powerful as he hoped, maybe she could point out the nearest Safe Zone. Hopefully via a route that didn't contain ghosts.
	As if reading Ghent's thoughts, a group of spirits decided to gather into an audience all around him. Each face was distinctive, and worse than the next. One was missing an eye, a few had blades still embedded into them. They were a dismal, haunting sight...and they were closing in on him.
	"Don't..." Ghent’s throat tightened. He staggered back, arms raised defensively in case he should need to protect himself. Their whispers mingled together in a mess of dialog, their words lost to him. 
	"Don't come any closer!" Voice shrill with panic, Ghent sought out Smaya through the crowd of dead. He wanted to ask for help, but he couldn't form the words. Thankfully, he didn't have to.
	With another wave of her hand, the ghosts were gone, leaving behind a rather traumatized, speechless Ghent.
	Still reeling, Ghent's focus switched to the flashes and flickers of color dancing across the endless gray around them. The form of a human took shape, one he recognized as Elayra. The silhouette didn't offer a good look at her face, but she seemed to be reacting to something. [i]To someone.[/i] 
	In a flash, the image of Elayra was gone, the emptiness filled only by Smaya's words. 
	[b][i]Welcome home.[/i][/b] Ghent shook his head in denial. This wasn't home. This was the beginning of a never ending nightmare.
	“I-I'm sorry, but I really have to go back.” Fearing what was going on in his absence, Ghent locked eyes with the woman. “I don't know how I got here, but I need to find a Safe Zone. Can you help us?”