The vapour contained Sthrirad essence, a semi-sentient gaseous being that could be often found co-existing with the Tindrel. It lived in their respiratory system, improving their energy efficiency and giving certain flight-or-fight hormones a time dilation effect. It often inhabited other species for short periods in social settings to enhance the effects of other substances but also to increase tolerance.

It disappeared inside most of the people within the ring. When it found no adequate entrypoint for Senjen it just hid inside Ruknar instead. She shivered all over, feathers standing on end. She looked at the Utaysi and laughed throatily.

The circle disintegrated into random flurries of movement for a while, before reorganising as a long line that weaved about the room. The person at its head was mostly inside of a large serpentine headpiece. Black tendrils reached from the ceiling and picked people off the ground one by one.

This seemed to only last a few minutes but the pair of them were in the room over an hour. Ruk was completely obliterated, staring wildly around. Eventually she said “I’m hungry.” and laughed.