Of Dawn and Dusk

[Haste]

The serpent's eyes, dark orbs embedded in its twisted skull, remained fixated upon Sho'zak as the dragon made its dramatic exit. Devoid of emotion, the obsidian depths revealed no hints about the thoughts or reactions hidden within. The mind behind those eyes kept its thoughts well-hidden from the other observers in the mindscape. The Survivor, intrinsically linked to the snake, sensed its reply — acknowledgement. There was no intention to obstruct the other's path.

After its kin departed, the snake slowly retracted its colossal head from the ground, claw-like appendages scrabbling against the terrain to aid its ascent. With a winding motion, the immense form slithered into a position in-between the two men. The serpent's jaws unfurled, and its voice once again filled the air — a disconcerting blend of snake-like hissing and low, guttural growls.

Allow Us. An Opportunity.

To Offer — A Proposal.

The creature rose up, stretching to its full height. It extended its left limbs towards Caliban, as if beckoning, while the right limbs reached out with a deliberate gesture towards Harbinger.

Two Minds — At Odds.

Joined — By Ours. A Third.

Yet — Unified. By One Struggle.

Cursed — With A Common Foe.

With a thunderous clap, the sky above the trio burst open, revealing a hyperspatial rift. An anomaly the two spectators were all too familiar with. A swarm of smaller Sentinels rained down, their forms dissolving before touching the ground — revealing the display as nothing but an optical illusion.

Gravekeepers. Puzzling Creations.

Endangering Us. Eluding Us.

Our Proposal. Our Request:

The Elder paused, briefly, as if to emphasize what was to come.

To Seize One.

With Its Flame — Burning Bright.

Conscious. Thinking.

In Eternal Stasis.

While before, the serpent's dark black eyes revealed nothing but cold apathy, now they were burning with passion.

We Will Lay Bare — Its Weave.

Tear It — Strand From Strand.

Until — No Secrets Remain.

For It — To Withhold. From Us.