[Solo] These mean streets of Ettermire...

[Nosdyn]

The location of The Gate was actually not that far from the safe house. In a certain back alley, cleverly hidden from most eyes. The Thief walked over towards the gate, but suddenly, Nosdyn stopped once he saw what he was looking at.

Pangs of memories from his past....his head felt heavy.

He recalled the other time...placed his hand to his forehead, he remembered the day he met the Undead in Corone. They were after him for another reason. Several times that adventure, one of The Undead used highly advanced teleportation magic on him...against his will. During those times, he became aware of another plane...a dimension of doors.

"Phantaria..." Nosdyn suddenly said out loud. Everyone else stopped at that exact point. Nosdyn recognized the symbols on the gate itself, all Phantaria in origin.

The male Undead Priest realized it first. "Lord Nosdyn...you are more learned than most of our scholars are."

Nosdyn looked at the gate, a terrible sense of trepidation filled his chest. He looked at The Thief. "This is the only way to directly go to the temple? You are certain?"

The Thief nodded. "As far as I am away this will slip us directly on the temple grounds." The Thief looked at the concern on Nosdyn's face. "What is troubling you?"

Nosdyn looked at them all. "I...for some reason such magics affect my adversely. I do not want to be a liability."

Illsandra looked at Nosdyn at that point. "My lord, I will be with you by your side."

Nosdyn nodded. "We swore to rise up against N'Jal. For that reason alone I will walk with you all and stand by your sides as well. I just do not want to be a liability when the time comes."

Illsandra walked up towards him, and placed her hand on his face, gently. "My lord...you've lead us all this far."

Nosdyn nodded. He looked at The Thief, then at Illsandra and his gathered companions. Trusted allies one and all. He looked at the gate, trying to remember what he had learned. Something the Undead that time did to his memories affected him. He walked over towards the Gate and extended his hand out towards it. As he suspected, the gate reacted.

The Thief raised an eyebrow. "Maybe there's some Thief in you yet my Lord."

But The Priest knew better, he knew different...those words the symbols of Phantaria. There was more to Nosdyn than met the eyes...there were secrets there.

Once the process was completed, The Gate was prepared. Nosdyn removed his hand from it, opening his eyes once more. "It is as I thought. Something reacts within me."

Illsandra stood by his side the entire time, The Gate opened revealing the portal within. Nosdyn looked at his companions. "Let's go." He walked in the magical Gate first, knowing it would affect him the most.

***

As before, and every other time to come, the magic of being ripped to atomic particles so quickly and formed together again...adversely affected him.

He was on the ground, hunched over growling in pain. That particular time..maybe because of what he'd gone through or because of something else...it had hurt more than any other time. He barely heard the words of his mate, Illsandra calling out to him. But at last, about an hour later...it was over. And his vision became normal again, the pain subsided. He stood up slowly.

Illsandra wrapped her arms around him, there were tears flowing from her eyes. "I've...never seen you in so much pain." She said.

Nosdyn nodded holding her close to him. "It is all right we made it is what counts." His companions were all gathered, and before them was the hidden Temple of N'Jal.

As before...the smell of rot and decay would have been enough to knock most normal folks out...but not them.