In the passing years, much of Althanas changed. Through the wrath of nature and cosmic intervention, everything experienced change including the Empress of the Tarot Hierarchy. Still branded with her mark of fate, she wondered what point it meant to have the title with no family to protect. She could barely remember her old home of The House of Cards. The thought of hearing her own footsteps in silent, empty halls grated at the back of her mind like a haunting whisper. The faces she risked her life for to slay a Forgotten One seemed like distant memories. Her heart ached for the camaraderie, the fights, and the silliness of it all. Unable to fill the void of her longing, she tried her best to distract her feeling of uselessness by helping the newly founded GATEs.

Her station, in Beinost, aimed to reclaim and purge the blight left by Xem'Zund. Their efforts to monitor The Red Forest's progression back to the Quadlume of old lingered on. Despite the root cause of its corruption, the effects it had on nature would not be quickly or easily dismissed. All of which, the young gunner tried to find meaning and purpose in helping others. Something still lingered and ached despite all the good she spread deeds she used to bandage the pain.

The blonde released a longing sigh to the salty breeze. Beinost's streets became busier with the arrival of the nearby GATE. Trade increased, adventurers flocked to it for their piece of fame, and the civilians worked busily to not only rebuild, but improve that which was damaged by the End of Days. The people she once watched in bewilderment and intrigue no longer gripped her. They were people, normal, like her. While some intricacies of social life still eluded her, Alyssa at least felt a closer sense of belonging.

Her blue eyes watched over the sea's horizon and she took a sip from her brewed coffee. Today, she earned herself a break from the busy work. Of all the days, these were by far the most lonely. With work, her thoughts couldn't wander.

"I miss them," she cooed. Her trusty rifle, wrapped in white linen, propped against her single person table. The magnum at her hip remained tightly strapped and the bladed tool at her back nestled closely against her, irritating the hidden scar beneath the clothes. Of all the things in her life, these weapons remained consistent. They would never leave her; the couldn't. With a weak smile, she let her slender hand fall on the wrapped barrel as though she caressed her grieving friend's shoulder.

"Maybe I'll give it one more try for old time's sake," Alyssa spoke to her inanimate companion.

She set her cup upon its matching saucer and reached up to a small, damascus cuff along the ridge of her ear. She tried her best to picture the faces of those long lost friends and reach out to them. She waited for it, wished for it. She wanted to hear that chime of connection, to know they were out there. Anything but the dread of silence.

*Ting!*

Alyssa's heart stopped. Her breath froze in her chest.

"Hello?" she called out verbally and mentally. For a moment, the world crawled to a standstill.