Soul Reaver feels a surge of power from Clutchfiend, helping to restore his flagging mana reserves. Tamrissa's offer is gladly accepted, Soul Reaver lightly brushing her fingers with his gauntleted hand, hungrily drawing in more of the energy.

Stavarus, however, seems less than pleased as the companions arrive. His eyes narrow in suspicion. As Tamrissa speaks, he retorts venemously.

"I did not ask for you to find me, wench, and frankly I see no reason to feel pleased to have been 'rescued' by the likes of you!"

Soul Reaver looks up in alarm, looking prepared to hold Tamrissa and Stavarus apart if need be. He hastily sends a mental message to Tamrissa.

Tamrissa, stay calm! We still need him! It may be good to watch one's words around him. He... does not take insults well.

Thisias then approaches Soul Reaver, his own hand outstreched. Soul Reaver first sees the look of concern on Thisias' face, then looks down at his hand.

His voice carefully level, Soul Reaver says,

"Thisas... your nails could do with some cleaning."

He takes Thisias hand, receiving yet another surge of power.

However, the exchange did not go unobserved. As Thisias removed his gloves, Stavarus' brows had come together in a vicious line, and he hissed an indrawn breath through gritted teeth. Soul Reaver notes his reaction with some alarm.

With the final surge of power from Kitharsis crystal, Soul Reaver is certain he can Dispel the Planar Seal.

"Everyone, the Planar Seal here is Khora's work, but I now know I can break it. As soon as it is gone, we must make our escape."

Soul Reaver closes his eyes and begins to chant. The spell he is up against was hastily erected, but it is vast. Soul Reaver feels the fabric of the spell amost tangibly beneath his hands. Viciously, he tears downwards through it. Though he meets some resistance, it soon unravels beneath his grip.

Above the companions, the dark sphere wavers and then dissolves, disappearing like the smoke on the wind.

Soul Reaver opens his eyes to see Stavarus at work opening a Warp Gate. Reality in front of him is distorting eerily. Soul Reaver reaches out and grips his wrist.

"No. This time, you follow us."

Stavarus looks angry, but nods.

"Very well, Rhavin. But the time you cost me with any detour is precious."

Soul Reaver turns away, and opens a Warp Gate with Blooddrinker.

"Quickly everyone, through the Gate. We will all meet on the other side!"

With that, Soul Reaver dives through. Stavarus takes another disapproving look at the companions, then follows after him.

Another brutal warp-journey later, Soul Reaver and Stavarus emerge in a forest clearing. The grass here is a deep, healthy green, and forest canopy is lush and smells of spring. It is twilight, the sun only barely visible behind the treetops.

"Now we wait for the others..."

(ooc: I'm assuming that Clutchfiend will emerge from the Warp Gate in the near future, so I'll post here that he's already arrived. Will save me telling the same story to two people seperately. :P)

On emerging from the Warp Gate, before anyone else has followed, Soul Reaver accosts Stavarus.

"Stavarus... there is much we must talk about. But I ask you to respect my companions more. They have proven their valor many times already."

Stavarus says nothing.

Soul Reaver sighs and the first of his friends begin to arrive through the portal. Stavarus sits himself down on a nearby rock. His eyes glitter darkly as he looks at the figures emerging from the Gate.

Soul Reaver, in the meantime, has gathered some wood from around the clearing and cleared space for a campfire. He places some smaller stones in a circle.

Soul Reaver speaks a few words, and Stavarus' head jerks up in surprise as a small dart of flame flies from Soul Reaver's finger and ignites the tinder. Stavarus settles further back into the shadows while the fire begins to crackle warmly. Soul Reaver looks up at him, a small hint of a smile on his face.

"Much like old times, yes? Camping out beneath the open sky, the wide fields around us and an untrodden path ahead..."

Stavarus' face remains impassive. Soul Reaver's small smile disappears from his face once more. He is glad when Kawanua appears and he has a chance to talk to him. Clutchfiend appears soon afterwards. Soul Reaver glances over at Stavarus to ensure that he is not listening in, then begins.

"Kawanua, Clutchfiend... this story behind this quest is a long one. I will try to explain it as best I can..."

Soul Reaver tells of the events that led to this moment. His first vision, received after his defeating the Dark Sorcerer on Dynaria... his kidnap by the evil entity... the companions' summoning to the council at Inferno... the deal with Heartbane, and Heartbanes predictions of a dire threat by the evil entity. Finally, he also details how Stavarus' soul was long ago captured by that entity, and how Stavarus had apparently escaped, and may now be their only lead to their foe.

"So you see, our situation is rather complex. Khora, who we have fought so far, is merely a servant of our true foe, and none of us have seen our true enemy face to face.

All I know is that our foe is terrible indeed, and that he may well be the doom of us all if we do not defeat him."

Somewhat tired from the long explanation, Soul Reaver settles back against a moss-covered, hollow log near the fire, waiting for the others to arrive. He closes his eyes and focuses, slowly replenishing his strength.