"IT'S HAPPENING, IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING–WE'RE DOOMED! IT'S ALL FALLING APART AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!" For once, it wasn't Euripides who was acting like it was the end of the world. There had been a great number of sudden changes, with the other members of the Conclave losing their dominion over certain areas while obtaining new ones. But the most disturbing event of all was the collapse of the realm of one of the elder members of the Conclave deities. The aftershocks of such a thing could be felt everywhere, and it even rocked Antikythera. Not in the physical sense, but as an overwhelming release of power. As the newest member of the Conclave, this sort of thing could easily be interpreted as the end of the world as they all knew it. 

Shiloh was the sort of person who didn't like surprises, as they typically preceded things that were either unpleasant or sources of stress. People often mistook her for a cynic, but while most cynics were more like realists; she was a pessimist. And being overly sensitive to disturbances in power did not help her, at all. Shortly after her fit of panic, a strange crimson thread appeared around her finger. She had no idea where it had come from, but her first instinct was to remove it immediately. Apparently nobody else could see the accursed thing, as she came to notice after testing her suspicions a few times. Thus, she came to the conclusion that it was cursed and it needed to be destroyed at all costs. 

First, she tried cutting it. Even lacriamium plated scissors did nothing to fray the string's edges. Then she took a knife and tried to sever it. When that too failed, she realized she would have to take more extreme measures. Shiloh then tried stabbing it with a dagger, freezing it with ice, torching it with fire, hammering it, dipping it in acid, incinerating it in a furnace, and finally attempted to bite through the thing. All failed, spectacularly. Having exhausted every method of destruction known to man, she then recalled a folktale she had heard in Nisshoki. It was said that when two people were fated to meet one another, they would be bound together by a red string of fate. Shiloh had always thought it was just an over-exaggerated metaphor, but with no other way to remove the thing she decided to follow it. Perhaps she'd find what the other end was connected to and be able to break it off from there.

Somehow she ended up somewhere completely foreign. For a moment she was in darkness, but soon that gave way to what looked like a tropical paradise. The beach itself wasn't the usual white sand. Instead a myriad of colors took its place, and the sea was made of stars. Confused, she ventured slowly through this strange and amazing world. "There's a lot of oddities here. A normal rainforest beside a starry ocean, a beach made of colored glass… Just where is the other end of this thing going to lead me? But even if it doesn't make sense, it's not bad. I guess I wouldn't mind staying for a while." Watching where she walked, her worn leather boots carefully trod upon the sea glass beach. Standing before the shoreline, she looked out on to the endless horizon watching the waves crash against the land. If she brought a boat, would she ever see what was on the other side of this world?

The spray of each wave created a curious mist which took the form of twilight. And from that twilight emerged all sorts of small creatures. A coconut with a green sprig already breaking through the shell washed up from the tides, followed by a cluster of baby turtles. As the little turtles swam back into the water, she continued to watch as others appeared from the sea foam. "…Amazing. It's like the pure essence of life. It spontaneously creates new things, but specifically in their earliest stage of life." She was starting to have an idea of what was going on, but she couldn't be for certain. Not until she confirmed it with her own eyes, and the evidence proved her right or wrong. Turning to the jungle behind her, she rubbed her neck with unease. "I've never been a big fan of hot and humid environments. Hopefully I won't need to worry about biting insects or leeches." Peeling off her jacket, she tied it around her waist leaving her clad in a leather jerkin over her usual cloth tunic. She was thankful that her trousers were light, and tucked them into her boots.

The silver staves leading in brought her to a decorated grove, with a path composed of similar material to the beach. The end came at a large circular garden, reminding Shiloh of Cymbel's description of Arri's famed hedge maze when he visited years ago. The bricks took the shape of a great tree entangling a heart; a beautiful and meaningful clue to where she was. There was only one way out, and that was forward. Not stopping to inspect the garden further she pressed onward. Fanning herself with her hand, she came upon a grand and majestic palace. Alabaster stonework adorned with gold, its detail was detailed and richly decorated. It was a direct contrast to Antikythera's utilitarian minimalism, but lacked the imposing presence of the Reaper's architecture. She had plenty of time to collect clues so far, and by now she was absolutely sure who would be at the end of the road.

Continuing past the stained glass, statues, and the enchanted fountain, she pushed open the doors entering in. "Hello? Anyone home?"