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‘Same.’

The young man’s voice was husky, distracted, his attention fixed on the phalanx of robed monks.

The floating clerics moved, arms interlinked, their heads thrust back, eyes aimed at the finger of the nebula that churned over the salt pan.

The group threaded between the floating priests, studying the unusual gathering as they worked their way through the hordes until they reached the centre.

Killen cleared his voice. ‘It’s like they’re in worship. I can sense a strong link between their souls to the nebula, a tether of sorts.’

Zane whistled under his breath. ‘Their minds are also fixed on the nebula, locked into it.’

‘They’re in an induced trance,’ Ki’Remi declared.

‘It’s bizarre,’ Xion added.

Killen raised a hand. ‘Their energy lock is intensified by a monk standing at the circle’s centre. He’s overloading them with emotions and sensations and, in turn, drawing all their psi power.’

Everyone followed his pointing finger to where a single silhouette was suspended above all the other monks.

Swirling around its form was a billowing cloak, and its face was obscured by a rapidly alternating virtual visage.

Under a half-melted mask, his face was a mottled, scarred landscape, glitching as it cycled through multiple facades.

His dark vortex eyes were pointed at the nebula.

The Riders exchanged glances.

‘We meet Ankis again.’ Zane muttered into their HUDs.

‘Who is he to you?’ Élisa ventured.

Zane flinched. ‘That shall soon be confirmed. We have suspicions, but what I’m about to do will stop this madness and uncover what we came for.’

The Rider stepped forward towards the hovering figure.

The hot wind churning from the nebula whipped his robe around. Revealing a silhouette covered in a suit made of dull strings of black gems, phasing in and out of different body shapes.

‘He is redirecting the monks’ energy flow into the entity.’ Zane’s voice tightened with tension.

‘Why?’ Xion asked.

Zane’s voice was laced with concern. ’It’s like he’s trying to force it open. It’s fighting back. The energy loop their fight is causing is growing and could crack open this plain and cause a significant gravitational incident. One that could tilt this planet out of its axis. He needs to be stopped. Now.’

‘I know some of thesekinais,’ Zane murmured, nodding towards a cluster of dark-robed monks closer to the centre. ‘The infamous Ordo Secondo, sponsors of Ankis’ madness.’

As he spoke, one of the clerics phased out of their trance.

‘Hey!’

He called out to the party, floating to the ground and rushing the group, pulling a photon rifle from his robes.

‘Well, well, if it isn’t Cadrin?’

The monk skidded to a stop at Zane’s call.

‘Who are you?’

Zane retracted his helmet. ‘Remember me?’