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To any onlooker, the scene might prove alarming. Near to the sands of the coast directly overlooking the ebbing waters of the ocean, two figures would rise as if out of the ground; their bodies parting from the matrix of shadows beneath the blades of grass. The first of them was Krayth, and immediately behind him came Tombz.

The Anima made pause as he took in their surroundings. Beyruun was already in his hand, and its visage was that of a glistening black sword. Its tip bit into the sand, betraying its length and the fact that any warrior would recognize it to be a b*****d sword. Lord Valdiir's fingers were tense on Beyruun's grip, and he could feel his Exodus' growing excitement. Krayth did not appear to wish for danger, but his soul mate knew him all too well.

A cool salt tinged breeze swept up over the shore, creating tiny dispersions of sand and ruffling the Anima's hair. His eyes traveled to all places -before, behind and beside them. He noted that not but a mile off shore, the whole of the horizon became swallowed in mist. An impenetrable wall of fog that would make searching for the island nigh impossible unless it could be dispelled.

The Anima looked to the Machina and awaited his words. Krayth saved his own for now.

Krayth's eyes continued to scan the beach, and as a slightly familiar tone spoke behind him the Anima set towards the beach. Tombz moved that way as well, and as the automata kneeled to the sand Lord Valdir's pace quickened. His swift legs pushed him out to the center of the beach. The sinking of the earth beneath was nostalgic... suddenly, the glow of his eyes flashed and he stooped as well. Fingers running through the sand. It was soft... soft like--

:We're not on an island. This is the Silken Shore far to the West... somewhere far within that fog are the islands of Mau... and this fog is unnatural. Perhaps the island is near..."

He rose and stretched his neck to the North, following the coast as it vanished into the fog. It wasn't all around them, but it came off the water in such volumes... It was nothing like when he had been here. It was a cool, eerie place without warmth. The sea breeze was ghost-like in its temperature.

"There has to be a way to break through... can you call the others? They'll want to know our coordinates."

Krayth made a quick observation, decidedly certain that their presence would not be welcome here. The gods had their hands in this...

"Also... This place will become very dangerous. We should warn them."

The Lord of The Devil's Eye watched Tombz solemnly as he imparted his news. So it would seem they were cut off from the others unless the Anima was willing to travel back... it was a choice that Krayth couldn't make. He could already feel the subtle weight of growing fatigue within him. His flesh was conditioned to travel the avenues of darkness, but he would be useless to the others if hew returned too tired to fight. He moved closer towards the cresting waves, until the briny water lapped at the toes of his boots.

"It wouldn't be wise for me to return... I have traveled much today, and it begins to wear on me. However..."

He looked down at the ring on his finger, and took a moment to admire its construction. Azur... it had been little more than two days, and he already found himself longing for her company. He could relay her a message, and open the doorway for them to arrive. He began to turn his head back towards the inner coast.

"I will contact my Lady, and ask her to relay the message. Tombz, are you--"

Gone. Krayth's eyes flashed across the beach and to either side, and Beyruun coiled into his hand. Its matter mutated into a more practical weapon -his pistol. Two shots gave little room for error, but its range was far more practical...

"Tombz. Where are you?"

The Anima studied the sand around them, looking for footprints in the sand and wondering where the Machina had gone.

The Anima was visibly relieved by Tombz's reappearance. The state of this place unnerved him, and to have the only companion present vanish into thin air was alarming, even for him...

"I can, but I am unable to vanish without them. It is good to know that we may both travel unseen."

Krayth ran his free hand's fingers along his bangs to keep their windswept strands from his eyes. Where was the warmth this place used to have? He knew Mau to be a tropical place, and his own feet had been buried in these sun soaked sands... it was ominous. He couldn't shake that feeling. It seemed to grow on him with every passing day. They needed to find some answers, but where? The beach traveled North and South for many miles, and the fog concealed their stretch. Swimming in this fog would be insane.

"I am at a loss, Tombz. Perhaps we should travel further up the coast, or down. There is nothing here..."

His words sounded confident, but he was not. What were they missing?

Krayth studied the Machinae's wings and stepped closer to Tombz. He didn't question their sturdiness, nor was he afraid of heights. His words would express what he pondered.

"If you intend to move along the coast, then let us fly... but keep our distance from the sea. If you have no locator, we would be flying blind. I have nothing to offer in the skies."

Krayth hadn't put much thought into exactly how Tombz would be bringing him along on this flight, and he tensed considerably as he was braced. He cursed quietly in his mind as they took off, watching the coast stretch and shrink below them. The sensation of flying was both awesome and hair-raising, but he did not allow himself to be caught off guard. Beyruun remained securelt in his hand, its mouth still opened as the barrel of a gun. Should anything emerge from the fog, or out of the sands he would be ready.

Still, his searching eyes found nothing. His apprehension remained unchanged.