A light in the darkness

Mercury Lighthouse was rather more grueling than Sol Sanctum had been, although the layout was less complex. Occasionally Alex would stay behind for a moment in order to place a statue that would slow their pursuers down, although everyone knew there was no chance any of that would stop them.

Finally the group passed through yet another waterfall and found themselves in a room with no apparent exit. Before they could turn around and leave, however, each of them heard a mental voice, saying He who honors the goddess of rainbows shall be guided to the heavens on wings of fluid grace.

As Alex passed through to a statue at one side of the room, Felix noticed a large, pale rainbow arching through the waterfall behind them. He gaped as, when Alex had cast Ply, the rainbow rippled and faded away. Even more startling, though, was the wave of foam that then swept up the waterfall, reversing the flow as it went.

Alex stepped in first, and rose quickly enough that he was soon out of sight. Saturos gave Jenna and Kraden a mocking bow as he asked, "Will you be joining us, my dears?" Kraden, indeed, was eager and soon splashed up after Alex. Jenna went more slowly, pausing to scowl at both Saturos and Felix. Menardi was next, followed by Felix and then Saturos.

When Felix appeared on the platform in the aerie, the first thing he heard was Alex's voice. "At last! Menardi, cast the star in!"

Saturos had arrived in the meantime, and nodded. "We should hurry. I think I heard them just behind as I came up."

As the senior Adepts gathered around the hole to watch the star drop and the beacon rise, Felix edged closer. All at once there was a brilliant flash of blue, and a sensation as though he was utterly enveloped in water - rushing, dividing, freezing, shattering, flowing...