[POV: Solenne]
In the depths of her slumber, Solenne found herself in the Salt Garden once again. Everything about the mystical place was the same, not a single grain of salt out of place.
The fragile ground splayed beneath her bare feet, squeezing between her toes, glittering faintly under a cold, indifferent sun. Above her, the sky was empty just as it was the first time.
The thirteen monolithic pillars were arranged in a perfect circle, with one standing taller than the others and the obsidian throne at its base.
"Welcome back," they greeted. "Finally, we meet under the correct circumstances."
It was the gray-hooded figure again.
…But this time, Solenne recognized their voice as the one who had just instructed her on exorcising Ruvan.
"Who the hell are you?" Solenne asked aloud, her voice ringing powerfully into the vast emptiness surrounding the garden. She wasn't inhibited by her curse in the dream this time.
