07-05-2004, 11:16 PM
Hearing his equally green companion clear his throat, Rintrah looked back over his shoulder and gave Hank a consoling smile. Rintrah was usually a very friendly being who enjoyed the company of others. The quiet, focused state that he now took on was only due to the tight time frame that Stephen had placed upon them, and the amount of concentration that it required to traverse the astral plane. But the group was drawing closer to their destination now, so Rintrah knew that he could allow himself to answer the curious Dr. McCoy with little worry over getting the heroes lost amidst the energy tides of the non-dimension.
âThe Doctor did indeed inform me of some of the details of your journey. He told me that the heroes in the reality that we are making our ways toward were dwindling in number. That they are quickly succumbing to a great evil that is sweeping over the world. However, he did say that you would not be alone. You will find an ally in the Sorcerer Supreme of this reality, just as you will in all of the realities that you travel to. But be warned, for allies can be found in strange places, and in strange beings. But the most important thing that Dr. Strange asked of me was to be sure I delivered you into this reality before the sun sank beyond the horizon. And to make sure you knew of the dangers that stalked the night.â As Rintrah finished his explanations, they reached what seemed to be an end to the path.
The stone pathway widened at its terminus, leaving the travelers standing before a large stone obelisk that seemed to reach to the heavens. Addressing the entire group, Rintrah explained to them exactly what he had already told Hank, and then added, âYour task, as it will always be, is to play sentinel to reality: to observe the twists and turns that time and space will take, and to keep the evil that plagues the Multiverse from spreading its reach too far. Evil will always exist, but under your watch it can be contained.â As he spoke, he began to weave a spell. A myriad of colors began to spill from the air all around him, swirling about his hands and feet as he controlled the flow of energy in order to open the portal before them. Mere seconds past as he completed his spell, and once again a glistening white portal appeared before them. It soon gave way, splitting down the middle to reveal a grove of trees beyond. Rintrah motioned them toward the portal as he spoke his parting words, âI have taken you as far as I can. From here you must act of your own accord. From here you go forth as heroes. You go forth as The Watch."
âThe Doctor did indeed inform me of some of the details of your journey. He told me that the heroes in the reality that we are making our ways toward were dwindling in number. That they are quickly succumbing to a great evil that is sweeping over the world. However, he did say that you would not be alone. You will find an ally in the Sorcerer Supreme of this reality, just as you will in all of the realities that you travel to. But be warned, for allies can be found in strange places, and in strange beings. But the most important thing that Dr. Strange asked of me was to be sure I delivered you into this reality before the sun sank beyond the horizon. And to make sure you knew of the dangers that stalked the night.â As Rintrah finished his explanations, they reached what seemed to be an end to the path.
The stone pathway widened at its terminus, leaving the travelers standing before a large stone obelisk that seemed to reach to the heavens. Addressing the entire group, Rintrah explained to them exactly what he had already told Hank, and then added, âYour task, as it will always be, is to play sentinel to reality: to observe the twists and turns that time and space will take, and to keep the evil that plagues the Multiverse from spreading its reach too far. Evil will always exist, but under your watch it can be contained.â As he spoke, he began to weave a spell. A myriad of colors began to spill from the air all around him, swirling about his hands and feet as he controlled the flow of energy in order to open the portal before them. Mere seconds past as he completed his spell, and once again a glistening white portal appeared before them. It soon gave way, splitting down the middle to reveal a grove of trees beyond. Rintrah motioned them toward the portal as he spoke his parting words, âI have taken you as far as I can. From here you must act of your own accord. From here you go forth as heroes. You go forth as The Watch."