Chapter Text
The moment Chandra steps onto solid ground again, the fire around her flickering and slowly dying out, she pulls her goggles down to where they hang around her neck. Though, she soon realizes that she should have waited a moment longer for that. The sun glares down and Chandra looks right at it. She has to squint and shield her eyes with her hands until her vision adjusts. But once it does, the view takes her breath away.
Chandra is back on Zendikar, and it is not the Zendikar she remembers.
She had planeswalked right onto the edge of a small mountain, opposite to Sea Gate. Her mind offers the memories of her last visit, back when the Eldrazi had wrecked havoc and Sea Gate had fallen into pieces. How the titans left a world of ruin, covered in ashes, in their wake. In that moment it had seemed like a plane devoid of life that would need centuries to heal, even with the care of its keeper. And yet, here Chandra is, gazing upon the sea wall and a new Sea Gate, rebuild and standing proud again. It’s been roughly a year, after all, and despite the situation they had found themselves in, people had already been driven to undo the damage of the titans a few hours after their demise. Seeing the city now brings a smile to Chandra’s face. This is one of many signs that the plane was indeed healing and moving on.
Making her way towards the city, Chandra notices other things. The Halimar basin is filled up with water once more and in the distance she can make out small ships. Traders and fishers alike she assumes, and they mark the return of trade and maritime life. On the other side of the Halimar sea, beyond the mountain side the ashen gray has been slowly taken over by green again. Chandra wonders if the glyph is still there, etched into the soil beneath the tall grass after the spell that had bound Kozilek and Ulamog to this world had run its course. After it had been fueled by the worlds mana, channeled by Zendikar’s voice before set alight by Chandra and connecting them on a level that still surprised her today.
If only they had known what was to come and what sacrifices and mistakes they would make.
It takes her a while to get to the city’s entrance, with memories and thoughts of easier times on a personal level distracting her. But once she arrives Chandra pulls the hood of her red tunic up over her head. She would like to remain unnoticed, if possible. And there is no doubt in Chandra’s mind that some of the people who had fought beside them against the Eldrazi are living here. Maybe even…
Chandra quickly shakes her head as the thought enters her mind. No, the one person she is looking for wouldn’t be here. The city is full of life, buzzing with activity and people on the streets. Too much for a certain elf to be around, even on her home world.
Which brings her right to her current problem. She has no idea where to look for Nissa on Zendikar. Sure, Jace had told her that Nissa had departed into a north western direction when they parted in the Skyclave all those months ago, not on the best of terms. But Chandra had no idea where that Skyclave is. She hadn’t asked Jace about any specifics, like its exact location, after he had been done telling her of what had transpired. Because the idea of punching him had been the way more prominent thought back then and she had retreated before she could lose the bit of restrained she had had then and there. Jace should have known better, after all the time they had all spend together.
So, Sea Gate had seemed like a good choice for a starting point.
As she walks around, she takes in the city. Some places, especially the core of Sea Gate, is completely restored by now. In the outskirts are some buildings that are still being constructed, but over all nothing remained of the destruction of the Eldrazi. People of all the various folk that Chandra remembers living on Zendikar roam the streets, going about their business. But there is not really anything here that could help Chandra out. At least nothing in plain sight.
So as time goes on, Chandra becomes more and more impatient with no results and no leads as to where to go. But what did she expect, going in with no plan at all once again? Like this, Chandra stays there for a while, muttering to herself that this may have been a stupid idea after all.
“May I help you?” Chandra’s head snaps up towards a booth right next to her, an older Merfolk looking at her with a curious expression. Their hair was graying, and Chandra can see scars across their arms, big and small ones. Some of them look like long healed wounds afflicted by the Eldrazi spawns. “You look like you are not from here.”
“I- uhm… yes, actually.” Walking over, Chandra relaxes just a little. Maybe this person would be able to help, giving her the first lead. “How did you know?”
The Merfolk shrugs nonchalantly with a crooked smile, as if this is just an everyday occasion. “For one, you were standing right in the middle of the street, blocking things off and not realizing that at all.” They chuckle a bit as Chandra starts looking around to see if there was anyone offended. “And well, your clothing. You don’t look like it. And I have seen people from all across Zendikar.”
“Oh.” Taking in the style of her tunic, Chandra can see why someone would instantly think of her being from anywhere but here. It was very much a style from Kaladesh, with intricate embroidery around the seams, and atop that the light chainmail and armor Chandra wore. “You could say I am from… far away.”
“Another world then, got you. Oh don’t look at me all this surprised, I know. I survived those damned giants and monstrosities.” They dismiss Chandra’s expression. “Well, with that out of the way, what are you here for?”
At that, Chandra turns her gaze away to look far off into the distance. From here, she can just see the vast horizon beyond Sea Gate through a gap in the buildings. “I am looking for someone. And I don’t know where to find them, only that they probably won’t be in this city.”
The Merfolk makes an acknowledging sound as they watch the stranger in front of them. Until a small almost knowing smile appears as they study Chandra a bit more closely. “Your best shot might be the Expeditionary House then. Plenty of folk that know the lands and skyclaves beyond the city walls like the back of their hand. If anyone were to know where people settled to rebuild, it’s them.”
That does sound like a solid beginning, Chandra has to admit. At least it’s better than nothing and as such better than what she arrived with. So she asks the Merfolk for some directions, thanking them for the help and the guidance.
“Oh, and one more thing.” Chandra turns back around to the Merfolk who smiles kindly at her and winks. “Good luck with that person you are looking for.”
There is a moment of confusion visible on Chandra’s face before that slowly switches to understanding. And with that the color of her cheeks change into a bright red while some smoke starts to rise up from underneath her hood. The ends of her hair may or may not be smoldering lightly.
As she leaves, the one thing that follows her is the laughter of the Merfolk behind her.
The Expeditionary House is not what Chandra expects it to be. It looks more like a tavern than the headquarter of an organization, with groups of people lounging around tables and at the bar, drinking and laughing. Some of them stand in groups, inspecting maps and discussing what has to be their next adventure while another bunch checks and cares for their equipment.
And Chandra realizes that she kind of sticks out like a sore thumb with her lack of gear and general attire. Something a lot of the people here seem to notice as well as they send her amused looks before turning away with a shake of their head.
“If you are looking to join, I’d advise you to go back home. Wait a couple more years and get yourself some proper gear.” A voice rings out from the back, turning everyone’s attention away from their current tasks to look up at the woman now standing at the railing on the upper floor overlooking the hall. A Kor, if Chandra remembers the names of the races here on Zendikar correctly. She almost looks like a ghost with her light-grayish skin, white hair and silver armor. The only thing standing out are her rich purple clothes underneath.
“I am not here to join you. I am looking for someone. And I’ve been told the people here could help me.”
Chandra can feel this woman’s eyes looking her up and down. If a vendor on the market realizes that she is from another plane, then surely someone like this would come to the same conclusion, right?
“Is that so?” The Kor crosses her arms above her chest. “We are explorers of this world. We seek treasure and adventure, not ordinary people.”
“She is not ordinary, though.” Chandra mimics her, and the two women stand there, not moving and locked in a silent battle. It drags on, eyes of everyone watching constantly flicking back and forth between them to see who might give in first. And with it, the tension in the room rises.
A couple of months ago Chandra might have lost such a battle within a few moments. But right now she looks ahead at the Kor and yet her gaze goes right through. She doesn’t pay attention to her. All Chandra does is to concentrate on the small candle she imagines in front of her eyes, of it’s flame, calm and steady.
That is, until a sigh cuts through that silence.
“Fine. State your name, stranger.”
She can’t help that small triumphant smirk that grows. “Chandra. Chandra Nalaar.”
Something about the Kor changes once she hears the name. She stands a bit straighter, looks a little more surprised but also even more guarded. And Chandra is sure that she recognizes the name. “My name is Kesenya, and I am the boss here. You may come up then.”
She retreats further back, out of sight, after gesturing towards a staircase to the right. Chandra moves through the crowds, still feels their gazes lingering on her and hears whispers of why someone like her is allowed a personal talk with Kesenya.
She doesn’t remember the name from back when they fought on this plane. Not that anyone could blame her. She hadn’t been in charge of strategy and thus didn’t interact with a lot of people. Now to hope that this Kesenya isn’t too offended by this.
The upper floor looks more like an office, compared to the more tavern-like interior downstairs. Kesenya already sits at her table, patiently waiting for Chandra. Behind her, the wall is littered with various maps of different locations all across Zendikar. Chandra’s gaze lingers on them, wondering where on those maps she’ll find Nissa.
Kesenya clears her throat, and Chandra’s attention snaps back to the Kor who looks at her with raised eyebrows. “So, who could one of the people of another world fighting the Eldrazi with us possibly be looking for?”
“You remember the zendikari elf? Nissa Revane?” Kesenya nods. “I need to find her, but I don’t know where she could be.”
Staying silent for a moment, Kesenya leans back. “Last time I heard that name, both good and bad news were delivered to me.”
Chandra tenses up, not sure what exactly this means. The Kor’s voice doesn’t tell her anything about what she thought of Nissa, if she thinks of her negatively or positively. Or if she is responsible for the good or the bad. Jace had given her a rundown on the events that had transpired, but she had no idea how Kesenya fitted into all of this or if this is connected at all.
“Rest easy, according to my knowledge she is not responsible for the bad.” Seemingly sensing the confusion and distress within Chandra, Kesenya allows a hint of a smile to be send her way. “In fact, she saved the life of one of my best adventurers.”
“That actually sounds like her.” Last Chandra remembers, that is. “If you heard about her, do you know where she is right now?”
“Not exactly, to be honest. It’s been some months since all this happened.”
“With Nahiri?”
Surprised, Kesenya stands back up, arms crossed above her chest once more. “How do you know of Nahiri’s involvement?”
“From another friend who has also been involved.” Chandra replies, watching the Kor carefully as she approaches. “He relied some of the story to me.”
“I see. The other mage then, am I right? He was here and asked about where Nahiri had been headed, last time I saw him.” Kesenya told her, now standing right beside her. “Unfortunately, this is the last I know of their location. And the adventurer that had been saved by Revane there couldn’t tell me where they were headed afterwards.”
“Damnit.” And there goes Chandra’s one hope to at least get an idea to where she had to go. Now she doesn’t have a clue at all. She can’t travel through all of Zendikar with nothing but a small hope of finding Nissa.
“If I were you, though, I would start looking in a place called Bala Ged.” Kesenya advises, walking over to one of the many maps in her possession. “Your friend… she wore the marks of the elven tribe called Joraga on her face, if I remember correctly. They once called that place their home before its thick forest was the first victim of the Eldrazi, turning it to dust. Alongside most of their people. But if it is regrowing like most of Zendikar did…”
Chandra doesn’t need Kesenya to finish her sentence, she knows what the Kor is suggesting. If it indeed recovered, there is a chance that Nissa had truly gone home. A high chance. She steps forward, asks the head of the Expeditionary House to show her their location on the map and where she should go. It would be quite a journey, so before she goes into this head first she should get some supplies ready.
“I meant what I said.” Kesenya’s voice rings after her once Chandra turns to leave. There is no time to waste. “You should get yourself some proper gear. I could send some of my adventurers with you as well. You’ll need their expertise traversing the floating mountains with the slings.”
“Thanks for the tip. But I think I have everything I’ll need. Besides-” Chandra replies, turning around. It’s now that Kesenya can see her eyes alight with burning red mana, the flames that tickle away from underneath the hood covering her head. And with a flick of her wrist a cat-like elemental engulfed in flames appears at Chandra’s side, pushing it’s head into its master’s hand. “It’s a very personal matter.”