The world is constantly changing. Prayer knows it. But sometimes Prayer hates it. 

The thing about Ignacy is that they do not talk. They don’t have to talk to work perfectly together. There is something about the way they move through the world that is awfully similar. And the more time they spend together the more Prayer questions… Well, everything. Starting from their past and the future and ending at morals. Because it turns out even their morals are awfully similar. 

It stings a little to know that you, a person that tries to paint itself as sort of a hero, is more akin to a proclaimed villain that you’d like to admit. 

And when Ignacy started gathering a new band to go on a campaign, Prayer was the first one who joined. 

The other two who joined were a known warrior Tu Shen, who had been on a campaign with them before, and a new face called Cass. Prayer doesn't know any of them too well but they work good enough during their short travel. And apparently Cass is mainly a healer so that is nice. 

They travel through a space that is known to Prayer. Apparently Ignacy has a plan, leads them to something new, something big, that he only catched a glimpse of the last time he went that way. But he doesn’t want to share and Prayer is tired of pushing. 

The caves of this part of the dungeon are big and empty, opening into chasms with no bottom in sight. They travel mostly in silence, lighting their way with the magic lights created by Ignacy and the cold light of Myrrah flying above. 

Their steps echo with the clean sound of hooves on stone but after some time that sound starts to change. The rough stone of the natural path turns into polished stone leading towards what used to be a beautiful bridge. The dark construction is overgrown with moss and lichen, holding together by the strength of memory that once upon a time the builders knew what they were doing. The sides of the bridge mostly crumbled away and there are many holes in the length of it. It connects two sides of the chasm in the narrowest point, so at least it isn’t that long. But Prayer looks at it and it knows this means trouble. 

“We are crossing it, aren’t we?” it asks with tired acceptance in its voice.

  “We indeed are,” answers Ignacy. “Tu Shen, you lead. I go after you, and Cass goes after me. Prayer, you are closing the column.” 

And slowly they start their journey through the bridge. 

Prayer doesn’t exactly know when the mist appeared. It is sure that the chasm wasn’t filled with it a moment ago, but when Tu Shen starts looking for a good path in the crumbling stone something about the area changes. Prayer waits anxiously on the edge of the bridge, feeling like something is about to happen. 

“There are voices here,” says Tu Shen quietly. They are about one third into the way through the bridge and look slightly uncertain. 

“What kind of voices?” Ignacy asks. 

“Telling me of the glory of jumping. And of Galatea.” 

“Hmm. Be careful and not listen to them. Talk to us if you need to. I’m going after you now,” says Ignacy and steps onto the bridge. 

When Tu Shen is almost at the other end Cass steps onto the bridge. Both Ignacy and Cass follow a path that Tu Shen took, choosing only the safest stones, avoiding biggest holes and uncertain growth. Prayer looks at them and its heart almost stops when Ignacy’s hoof slips for a moment. It can’t help the feeling nor Ignacy and it hates it. 

And when Ignacy is almost at the other side Prayer finally steps onto the bridge. At first it doesn’t hear any sound, no whisper in the air, not any movement. But then it understands. From down below comes a voice, barely audible, that burrows deep into Prayers brain. It’s almost like it isn’t speaking aloud but directly into Prayer’s understanding of the world. Suddenly it knows, it understands, that if it jumps nothing bad will happen. The mist will carry it down safely. It will be good, it will be alright. It will be finally powerful to take the revenge it always dreamt of. It will finally be brave enough to face its own feelings. 

Prayer looks down through one of the holes in the bridge. It can make out many shapes hidden in it, walking peacefully, talking with each other. Coursers and humanoids, voices of the past, mingling together and speaking of Galatea. And then the ghosts look back at Prayer. “Come join us,” they say. “You will learn, we will teach, you will know the secrets of the past if you only step forward.” 

“Prayer, Prayer look at me!” Ignacy screams and suddenly Prayer knows it was about to jump. 

It shakes its head and goes back to walking towards the group, only now noticing they all are anxiously staring at it from the other edge of the bridge. 

“Maybe I won’t,” Prayer says weakly, attempting to taunt Ignacy a little, but there is no fire behind those words. 

“You will look at me and you will come here as quickly as you can.” 

“Aww, are you worried about me? The great dark mage is worried about his little arch nemesis?” 

“Shut up already and come here.” 

Prayer finally ends up on the other side of the bridge and the party continues their journey, suddenly all aware about the weird feeling that hang in the air between Ignacy and Prayer.