"There's no need to patronize me," Ari sniffs. "I've long since accepted that I'm not my uncle; I have a normal human memory, one that doesn't accommodate remembering every detail of the layout of a ruined temple I was last in twenty years ago. Or in my case, a ruined temple I've never even been to."

Cain vanishes through the waypoint with the Stranger. Ari turns to the others. "You should all be able to use the waypoint to go back to town, now, so just step on and think about the destination."

That's easily done. It's not like they have visited that many waypoints. Beam me up, Scotty.

And thus they are beamed.

In town, there's a bit of a commotion.

"The falling star was a man?" a strange woman asks.

"Yes," the fallen star replies.

"Who is this?" Cain asks.

"She came to the town and killed the zombies that were attacking," one of the guards says. "It was incredible! I've never seen anyone fight like that!"

"They were zombies," the woman scoffs. "You don't have to be some kind of mighty hero to kill zombies. Though I am, of course."

Felix flickers into existence next to them. "Is there a problem?"

"No, dear," the woman says sweetly. "I'm just asking after the falling star because there happens to be a rather important prophecy about it- him, I should say- and I'd rather the world not be consumed by the forces of hell."

"This is a goal we share," the Stranger nods.

"And I'm here because someone needs to carry her luggage," adds the exceedingly pale man leaning against a nearby wall. He is not carrying any luggage. He is, however, carrying a long wooden staff inset with what appears to be a human spine.

"Gosh, what a coincidence. I too prefer my worlds to stay unconsumed."

Fernando's flight does not increase his reaction time so he does not risk flicking into existence, but he sure shows up really fast. "Who is this?"

"My name is Li-Ming Jian. I'm the greatest wizard of our age. Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Lorath Nahr, her valet."

"He's my assistant. A mercenary. Ignore him."

The rest of the party is already there by now and Gabe winks at Lorath, but turns to pay attention to Li-Ming.

"Felix Vaesteri, and the pleasure is all mine. Anyway, if you want to join forces in a apocalypse prevention squad I am all for that."

"Excellent. What's our next step, then, if we're to prevent this apocalypse?"

"I remember-" the Stranger says suddenly. "I remember I had a sword. It was important. But I dropped it as I fell."

"Ooh. The falling star did actually split in two, I remember now - the second piece fell not too far from here, actually. I calculated it, hang on-" She mouths some numbers. "It landed twenty miles north of here. Do you want me to get it for you?"

"I think it would help me remember," the Stranger nods.

"Twenty miles north of here... that's the Drowned Temple. Ancients' Rest. I know the waypoint signature, I can take you. Also, no offense, but we don't trust you enough to send you off alone on this yet, so I'll play chaperone."

"No offense taken," Lorath says before Li-Ming can say anything. "We did just meet. Come on, boss, adventure awaits."

They vanish through the waypoint.

Cain blinks.

"That all happened rather quickly."

Well, they would have offered to go, but the Elsewhere crew already know they would be on the way. Felix wonders how much Fellowship of the Rings" is this situation.

"Speaking of quickly. We should take you to the diplomatic envoy and explain this mess. Do you need anything before we go?"

"Ah... no, I don't suppose I do. Mr. Rumford, would you show the Stranger to my rooms?"

The apparent captain of the guard nods, then ushers the Stranger to a nearby building. Cain leans heavily on his gnarled staff and sighs. "I'd have liked to sit down for a while, but that can always wait. Lead the way, gentlemen."

They lead the way.

People are already turned their way when they arrive. There is a tall blonde woman pointing at them, though she is looking at the sky with eyes unfocused. Another woman is floating above, standing in what looks like a seashell made of blue energy. Some people appear to be waving unknown devices at them, but non-threateningly.

Dawn is the one to actually approach.

"This is Ari's uncle. Ari went off on... an errand-"

"There is an world-ending prophecy that's, like, coming about right now and the errand is related to that. So, maybe you should talk about that."

Cain sighs. "Yes. The prophecy specifically states that 'evil shall return' upon the advent of the falling star, which I imagine has something to do with the seven Prime Evils. Five of them are dead and should in theory be out of commission for the next few hundred years or so while they reform in the Black Abyss. That implies that the two remaining Evils, Azmodan and Belial, will be involved. It also states that 'the folly of children shall crash the Arch of Heaven and the world will be swallowed in flame'. That's what I have to work with."

Well, Dawn makes a face that can only be described as "worried, but I have decades of experienced with disasters".

"In that case, there is no time to waste, follow me." She says already turning. "We are running non-invasive tests on your group to be sure you are not a doppelganger or mind-controlled," she says like it's an afterthought. "Have they explained anything about us to you?"

"Nope, I don't think we've spent ten minutes with the guy."

"Alright, I can explain it on the way to our meeting room."

She gives a succinct summary of Elsewhere, it's attached worlds, the danger of demons-suddenly-appearing.

"Thank you,"  Cain says. "I confess I was beginning to become confused."