Preparations for the ascent

As Xander stepped outside, the Nightmare Portal collapsed into a singularity before disappearing from existence.

Leena's eyes widened as she looked at Xander's blistered face, and she rushed to his side. "How did Ankarogs manage to do this to you? What happened inside that nightmare?"

"There was something else...someone else," Xander said, correcting himself as he let Leena examine his face and neck. "But it's all over now. I destroyed the Ankarog nest and freed Claire's Last Memory."

Leena flinched as she saw the red patches on Xander's cheek and the blistered white rings on his neck. She couldn't even begin to guess what creature could have done this, so she asked Xander directly.

"What else did you run into on that side?"

"One of Shamura's cultists," Xander answered.

Master Arwin became alarmed by Xander's words. "A wandering Soul Fragment, you mean? Or an illusion, perhaps?" he asked.