The scenes shifted faster now, barely even an image forming before being replaced.

A fizzling torch.





A broken clock with a clean face.





A mummified head facing backward atop a mummified body.





A split tree, its sap oozing into the ground.





A shattered shield, its shiny metallic pieces torn and scattered.





She closed her eyes against the onslaught, but still the images came tumbling through her head, crumpling her in mid-air.



A falling dragon.



Giants, covered in metallic blue, stomping through streets.



A massive flash of light, consuming a world.





An angel descending from the sky. [?]

Nissa opened her eyes, and the angel continued to descend. It was the angel from her nightmare. The angel that reminded her of Emrakul.



The angel’s eyes were open, but unlike the dream, there were no snakes, just blank white orbs. She landed in front of Nissa.

“Why do you dally? I showed you the ways of power. Use them.” The angel’s voice melodious, a cool breeze. Beautiful. And beautiful the way Amonkhet was beautiful, all horror underneath.

Nissa tried to summon her power, but nothing happened.

I can do anything I want. Anything at all.

Except she couldn’t. She stood there rooted to the ground, as the angel continued with her beautiful voice.

“Are you a pawn? Or a queen?”

“Who are you?” Nissa screamed. She knew it could not be Emrakul, worlds away trapped in silver. It was just another illusion, another creation born of the magic and her own thoughts. “Just go away! Go!” Nissa bowed her head in agony, intense pain blossoming in her head. She closed her eyes, but the angel remained there in front of her clearly visible whether through eyes shut or open.

“Nissa Revane. Are you pawn or queen?”

“I … I don’t know. I just want …”

“No!” The angel’s voice turned cold and harsh.

“It is the wrong question! Pawns, queens, they’re all still pieces! All still pieces, waiting to be moved.”

The angel put a hand to Nissa’s chin. She gently tipped Nissa’s head up, looking at her face. There was no love in that gaze, but the look comforted nonetheless. The pain in Nissa’s head receded.



“Stop being a piece, Nissa…

…Be the hand that moves.”