POV: Multiple

Thelma's POV

The portal opened in the sky above Unity City Seven without warning. Not a tear in reality but a bridge between realities, shimmering with colors that hurt to look at directly.

Xavier's hand found mine instantly. Through our enhanced bond, I felt his Void-touched senses analyzing the phenomenon.

"They're here," he said quietly. "One of the other Earths is making contact."

"Which one?"

"I don't know. But they're coming through now."

Figures emerged from the portal. Humanoid but clearly not human. Their bodies flickered between states of matter, sometimes solid, sometimes pure energy, sometimes something in between. They wore robes that seemed woven from raw magic...