ITS WATCHFUL EYES

***ITS WATCHFUL EYES*** is the twenty-seventh session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* As Distant footsteps are heard running in the distance, a pair return from an unexpected trek to several unconscious on the campground. The Fade is fickle in its ways, but it has its ways of welcoming those within realm.

## Musings

*A young boy running through the wilds. A land not of his own.*

*Monsters about, harboring of hate.*

*Fear, desperation, family.*

*Running out of time.*

*Running out of time for the bigger picture.*

*Pride approaches, heroes dally and delay.*

*Its watchful eyes, ever seeing, all knowing, a sadness, a grief for the folly of man.*

## **Synopsis**

Finding rest after battle, a now nameless bird pecks on Hira's horn. As Hira converses with him and Oriza feeds them seed, they deciphering Mint was sent by Bran to lead them to him. As the Fireflies check in with one another, focus shifts to Riya. Raptured by her dream of El'duin June, she begins to realize her connection with El'duin and June runs deeper then she imagined. She isn't sure what to say or ask of her, but finds herself itching to talk to June. Oriza takes time to heal Anthir as the six of them move forward.

Their seventh member walks alone, despite wishing to help Violet, he feels overwhelmed with his family matters, instead seeking out the Fireflies. (17:10) Bran feels a shiver down his back, as if something was watching him. As the Fireflies and Bran walk forward the two meet unexpectedly in the meadow. Bran rushes forward, tackling Monsoon in a hug as he cries. He looks to Hira, recalling his journey towards the river to join her. Hira expresses she's happy to see him, mentioning she witnessed what he saw through one of the crystals and begins to stammer an apology. Bran assures her there's much to talk about.

The Fireflies lean into the ideas of resting and begin to set up camp. As they set up camp with the knowledge of the Alseids rules, Oriza takes a moment to summon Spectre. They ruffle Bran's hair exchanging a few words, happy to see each other once more, before Oriza moves to wander with their steed. Oriza speaks to Spectre, rambling of their adventures, their trials and recent dreams. Spectre only whines in response, acknowledging their owners rambles. Oriza's mind wanders to Loralynn, if Spectre exists here, would Loralynn exist here as well? They stop walking, a voice speaks to them. Wouldn't they want to see their wife, their heart once again? Oriza gazes back at camp to the three white haired members of their group, all brought back by Death.

A thought enters his mind, wondering why Death hadn't done the same for his wife. His throat feels itchy, the mark on their neck burns. They had died but their hair remains the same blue-violet, they posit they might be different. Oriza watches the twins interact happily, reminding him of Lottie and Loralynn interacting. Envy swells in Oriza, burns not as bright as their anger, but burns in jealousy: why wasn't it Loralynn brought back, why had their kingdom burned? Oriza looks away from the group, gazing upon the flower meadow, envisioning Lottie and Loralynn playing in the fields with white hair. His throat itches again as a voice tells them to hold onto that feeling, to keep it close.

Meanwhile Hira gazes at her journal, but can't find herself to look into it. Instead she rummages for her Sending Stone and contacts Lord Ambrose:

> *“Lord Ambrose, can you hear me? How long has it been since we last spoke? I hope you and Auntie are well, much has happened and we learned a few things. A Great Archdemon known as Pride is said to arrive in Orion, the blight is returning yes. According to a powerful being we've met his arrival is inevitable, but can be slowed down if we stop those trying to release it…does, does this make sense? Lord Ambrose?”*
>
>

A moment passes before hearing his voice through the stone. Ambrose tells her it's been months, a lot has happened in their absence. He asks of the Blight, he speaks if there's a leader leading the Blight over, perhaps a ritual as well. He mentions sending another group into the Fade on a mission as well. He ends the message asking her to stay safe. Hira quickly responds back:

> *"That's good to hear your well, everyone here is doing alright. There's been no causalities. As far as were aware there does seem to be someone leading this charge, we're trying to follow their trail in order to stop them. It seems like they're gathering something, perhaps magic, but we aren't sure. Besides that the Fade has been rather strange, the sun never sets, time is very difficult to tell. We weren't aware it's been months for us it's been a day..? Is there anything you know of the being of Pride, any research or accounts of it that can be looked into?"*
>
>

Hira mentions the vision she had been shown by the Time Knight: the Fade portal opening at the Blighted Notch, the marching of people moving closer as the being known as Pride enters Orion. Her message sends through, getting another reply. Ambrose states he knows nothing of Pride but will search after their talk. Ambrose thanks her for telling her this, stating he'll bring the King's attention to the matter. He pauses, his voice shifting. He's glad to hear from her, urging if she feels like returning home, to find her way back to the material plane, stating she's done enough on this mission. Hira replies back, she understands their mission is completed, but they've decided to follow other trails as the Fade is filled with a lot of useful information. She reassures she'll be back at some point, then asks if someone else is with him.

There is a long pause to get a reply back, just before putting the stone away a message is received. Calypso speaks from the other end, reassuring Hira they are both fine. She understands if Hira wishes to continue adventuring, she signed her up after all, but asks her to stay safe and contact her more often. She reassures her she loves and misses her, that her room is ready when she comes back. Excitingly, Hira sends a message back, stating she misses her very much, and that they've all been watching out for one another. There's much to tell her upon her return, but until then to take care. One more reply back, Calypso seemingly confused on how the Sending Stone works, not sure what else to say she says "*Kadan* turn it off I don't know what to say!"

Hira feels happier hearing her voice, clasping the Sending Stone in her hands as if a weight had been lifted. Anthir kneels down and opens his arms to Bran, who smiles warmly going in for the hug. Anthir mentions he missed a fight with some forest folk, Bran half heartedly laughs stating that the usual. Bran wishes to tell everyone what happened, but Anthir urges to rest until the rest have settled down. As Anthir plays a soft tune lulling Bran to sleep, Oriza returns with Spectre moments later.

Bran retells what he had saw upon being awoken by Arel. He tells them of their comment, stating he's like them. When going to stab him, their blood wasn't red, but blue. Bran looks to Monsoon for anything, but he claims he's never seen them bleed as they were always in the backlines. Bran continues saying how he was compelled to run, finding himself in a meadow with a Dryad known as Esmerelda. He shares what linked him and Violet together, recounting the visions of his mother taking the two of them to some beast to strike a deal. He posits as some of Violet's magic was put into him, some of the beasts magic was bestowed on him as well.

Hira wonders if it was a one time thing. Bran believes it to be, but that he must continuously be near her, since last he heard Violet was unconscious. Bran looks to Vilya, stating she's a woman of knowledge, and asks if she knows of anything keeping someone else's magic at bay. Vilya is aware of a creature that takes magic away, for that to be true that must mean a Basilisk is on Orion. Vilya suggests for the best answers it be best to go to the source, but Monsoon steps in telling him that it doesn't mean to go search for it. Bran states he also wishes to figure out what his mother has been doing.

Vilya states the best way to learn that is if they wrap things up in the Fade. Vilya finds it strange Arel had found him, of their comment. She assumes they mean like the two of them: Champions of Death, since not seeing them hurt Odin, or have seen Wendy. Vilya asks if the group is aware of Arel is scheming, to which Hira expresses knowing their goal of releasing Pride. At the mention of Arel she remembers their journal, and recalls how strange they go from pleasant to angry. Passing the journal to Vilya, she states it'll take a few days to decipher. Vilya spitballs a few ideas of what to do next, but Hira focuses to Anthir and Riya. Whilst the others have spoken what they wish to seek for in the Fade, she asks what they hope to learn.

Riya reiterates she hadn't had a proper goal, only looking for inspiration for a story. However since then so many things have happened, she can't back down from such imminent danger to the world. She states she also needs to save her, June. She isn't sure if it's something she can do in the Fade, but regardless feels assured when with the Fireflies. Anthir expresses wanting to help with the danger occurring to Orion as well. He also isn't sure how he can learn more of his ancestor, the Fade is his best bet. Hira sees they are ready to help save the world, but she asks Anthir if he's worried of the person who he's running from.

Anthir looks confusingly at her, not recalling such a thing. Hira mentions in Duncaster they spoke of such a thing, but Anthir has no recollection of a person. Hira looks puzzled, did he meet a Fey or something? Anthir mentions making a deal with Mithal but that's it. The two go back and forth, gauging that Anthir is genuinely confused, they drop the topic all together. Hira looks to Riya instead, asking if she's spoken to the ring recently. Riya stammers she isn't sure what to say after the dream she had. She tells them her dream, meeting El'duin June, not realizing their connection as the Time Knight swooped in to sever their tie. Riya is visibly stressed as she rambles of finding the Heart of The Forest. Riya casually mentions June being a God, she isn't sure, she's basing it off what El'duin told her. However June has no memories, so perhaps isn't aware of it.

The twins are awfully quiet, Hira asks if June rings a bell, but both Elves look genuinely confused. Riya adds that El'duin mentioned the Pantheon of Elven Gods known as The Evanuris. Monsoon states they have ten Gods as Vilya flips through a booklet, saying there are no accounts of a God with that name. Riya asks if there's any record from hundreds of years ago, a time when there was eleven perhaps. Vilya looks displeased, stating she would know if there were more then ten Gods. If she's wrong perhaps they can blame it on the millennium of subjection and genocide that their people have gone through that their scripts are lost through time. Seeing how tense the conversation had gotten Hira suggests Riya talk to June instead, dismissing the conversation all together.

Vilya leaves camp, moving to the outskirts with Monsoon quickly joining her. Bran asks if Mithal is known to take memories away, but nobody is sure. Hira expresses she doesn't doubt what Riya has learnt, but also agrees what Vilya had said is right. Riya says what the Fade is showing contradicts what they all know in the present time, making it difficult, it wasn't her intent to offend anyone. Riya moves away to speak to her ring, recalling the tune El'duin played in hopes to reaching her. June greets her and Riya is happy to hear her voice again. Riya says she learned more about her whilst gone, rambling of El'duin June, how she's a God, and so on. June is overwhelmed with new information, stammering in confusion as it doesn't ring a bell to her.

Riya is glad to have a name to give her though, feeling calling her 'ring' was disingenuous. June thanks her, and just then there's a clinking noise in her head. June pauses, calling out to someone but is quickly cut off. Silence fills Riya's head as the connection is severed, the clinking of metals against bars. Riya returns to the group, dejected and disappointed their time was cut short, saying she told June what she learned, but didn't seem to bring any memories to her. The remaining members sit at camp. Hira watches over Vilya and Monsoon, finding herself able to read their lips. Not catching the first half of their conversation, but as Monsoon approaches he asks why she stormed off.

Vilya states everything is wrong, they devoted their lives to their Gods but chose a *Shemlin,* a man who doesn't even worship them? Monsoon states they have their reasons, but Vilya is frustrated as the Gods have kept silent all this time, but are making themselves present to people who aren't like them. Vilya states she devotes her life to the Allmother but has never heard their voice, frustrated, Monsoon leans in to hold her. He mutters they are good people, that he is just as torn as her, but they will find answers here. Monsoon reassures her they'll find their way back home, that she'll become the priestess she's always wanted to be. Vilya nods, the two turning their backs as they kneel in prayer.

As Hira watches them, a voice creeps in her head. The Monarch cackles, not expecting her to use their gifts to eavesdrop, on a conversation regarding Gods and believers as well. Hira mutters what's the point of such gift if she doesn't use it. But the Monarch laughs, stating they underestimated her, not expecting she'd use it on *friends*, they're glad to be wrong*.* They ask how progress is on the hunt, Hira states they appeared not long ago. The Monarch tells her not to keep them waiting, to which she says of course, continuing forward towards the goal. Seemingly pleased, they bids farewell.

Bran wakes from a nap then moves to sit by Hira. He asks if she's alright, stating she was a bit weird when he came back. Hira takes a deep breath, mentioning she saw through his eyes, feeling what he felt when seeing Arel. She felt the need to apologize after being wracked with his fear, she should've known after how they hurt him. Bran lays a hesitant hand on hers, accepting her apology, then apologizes to her for putting his own hurt above understanding her. Hira looks shocked, stating he had all reasons to be upset at her. Bran expresses that despite being terrified of Arel earlier, he made his way back to the Fireflies. He hopes Hira will come back to them, or they will find her if she ever felt lonely again, reminding her to keep that in mind. Hira sniffles asking to give him a hug, to which he laughs and accepts.

Bran eases in the hug, whispering that he'll be there for her, saying he loves her. Hira seizes up at the word, but holds him tighter, saying she loves him as well. Bran expresses fear that he's running out of time, wishing to contact Death. He asks her to be beside him when he does, and the two settle together as Bran reaches out to Death. A giant eye opens on the ground, asking if they called for them. Bran states hes gotten a few more answers since last they met, Death asks why call him if he's gotten answers. Bran expresses needing more time, but Death states he'll have his time. He asks for more, asking if Death feels his sister sleep away life on the material plane.

Death expresses she's not yet with them, not giving much more. Bran mentions seeing himself failing returning the cards, asking if he may go the other route of a life for a life. Death states he's mistaken, always allowing for the route to be taken, he had two options. Bran expresses he still wishes to find the individual who dug a dagger through his mothers heart, to which Death mutters such is the folly of man. for being so greedy. They tell him to do as he pleases, at the end of the day they all will meet his embrace. Bran shows him the empty space of his prior timer. As long as Bran completes one of the two, his life will be his. All Death has done is given him a second chance, as Bran refused to step into it's domain.

Bran speaks of Arel who peruses other champions of Death, he asks if Death provides more then just second chances, to which Death states they do only that. Death expresses if Arel's soul is brought to it's domain a lot of people would be saved. The eye moves up from the ground, floating up into the space. It looks from Bran to each and everyone of them. Death gazes long upon Oriza, whose hands tighten around the Belladonna's handle. They ask why them, motioning towards the twins and Bran, why not Loralynn? Death is silent for a moment, before saying perhaps the three of them have something she doesn't, or perhaps it's because of him.

Oriza clenches their jaw, stepping forward telling them to explain itself. Death claims their anger is misplaced at them, as they did not cause their heartbreak. The mortals that walk the mortal plane is what causes Death, the end of all things. Oriza asks they can give second chances though, Death states they can only do such thing if the individual *wants* to go back. Frustrated, Oriza asks if that means Loralynn didn't want to come back. Death posits perhaps she didn't feel her life was worth taking anothers, after all many souls are there because of her. Death says maybe they could find her, maybe the'll let him have a chance to speak if he found his way at Death's door.

The eye moves closer to them, stating it doesn't seem it will be for a while, what a pity that is. The eye draws back, looking to Anthir. It has met them plenty of times, will he bring more bodies to it's door? Death asks what his name is now, Anthir asks what his name is worth to him now. Death mentions it's in his nature to bring souls to them, as Anthir tells it his name, he asks what they mean. Death claims its in his blood, didn't they tell you? Anthir asks who they speak of, Death says he will know when the time comes, a hunger in his belly that is insatiable. Anthir asks of his friend, Aelius, if he is resting well. Death says Aelius likes to play in the sun.

The eye stops staring at them all, but Oriza stares at the ground in contemplation. He asks how does one find it's door, one must die to find their way. However Death states there's another way, they ask would they like it to find them after this is over. Death states it's a long journey to their door, but would allow him to partake in it if they wish. Oriza nods, not hesitating the offer. Death says they'll see them again, either from untimely circumstance, or after his victory from this journey.

Before leaving, Anthir asks of the name of the person reaching out for him. Death talks of Hel, of Blood and Bone, if it remembers correctly, those north in Orion wage war for them. The people of Atral reverie him, killing in his name it seems. Hel is looking for him, they always find him in the end. Bran asks if he can keep Violet away from him if killing in her stead, but Death plainly states no. Death asks if that is all, bidding farewell as its eyelids close, disappearing into the ground.

Hira who sat silently beside Bran stands up before charging towards Oriza, grabbing them by the collar of their shirt, asking if there going to leave after all this to make amends. Instinctually Oriza grabs Hira back, but attempts to push her away to no success. Oriza states they never said they were going to leave, but Hira states they had said that once agreeing to go to Death's Door. She exclaims that meant they were going to die again, but Oriza says so what. Hira grows frustrated, expressing she had given up so much for them and they are throwing it all away.

Oriza states they realize that, sticking by her side trying to make amends, but Hira hasn't told them what she's done for them when they didn't ask her to do such a thing. They ask Hira if she knows what it's like to die and finally be free from this realm that no longer has their beloved. When they finally thought they could feel some kind of peace, they were brought back. They express they tried to be grateful for it but finds herself spitting in their face. Hearing this, guilt overwhelms Hira, face falling at the reveal. But a voice creeps in her head, saying she did such a service for him, but he bites at the hand that brought him back. What a selfish thing he is.

Watching Hira's face fall, Oriza looks at her wide eyed with regret settling in. However Hira finds anger reignited, asking Oriza what happened to revenge, what happened to fighting for their love, where had their anger gone. Hira asks if he'll die for Loralynn, she knows he misses and loves her, but will they let her love kill him? Oriza stammers they don't know anymore, every single day feels like they don't know their Lady anymore. However that can't be, they'll do anything it takes for her, to learn more. They want their revenge but when they felt something they never felt before, why wouldn't they leave this world and everything it has if it means being with her?

The Monarch mutters in Hira's head, reminding Hira that Oriza promised to go to the mountains with her one day, seemingly a lie now after wishing for Death. The person she saved doesn't deserve her benevolence to spare them of dying, saying aren't they the worse? The Monarch asks if this is enough to fester such anger, but Hira tries to think for herself. Calling Oriza's actions as cowardly as she pushes them away. Hira expresses she'll never be free, having given that up thinking they wanted to stay on the material plane. She acknowledges he never asked to, but she wishes for them to guard that life, to fighting and continue to care because in the end, it seemingly doesn't matter much to him.

She states she has no miracles left in her, unless she wants to become a monster maybe then she'd have the power. She mutters not to make her regret this anymore then she already does. Oriza says they're grateful she brought her back, knowing she sacrificed something, but how are they suppose to help when she's said nothing. They were sincere telling her she'd go to the mountain, to help prevent her from becoming a monster, but what then? Do they live out their life repaying this debt to her?

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Mint
* Vilya
* Ambrose Alpenlou
* Calypso
* Spectre

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* El'duin June
* June