Arc 3: Ties That Bind

> *"Mysterious reports of magical mishaps are trickling in from the southern plains, near Silverfang kingdom. Familiar faces and new friends must team up to defeat an ancient, long forgotten threat."*
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### Storm on the Wind

#### Spring 1349 N.E.

It has been 7 years since the disbandment of the Shardbound Empire. Crystalspire Mesa has been transformed into a bustling community. The Dawn pride has turned the mesa into a refuge for all who may need it. There are permanent residents: Farida, Sardonyx, Callisto, Fennec, Opal, Lyra, Aries, Carina, Celeste, Perseus, Bramble, Ara, Vega, & Maia. There are semi-permanent folks such as Hadar who act as emissaries for Crystalspire and who travel around ensuring peace is kept. Then there are just passersby who stop by the mesa for shelter, healing, or food. The wayward mage has stopped by for advice or teachings, but none have stayed except for Callisto, Aries and his family.

Sardonyx and Farida are sitting atop Crystalspire overseeing the lands which are now healthy with prey and other animals. They can see faint outlines of travelers in the distance and Farida wonders if they’ll be expecting visitors soon. Sardonyx is focused elsewhere, to the horizon. Farida questions if they’re thinking about *it* again. Sardonyx relents, she is just curious is all. Farida sighs with understanding in her tone, she just wishes maybe they’d drop it. They’ve achieved so much already and have equally paid ten times over their penance. Sardonyx explains it isn’t about paying debts, it’s about the fact that if Zircon knew about it, others would too. Others with worse off intentions than them. Before they can continue they are interrupted by Callisto, one of Sardonyx’s assistants. She reports that Hadar has stopped by. He says everything is going about business as usual. Tariq says hello from the mountains. Rains from the South will most likely hit the mesa in some days so get the area prepared. There have been strange magical incidents occurring in the south near the Labyrinth. Reports from groups say sinkholes have opened up randomly, large crystal shards have been found appearing seemingly overnight, and folks’ are having strange dreams. No memories of it, they all just wake up with an uneasy feeling. This perturbs Sardonyx but they send Callisto away and go back to staring out at the horizon-wondering if the rains are the only thing that will be blowing in from the South.

Many miles away, half siblings Shamir and Eilina are out preparing for a big move. The two have decided to move out of their modest home in Silverfang Kingdom to travel around. The two are vagabonds, Eilina more so being the driving force of the pair, that have bounced around from home to home for their whole lives. They settled down in Silverfang about 1 year ago. They've always moved on after a few months because well…well they don’t like to dwell on the past much. Shamir has spent the past several years working in the mines of Silverfang while Eilina has made a good name for herself selling various jeweled trinkets. Their close friend and courier Comet stops by and essentially invites himself on their trip, but his presence isn’t unwelcome (Shamir has a big ol crush on the dude). The trio set out and find their travel to be uneventful for several days-they begin to wonder if their whole journey will be like this. The arrival of storm clouds on the horizon however seem determined to prove them wrong.

A bad rain storm drenches much of their food supply which forces them to have to hunt. This leads to bickering among the group (Comet expects Eilina to hunt because…well that's what lionesses do to which Eilina takes offense). Eilina accidentally chases a deer into the territory of Lightden pride. They’re confronted by Almasi and Oberon (American lion cousins and competitors for future leader to Lightden). Shamir tries to avoid a fight, but Almasi starts one to prove a point. Oberon and Comet take each other on while Almasi slams into Shamir. Eilina attempts to defend her brother but the earth beneath the brawling trio gives out from under them. Oberon and Comet go back for help while the trio are stuck in the caverns.

### Secrets Deep Beneath

#### Spring 1349 N.E.

Eilina, Shamir, and Almasi all come too deep underground. Shamir attempts to deescalate the situation, trying to get his sister to leave things be. Eilina sees a massive glowing rock behind Almasi putting an end to the conflict. They almost touch it when a disembodied voice tells them NO. Almasi believes its the ghosts that haunt these woods and Eilina thinks its funny "big butch" is scared of ghosts. The trio are stuck in the caves and despite Shamir’s best efforts (and experience from working in the mine) they wander aimlessly for what seems like hours...it’s as if the tunnels keep changing…Suprisingly they run into a lioness named Jasper who escorts them out. She explains many get lost here and she is tasked with aiding them but also warns that this place is dangerous and they should never return lest they’re stuck here forever…like her. And then she’s gone.

Yeah that's terrifying anyway, the group reconvenes with the Lightden pride some miles outside the pride’s territory. Eilina, Shamir, and Comet are considering leaving, but the pride's leader, Vesper, offers them a place to stay, just for the night…Just for the night the trio agree and reluctantly share space with an actual pride for the first time in years. They find Lightden is actually pleasurable and hospitable, almost like a real functional pride. Shamir, Comet, and Eilina are treated for their injuries alongside Oberon and Almasi. The group can chat for a bit but by morning Eilina, Shamir, and Comet decide they wanna head north. That night all of them, but Oberon and Comet have strange dreams and sleep walk towards the stone till Oberon and Comet wake them up. They go talk to their elders who weigh their options. Vesper eventually decides they’ll reach out to Crystalspire and the Dawn pride. It’s well known by now they have trained mages there and it is less than a 2 day travel from here. They send a bird and await a response. Shamir, Eilina, and Comet are hesitant to stay but the Lightden folks implore it 1) isn’t a burden, they like having guests 2) they feel concerned over their well being in case something does happen without someone there to intervene, so the trio stay, they get to know folks in the pride and feel…almost like its a home.

Then Sardonyx and Callisto show up three days later. They wanna see the Stone that was written about. Almasi, Eilina, and Shamir reluctantly take them to the hole they fell in first but it is…not there now, just covered by crystal shards. They then explain the tunnels and the ghost they saw, Callisto's interest is piques at this. Sardonyx wants to go into the tunnels, but they will not rush blindly into things like this again. They’ll contact Farida and have her bring who she thinks is best fit for this. Till then they wait. Sardonyx and Callisto camp outside the cavern while the rest go back to the pride den. Almasi, Eilina, and Shamir dream and sleepwalk again. Almasi and Eilina get woken up by Comet and Oberon, but Eilina decides to leave Shamir asleep to see where they go. She has her suspicions its to the caverns, and she is right. Sardonyx is asleep, Callisto, however, is awake when they arrive. They wake Shamir up eventually and Sardonyx, but as they’re discussing theories Callisto notices someone is spying on them. Almasi is quick to confront them as they unveil themselves as a ghostly pale lioness named Jaida, she is a Guardian of the Holy Ground which they walk upon.

### The Guardian and the Demon

#### Spring 1349 N.E.

The group is shocked by Jaida’s presence. She explains again, emphasizing they walk on Holy Ground. Also she’s just trying to collect the wayward spirits so please don’t mind her. The group is shell shocked saved Callisto who immediately begins to rapid fire questions to Jaida about the spirits. Jaida explains she is the apprentice to Jasper, another Guardian. This cavern is filled with wayward spirits that need tending to and that's what she is here to do. Near dawn she leaves back into the caverns and warns not to enter. Sardonyx and Callisto spend another night waiting for Farida to arrive, meanwhile everyone gets to know one another. Eilna learns that Almasi is being pressured by her mother to compete with Oberon for the title of leader to Lightden (it's an extension of her own feud with her brother over the position) and that in actuality Almasi really, really wants to travel. Meanwhile Comet and Shamir open up a bit more to one another. It’s all good fun…then Farida arrives with…Aries who recognizes Shamir and Eilina instantly. A fight erupts.

When Almasi and Comet are able to separate Aries, Shamir, and Eilina, Aries begins to roar at the half sibling pair. He wants to know why Eilina left him and their cubs over 5 years ago without a word. Eilina can barely get anything out before Shamir interjects because...cubs? Eilina never told him she was a mother. Aries, seeing Shamir goes feral again. He wants to know *where the fuck is Orion?* Shamir tries to lie, saying Aries' “brother” Orion found a pride of his own and Aries pushes: Orion and Shamir left to find a pride for ALL of them….why did they never come? Aries pushes further: Orion would have NEVER abandoned his brother, they had a promise. Why did Shamir only come for Eilina?!

Shamir breaks down and confesses: Orion and him had met two other lions similar in age to travel with. They thought they had found a new, unoccupied territory for them, but 6 other lions set upon them. A pride apparently had already made residence. Shamir well….he ran and left them all for dead. Aries snaps and launches himself onto Shamir, almost taking him down with all the magic around them. Comet, Almasi, and Eilina break them up, but this redirects Aries’ anger to Eilina: why did she leave him? Why did she leave Celeste and Percy? She admits tearfully that she wasn’t ready to be a mother and knew that Aries' family, Carina and Lyra, would step in if absolutely necessary to help Aries raise the cubs. Eilina is genuinely sorry, but is confused as to how he is here...what about Pyreblood pride? What about Atlas and the others? Aries refuses to answer any of her questions, he needs time alone. Aries heads a few feet into the caverns, the siblings move off and get into their own spat then separate with Almasi going with Eilina to console her.

The two lionesses bond over being vagabonds who long to travel. Shamir meanwhile meanders on his own till Comet finds him and they talk. Comet reveals he is the son of an ex Lord of Shardbound, that he ran away when he was nearly grown because he feared either being sent to war or betrothed into a loveless marriage. He and Shamir are both cowards and liars. They all eventually go back to Lightden and hang out there while the Dawn Pride folk do their work at the cave; the others have done enough with helping. Things are awkward for the day, but soon enough night falls and the non-Lightden folks are sleeping just at the lip of the cavern. Aries is awoken and visited by the spirit of his father, Atlas, and when he strikes it out of far and rage, it assumes the image of his "brother" Orion. Aries reaches toward it when the apparition vanishes and Aries realizes he is touching the Stone. Snickering from above, perched on the Stone, is the figure of a lioness, the same lioness that guided Eilina, Shamir, and Almasi out earlier. This is Jasper. The ghostly lioness possesses Aries. Now free, the fiendish being that is really Jasper wreaks havoc within the cavern, awaking not only the Dawn Pride, but Almasi, Eilina, and Shamir who warn Lightden of the danger.

When Comet, Oberon, Shamir, Eilina, and Almasi arrive at the caverns they can hear screaming from within. Without hesitation the lionesses and Oberon rush in. Shamir, gripped with fear, is frozen in his spot. It takes Comet's assurances to wake Shamir from his state of shock. Shamir pushes his fear away long enough to help his friends and sister find their way to the center of the cave system where they find the Dawn pride and Jaida fighting now possessed!Aries. The group is SUPER confused and try to ask for clarity from Jaida in between combat. Limited for time, Jaida explains whatever is within Aries now she recognizes as Jasper..just not *her* Jasper. Jaida goes on, they were abandoned as a cub and Jasper found them. As long as she can remember Jasper and the spirits of the cave have raised her to be a Guardian of the Stone. As of late she had sense a corruption within the Stone, but she had no idea it was this thing. She also reminds them to avoid touching the Stone at all costs-while some Waystones conduit magic, some like this serve as vessels for souls. Touching it would ensure ending up like Aries.

As possessed!Aries attempts to escape, he nearly kills Sardonyx and severely injures Shamir, Comet, and Callisto. They are on the losing side of the battle when Jaida makes a gamble. She rushes possessed!Aries, knocking them both into the Stone. Energy, almost like lightening, ripples through them both. While painful, Jaida uses all of her strength to hold possessed!Aries in place till everything goes white...

### The Heartstone

#### Spring 1349 N.E.

It feels almost as if time is at a stand still when the group re-awakens. Before them are a group of animals, astral in being. An all black lion with a galaxy for a mane and constellations along their back steps forward and apologizes for the harm that has come. They are here to right the wrongs. The Guardians have taken them to the Sanctuary, home of the Heartstone. These Guardians escort the group towards a massive egg-shaped opal, one matching the paintings within Sardonyx's chambers drawn by lions long ago. Possessed!Aries is taken before the Heartstone and the demon is purged from Aries then destroyed for good. The being, Jasper, was once a Guardian, like those within this Sanctuary, but they were corrupted and killed the elephant Guardian of the Heartstone. Jasper was locked away within a Waystone among other lost, wayward souls hopefully to be forgotten and never found again. Their memory was lost to time as the elephant, their history keeper, was killed and they've yet to have another Chosen ascend into that position. Sardonyx, whose wounds had been healed by the Guardians, is in absolute awe at the scene before them. She has SO many questions that she isn't afraid to ask. The Guardians are amused albeit wary to answer everything. It has been a long time since the Crystalline Sanctuary has had mortals standing within it. The Sanctuaries have been sealed away by the Guardians for safety. The elephants have been tasked for generations with keeping all tethers that are the source of power in Illirah a secret. Should the group need anything, follow the elephants and they’ll find their way back here. After some quick respite, the Guardians drop them back off within the caverns.

### Paths Diverge

#### Spring 1349 N.E.

Shamir and Jaida are able to guide the group back above ground to the relief of many. Sardonyx and Farida begin to debrief/process the last few hours with one another. Sardonyx feels better about knowing the Heartstone is protected, but they are a tad curious as to its history. For example, why are the Sanctuaries closed? Is it because of Jasper? The others break off into their own private conversations: Eilina goes to check on Aries who has seemed very out of it since returning. Aries is confused at first, but is touched in some regards that Eilina would risk herself to save him and Eilina counters jokingly that they were once best friends. They’re certainly not friends now, but maybe they can start taking the steps to getting to something better than they are now. Aries invites Eilina to meet their cubs, well technically they're grown now, but if that is something she wants, he can make it happen. Carina and Lyra would certainly be happy to know she and Shamir are alive. Eilina says she'll think about it, then gives Aries his space. Comet and Shamir decide this is as much excitement as they can handle for their lives and actually want to return to Silverfang to a "normal" life...together. They had a nice gig there and living together seems nice. Eilina is both happy for her older brother and a tad sad at the thought of travelling alone for the first time ever. Almasi interjects-she'd actually love a break. Besides, her cousin Oberon is more 'leader' material anyway (Oberon doesn't disagree, just cries a bit at the thought of not seeing their cousin everyday). Almasi notes she's never seen anything beyond Lightden before, it'd be nice to have an experienced traveler like Eilina as her guide.

Jaida observes all of these conversations happening and hesitantly begins to withdraw into the cavern. Callisto stops her to ask what is next for Jaida now that...well now that things have changed. Jaida isn't quite sure, but these caves have always been her home. Where else would she go? Callisto bashfully invites Jaida to join the Dawn pride. The mesa is a place for folks like them, 'weirdos'. Jaida isn't sure what that word means, but they accept. They just want to say goodbye to the spirits here first. Eventually the groups split ways: the Dawn pride and Jaida leave for the mesa while the others return to Lightden for a well deserved rest.

### A Gift from the Stars

#### Fall 1350 N.E.

Aries and his kids, Perseus/Percy and Celeste, arrive to Lightden pride in time to wish Eilina and Almasi off on another adventure. The two have spent the past year traveling and returned for a short few weeks before heading off again. Eilina eventually grew the strength to meet her children. Originally Celeste was not interested or pleased, but Percy was super excited to meet her. Mother and son had a pretty good relationship from the start and Eilina, while sad, decided to give her daughter the space she needed. Presently, Eilina’s relationship with Celeste and Percy have strengthened (Celeste is at least speaking amicably to her). With Aries is Callisto and Jaida: Callisto had a massive, very obvious crush on Jaida which was reciprocated. They were together for a few months before it became obvious Jaida was also interested in Aries and vice versa. Jaida is very happy with her partners who're basically best friends at this point. Also in attendance are Shamir and Comet who are visiting from Silverfang. The group has a little celebration together then rest before having to travel the next day.

In the middle of the night Jaida returns to the caverns she was raised in. Something has called her here. She thinks it’s the spirits, yet what she finds at the mouth of the cave is a little, tiny cub. Something is different about this cub. They have no scent and there are no pawprints around. It is as if they just appeared. Without second thought, Jaida takes the cub back to the group and names them Sable.