THE NEXT STEP

***THE NEXT STEP*** is the twentieth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* After a conversation that was long overdue, the unnamed party takes a short break in the seemingly empty sewers of the merchant's district. Will they sweep more things under the rug? Shall they venture further into the dark tunnels? What will their next step be? What is to become next of this unnamed party?

## **Synopsis**

Awakening from her slumber, Hira finds a new rapier against her hip, a voice saying it was a new gift courtesy of them. The sheath a dark wood with an etching carved into the wood with a dark chromatic steel hilt with a moth with many eyes as it's quillon. To Bran, seeing one of their strongest pillars fall terrified him, and he finds himself disassociating in hopes to control his wild magic. Riya silently reflects to herself, whilst Anthir sits in thought. A gentle breeze brushes past him, his wounds and scratches healing, a familiar magic similar to the one from his dream. The magic settles within them, a bond has been formed between them and Mithal, but they can't help but feel that something is missing.

Anthir reflects to himself, pondering why they've lost sight of each others goals. The warmth of new magic pulls him out of his daze, wondering what's wrong with them. In the silence Hira speaks up, asking if they've made a decision. Anthir thinks of handling whatever is in the sewers, then go to Lord Ambrose. Bran says this situation is similar to Arel's, he thinks they should look into it more before heading to Glenwell. Hira stands to her feet, questioning if they'd hesitate if they encounter Arel again. Anthir asks if she's alluding to getting rid of them, to which Hira states she means anything.

Hira brings up the incident in the Hot Springs, reminding them of their hesitation to restrain her despite stating she was a threat. If they hesitate to stop her, she is sure they'll hesitate when it comes to Arel. Bran admits after everything Arel has done, he doubts anyone will hesitate. A voice creeps into her mind, whispering to her that their words are empty. Hira says to prove it, casting Disguise Self to turn into Arel and stands before them. Hesitantly, Bran casts Charm Person, feeling an uncontrollable static energy within his palms, unsuccessfully charming her. Riya goes to hit with the blunt part of a knife, hitting the visage of Arel successfully.

They stare to Anthir, who stands shaking. Bran asks Hira why she's doing this, stating this doesn't prove anything. Anthir says she has a point, admitting he does hesitate, but this test is faulty as they all know it's her. Bran brings up she had called them all friends earlier, asking if she thinks their words are empty promises. Hira states the title of 'friend' feels empty to her. Bran states she's far too extreme, seeing her put sacrifice over everything else. He continues to ask what she wants them to do and Hira dispels the Disguise, admitting she's been tasked with killing Arel. Knowing she cannot do it alone, seeing them hesitate when seeing a disguise of them has her doubt them.

Bran states that despite everything they've been through they're still here, is that not enough proof they won't give up? Hira assumes this is all their first adventures, stating she's thankful they weren't raised like she was, but it makes her frustrated. Making the decision for them to stay put as she looks forward, Hira storms off down the sewers. Bran turns to the rest of the group, tears in his eyes, saying he doesn't understand her point of view. He storms off in the opposite direction, leaving Anthir, Oriza, and Riya alone. Riya sighs, saying it's in their best interest to not separate right now. Anthir follows Bran, whilst Riya goes after Hira.

Bran heads down the tunnel, hearing the bustle of Moonvale City above him. Anthir calls after Bran. He knows Hira walked off, but states she's been through a lot that they don't know about. They admit they need to stick together and Bran looks to Anthir, apologizing to them. Anthir rests his hands on his shoulders, saying everything is tense right now. They head back to where Oriza rests, seeing nothing on the way.

Meanwhile Hira walks down the opposite end. Normally she can't see in the dark, but her vision is gray scale. The Monarch chuckles, stating it was a momentary gift after an amusing performance, they are enjoying whose she's turning out to be. They ponder what Bran is trying to prove, one moment he's upset she doesn't take him seriously, and when she does, he seemingly can't handle it. Hira chalks it down to Bran being a kid, but the Monarch states that he should pick between kid or adventurer, reminding Hira she didn't have that leisure so why should he?

The Monarch asks if she wishes to see Ambrose again, saying she'd have better luck finding Arel with his aid. Hira stops in her tracks, bringing out the Sending Stone. She asks if they'd rather her do this then move forward in the sewers, to which the Monarch warns she shouldn't go in there. Hira sends a message, requesting to be picked up at his earliest convenience. Meanwhile Riya trudges through the tunnel after Hira, feeling her own frustration and guilt in the situation. The tunnel smells sulphuric, the sludge moving along the walls unnaturally. The voice of Ambrose echoes in the tunnels, saying he will pick Hira up soon at the Eastern Roost Library.

As the Monarch tells her to walk back, Riya and Hira meet each others gaze. Riya rushes up to her, grabbing Hira by the wrist stating they should go now. Riya admits she might hesitate about things in doubt, but won't ever hesitate when it comes to her friends going into danger. Stumbling behind her, Hira looks behind to the source of the smell. Something shifts and crackled in the distance, but as they walk further away the form dissolved back into the shadows. Before the two arrive, Bran speaks to Anthir admitting what Hira had said was true, but hearing the things he hates most of himself hurt. He struggles to find the right words Hira wants to hear. Anthir admits he doesn't know how to respond either, stating he'd follow them wherever they want to go.

Riya and Hira arrive back to the platform. Hira rushes to wake Oriza with a pinch to their cheek before motioning them to go up the ladder. Bran wonders if they saw anything, to which Hira states there are more Tainted Fiends down the tunnels. Anthir confused asks if she wants dispose of them, but Hira states if they couldn't handle two of them then they can't handle anymore. With Oriza, Hira, and Bran heading up the ladder, Anthir waits for Riya, who attempts to cast Clairvoyance to send down the tunnel.

Riya calls out to the woman in her ring, hoping she could aid her. A soft lute plays in her head, a soft voice greeting her hello. Riya says it's nice to hear her voice again, saying it's comforting. The voice of her ring says she doesn't sound alright, to which Riya admits much has happen since last they spoke, apologizing for not speaking to her sooner and for making another request. Riya can sense the woman's pout being asked another favour of her, but is persuaded and aids in the casting of the spell. The bud of the ring opens, allowing the sensor to move forward through the sewer tunnels.

Moving forward, the sludge and mud turn dark red, walls lined with ooze and sinew-like tissue. A being beating and breathing underneath the city, Riya moves the sensor forward into the smallest gaps reaching the center of the being. Within the deep crevice, multiple eyes stares back at her. Dropping the spell quickly stumbling back in fear, telling Anthir they should leave.

Heading up the ladder, the sunsets in Moonvale City. Putting the grate back on the sewers, Riya speaks of what monstrosity she saw further down the tunnels, describing it in great detail. Anthir looks to Hira, asking what to do next. Hira states they should go back to the inn to let Oriza to rest, then asks if they've made a decision. Anthir states they'll go wherever she goes, making Hira shrink in on herself uncomfortably. Leading the group towards the Harbours Cove Inn, however getting close they spot Mio speaking with a guard. Mio catches sight of them all, motioning them to stop and get away. Reading their lips, Hira garners they are looking for them. With a Detect Thoughts from Bran, he learns the guard suspects them of the murders due to their appearance lining up with them occurring around Moonvale. Mio distracts the guard offering him drinks on the inn's behalf, distracting them as they get away.

Hira whispers to them that there being searched for and leads the group towards the Eastern Roost Library instead. Entering, a familiar Bleeding Heart Aarakocra gives her a nod in recognition. She leads the group further into the library, admitting to everyone she had contacted Ambrose earlier, stating it's their decision to make. With the group slowly agreeing to accompany her back to Glenwell, Hira converses with the Aarakocra, requesting her to tell some sort of official of the being within the sewers. The Aarakocra, rightfully frazzled, states she will try, but tells Hira of Lord Ambrose's arrival. She thanks her before returning to the rest of the party, relaying the news.

Heading towards the back of the library to his study, finding Ambrose surrounded by shelves of newly organized books. He hadn't expected her friends, but agrees to take them with them. Before preparing to leave, he raises a hand up fishing the books from Hira and Oriza's bags they had stolen placing them back on their shelves. Ambrose tells Hira if she wishes to read them she must ask him first and she apologizes for stealing. He places an Arcane Lock over the shelves preventing them from being viewed, before ushering the group towards the teleportation circle.

Arriving into a Ambrose's main office, large windows behind an oak desk and shelves tower the sides of the walls. Bran thanks Ambrose and asks where to find Monsoon. Ambrose calls to him through a Sending spell, but whilst waiting asks why they've decided to return so soon. Hira admits she has a goal to achieve, looking for knowledge to be granted by him to aid. Ambrose states he'll do what he can, as Esmos is seemingly in ***state of emergency*** that they are calling "***The Breach."***

Ambrose wavers his hands casting magic, assembling furniture within his office as he settles himself at the head of the table. He has much to fill them in on, saying he's already updated Monsoon. The group settles themselves, asking of the reason he initially called them in the first place. Ambrose rolls out a map of Esmos on the table, with a flick to his wrist, green sparks settle above the map, signifying different Fade rifts all over the country. He had called them to speak on the situation at hand, fearing the life of adventurers will only get more difficult from here on out. Hira believes they've learned a bit on their travels and can share later.

Ambrose admits he initially called them for the warning, but to also say goodbye. Monsoon opens the door, not sparing the group a glance as he stares ahead. Ambrose states he's sending Monsoon to the Fade for research, and to say their goodbyes before he's to leave the following morning. Bran approaches Monsoon tugging his sleeve, but there's no reaction. Hira states if Monsoon goes, so will she, and Bran seconds this. Ambrose states this is a solo mission, Monsoon states for his transgressions against the crown this is his punishment. Hira stammers saying Monsoon had done this for her, but he holds himself accountable for his actions.

Bran brings up that Ambrose had pardoned each of them, why was Monsoon not included? Hira reminds him Monsoon is her friend, but Ambrose states Monsoon's status of a member of the Order of The Wing reigns above friendship. Ambrose refers to Monsoon as his rotten son, his protege having adopted him from nothing and decided to go against him. The group gauges Monsoon acts as a soldier talking to his superior. Ambrose asks if they are willing to throw their lives away, to which Hira asks if he's willing to throw his son's life away, but Ambrose admits he misspoke, not holding Monsoon that dearly.

Bran brings up it was him who shared the fact many kept showing up dead, he asks what good would this bring him. Ambrose states it's a risk he's willing to take. Bran states he will jump after them, and his chances will be even greater. He looks to everyone else, who agrees to follow. Anthir asks what Ambrose intends to do if he doesn't come back, to which he states that time moves on. Ambrose stands up, looking to Hira stating he'll send her Aunt his condolences.

Meanwhile far in Moonvale, Mio sits anxiously waiting for someone to come back. He sits alone all night until the sun rises again...

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Mio Griwald
* Ambrose Alpenlou
* Monsoon
* The Monarch

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* Calypso