THE FORCE OF DESTINY

***THE FORCE OF DESTINY*** is the twenty-first session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## Musings

*The Fade, you see dear adventurers, binds us, and calls us all together. But for the longest time now, the people of Orion have forgotten what this call sounds like...Is this what we are here for tonight? Is it tonight?*

*That is up to the adventurers to decide; Locked in and untrusted by the arcane head of state, Lord Ambrose, they are left to ruminate amongst the quest and subsequent journey up ahead.*

*The Fade is waiting their reply.*

## **Synopsis**

Locked inside Lord Ambrose's study, surrounded by magic that's hard to pin down, the group looks towards Monsoon whose soldierly expression fades exclaiming he had planned to made his way to them on his own. Hira states that despite it only being a few days a lot has happened, she turns to Anthir, who stammers that Vilya is alive, but Hira insists Anthir to tell him the full truth of the matter, but Monsoon states it isn't too late for them to back out of the mission all together.

Bran says Monsoon sounds insane for trying to go into the Fade alone, but Monsoon says letting a kid into the Fade is equally as wild. Monsoon reminds them all that his "crazy boyfriends" are on the lose in there, to which Hira reveals that Arel had killed Vilya. Anthir reassures him she's alive, and Monsoon thanks him, stating he owes him one. Hira continues, stating she knows he doesn't want them to go into the Fade, but she has a personal task to complete. Monsoon believes Hira is capable, but asks how could he be sure of everyone else, stating they must be strong and deceive. He questions if there prepared to essentially jump into Hell with him.

Hira moves to stand beside him. Oriza stands, hearing Hira was given a task, moves to stand next to her. Bran states even if Monsoon had become a brainwash soldier, he would follow in a heartbeat, and stands next to Monsoon. Riya finds herself inspired by their determination and commitment, joining them. Anthir agrees with a nod, and Monsoon accepts them joining his quest, stating they'll need more time to prepare. Lord Ambrose is expected to come back in the morning but until then he asks what has happened the last few days. Oriza opts out of the conversation in favour of rest, falling asleep in Ambrose's chair.

Bran looks over the map with the Fade rifts, checking his home of Corna, a rift appears to be just north of it near the waters of Fallside. Hira slides her journal towards Monsoon, having written down all that the Monarch told her of the Fade. When asked where she learned this knowledge, she vaguely says through a contact who is somewhat reliable. Monsoon brings up he's done some digging as well, finding an old journal of Arel's in his old dorm room, which he states shouldn't have been there as Arel wasn't allowed in his rooms. Hira then questions if it was truly Vilya who had gifted the Arcane Winds a golden feather, to which he clarifies she had, but Arel offered to enchant them.

Arel's journal was written in Elvish, but an old dialect he couldn't decipher, almost code like. Anthir uses Comprehend Languages, picking up parts of their writing:

* They speak of travelling 'this land' for so long that they miss home and wish to return
* Writes on their first meeting of Vilya and Monsoon and days spent with them studying
* In the middle of the notebook a large chunk was ripped and burnt away
* The next pages writing is elegant anymore, angry and scrawled writings stating someone had stolen something from them
	+ Arel writes swearing out someone who stole from them - “they don't understand how important it is for me to be let in, they wont let me in”

* Changes back to an elegant contained writing, met Wendy and Odin during these times
* The last passage is dated a month before going into Hunters Pass, “they need me to let them in. it begins tonight. The reckoning is imminent.”

Anthir deduces that it feels like two people are writing in this notebook. He summarizes to journal to everyone, asking if anyone knew about 'The Reckoning." Hira brings up the Hippogriff they fought before going to Duncaster spoke of it to Bran. Although the final passage was written a month prior, people were said to have gone missing even before that. Hira wonders where Arel may consider home and Monsoon reveals Arel was from Oris but left due to things happening there, but isn't sure if that's the full truth. Arel had apparently hated it in Oris, but Hira wonders if they were from the Fade. Monsoon brings up that in Elvhenanian folklore, elves were thought to have originated from the Fade as well.

Hira offers her book of Elven Legends, but is told its mostly 'city elf' jargon, often writing Elvhenanian elves as a myth or legend. Bran, Riya, and Anthir begin to peruse Ambrose's bookshelves. Anthir notices a thin glass prevents them from touching the books. He finds a shelf of dark topics ranging from necromancy to Blood Magic, and finds a tome with the initials 'M.S.' Bran finds a shelf of student thesis and searches for Vilya's name, but doesn't find her work. Anthir asks Monsoon about the tome on Blood Magic, curious if the initials match his. Monsoon states it was written by Magnus Saliar, who was a professor now criminal as he preformed Blood Magic. He had a kid at the Order of the Wing, Helen, but he left recently as well.

As they speak Anthir returns the Bag of Holding to him. Bran questions what Vilya and Arel were studying, they studied magic to communicate with beast and other sea life, but Vilya also studied something about plant growth. Bran moves to sit on the floor and write on his own. Hira looks to Monsoon who confirms one must study to enter the Order of the Wing's academy, to enter the Order itself one had to discover something renown, or have great magical prowess. Hira fishes her cloak from the bottom of her bag, stating she never did any of those things. Hira has her theories but asks for the hard truth, with Monsoon stating the one of the higher ups must've liked her, and that Ambrose must really like her.

Monsoon suggests she could make it her own thing instead of focusing on how she obtained it, depending on how she felt. Hira reminds herself how Ambrose stated he'll give his condolences to her Aunt, believing she'll die on the journey to the Fade, and throw the cloak away angrily. Monsoon picks it up, mentioning the cloak still has its benefits all over Esmos, that she might have to play in the system for her benefit. She apologizing stating she's upset, and Monsoon doesn't blame her, saying so is he about the situation they're all in. Through his insight he asks if she's just upset, prompting Hira to admit that this day might've been the worse one in her entire life.

Moving away from the group to talk, Hira asks Monsoon what he knows of the Stormridge Mountains. He states his clans ancestors had gone up once centuries ago, saying they encountered something they didn't like and continued their journey, he's always wanted to go because of the lightning storms. Hira reveals Oriza had died earlier that day, making a deal with the Monarch and owes them quite a bit. Hira mentions she doesn't wish to return to the Mountains, but knows eventually she has to. Monsoon makes the connection, seeing her Pact weapon, he finds himself at a lose for words. He offers to help after there dealing with Arel are over, whether to find out more about them or a way to rebel, but Hira states she might be too far into the Monarch's plans.

She feels like crying won't help right now, but Monsoon states letting oneself be vulnerable is a sign of strength, leading Hira to openly weep. Monsoon offers himself as a strong pillar, a friend if need be, apologizing for what happened whilst he was gone. Hira reminds him it wasn't his fault but hers for leading them into a dangerous situation, but her counters, stating joining a party is to rely on others so one shouldn't burden the entire blame. Monsoon asks if the others have been helping one another, but Hira believes they've all been doing their own things recently. She admits she yelled at them over being deceive and freezing up, stating Arel would only take advantage of their fear towards them. She says she doesn't believe the conversation went well, Monsoon says they should have another talk, the two agree to round up the rest of the party later.

Monsoon asks if he can open up to her. Despite calling Arel his ex, knowing they hurt his sister, deep down he is terrified of seeing them again. Hira admits they're all fearful, that her business has to do with them. Monsoon states that in the end he will do the right thing, but Arel still looks like half of his heart, of his soul. He begins to cry a little bit, accepting Hira's offer of a hug. As they hug Monsoon asks if she's ever wielded a sword, to which Hira says no. He offers to teach her whilst in the Fade when they have the time. Monsoon hopes the talk helped, and she thanks him, confirming it did.

In the midst of their talk, Anthir and Bran have been writing letters. Oriza has been fast asleep, only awoken by a small bolt of lightning to shock them awake. The group all sit around the table stating they all need to talk. With Monsoon managing the table, Hira states they must be deceive, to not hesitate when it comes to her or Arel. Oriza speaks up immediately, stating they'll do their best to fulfill her request, do anything to ease the burden of her dealing with the Monarch as he owes her their life. As Hira looks to Oriza, she notices the scars Oriza bears on their neck resembling two wings.

Anthir apologizes in advance, stating he may hesitate when it comes to Hira, but won't when it comes to Arel. He can't apologize for what occurred in the sewers, stating he won't allow it to happen again to the best of his abilities, he hopes she'll let him prove it. Hira states she doesn't blame the others for the situation, only herself, but Monsoon states blame only keeps them stuck, she must leave guilt and shame behind. Anthir reminds her that everyone had agreed to go down the sewers, Monsoon states nobody can doubt each other whilst travelling with them.

Monsoon looks to Riya, whose fiddling with her hands anxiously. She apologizes for the day due to her lack of confidence, admitting she underestimated what leaving home was like. She promises to do better, but mentions she may still hesitate when it comes to the enemy. The focus turns to Bran, who grips Riya's clothes tightly. Bran begins to say that his words may be seen as only empty promises to Hira, but states he will always hesitate and be scared, he can only try his best. Looking at Hira for the first time, he tears up asking Hira why she would try to explain something to him disguised as Arel who haunts him in both his wake and dreams. Whenever he looks at her now, he can only see Arel in someways, never forgiving her for what she had done. He can only promise to try his best,

Monsoon states if Bran is afraid of Arel, he can always go home. Bran states he can't go home empty handed. He admits he'll always be afraid of Arel, but that won't stop him from driving a dagger through their heart. When it comes to Hira, he will certainly hesitate, even if she loses herself. Hira apologizes she can't be that comfort for him anymore. She admits she is scared of what's to come, but she must push through her fears. Bran says so does he, but he isn't as strong as her to go face his sister or parents. Hira asks Bran what was the quest Violet sent him on, what is he trying to achieve?

Violet had told him to find people to trust and fight alongside him, but he isn't here for foolish reasons. Bran talks of Violet, the two of them born to Nimue Gromery. Upon Violet's birth, they noticed she bore no magic, and Bran was blamed for this. Violet never cared for any magic of her own, but has grown weaker in the recent years, and has since been unable to walk. Bran admits in his death he met with her, genuinely thinking she had passed on, he fears the worse. He isn't sure if he took a part of her whilst in the womb, so now he searches for a cure in hopes when he returns back to Corna he'll have answers for her. Monsoon approaches him, saying whilst Bran sees himself as weak now, the only way forward is to become stronger. But that will not happen if Bran continues to doubt himself, and it won't happen if all he does is live for other people.

Monsoon kneels in front of him, honestly stating the Fade will be an even harder experience then what they've faced now. He tells Bran its alright to be hurt, and looks to Hira. But the group needs to have a semblance of strength to continue forward, he tells Bran when he gets back to Corna, he will be different. Monsoon states if the others hesitate, through hell and high water if the Monarch turns her into anything, he won't hesitate. As the conversation dies down, the group begins to make a list of what they need for their travels.

Monsoon states he'll give the list to an official, then asks what is the group called. Bran speaks up after telling his companions about the first and last time his mother, Nimue, opened up about how she faced hardships. Despite everything, in the end she would find comfort in the little daily things around her, the smell of her morning coffee, the warmth of her heart when her husband would bring home flowers, and the sight of fireflies around their garden. Bran shyly admits that the group is just like those fireflies to him and that despite everything, he finds comforts in seeing their faces in the morning or in the warmth their held hands carry in scary times. Bran blushes, saying The Fireflies might be a good name.

Everyone is quick to agree, bringing fond memories to some and sound great to everyone. Monsoon raises a hand up high, sword in hand:

> *"From this day on we are the fireflies, and may the light in our hearts guide us. Through hell and high water, through thick and thin, in the darkest of nights and in places the sun cannot touch we will be each others light."*
>
>

Bran holds up his staff, Hira holds up her sword, Anthir holds up his rapier, and Oriza is a stickler, taking a moment before the Belladonna joins the formation. As the sunsets in Glenwell and only the waves of the ocean are present, the only things left in the office are The Fireflies...

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Mentioned

* The Monarch
* Arel
* Ambrose

## References

1. ↑ Occured in Session 5:THE BEGINNING OF THE RECKONING