ITS WATCHFUL GAZE

***ITS WATCHFUL GAZE*** is the twenty-eighth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## Synopsis

Tension is thick in the Fireflies campsite, as shame and guilt creeps into Hira's mind, and Oriza begins to realize Death's implications of their Lady's actions causing the deaths of many. Realizing her outburst, Hira's face falls. Oriza demands her to tell them the whole truth of the matter, what she sacrificed for them. Hira expresses the loss of freedom after making the deal with The Monarch, in exchange for Oriza's life. She states the Lying Eyes aren't good people to return too, but cannot find herself returning back to her Aunt. Hira reminds them when she attempted to gouge her own eye out, or when she was possessed, wondering if it wasn't obvious.

Bran steps forward, asking what she meant of freedom and if she's still holding back secrets. Hira expresses having to return back to the Stormridge Mountains, how reluctant she is to go but have no choice in the matter. Bran asks if she knows what would happen if she doesn't follow the Monarch's orders, to which she states she isn't sure, but is fearful of what could occur. Oriza reiterates they'll follow Hira to the end, wanting to aid in obtaining her freedom because they're the reason she lost it in the first place. Hira acknowledges his words, but then apologizes, finding herself unable to show more of their heart to them.

Oriza says they aren't looking for her to push herself, but only some clarity as the situation involves them. They remind Hira she agreed to be transparent on the matter back in Moonvale. Hira agrees to tell them what she can, but only after she calms. Oriza's shoulders drop as the tension dissipates, squeezing Hira's hand before moving towards Spectre, as Hira heads into the long grass to calm down. Waiting a moment before approaching Oriza, Bran asks how they fair. Oriza expresses frustration, but feels no anger towards him. Bran states despite how much it hurts, one can never truly know a person as much as one wishes they could. He expresses that people can feel like strangers despite knowing them for years. Bran mentions they both felt peaceful in death's embrace, like a loved one's caress or a lullaby, and perhaps Loralynn had felt that as well in death.

Bran states perhaps the pain Hira feels at the thought of them dying is similar to the pain Oriza felt about Loralynn. Bran admires Oriza's devotion to uncovering the truth, wishing to be like them, but reassures her they aren't alone. A conflicting wave of emotions move across Oriza's face as they hoist Bran onto Spectre. They nod in agreement, understanding what Bran means, but expresses doubt that anyone here felt the pain they went through after Loralynn's death. Oriza expresses most of their life was pain, but meeting Loralynn was like the Heavens blessed them. Even the loss of their Kingdom was bearable since she was there by his side.

Loralynn was Oriza's everything, finding it difficult to learn the truths she withheld from them, but they want to trust her. They truly think her actions were justified, but express fear that they're the reason why someone took such a drastic actions for, first Loralynn, now Hira. Bran states for someone to be so loved by them, he trusts Loralynn for now. He's sure everyone will aid in unveiling the truth. Oriza thanks him for his sincerity, believing Bran would've gotten along especially well with Lottie. Resting each others hands on one another, Oriza offers Bran a ride on Spectre, but politely refuses encouraging them to rest.

While this occurs, Monsoon and Vilya finish their prayers and approach camp. Monsoon squeezes Vilya's hand before letting go, as Vilya approaches Anthir. She asked what occurred, hearing yelling. Anthir explained Hira and Oriza got into a disagreement, but think they've sorted it out for the moment. She asked what their deal is, insinuating romance between them. She states they argue like a couple, but Anthir isn't aware of anything between them. Learning this, she leaves to converse with Monsoon.

Exhaustion catches up to everyone as they fall asleep in and around camp. As Hira lays in the meadows, she feels the mark against her chest begin to burn. A wave of displeasure and disappointment hits as she opens her eyes, finding herself in the Monarch's hut. They say its a shame, having considered to give her a gift, but after hearing her struggles — her want of belonging, her need for comfort — they planned on having her see her Aunt tonight. But she repays them by calling their abode rotten, plotting their demise despite the gifts they gave her. They understand her reluctance of being their protege, but reminds Hira they were never the ones to lay a hand on her.

The Monarch says she can rise above it all, she could still be better. They are nothing but forgiving, generous, for if they didn't have any mercy then Oriza would be dead. They point their pipe towards her, huffing as she's raised her temper, they state they aren't like that and encourages her to move forward. Hira looks around the lavish furs and pillows around the tent, a place people rarely get to go to, and the twisted honour rises within her. Stepping forward, The Monarch says she must make sure her friend doesn't get out of line, letting her know it's best not to anger them.

They step forward, bringing a sinister hand to her face causing Hira to seize. They ask if she is grateful for what they've done for her, she states she is, for they provided her with knowledge, power, and magic.

> *"Hira there is none like you here. You are special, no one here in the Lying Eyes have I gifted so generously. No one bears powers like yours, and in time you will grow to appreciate the gifts that I give. No one here has the same amount of potential, of destruction within..Sure they can turn into animals, they can grow our food, they can heal our sick but none are like you."*
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The Monarch tells her not to think of freedom, saying she doesn't need freedom when she's standing where they are, at the top. Everyone will listen, not like how her friends treat her now. They refer to their friendship as 'conditional.' They ask what she has, unsure of the answer, the Monarch reminds her she has *family* here. Stepping away from her, they seat themself, offering their generosity once more. Motioning towards the outside of their tent, they offer a chat with her Aunt. Hira expresses this is extremely gracious of them, she is told to leave as they have other guests to talk to. Before leaving, Hira asks what they imply by being 'out of line.' They state if he tries to convince her that her place isn't by their side, they'll become very upset. Referring to Oriza as a puppet, Hira states she understands, then shuffles away.

Leaving the tent, she's greeted by a familiar field near New Winderlin lake in the midst of Calypso's dream. Arms wide open, the two collide in a hug. The two converse, reminiscing over the view. Calypso admits she didn't mean for her adventure to go this long, having booked them a holiday along with Ambrose to have a grand tour of the city. Hira apologizes, the Fade's strange passage of time making it difficult to feel the repercussions outside. She proceeds to ask what she's been up too, to which Calypso expresses Orion being in shambles. Greyraven isn't entirely safe, but Ambrose makes sure the library is like a fortress. Calypso does worry of the common folk, stating it wasn't long ago that they were like that as well.

Calypso mentions meeting another group of adventurers to be sent into the Fade. Hira asks of them, learning of a tabaxi, a half elf that's close to a pretty lady, and two loud men with axes. She turns the questions on Hira, who avoids many of them to focus on her Aunt, asking if Ambrose has been taking care of her, Calypso states hes has been nothing but kind. Adjusting her shawl to hide her scars, Calypso compliments her new outfit, to which Hira states the Order of the Wing provided them all with things. Calypso states she's glad he's upholding his promise, Hira questions what she means, to which Calypso reveals she had asked him to take care of specifically her.

Hira asks if she was the one to ask for the cloak, to which she admits to. Calypso says she's just the hero she imagined her to be. Hira tells her to give her thanks once again, saying she's appreciated all she's done. Calypso says once Hira comes back, she has something to ask her in person, reassuring her it's good news. Hira asks if it has to do with learning a new language, unsure of what *Kadan* meant. Calypso is reluctant to say, stating it isn't important to her news, but she has picked up Sylvan over the years in the library. The two stand in silence, realizing she won't tell her, Hira admits she has friends who know the language and will ask them instead. Before parting, Calypso states she thought she was ready to let her go, but misses her dearly, hoping her friend will let them talk again. With a few tears shed, Hira begins to stir awake..

As he sleeps, Bran's chest aches with how far he's ran. He ponders why his mother let him go on an adventure. Bran sees a vision of a silhouette of a young cloaked woman as she hikes up a mountain. Oriza finds themselves fighting against a commanding presence, finding themselves standing on a plush, velvet rug, before sinking into a dark void. A voice states trying to keep their head down was a mercy from them. As a cold rushes across their body, the voice states they know their type — a righteous noble type, fighting for a cause, for a *princess.* The voice says it be a shame if they died and never found out the truth.

Oriza identifies the voice belonging to the Monarch. They state they were chatty hours prior, but Oriza chooses to stay silent. Footsteps circle around them, it feels like there's more then one person, two steps of footsteps, Oriza clocks multiple footfalls belonging to one body. They move to grasp at the Belladonna, but finds nothing. The Monarch calls them foolish, reiterating again it be a shame to die for their princess. Oriza states they refuse to speak to a snake such as them, before a set of talons pierce their neck abruptly. Hoisted up by their neck, if they are a snake then she has the blood of one, they brought them back and they own him now. Oriza spits their blood at them, stating to hell with them before being tossed away. A figure in the dark crackles, growing in size. A cold rush of air coils around them, the ice burning at the wound of their throat.

> *"I'm going to bring you and everyone on this damn planet with me."*
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In an act of defiance she attempts to stifle her pain as when she awakes, her body continues to shiver. Whilst in their slumber, Anthir wonders how his family was roped into following Hel in the first place. He catches a glimpse of the man from his trial, running looking up at the sky as he yells. Then another figure appears, human, sitting in the corner of a room sitting in horror as their hands turns blue. A final person comes into view, Elven, who holds her hands out in fear as her hands are stained blue and bright red of recent bloodshed. Anthir catches the whiff of freshly baked breads just before waking. The Fireflies awaken in their campsite, greeted to the constant sun of the Fade and the two Elves already awake.

Hira awakes in the meadows, having fallen asleep in the grass, she returns to camp. Saying good morning to one another, Vilya states she made all the food, and to probably not to eat anything from the Fade. Hira sits beside Bran, the two converse briefly. When he asks if she feels any better, Hira bluntly says no. He suggests they take it slow, but Hira feels there isn't any time to take things slow. Bran states they can enjoy a breakfast, and Hira takes a deep breath ending the conversation there.

As they eat, Hira casually mentions contacting Ambrose the night prior, stating their mission is complete if they wish to head back. She catches Monsoon's eyebrows raise in surprise. Hira expresses knowing how to open portals, saying the Monarch showed her — when one open or closes a rift is just a force of magic, one can will it close with a high amount of magic. Monsoon says it sounds too simple, Hira isn't sure about opening one but she had closed one before. Oriza asks if it took a toll on her wellbeing, to which Hira states she was possessed. She mentions not everyone signed up for this, looking towards Vilya, the two meet each others gaze. Vilya says she wishes to go back, but is extremely petty, wishing Arel dead. Monsoon shoulders her, and she corrects her words saying it would be the right thing to do. The world shouldn't go through another Blight.

Vilya asked how much she told Ambrose. Hira states only what she learned from the Time Knight, the vision of Pride entering Orion, and the timeline at hand. The Fireflies decide to get moving, looking for answers of who, what, where, when and how Arel is going about this ritual to bring back Pride. Monsoon states it might be best to find a place from Orion that holds significance to Arel, bringing up a lake they visit where they always seemed at home. They visited specifically during the Maker's Mourning, a holiday in the winter where one gives gifts. Hira proceeds to ask what a *Shemlin* is, causing Monsoon to be taken aback. Vilya says it means *city dweller,* which is anyone who isn't an Elvhenanian Elf. The lake has no name, Monsoon says it's best to just wander around and explore.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Mint
* Vilya
* Calypso
* Spectre

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* Ambrose Alpenlou
* Wendy
* Odin
* Lottie