FORCED DESTINY: RUNAWAY AND HOME

***FORCED DESTINY: RUNAWAY AND HOME*** is the twenty-third session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## **Synopsis**

As the Fireflies catch their breath, Bran pulls a dagger out after seeing Hira cast magic for the first time. Hira reminds him she made a deal, but Bran only looks at her with disgust, believing Arel had somehow controlled her. Hira asks how she can prove it's her, recounting Bran's fear of centipedes and his Mother's raven, he apologizes realizing its truly her.

Hira moves towards Oriza, seeing the darkness pouring outwards from where Loralynn and the stump once stood. Oriza sits in the gazebo staring across the lake as Hira asks if who they saw was Loralynn, but Oriza requests a moment as seeing their Lady again only makes their heart aches more. Meanwhile Monsoon thanks Riya for her aid in battle, explaining he wasn't sure what they had saw, but recounts Alphirin casting Blood Magic. Bran asks if he had any suspicions of Alphirin previously, but says no, only recounting seeing his father and the Bloodstone Construct upon his revival.

Monsoon reiterates his father wasn't a good man, as every time he refused to fit ideals, Vilya had a harder time, and so got rid of the problem. Monsoon acknowledges that he's not a woman and his fathers action against Vilya was more to anger him. Bran asks why he killed both of his children, but Monsoon explains his father wanted to kill him and Vilya got involved. They found death together, and were gifted a second chance, to which Monsoon took his fathers life and Vilya took anothers. Bran is unsure what the Fade is attempting to show them, Monsoon learned Alphirin isn't dead and also a Blood Mage. He and Vilya ran in hopes of learning more of Elvhenanian elves, hoping to come back and change their Clan for the better, but shelves his goal due to the growing chaos.

As the group readies themselves to continue these trials, Bran approaches Hira apologizing once more. He wonders of the spell she used, stating it felt similar to Arel's magic. Hira expresses she didn't have a magical bone in her body prior to making her deal with the Monarch, hoping Bran won't see her as a copy of Arel forever. Not giving a definitive answer, Bran asks of Oriza. Hira expresses she attempted to talk to him, but seeing his lady only brings up grief, they decide its best to leave her be. Hira shows the writing of her sheath to Bran, who cannot read it.

Oriza stands in the gazebo by himself, the same gazebo they found Loralynn sat serenely in prayer to whatever God she adored. The thought creeps in Oriza's mind on whether they were truly prayers or not. They think back, giving into a favour of the Fade, they remember days before the Siege Loralynn had been sleeping less, never odd but seeing it as moments to take care of her. The only reason this is normal to Oriza is because she's been this way for a long time.

Loralynn was a Druid of Dreams. One morning Loralynn had approached Oriza, asking for their forgiveness stating she hadn't meant to do it. That was the first and last time they dreamt of Loralynn, barely teenagers. After that morning she began acting differently, whatever caused the change in her was because of Oriza's dream.

Meanwhile Bran moves where Monsoon sits by the lake, asking how he is. Monsoon states he's compartmentalize his feelings for later. Bran feels sorry Monsoon and Oriza's pasts where aired out like this, but admits curiosity of what Monsoon's father had said, was he not always this Monsoon? Monsoon explains he was born different, but wasn't who he was. Bran smiles warmly, saying he's only been wearing the name Bran for a few years, understanding to some extent. The two share a comforting moment.

Oriza continues to process what they've realized, only hoping to learn more. They investigate the red crystals surrounding the gazebo, realizing it's highly concentrated magic. He goes to chip a part of the stone, but critically fails their save. As they touch the stone Oriza collapses in immense pain, closing their eyes they look through an individuals eyes. Sitting at a desk surrounded by papers, the figure cries wondering if they'll ever be good enough to pass, wanting to be part of them.

The memory flashes forward, seeing himself in front of her, the figure wishes to be like Oriza. As Oriza stands beside her sister, Loralynn, they wish to be strong enough to protect her as well. A flash forward shows their kingdom in ruins, fire engulfs their home as the Blight spreads they find Oriza and Loralynn. As they run to the carriage the Tainted Fiends catch up. Taking this opportunity to be hero, to protect her sister and Oriza, she urges them to leave as she holds them off. Loralynn and Oriza escape, realizing the two never did argue with her, believing she truly was useless all this time, a decoy. As pieces of armour cut her down, Lottie, the younger sister of Loralynn, dies feeling worthless.

The bright red colour of the crystal they had chipped away goes dull and grey, as Oriza weeps uncontrollably in the sands. In a split second the pain Lottie felt is wracked through her body, he cries out Lottie's name in distress, apologizing profusely over leaving her behind. Hira rushes towards them, enveloping her in a hug in attempts to comfort them. Monsoon and Bran approaches in panic, Oriza states to not touch the crystals. As Bran wipes their face with a cold cloth, they deem it's best to leave and push forward.

As they walk, the ground becomes more solid as large towering Mesa like structures surround them. A soft tune familiar to Riya fills the air, something she once wrote. A disembodied voice hums the tune, asking if they like it as they wrote it for her. Another voice states she always enjoys when they write music for her, and Riya feels the ring on her hand grow tighter. Smoke fills the air, making it hard to breathe. Anthir's chest grows tight, wondering to himself why he's still alive, he's killed so many before. His hands feel warm with the blood of those he's murdered. The Fireflies trudge on.

The Eye, Truth itself, speaks once more.

> *"Memories, Lives, many lives lived. Not all remembered. Your past comes to haunt you. Faith, faith, your past. The Fade remembers for you, the Fade sees, the Fade knows, the Fade wants you to know. A peek! A memory. Death and Life bleeds together, always together. A cycle. When you realize the trial will begin. When you realize..."*
>
>

The Fireflies approach the large Mesa like structures, the bright fiery Eye of Truth hovers in the centre. A man is tied to a stake alight in flame, whilst a trail of blood leads to a dilapidated cabin as the Eye welcomes them to their next trial. Anthir approaches the middle of the mesa, seeing a Half Elven man uniquely tied to the stake as he cries, reaching out to something. They gaze over at the cabin where blood seeps out of, feeling himself drawn to it. Asking what they must see, The Eye describes the Fade wants him to see the cycle of Life and Death, their own mistakes must be atoned for, referring to Anthir as "the tainted one," staring at their blue stained hands.

Stating they must atone for his past sins, referring to Anthir's past as a killer. Upset by this, Anthir and Hira move to look into the window of the cabin. A man in dark robes leans against a wall, clutching his chest with stained, bright blue hands. The injured figure curses, not wishing to die. A Heavenly, booming voice speaks down to him, impressed he's resisted him for so long. The man spits blood, saying this is the last time he'll be killing anyone, in this life or whatever comes next, he's going to do the opposite. The voice mocks him, stating they made him a killer, their blood runs through him after all. However the man swears it, but the disembodied voice states they will find him again as the man slumps down and dies.

While this happens, Riya finds her ring leading her towards the man at the stake. As Bran follows closely behind, as the Eye of Truth squints at the ring on Riya's hand. They ask if they want to see the past, not one filled with sins, but many regrets. Riya nods, watching the scene unfold. The Half Elven man struggles desperately to grab a familiar ring off the ground. He cries, begging them not to hurt them. The man says he'll find them again, as many voices chant wishing for his death, of heresy and treason, to burn this Blood Mage at the stake. The man states they don't know what they're talking about, begging his love to stay where they are, for he will find them once more. As the flames engulf him, Riya hears a soft crying within her mind, and tears streak down her own face as well.

As the man begs what Gods are left in Orion to see them again. Riya realizes the way the man is dressed is strangely familiar, something her Grandmother has owned. A relic dated before the Great Blight, the man wears something similar. The Eye states Death and Life all together is a cycle, showing them their past regrets and sins. The Eye asks if they're ready. Riya asks ready for what, to which they remind them is a trial as time is fickle. Time doesn't enjoy one life seeing the past, stating Time is here.

A mounted knight stands before them, adorning dark armour and lance, he moves forward towards the Fireflies, and strikes at Anthir and Hira. There's something ethereal of the Time Knight, successfully hitting Hira with his temporal strike, causing her to age sixteen years. Hira's hair grows longer, her stature taller, with her face growing itchy and hands cold. Riya can tell the Knight is innately arcane, only magical attacks will effect him. As Monsoon and Oriza launch into battle, Anthir spends time attempting to aid Hira in her rapid aging. Hira looks to Anthir, stating she'd rather he stay away from the Time Knight, but Anthir is caught off guard by her appearance. Her horns have grown longer, curling back, whilst her eyes are no longer brown, but red. Leaving Hira with a healing word to aid her, Anthir moves backwards with a sacred flame in hand.

Bran felt a connection with Monsoon previously, and aims to return some of his magic back. In the moment Bran mimics how Monsoon stands, muttering to himself for the magic to return back to Monsoon, sending a bolt of lightning towards him, allowing Monsoon to spell cast. Riya successfully casts Bane on the Knight, just as Oriza strikes down at the Knight. Hira is reminded that Time doesn't like it when the Present meets the Past. The Time Knight strikes at Oriza, dealing a temporal strike. Oriza ages fifteen years, their hair growing long and white, wrinkled and aching. His neck itches as he looks to her own hand, seeing them grow sharp like talons.

Rounds go by, growing frustrated, Hira yells to the Time Knight venting her frustration. The Time Knight looks to Riya, stating once more the Past and Present cannot meet. Realizing this, Hira rushes towards the ring left by the burning stake, throwing it into the fire to be destroyed. Riya hears a woman cry and heave, asking for him to come back, the echoes of the mans apologies ring in Riya's hands as the ring burns away. The Time Knight drops his weapons, no longer posing as a threat.

Hira begins questioning the Time Knight, when questioned why time doesn't pass in the Fade, he expresses he is only a fraction of himself, the rest of time being locked away. The Time Knight approaches Hira, reversing the effects of his temporal strike. She continues to ask if he wishes to be free, but the Knight states not right now, but soon he shall be. The Knight refers to the Reckoning, as a door is being opened, bringing Them back to life.

> *"Pride approaches..."*
>
>

Confused, Hira motions Oriza to come forward in hopes of reversing their aging. He steps forward, but focuses on giving the Knight's steed attention. Hira continues questioning, wondering who or what is Pride. The Time Knight offers a hand to her, to which she accepts.

> *Fire. Decay. Blight. Things coming up from the ground, ruins everywhere. You see mountains, the Blighted notch with millions, hundreds or maybe thousands of people marching out of the Blighted Notch. Walking, marching out towards Esmos. You see in the middle of it all the mountain range of the Blighted Notch, a Fade rift, massive in its size as if it is tearing through the heavens itself. and out from it, two talon like claws dark and black and scaly rip the Fade rift open. Coming out from the Fade into Orion itself, a dragon. Black, its eyes..you can't discern the colour but it is menacing, as it slowly creeps out of the Fade rift, an Archdemon emerges from the Fade. Pride is going to bring doom upon the world...*
>
>

Hira thanks the Time Knight for this insight, as she begins frantically jotting down this vision. Oriza asks what the Knight referred to as 'rising again,' having it confirmed he meant the dead. Many people want to bring Them back, two will succeed, and two are in the Fade currently. The group is aware of one of them, being Arel. The Time Knight states if they stop them, Pride's arrival may be delayed. It seems Pride's arrival is inevitable, if they succeed in delaying both individuals, there will only be a decade of peace.

Riya questions if there's a way to prevent it all together, but there are too many possibilities to be sure, but in the near future it is inevitable. The Time Knight says to not look so glum, even if Pride is brought into the world, it can still be slain, which would end the Blight. However many people will see this, and wish to try again to bring an Archdemon upon Orion. The Time Knight lists the five of the Seven Deadly Sins, excluding wrath and gluttony, he states all of mans follies are said to come reckon the world. The Fireflies learn that Pride is the first dragon, despite there being a previously Blight.

The Time Knight concludes his talk of the Blight, however offers any last questions. Oriza quietly asks if the other individual seeking to release Pride is part of their party, to which is confirmed no, the other individual is someone else's target. He asks what awaits them at the end of this trial, to which the Time Knight expresses they'll find rest and a familiar face. From there, the Fade will welcome them. Oriza asks of the Eye, learning they are of two different beings. The Time Knight simply allows time and fate to run its course.

Riya asks if they will see him again, the Knight confirm yes, he'll only provide aid if they best him in another trial though. He foresees them asking for help again. Time looks towards Anthir, who clocks recognition. Anthir asks if they are aware of the significance of the scenes shown this trial. Time states when souls die and come into the Fade, they eventually leave and return to Orion as new people. However, the Fade is filled with memories, so whatever their past lives have done continue to follow their soul. Deep down it seems like Anthir seeks to right something he's done wrong many lives before this one, whilst Riya seeks to tell a story that she has lived many lives before. Anthir wonders if he resolves this issue, but Time cannot tell him how his journey ends, for the end is something they all must find out on their own.

As the Time Knight readies to leave he stares at Anthir, saying he shall see him again, old friend...

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Truth

#### Mentioned

* Alphirin
* Loralynn
* Vilya
* Arel