THE WORTH OF A LIFE: BODY

***THE WORTH OF A LIFE: BODY*** is the thirty-fifth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.*

## **Synopsis**

The group returns to Vilya's side, wrought with emotional and physical pain after her encounter. Bran rushes to where Hira sits holding Vilya, offering her water as they begin to slowly move away from the swamp lands. As they move, Hira feels herself filled with regret for leaving, wondering how things would differ if they hadn't entered the forest. Oriza focuses on Spectre, who was present with Vilya during the attack, they gauge her fear and worry. Spectre shares their perspective seeing Arel, seeing Vilya's mangled on the floor.

As the rest move ahead leaves Anthir and Riya trailing behind. Riya thinks about Bran's familial circumstances, grappling with how to feel about the knowledge of his Hag Aunts. Subconsciously she brings a hand to her ring, realizing there's no sign of life, she thinks of reaching out to her later. In the deepest part of his mind Anthir is reminded of the sensation in the hut, finding himself yearning for it. He finds himself confused, but focuses on aiding Vilya with her broken leg.

Vilya looks to Anthir and Riya, requesting different things she needs to make her medicine. Meanwhile Bran feels someone staring at the back of his head, a voice acknowledges he has questions. Bran is beckoned away, falling into meditation. Death greets him, offering to answer whatever they deem useful to him. Bran asks about the souls trapped underneath the cave — they remain there, until Nimue, Selene, Astra and the three other women who are for Pride are brought down, as they are the ones keeping the souls there. Bran asks how and why, to which Death states a lot can be achieved by a mortal playing God has the Will for it, strong magics. Why of course is for the resurrection of Pride. Every moment the group dwadles, the closer they are getting to their goal.

Bran asks how close are they to their goal — very close, they need Bran, and one other. Death asks if he's aware of what he gives in exchange for life, that his second chance of life. The Hags need what is left of Monsoon, his Will, that is now in Bran. Bran expresses confusion due to his magic siphoning ability, he expresses he didn't expect the curse to be in his very blood by being born to Nimue. Death does not comprehend human emotions well, muddled by his feelings. Death asks if Bran understands the weight of the world on his shoulders, urging him to not get caught by them. Bran asks if they know where this brother of his (Monsoon) is, asking for aid to retrieve him. Death states they have been there, the place with the lake is where the Warlock keeps him, where *she* keeps him. Death states he must understand that his second chance of life has a strength to them, when their lives are forfeit, it can aid in many things.

He asks if they've caught another champion, Death states there looking for another named Mavvius on the Material Plane. Death says there is something about Monsoon and Mavvius, the way they wish for the world to prosper, the strength of their will, just the two will be enough to fuel the ritual. Bran states his priority lies in finding Monsoon again, to which Death chides that he hasn't been listening. If he is caught, they will only be closer. Bran then asks about his sister, wondering if Death knows what Nimue has done to them both. Death states she hasn't done anything to them, just simply her children. He asks of the creature she made the deal with, but Death knows nothing of the specifics of something beyond his realm.

Bran's shoulders tremble as he grows teary eyed, he asks for another glimpse of Violet. Bran sees his father, Eliot, entering the home in his farming attire. Violet lays motionless in bed, as a unfamiliar half Elven girl with dark brown hair in braids tends to her. The girl and his father converse as they take care of her. Bran looks to Death in confusion, asking if the bonds humans have is strange to them. Death states it is, but they understand the bonds between mortals is what brings people to slaughter, at his door everyday. Death's reach is only found in the Fade, where the veils are thinnest. He offers him his power and a reaper, with no contract, only the wish for the souls to return.

For a brief moment a puff of smoke appears as Bran's appearance changes. His once earthy coloured clothes are replaced with blacks and reds. In his lap is a smoke and shadow made hound, one of Death's reapers. Meanwhile, Vilya and Hira who seat near one another look over to Bran, confused at the sudden change to black. Vilya states they all look terrible and if they need healing, to which Hira shows her the rot spreading beneath her skin. Upon asking what happened, Hira recaps the excursion — the Hag's hut, the descent, the meeting of the harpies and the reveal of Bran's Aunts being part of revival of Pride itself. Vilya asks why is Bran is here, if his family is involved in this why is here?

Bran begins to approach but is told to stay back by Vilya. Bran states he understands the anger she feels right now, stating the only way to atone for the sin of being born as his mothers child is to fight them. Vilya states all she's seen is him run, cry and act frail, to which he agrees too. Vilya expresses distrust for him, he's all they need after all, his family is part of this and so she questions his loyalty. Oriza approaches them, resting a hand on Bran's shoulder stating that Bran didn't know, but Vilya exclaims he could be lying. Oriza states they trust Bran, but Hira states he doesn't know his Aunts nor like them — she believes he valued the truth over the safety of others, especially Monsoon. Bran states he's been feeling like a puppet all his life, that decisions were being made for him by others, he had a purpose since birth. Bran expresses since this journey he's been clawing at the chance to make decisions for the first time, the fact he is here with them know is to learn about to truth, for his and his sister's sake.

Bran expresses needing to know the truth to act against it. Hira feels conflicted, saying that she's where his priorities lie in the truth instead of his friends. Oriza snaps at her, but she doubles down, reminding them he hadn't cared for his aunts prior. Oriza asks her wouldn't want to learn the truth of something, but Hira expresses no, the truth only brings one pain. Bran expresses how closely interlinked the truth is with the resurgence of Pride, whilst he regrets leaving them behind, he knows the importance of both. Hira wishes for him to express his inner thoughts more, to which Bran states she hasn't asked, there hasn't been time to converse. Vilya states bullshit, they run and fight constantly, she sees the issue as Bran running ahead.

Vilya realizes that the reason nobody is talking is that they all clam up, recalling seeing Hira approaching almost all of them before only to be brushed off. Vilya sees all of them guarded, calling them naive for putting their feelings in front of them instead of acknowledging the whole world is at stake. Vilya begins opening up — she and her brother died, brought back by death. Hira attempts to open up next, stating she had made a pact with the Monarch of the Lying Eyes to bring Oriza back in Moonvale City. Part of her pact regards killing and stopping Arel, and to one day return back to the mountains where she is to be— she cuts herself off feeling a cold searing against her chest of anger. Hira stammers, stating she can't say anymore. Vilya asks if she's being held back, to which Hira states yes, they can monitor her.

Oriza looks unhappy hearing this, then recalls of their kingdom falling and seeks revenge. But after being brought back by Hira, they walk where she walks. Hira states she never mentioned them owing her anything, but Oriza recalls a promise, reassuring her this is her own choice. Vilya recalls seeing the Kingdom of Elyxir across the reservoir, not that she's ever passed. Oriza expresses it was Loralynn's wish to bring life to the kingdom once more, and now with her gone, it is her wish as well. Vilya rummages through Monsoon's bag of holding, frisbee tossing the old journal of her father to them.

Vilya looks to Anthir or Riya, asking if anything of theirs ties into this web. Anthir recalls a friend he went to magic school with back in Rune,

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Vilya
* Monarch

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* Monsoon