FORCED DESTINY: OF FIREFLIES AND MOTHS

***FORCED DESTINY: OF FIREFLIES AND MOTHS*** is the twenty-fourth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* Truths about the past, Revelations that bleed into the present…what is next for this motley crew as they are about to venture into the trial to follow? What truths are hiding in plain sight? Whatever is to come the Fireflies need to be prepared, they need to push through and see if they are strong enough to walk through the Fade. The journey only gets more difficult from here.

## Musings

*Just one more step, another step forward, another day passes, another moment in the journey. All humans have are hopes and dreams and faith. But in a world that is slowly becoming corrupted, where Gods turn their back against man and are silent. What does man have to cling onto when the future in front of them is less then ideal?*

## **Synopsis**

Within the Mesa, the Fireflies stand in disbelief and silence. Anthir attempts to process what the Time Knight has mentioned, pondering what they could've done to deserve such a punishment. It comes to his attention that the voice who spoke to the injured man did not have a body. As Hira and Bran begin to investigate inside the cabin, Hira recognizes the location they're in is similar to an archipelago north of Esmos, Hesmad, have a similar mesas.

Hira approaches Bran with what she's learned, to which Bran reveals he's found nothing of importance, deeming it strange. Bran goes to talk with the rest of the Fireflies, but Hira requests to speak alone. She fears they are next for a trial, asking how he feels. Bran states he didn't have much occurring in his childhood so he's feeling hopeful. Bran asks if Hira has any ideas of what she'll see, she has her guesses, but they won't go until they go. Bran asks if they should keep an eye out for anything specific in hopes of protecting her, but Hira gives a half hearted smile, feeling there is nothing to protect her as she ran for five years before running back into their arms. The two say they'll keep an eye on one another before heading back towards the group.

As they walk, Bran sees the bright red crystals, feeling drawn to touch it. Seeing the reflection of Violet in the crystal, he grabs it, but with a critically success, is not overwhelmed with visions. In the back of his head he feels a sharp pain, hearing the quiet voice of Violet repeating how much pain she is in. As Bran calls out to her, Oriza grabs his wrist roughly, to which Bran pleaded stating she was there but saw nothing. Oriza states he doesn't want to see his sister in there, to forget what he saw, as Bran calms down the two apologize to one another.

Meanwhile Anthir ponders if they touch the crystal, they'll learn more about the figure. Temptation taken over, Anthir feels the blood all around him, covering him and his hands. It doesn't belong to him though, always a hit, some sort of job given by someone else. The voice claims he knows him, like a father, claiming he is cursed, his kin and son. The words murder and kill repeat, a being made to bring death upon the world. Tonight was too much, as he holds a cold body in his hands, piece of his heart, he swears to stop killing. But how does one hide away from a God?

A gripping feeling in Anthir's chest that leads him somewhere but nowhere all the same, feeling his hands grow even cold. But Gods don't exist, this must be a vision, a trick. He begins to cry, feeling the responsibility of killing through another's eyes, he ponders why he is like this. Oriza watching Anthir give into temptation, spits in disgust and calls him a fool before turning away. Bran takes Anthir's hand in his attempting to calm him, asking what he saw. Anthir explains what the figure felt, the struggle of feeling the burden of taking someones life.

Anthir asks if Gods ever talked to people, Monsoon states they didn't, or at least his Gods didn't. Bran says the figure wasn't him, but Anthir states he has his hands and is confident they are connected. Compartmentalizing these feelings, the Fireflies begins to move forward as the mesa structure dissipates in a plume of green mists, turning into a flat plain of nothing. Bran approaches Monsoon, asking if he felt his magic during the battle. It was in the heat of the moment, but Bran wishes to try to return his powers, thinking it may be easier done in the Fade.

Having travelled for hours, the sun sits high in the sky, and nobody feels a sense of hunger as they travel. Hira reaches out to the Monarch in her head, she attempts to gauge the time they've wandered in the Fade. The Monarch says it is winter in Orion, entering the month of Wallow, having missed out on three months. Hira is in disbelief, but the Monarch continues saying Esmos is a "shitstorm." Hira further questions on the contacts they have, but the Monarch states she isn't ready yet. They offer to do anything for her, but Hira refuses the offer.

Hira divulges this information to the group, Bran worries if he spends more time in the Fade he won't not be able to return at all. Hira reminds him that Death's plane is on the Fade, suggesting they could seek them out to ask. As the mesa badlands turn into mountains as snow begins to fall. The Fireflies begin bundling up, as Bran begins to hear the clicking of heels against cold floors, a familiar sound of his mother hums a tune as he quickly begins running ahead in search of her. A memory of her walking along a frozen lake resurfaces, as she taught him of magic.

As her humming fades away, the sound of heavy set boots move through snow, synchronized. Two sets of voices begin to speak to one another. A voice vents her frustrations to Abulia, over their parents bringing Hira to The Monarch instead of them. Angry, the two mutter about teaching her a lesson. Eventually the Fireflies reach an clearing, mounds of snow unfamiliar to Hira surround them, trails of dark red breaking every so often. A bright red Eye engulfed in flames greets them, asking if they are ready. Stepping forward, the Eye guides them to see a frozen lake off to the left , to the right oddly is enveloped in black smoke, snow underneath it is tainted dark red.

As they gather their bearings, the Eye speaks again:

*"Your lives. Fate. A river. Your lives, many branches, many ebbs, many flows, your lives many many many possibilities, stronger, harsher, must be prepared see look the path, the path if you are weak. See the path if you are weak, the road if u are gone, the world paved is harsh the world paved is cruel, for those who get lost. Do not get lost, embrace all possibilities, all, embrace all, face all the possibilities, face probability, of failure and then you may wander, face reality."*

The Eye disappears, leaving them all to watch the scene unfold. Walking up towards the smoke are figures familiar to Hira, however different. Abulia has grown tall and broader, his hand nearly demonic, claw like. He towers over his sister, her robes intricately embroidered signifying her promotion into the Eclipse. Within her hands is her father's staff, curved and twisted making it her own. Standing in blood infused snow, Abulia states everyone has been killed. Within the black smoke, a loud growl emanates causing the two to lower their heads.

They state they have done as requested, saying they must protect them now as promised. The sound of growling comes from the mist, angering the siblings, stating they helped bring Wrath upon the world as promised. The ground begins to shake as a beast emerges, a being with long curved horns, scaly skin with patches of fur adorns the richest purple cloak — belonging to the Monarch. In anger, Abulia takes a head from his bag, tossing it in front of the beast, stating he knew they were going to back stab them, and in return, took the liberties himself. As the two figures fade away, only the beast and severed head with white hair remains. The beast — a future of Hira — steps forward. With the fluttering of dragon wings behind them, the only thing within Hira's heart is rage and anger, wishing to bring Wrath upon the plane of Orion.

Meanwhile across a lake, Nimue stands holding a small bouquet of flowers as the fireflies light up around her. A masked figure appears before her, stating they had a deal. Nimue states the figure didn't uphold their part of the deal, how her children would be rid of a curse. The figure says that her daughter would be free as per her request the night she brought them to them. Another masked figure appears, mimicking her words spoken from the past — her request that her daughters don't experience this magic, to be normal. She states she'd do anything, and the figure accepts, stating her daughters will stay as you want them, just as she had worded it. Past Nimue accepts this deal, but in this moment she feels anger.

Stammering over words, she says what of her son, but the figure took her exact words, mocking she hadn't specified better. The masked figure talks of her daughter living a lonely life, seemingly in a slumber. They throw Bran's hat towards her, asking why her son is so far from home. Nimue is confused, stating the last she heard from him was in Glenwell. The masked figure states the shame that her daughter with too much magic to control and the son who became a sponge is no longer with them. Nimue states she'll find a way to wake Violet up, stating they'll pay for what they've done — but she is swiftly stabbed by the figure, not wanting any loose ends. As she falls to the floor, reaching out for Bran's hat. She sends a bit of magic, a Sending spell to her husband telling him not to avenge her. As she dies, she apologizes to Bran, claiming she didn't know it be like this.

Her visage disappears, leaving only Bran's hat behind. Multiple masked figures appear along the lake, Bran looks to the figure who ended his mothers life, seeing the blade is shaped in a crescent moon gilded in gold. The head figure states to the others to ensure she is dead, as no lose ends are to be present in the Republic of Rune. As initiative is rolled, the masked figures dash forward striking at Bran. Making a deal for a critical success, Bran learns the assassins are vulnerable to piercing damage dealt by good creatures. However critically failing his wild magic surge, Bran touches Oriza, casting the 5th level Bestow Curse on him.

Anthir heals Bran with a healing word, then turns towards the masked figures. They know of them, figures who appeared at his family's house the day his magic manifested. Anthir wonders why members of the Golden Guard are so far from Rune and since when did they take hits. He thinks back to a night long ago, the same people who killed Aelius stand in front of him, wielding a familiar scimitar. In one foul swoop Hira is knocked down by the beast, who moves forward towards the rest of the Fireflies.

Oriza looks up at the beast, having seen anger in Hira before, the beast bears the same look. As they stab into it, they attempt to grapple them but falls prone. Asking who they are, Oriza only gets growls back. Hira floats in a dark void, cold but not malevolent. A part of her savours the moment of rest, but there is a fight in her. A voice asks how much she wishes to fight, and if she can do it alone. Hira isn't sure, stating she doesn't want to be alone. On the battlefield a Halla carrying Vilya emerges, rushing to heal Hira back to consciousness.

Hira notices the severed head disappears as Vilya appears, who urges her to rest until she is ready to resume battle. Despite her tears, Hira takes Vilya's hand hoisting her up to her feet, stating she must keep going, and rushes forward towards her beastial self. Meanwhile the Golden Guard continues their onslaught, gunning towards Bran, who rushes to the middle of the lake crying out to his mother. Reaching out to his hat, he is flooded with memories. He hides in dark hallway, heart thumping in his chest where a one rests upon his heart. He sees a man in long silken garb shuffles a deck of cards, who mutters Orion has been quiet. He sees Pride, Wrath, and Greed, believing to have rid of them already. He picks a card, Death, causing the man to go into a frenzy.

Finding Bran in his hiding spot, he spats hes only a little boy trying to end his reign. The man grabs onto his head, combing through his memories, the man learns he is Nimue's son. Brought out of this vision, Bran is aware in that vision he failed that night, and is the reason his mother was caught and killed. Upon Bran being asked if he wants to only be known as a figment or blur, he exclaims no. A voice tells him to stop running away and fight. All the elements begin to pulsate in his hands as Bran stands, he is going to make this name his own. With this resolution, the Golden Guards dissipate.

Hira hears the beast growl as they wail in pain and anger. However she can understand what they are saying. Her beastial self wails, claiming how unfair her life has been, wondering when it would be her turn to have someone there for her. She exclaims she will bring doom and wrath and anger upon the world if it's the last thing she does, as she pulls the fur from her face, the beast stumbles back into the smoke. As the battle ends, the Eye reappears, congratulating them all.

> *"Seek the truth, understand the lives, embrace your failures. But never, never, stop fighting...Never stop. Continue! The Eye welcomes you! You, Fireflies. Our body, our body, awaits your arrival. Till we meet again, we will see, we will see, again! Goodbye!"*
>
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As the Eye closes, the place around them slowly dissipates revealing a little campsite. Monsoon rushes to Vilya as he picks her up, catching up in rapid Elvish. Oriza rushes to take Hira in a hug, who whispers they are glad she's alright. Oriza brings up seeing a similar look in the beast's eye, who looks away, but Oriza tries to get her attention once more, stating the beast isn't her, nor will it ever be her. Hira is half hearted to agree, fearing in how many paths she'll succumb to that fate. She doesn't wish to become a beast and hopes to find a different path with them, to which Oriza states her feet will take her a different path if that is her wish. However Hira acknowledges her feet are not just her own, but Oriza states they will help her walk the path she chooses.

Hira thanks them, taking Oriza's shaking hands in his, stating if he worries of the curse, he can ask Vilya or Anthir. Oriza shakes their head, saying she did save their life afterall, and brushes off the curse effect. Meanwhile Mint flies to Vilya's shoulder, beginning to chirp to her. Understanding him, Vilya approaches Bran holding Mint. Mint says he isn't sure what is happening, but reassures Bran he'll never be alone, that you have him, and a second home. Vilya says he always wanted to tell Bran this, but Bran could never understand. Vilya notices his white hair, are gravous injuries, giving a low whistle as she summons a Halla spirit to aid healing his wounds.

Bran brings Vilya's hands to his forehead graciously, thanking her. Bran is happy to see her back with Monsoon, who make faces at each other. Vilya states she's happy to see everyone as well, reassuring her campsite is safe. She recommends time to rest and process, time to settle down. The campsite is filled with mushrooms, lush forestry surrounds them, almost as if back home in Orion. It sinks in that this is just the beginning of their journey through the Fade...

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### New

* Abulia
* Lacuna

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Vilya
* Nimue Gromery
* The Monarch
* Mint

#### Mentioned

* Aelius
* Violet