Darkness. The clang of a bell. A shadowy figure growing nearer. Eyes glowing like coals. Horns like a beast. Screaming, crying, burning. Unable to move. Unable to escape. Black tendrils rise from below. Everything is dark. Footsteps nearer. Blade scraping on stone. An intense heat. A terrible, guttural roar. You work up the courage.
You open your eyes.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
You wake in your bedroom, your nightmare’s cold sweat already growing uncomfortable in the Great Swamp’s dreadful summer humidity. A fact of life, but one that you’ll never get quite used to. You peer out into the world, faint beams of pink and orange trickling in through the canopy before fading into the morning’s fog. The village is quiet, but the swamp is not. Birds above chirp while buzzing bugs swarm past your heads. And though it looks like any other day, it’s far from the truth. Today, your journey begins, when you cross the threshold and go beyond the tainted mire you’ve made your home for as long as you can remember.
You hear a familiar voice. “Ah, good morning, dear.” You turn and see Shaman Deyra smiling with her wide toothless grin you’ve become so accustomed to after all these years. A smile that’s brought comfort to those around her for as long as you’ve known and hasn’t failed yet. She straightens her walking stick and gives you a good look. “Let’s all break bread by the Stone this morning. Join me when you’re ready,” she says with a content sigh, continuing her walk to greet the rest of the village as the Coven comes to life.
You go about your usual morning routine, though stepping through your home feels bittersweet today. You’ve spent your lifetime in that home, and it’s finally time to leave the nest, at least for a time. You step out your door, making a quick glance at your packed bags in the doorway.
You make your way towards the Elder Stone, the center of the village and its belief system. A large log-constructed table is laid out near it, surrounded by crackling fires of various sizes. Upon the table is an impressive spread of the Coven’s breakfast fare, including many of your favorite dishes. The village’s leaders are all seated on one side, proud grins on their faces, even Pedagogue Nefes’ to your surprise.
“Come, children. Humor us with one last meal with your elders before you leave?” says Shaman Deyra, her voice cracking a bit. You notice her eyes are red and puffy, the telltale sign of tears had. “Yes, eat,” says Tolga without a hint of emotion to his voice. “You will need the strength in your trek to come.”
Nefes sighs, wiping something from her eye. “You children were brats but… You brought a certain life to our village. However, I will enjoy the quiet while it lasts,” she says, nearly straying from her bitter demeanor with a genuine compliment. Nearly.
Scryer Esma, meanwhile, looks up and towards each of you, sensing your energies despite her lack of sight. “How are you all feeling, children?” You get the sense that she already knows the answer but hopes to hear it with her own ears. “Let us answer all that you might ask of the outside world, that we might quell your fears and inhibitions.”
“They should have already prepared for this by now.”
“Avuulamak knows I tried.”
“Cease this bickering at once. We are here to celebrate, not fight,” Deyra says, chastising her subordinates. She turns back towards you. “Do you feel ready, children? Have you decided if you'd like to go north to Imardin or south to Tulrisse first? Tell old Deyra what’s weighing on your minds.”
As she speaks, Esma's body grows tense as she grits her teeth and grasps her head. Not a moment later, the same occurs to Emre. "No... Why now?" he barely mutters through the apparent mental assault as you all watch on. Deyra looks between you and the seers, waiting for anyone to speak up.
