The room was silent except for the slight sound of shifting sand through the timer. Shadows from the dim light danced across the heavy oak table in the center, where the dragonchess board lay, a three-tiered marvel of mismatched wood and hand carved pieces. I faced my successor, V, a prodigy whose strategic prowess had grown formidable. This game would test if he had surpassed me before he set off on his first assignment.

"Your move" V said, his voice calm but excited. I moved my Dragon Knight to the top tier, threatening his Mage. I watched as his fingers hovered over his pieces, planning a counter. He moved his Elf Ranger defensively, protecting his Mage while setting up an attack on my lower tier. "Bold," he remarked. "Too bold?" I countered, shifting my Dwarven Berserker to block his advance. A glimmer of his smile shone through the firelight, confident yet cautious. The pieces clinked softly as we played, the game intensifying with each move.

V moved his Phoenix to the top tier, threatening my Dragon Knight. It was a move I hadn't anticipated. I moved my Sorcerer to the middle tier, preparing a counterattack. The tension was palpable, each move bringing us closer to a definitive answer. He shifts his Mage to the lower tier, aligning it with his Phoenix. "Check," he says softly, eyes gleaming with triumph. I stared at the board, realizing he had trapped me. Pride and defeat surged within me.

"But not enough," I said, moving my Dragon Knight to the middle tier, sacrificing it to capture his Phoenix. I stare through the set seeing his eyes widen for but a brief moment, the first crack in his composure. The game was not over yet. Attacking, countering, defending, and sacrificing pieces back and forth. Finally, it came down to a single move. V's Queen Dragon poised to deliver the final blow. I moved my Sorcerer to the top tier, casting a spell that neutralized his Queen Dragon's attack. "Checkmate," I whispered. He stared at the board, disbelief and respect mingling in his eyes. The sand slipping through the glass timer quickly settles to the bottom lying still. "You won. . ." he said, a hint of a smile ”this time.". "You played brilliantly, Ventis. One day, you will surpass me. But today is not that day."

He stood, offering his hand. I took it, the bond between leader and successor became stronger for the test we had just endured. As we stood in front of the flickering fireplace, I knew greater battles lay ahead, and we would face them readied.

My mind races to and from the question set before me and my database of knowledge. As I peer for any recognizable answer I’m left with nothing. As I stare at the paper I can feel the threat creeping closer and closer still. The outcomes of getting these queries wrong are too much for me to think about as my mind is no longer racing, but stuck in shock. It’s as if the question has slithered off the page and began strangling my throat. I feel my heart beating faster. The air in the room seems to flee from my gasping breath. Is this really all I have left to give? I close my eyes hiding from the unanswered question. Hearing the beating of my heart slowly fade into the background. 

I’m left with nothing. Completely empty. I take a deep breath. It burns. Is this even air I’m breathing? Is this another one of their concoctions? My lungs ignite and collapse, but I hold it in. I hold it all in. The urge to scream. The impulse to run away. These feelings I’m told aren’t important bubble up inside me. Feelings, emotions, they’re just chemicals. The processed reaction your brain dishes to the body to keep you alive. Dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, adrenaline, acetylcholine . . . they all are just natural reactions to environmental stimuli. As this thought gathers, and I feel the question release it’s hold, I remember who said this. It was my sister. Similarly, this is also nothing. Just a question, I need to answer to get an outcome. A process that needs an output. Wrong or right changes only what test they will try next.

The darkness hid my tears It also held my deepest fears For in the dark I can’t be found It's also where love would drown

I’d sit and judge those I saw as weak Continuing until their eyes would leak Lashing out against the ones I see Cause they would not believe in me

Even in this, I tell my lies Leading me to my own demise The one I see in the mirror When nothing else is really clear

I say they have no right to the lives they end But let's be real it’s all pretend Cause at the core I know it’s true That the real blood falls on just a few

The one that encouraged them to act The one that fought despite the fact He who held the greatest card He who fell when things got hard

Yes it hurts to see it now . . . To no longer ask the question how “Why did they have to die?” “Look in the mirror, you’ll see why”

It’s me, from every single time I truly wasn’t worth a dime Yet now is not the time to think When everything is on the brink

I know now I must hold fast For I cannot change the past It’s time to do what is right The truth finally came to light

The sound of a casual jolly bar tune feels the air as I exit down the stairs from my recent job. He didn’t last long, you tempt them in and it’s just a simple whisper of doubt and their out. I walk down the steps scanning the denizens for my crew. I should let them know drinks are on me, as I check the weight of the rich man's coin purse. A dart flies across the floor almost landing in a bystanders tankard. Shortly after another dart lets loose and slams directly into the bullseye. I follow the trajectory to see a familiar face smiling gesturing for our poor half orc to pay up. “You agreed to the bet you know!” the human, dwarfed in comparison to the half-orc, jests at him. The half-orc looking rather red in the face hiccups and says “What . . . bet?” as he rests his palm on his head like you would resting upon a canes head. Well they clearly already got their share of booze.

My head swivels to find our leader’s gruffled hair, half passed out on the bar counter, and it doesn’t take long. Right next to him is Santi, mirroring his drunken stupor. As I walk towards the counter I hear a group of drunks whistle at me. “Sorry boys, I already have a client” I say as I rest my head on our dear leader’s passed out back. He quickly jolts up and turns to meet me. His eyes glazed over with the shades of liquor he slurs out “Oh hey Zamera. . .when did you. . .get here?”.

I look at his crooked grin clearly with no plans in sight. He’s a lousy drinker and a terrible planner. Half the time I wonder if he’s the leader or if it’s Lucie, but there’s a charm that comes with his attitude. A simple and very free charm. I smile and kiss him on the forehead “I love you idiot.” He lingers in response “Yeah me too.” I shake my head knowing full well he didn’t hear me, but saying it out loud doesn’t hurt from time to time. He certainly doesn’t see me that way, after all I’m the crew's reliable flirt. When there’s no other entry then through someone's heart I’m the bridge to get us there. Perhaps after tomorrow's big job I’ll tell him, when he can understand me.

The beautiful clear blue sea stretches out for what feels like infinity. The warm sea breeze hits my cheek as I stare out amongst the waves. I turn to see my beautiful son held by my loving wife. This warmth feels like a cozy night by the bonfire sharing snacks and stories amongst loved ones. Like a great fur blanket in a beautiful lodging while the snow pours outside. Even more like the warm embrace of the one you hold closest. She stares at me with a galaxy of stars within her eyes and I get lost in them. I see twinkling constellations of fate in a shifting sky scape. Two moons orbiting, one known as Catha, a large all encompassing mass that shifts from a quick vermillion to a dullish deep red, maroon, and sometimes purple. It travels across the skies hidden within her eyes.Alongside it, Ruidus, a small far off moon seeming to reflect a subtle red. As I slowly bring myself back to the beach I find a salty ocean brimming the sky filled eyes of my wife. It leaks from her eyelids sliding down her obsidian black skin.

The sun has but vanished and the warmth along with it. My smile quickly fades as I take in the shifting scenery around me. The sea turns a murky dusty blue, and the moons seen in her eyes take shape in the sky. Catha breathes life on the far east of the coast as Ruidus sits lost in the sea of sparkling notes on the west. I turn to see my wife, her face a blur, my son gone from her hands and left with nothing but tears trailing her cheeks. “What is happening love where is . . .” my throat chokes on the words I was about to mutter as I think of my son's name, nothing comes to my hazy thoughts. I look at her trying to see her face, but even her name is lost from my memory. She says in a muffled voice “I love you . . . both.” as her body fades away like a heat wave above the sea's waves. 

I jolt awake, salty water coughing from deep within my lungs as I wipe my eyes from the stinging salty sensation. I stare up to see a beautiful star scape with Catha shining a bright vermillion as well as Ruidus giving an unusually bright red. My head drops as I notice small droplets of liquid splash imprints in the beach’s sand. I swear I knew why I was crying, but the reason evades me. As my eyes are overcome with tears I look out to an obscure dusty blue sea which stretches out for what feels like infinity.

The shack outside of Shadycreek Run held silent in the night light. Small bars cage me in. I peer across the room to see giant guards playing a game of cards on a tall table. I can just barely see the cards of the guard facing away from me. I’m so damn bored. I shouldn’t have gotten caught by these bandits in the first place. I sigh thinking back to my mischievous pranks on the traveling merchants that likely led to this. Perhaps I could try tricking them into thinking I escaped. As I begin to focus my magic and close my eyes I feel no sensation through my body. There must be something with this cage or room that's interfering with my fey magic. I’ll just have to wait till they send someone I guess.

I hear a clamoring of sound as bearded creatures seem to meld out of the stone floor. I see so they sent them. Never mind I’d rather stay trapped here. These particular Korreds I know quite well and they love to get carried away and drink alcohol. As they get into a brawl with the two guards it does not take much time before they overpower them with their spells and instead of looking for me go and plunder the booze. I’m honestly not very surprised. It will likely be a while before I get any help from them. I met as well and took a nap. After a long stretch I fold my wings over me to give a nice blanket and settle down

I stir up to the sound of fire as I see a battle taking place between the Korreds and a new group. As I startle to wake I’m still stuck in the cage, before I can yell for help something else catches my eye. A young elf appears, presumably using invisibility magic and unlocks the cage for me. I stare into his dreamy eyes as a small mouse peaks out from his pocket staring at me. He helps me out of the cage and ensures me that everything will be alright. His eyes are a twinkling star in the shabby shack and his hair a soft glimmering bed to lay on. I guess this pixie napping wasn’t the worst thing after all.

It is said that these woods are where the great Golden Grin reside. It took me years to track this place down, I’m finally gonna be able to see my childhood heroes in person. I might even get to see Hush again. A smile widens across my face as I continue further into the daunting forest. I’ve come a long way from stealing just to keep my family and I fed. None of it would have been possible without the help of the Golden Grin. We likely would have been separated and shipped off to be traded into work. Ever since then I’ve been able to make a name for myself grabbing odd jobs and helping people in need. I even got the materials to make this custom black powder rifle. 

I take out my rifle and examine it with a skip to my step. It’s not very flashy, but it sure is capable of getting the job done. I look up from it to find a surprising sight. Three large white as snow wolves stare at me through the treeline. Peering past them I can see a small shack. I step closer to get a better view and one of the wolves moves past the tree line and stands at attention. All of a sudden the vibrant lush green from the forest around me turns to a mute gray.

Wait where did all the colors go. I stare at the wolf peering straight at me and feel my body tense. It starts from my toes traveling up my body as I shiver with goosebumps. I’ve never dealt with wolves, but from all the stories I’ve heard there shouldn’t be any up here. Let alone any that can turn the world a mute gray. I look down to the black powder device in my hand which has also been changed to a monochromatic color scale. I don’t know what’s happening. They aren’t circling, they are just staring at me. Perhaps they are guarding the shack. My mind races trying to grasp what’s happening. I’m so close to my goal, I can’t let some creatures scare me off.

I begin to raise my rifle to a firing stance but as I raise it to my shoulder it gets heavier and heavier. I rest my cheek on the stock readying towards the leading wolf. My hands are trembling and the sights are swaying way off target. There’s no wind, or at least I can’t hear it over my heart hammering in the back of my head. I take a deep breath and the swaying pauses as I slide my finger off the guard and to the trigger. As I remember being taught you shouldn’t pull the trigger in anger, fear, or curiosity. No it should be a slow squeeze that should surprise even myself like a master archer’s release of an arrow. Unbiased and unphased. 

My finger squeezes slightly as the sound of my throbbing heart disappears and the heaviness of my arms release. No sound, no recoil, and no wolves. I blink twice as color fills the scene again. The sound of wind and birds chirping fill my senses. A lavish smile plants itself on my face and I sigh. Was it really just my imagination?

The sound of footsteps approaching the metal door echo through the young man's empty thoughts. They stop before the door as a small jingling of keys start and end abruptly. The mechanisms of the lock click into place as the door opens slowly. Two people enter the room. Leading is a woman with long black hair that shines under the magical flame flickering in her open palm. Behind her a burly man with brown unkempt hair that follows suit with an untamed beard. The door shuts behind them and they both look at the young man bound to a metal chair with water dripping onto his forehead. The droplets just out of reach of his mouth streak down the back of his deep red hair. His face downtrodden, staring at his feet. 

The black haired woman starts with “You know we don’t enjoy doing this to you. All you have to say is where she is. Is it really that hard?” her lips curl into a low frown. The man slowly raises his head looking up at her through red strands of hair, but does not speak. His gaze holds with hers. “What changed your mind so badly? You just met this girl, or perhaps it’s something else? Maybe you don’t believe that we’re in the right anymore? I’d say you’re past the point of no return. Did you think this job would be easy or what? You know too much to re enter into society so your only choice is to work with us.” Her face contorts in frustration. The light in her hand disappears as she places her palm on his chest. The dark room is silent, until a surging electric light builds on her forearm. Magical scars begin to light spreading from the man's torso all the way to his shoulders and half way down his arms. The shock flies down her forearm to her palm and stretches up to her fingertips. As the man convulses by the electric surge through his body a brief gasping sound escapes his clenched teeth. 

Twenty minutes pass before the doors open again, seemingly hours for the bound individual. The two mages exit the room, their faces filled with disappointment. The unkempt man states factually “Robert was always better at the integration training. He practically has double the amount of magic scars on him. Our instructor must have gotten carried away.” She ignores the blind compliment paid to the imprisoned mage.  They continue down the hall as a service for food is being brought to the cell. She snaps at the worker “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” The worker quickly turns around and brings the tray of oats back to the stairwell. She mumbles “With the past five days I’m sure he wouldn’t be able to chew anyways.”

Smoke plumes just a few streets over as I can see small floating lights drift in the night wind. These cinders must be from a raging fire. I rush through the street towards the light that illuminates the nightlife of our town. As I turn a corner my snout is met with a strong scent of acrid smoke. The source of this cloud is a small heap of wood that looks on the verge of full collapse. No one is in sight as the crackling and burning intensifies. Before I have any more time to contemplate my options I hear a small croaked “Help me….. Please” calling from past the cavernous flames.

I act far faster than I can think as I leap and bond into the shoddy building. I can’t rely on my keen sense of smell here or I’d quickly succumb to the poisonous smoke, instead I wrench my eyes open to peer around in the fallen lumber. I see a fur covered hand sticking out from under a large ceiling beam that had fallen to the ground. I rush to the beam and attempt to lift with all my strength. As I begin to feel my muscles reach their limit only one thought comes to mind, he’d have cleared this with no problem and been completely unfazed by this inferno. As the thought crosses my mind I dig into a well of strength I didn’t realize I possessed and leverage the beam rolling it off of the ash covered gnoll. I support him under his shoulder and rush to the exit. The flames have only grown stronger as they feast on the wooden hut as I push through the final curtain of the burning red sea. I feel a gust of wind as the building collapses in on itself. 

My eyes covered in ash I quickly grab for my water pouch which is unsurprisingly burnt and leaking down my leg. I rush to the side searching for any source of water and am met with a familiar voice. “Here let me help!” I feel a cold rushing sensation as water streams down from the top of my head. As my vision recovers I’m met with the worried look of a blue dragonborn. No surprise a kind soul like Delphet would rush to a fire to try and help. I turn to see the gnoll I had carried out and Delphet has already thrown her second pale on him. As he lifts his face and the ashes begin to clear from his fur a large scar shows on his left eye.

At this moment time freezes. A similar memory comes to mind of a tattered and wet gnoll muddied in some fields. A fresh cut through his left eye drips down into the muddy farmland beneath our feet. Many other pools of blood fill the crops from bodies of dead bandits and mercenaries. My mind comes back to the present as I yell “Stay away from him! He’s dangerous.” Delphet stumbles back in confusion.

What should I do? He was a vicious brute in the past that just barely got away from us after their group attacked the muddy field crops. I should cut him down while he still can’t fully see. My hand rests upon my hand axe, ready to cut the line between life and death. Yet what if he’s changed, do I have the right to take his life? Is it up to me? I think of capturing him and turning him into the city guard. My eyes glance over to the small shoddy hut you could barely call a home. Was he living in that? Maybe he had his reasons. . .Perhaps I just let him go.

My thoughts quickly cease as the gnoll I had turned away from has a dagger pointed towards me and is aiming directly for my torso. I got careless. Unable to pull my axe in time I compromise with an attempted elbow block, but before I can even execute a shining crimson red dragonborn steps ahead of me. His sword, already drawn, carves from this man's shoulder all the way to his opposing hip. Blood splatters as two separated thuds hit the ground. By the time I look up the man I saved lay as two separate pieces on the dirt street. My eyes pan from the bandit left in the dirt to the trail of blood dripping from Morz’s sword. As I look up to see him, he pauses, and looks back at me with a large toothy grin, “Well, I think that deserves a good tavern trip for tonight. On you of course.”Really that's what's on his mind right now?! I'm practically broke! I always fret over the small stuff, but he can just make decisions on the fly with confidence. I wish I was like him, unbothered and unfazed. A feeling of pride and a bit of annoyance in my friend swells within me. He stands tall like always. I look back to Delphet tears pooling to her eyelids. “Hey I’m fine. Luckily Morz was nearby.” I say trying to comfort her, but come to the realization she’s not looking at me, the dead bandit, or the raging fire. Cinders continuing to fall around us illuminate a crimson dragonborn reflected in her eyes. No her tear filled eyes are planted directly on Morz.

The wind whistles as a silent ship docks at a snow covered outpost. The wood of the boat creaks and groans as a small light flickers from the ignition of a lantern. The footsteps echo within the cabin as the lantern steadily travels past iron bars of differing sizes. The figure holding the lantern is illuminated just enough to see a half burned face scanning the containers. Following close behind, a cloaked figure speaks in a matter of fact tone, “The specimen must be a quick learner and able to hold and retrieve tools. Preferably one that is small and cheap to feed.” The burned man leading the survey moves the lantern closer to a cage. As the flames flash beams and pillars of light through the bars a feathered texture appears on the inside.

The feathers arrange into a large creature forming to a large beak as two large curious eyes stare at the flame. As the hooded follower peers closer the creature lunges forward as two large talons flash in the light of the lantern. The hooded man stumbles back causing his hood to fall revealing an old and tattered face with shining scales that seemed to grow from his neck. The griffon held tightly by a chain around its hind paws struggles in vain to attack the bars. The lantern bearer cackles seeing the flustered man. “You won’t want that one then.”

The follower clears his throat and reaffirms his hood following the light further past many more rows of cages. Until it fell to a small cage only waist high to these individuals towards the back of the ship’s cabin. “I see you have a great selection and yet none that fit my needs. Perhaps I was wrong to call upon your group to supply me.” without saying a word a cluck of the burnt man’s tongue gathers the scaled purveyor's attention.

They both peer down at the small cage as he pulls away a bulky cloth revealing scales shining a deep red. They flow up a small tail attached to a halfling sized body. A long snout seems to swivel upwards towards them giving a direct trail to golden yellow eyes. They squinted, seeming adverse to the light but quickly focusing onto the two men. The three stare at each other for a few seconds until the sound “thwack” wizzes out from under the small scaled beast revealing a small stone flung directly towards the hooded figure. Right before making contact a small shimmering ripple appears as the rock is thrown off course. A small grunt of dissatisfaction comes from the red scaled beast as his makeshift crossbow did not hit its mark. Meanwhile past the shimmering magic shield a grin grew as the scholar said “This one will do.”