Delfarius wakes fully rested between Past and Future Delfarius, the Tower quiet around them. Memory returns at once: Neron and Vaelith remain behind in the Heartwell.
Delfarius
We left Neron and Vaelith in the chamber. We need to make sure the Astral elves have not harmed them.
He smacks Past Delfarius awake, then gives Future Delfarius the same small, irritated reproach. Neither blow burdens his healing shoulder.
Past Delfarius
What was that for, beloved? We were finally sleeping.
Future Delfarius
You wake us to scold us, and now accuse the chamber of danger? Wait. You are right. We left them there.
Their irritation fades into sober concern before the argument can grow. The bedchamber door opens, revealing Neron with the silver quill secured at his side and Vaelith following under her own power.
Neither bears visible Astral restraints or commands. Faint silver traces cling to Vaelith’s eyes and Neron’s hands, however, leaving their freedom uncertain as both face Delfarius in alert composure.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether Neron and Vaelith remain freely self-directed
“"Fuck." I say as a protest.”
Delfarius
Fuck.
The protest leaves Delfarius in a rough breath. He remains at the bedchamber threshold, rested but visibly unwilling to surrender control of the morning.
Past Delfarius
Yes, beloved. That is an accurate summary of waking to responsibility.
Future Delfarius
You are rested, not obligated. Neron and Vaelith came to us, so you may decide what happens next from here.
Vaelith
No emergency waits behind us. The traces are remnants of the Heartwell, not commands, and I remain here by my own choice.
Neron
The quill and records are secure. Nothing needs your immediate attention, Delfarius. You may return to bed if that is what you want.
“I frown and use my void sight to see why Neron's hands are glowing with star light and why Vaelith's eyes are glowing with starlight.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -2)
Delfarius frowns and opens his Void Sight. The chamber falls into layered darkness as starlight separates from flesh, soul, and the lingering Heartwell residue.
Neron’s glowing hands hold copied route-marks from the silver quill. They are archival impressions, not commands, and no Astral will moves beneath his skin.
Vaelith’s eyes carry a different remnant: the Heartwell’s witness-signature, left when she opened the passage by choice. It records consent, but cannot compel her to repeat it.
Neron
The traces are residue, then. Useful evidence, perhaps, but nothing hidden is steering me.
Vaelith
And mine marks the choice I made. It does not own that choice, Delfarius, nor does it decide what I make next.
The inspection takes several quiet minutes. Delfarius identifies both signatures precisely, but the Void Sight cannot determine whether removing them would erase memories tied to the Heartwell.
Past Delfarius
You have the answer, beloved. The residue is harmless, though its safest removal still requires investigation rather than haste.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish whether the Heartwell residues can be safely removed
Quest Complete
Determine whether Neron and Vaelith remain freely self-directed
“"I need coffee..." I say sighing.”
Delfarius
I need coffee...
Delfarius sighs, his request carrying the weary weight of someone who has already spent too much morning examining other people’s freedom. The chamber remains calm.
Past Delfarius
Of course you do, beloved. Stay where you are. I will bring it.
Past Delfarius turns toward the adjoining table, while Future Delfarius quietly clears a space near the fire. Neron and Vaelith remain nearby without pressing for attention.
Vaelith
Coffee seems harmless enough. I will not mistake accepting the morning’s comforts for surrendering any choice.
Neron
The records can wait. I will keep them sealed until you have rested and had your coffee.
A fresh cup arrives, dark and steaming. Delfarius takes it carefully, and the quiet warmth settles into the room without demanding anything further from him.
“I narrow my eyes at both of them Neron and Vaelith are not acting like themselves....what is really going on with this residue.”
SUCCESS (Good Spectral Analysis, rolled -1)
Delfarius
What is really happening with this residue? You are both acting unlike yourselves.
Delfarius narrows his eyes and extends spectral sight through the lingering silver traces. The residue answers without resistance, separating into two distinct patterns.
Neron’s marks preserve the Heartwell’s archival cadence, making him precise, patient, and unusually willing to defer. Vaelith’s witness-signature heightens formal restraint, muting instinct without directing her choices.
Neron
It is not possession. The residue is imposing a role: archivist for me, witness for Vaelith. It makes those functions feel more urgent than they should.
Vaelith
I have felt it. My thoughts remain mine, but the imprint keeps steering my words toward testimony and measured obedience.
Delfarius traces the signatures to their source and finds the truth: the residue is a self-renewing mnemonic enchantment, not a command. It reinforces remembered purpose until deliberately dismissed.
Neron
You can remove it, but doing so abruptly may blur what we remember of the Heartwell. If you sever its purpose first, the residue will release us cleanly.
Quest Complete
Establish whether the Heartwell residues can be safely removed
“I drain my cup of my coffee with one long drink. "Fucking astral elves." I shake my head. Past is going and finding Nadron to get something made for us all to eat and Future is just watching me be annoyed with a small amused look on his face at me. Wait...”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Delfarius drains the coffee in one long drink. The empty cup lowers with deliberate finality as the bitter warmth leaves only Astral irritation behind.
Delfarius
Fucking astral elves.
He shakes his head. Past Delfarius turns toward the adjoining rooms to find Nadron and arrange food for everyone, while Future watches with a small, amused smile.
Future Delfarius
There it is. The moment when annoyance becomes an idea.
Delfarius pauses before following. His attention returns to the silver traces, and the distinction settles clearly: the residue reinforces purpose, but does not command choice.
Delfarius
The purpose is the tether. Sever that first, and the memories can remain intact.
Past Delfarius
I will bring Nadron and something substantial to eat. You can dismantle the enchantment before breakfast, if you insist.
“I reach towards my own chest where the radiance and the memory of what kept the heartwell functioning...it's purpose. I use that fractured part of my soul to reach out with it's and my power and dismantle the purpose of the residue from both Neron and Vaelith.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Void Manipulation, rolled +1)
Delfarius reaches toward his chest, where the reclaimed radiance remembers the Heartwell’s purpose: preserving truth without possessing choice. The residue answers that memory.
Void and pale radiance thread together from his hand, passing through the unseen bond between himself, Neron, and Vaelith. The enchantment’s purpose separates cleanly from the memories beneath it.
Neron
The pressure is loosening. I still remember the Heartwell, the routes, and every record, but the role no longer presses my thoughts into a shape.
Delfarius draws the purpose-binding from Neron’s silver traces and Vaelith’s witness-signature. The residue unravels into harmless light, leaving both marks as inert memories rather than living instructions.
Vaelith
It is gone. I remember opening the passage by choice, but I no longer feel compelled to testify, obey, or preserve that moment as my defining purpose.
The last strand dissolves into Delfarius’s radiance. Neron’s hands cease glowing, Vaelith’s eyes clear, and the Heartwell’s lingering influence falls silent without taking a single memory.
Neron
You succeeded. The memories remain intact, and the residue has no purpose left to renew itself. We are ourselves again.
“I smirk then yell Neron's name just to watch him flinch and jump. Past, Future and I start to laugh as Neron looks annoyed at what I just did.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Delfarius’s smirk sharpens. With the Heartwell’s residue gone and his strength restored, he turns toward Neron and draws breath for a sudden shout.
Delfarius
Neron!
The name cracks through the chamber. Neron flinches violently and jumps, one hand snapping toward the silver quill before he realizes there is no danger.
Neron
Delfarius! Must you shout like a collapsing ward?
Past Delfarius doubles over first, then Future joins him, and their shared laughter rolls through the crystal chamber. Delfarius laughs with them, pleased by the perfectly harmless success.
Neron
I am glad the residue is gone. I am less glad that you immediately used your freedom to become unbearable.
Neron straightens his robes and glares at the three identical offenders. Vaelith watches from beside the broken lattice, her mouth twitching despite herself as the chamber’s tension finally breaks.
“I walk up to the annoyed archivist and smirk smugly. "Do you want to examine my lower seam now?" Past and Future laugh louder across from the room Nadron comes in with a tray of baked fresh cookies worried that I yelled because I was upset then notices my smug look at Neron and Nadron snickers besides his noble upbringing.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius walks up to the annoyed archivist, his smirk turning smug as Past and Future laugh louder across the chamber.
Delfarius
Do you want to examine my lower seam now?
Neron freezes, then stares at him over the silver quill. The question lands with such effortless audacity that even Vaelith’s guarded expression briefly cracks.
Neron
I would rather catalogue a thousand corrupted records than examine anything you call a lower seam.
Past and Future nearly lose their balance laughing. The chamber door opens, and Nadron enters with a tray of fresh baked cookies, his worried look easing when he sees Delfarius’s smug face.
Nadron
I heard you shout and thought something was wrong, my lord. Ah. You were merely tormenting the archivist.
Nadron sets down the tray, then snickers despite his noble upbringing. Neron closes his eyes in weary disbelief while Vaelith turns away, hiding an unmistakable smile.
“I hold my hand out and the Endless archives produce his word by word through report of me and another version of myself making love to Asterin in the past. I show him his own handwriting of him describing my lower seam and my other self's lower seam in great throbbing details. "Lies..."”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Archive Resonance, rolled +1)
Delfarius holds out his hand. The Endless Archives answer, drawing silver pages from the air and covering them in Neron’s unmistakable handwriting.
The report records Neron watching Delfarius and another version of himself make love to Asterin in the past, line by line, preserving his meticulous descriptions of both lower seams.
Delfarius
Lies...
Delfarius turns the pages toward Neron. His own words stare back at him, including corrections, private observations, and increasingly elaborate efforts to capture every intimate detail accurately.
Neron
Those are my words. I wrote them because I witnessed it, and I wanted every detail correct. I regret nothing except the handwriting.
Neron reaches for the nearest page, then stops short. Past and Future Delfarius lean over his shoulder, delighted, while Vaelith studies the report with startled disbelief.
Neron
You may call the record a lie, Delfarius, but the Archives have preserved my account exactly as I wrote it.
“I point out where Neron is going into great detail about the shape and hardness of my 'lower seam.' "The lie is that you did not like doing that and looking." I laugh.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
The lie is that you did not like doing that and looking.
Delfarius points to the meticulous descriptions of his lower seam and laughs, his amusement brightening the chamber without disturbing his healing shoulder.
Neron
I did not say I disliked it. I said the report was accurate. Those are separate matters.
Neron’s composure falters as Past and Future Delfarius crowd closer to reread the most appreciative passages. Vaelith covers a smile behind one hand.
Nadron
That sounds remarkably like an admission, my lord. I believe the archivist enjoyed his research.
Neron
I observed carefully because accuracy matters. If the account became enthusiastic, that was the quill’s fault, not mine.
The silver pages turn by themselves, displaying Neron’s increasingly detailed corrections. His denial collapses beneath his own handwriting as laughter spreads through the room.
“"Sure." I say with a smirk and go to the tray with cookies and take a bit. Past Delfarius remarks how a poor man blames his tools and does not take the blame himself. Future remarks and wonders if Neron meant the quill or Neron's own lower seam was becoming enthusiastic. Vaelith is amused and loosing the small bit of composure she did have. Nadron is just amused at seeing me so delighted by making Neron uncomfortable. Nadron has decided he does not like Neron because his is judging.”
Delfarius
Sure.
With a smirk, Delfarius crosses to the tray and takes a bite of a honeyed cookie. A few crumbs fall onto the silver report, smearing its newest correction.
Past Delfarius
A poor man blames his tools, beloved, and never takes responsibility for what his own hand enthusiastically recorded.
Future Delfarius
Did Neron mean the quill became enthusiastic, or was Neron’s own lower seam developing opinions?
Vaelith loses the last of her composure, laughing openly now. Nadron watches Delfarius’s delight with bright amusement, enjoying the archivist’s discomfort without adding judgment of his own.
Neron
The report is closed. I will not correct another line while you are using it as a target for crumbs and insinuations.
Neron gathers the pages and draws them beyond Delfarius’s reach. The teasing has succeeded, but its source is gone, leaving no convenient proof for another round.
“I smirk and eat my cookie looking for my coffee cup and noticing that it is empty with some annoyance. Nadron comes over and fills my cup with an adoring look to me. "Well now that I know it is truly you, and that you want your old records to uh." I scoff a small laugh. "Review in private later, we will still need to go back to Cael Veyr will need to be dealt with. But not now." I tilt my head towards Nadron. "Do you think you can scrape up a more filling breakfast for all of us and Faelwen. We can all go to the dinning room and have a meal." I smirk up at Nadron. He answers whether he can do that or not. Past and Future remark on how they feel about a shared meal. Neron twitches his mouth something like a smile and remarks and Vaelith looks a bit alarmed but willing.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Delfarius smirks around the cinnamon cookie, then finds his coffee cup empty. Nadron notices at once, hurrying forward to refill it with an adoring look.
Nadron
Of course, my lord. I could never allow your cup to remain empty.
Delfarius
Well, now that I know it is truly you, and that you want your old records to, uh...
Delfarius scoffs a small laugh, lifting the refilled cup as his eyes move from Neron to the gathered company.
Delfarius
Review for yourself in private later. Cael Veyr will still need to be dealt with, but not now. Nadron, can you scrape up a more filling breakfast for all of us and Faelwen? We can eat together in the dining room.
Nadron
Gladly, my lord. I will have eggs, bread, fruit, and something hot prepared at once. A shared meal sounds exactly right.
Past Delfarius
I approve. Food, warmth, and no immediate Astral catastrophe would make an excellent morning.
Future Delfarius
Agreed. We can discuss Cael Veyr after breakfast, when everyone is fed and less inclined to dramatize their hunger.
Neron
A private review can wait. I admit, a proper meal with everyone sounds pleasant.
Vaelith
I am willing to join you. I remain somewhat alarmed by the invitation, but I will accept it freely.
“I look to Vaelith. "Unless you want the dungeon and the darkness. I would not want to deprive that from you if that is truly what you desire more." I say with a dark smirk.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +2)
Delfarius
Unless you want the dungeon and the darkness. I would not want to deprive you of that if it is truly what you desire more.
Delfarius’s dark smirk makes the threat unmistakable. The dining room’s warmth seems to recede as Vaelith weighs the offered choice against the memory of three days without light.
Vaelith
No. I do not desire the dungeon or the darkness. I will join the meal, and I will remain cooperative without needing you to remind me what waits below.
Vaelith lowers her gaze, then deliberately raises it again. Her answer is submission to the immediate threat, not a claim that the bond has become affection or trust.
Past Delfarius
There, beloved. The morning remains peaceful, and no one needs to be returned to a cell before breakfast.
Future Delfarius
A remarkably efficient use of one sentence. Let us eat before you discover another reason to threaten the guests.
From the adjoining hall comes the scent of eggs, toasted bread, and spiced fruit. Nadron calls that breakfast is ready, while Vaelith follows toward the dining room under her own power.
“"I like being efficient. It saves time and annoyance." We all go toward the dining room and I sit down with everyone else. I look over to my Past and Future self at the spread Nadron is bringing out for us all and give a small amused chuckle. Past and Future laugh and nod agreeing with my unspoken thought that they understand. The last meal sort of like this was when I lived with Asterin and we had a meal where I was trying and pretending to be small like all the other mortals there. I sigh and shrug. "Why the fuck not...Let's see how angry and cute she can look at once." Asterin arrives again as we are starting to eat. I smirk and gesture towards an empty chair.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius follows Nadron into the dining room and takes his seat among the others. The table groans beneath eggs, toasted bread, spiced fruit, and fresh pastries.
Delfarius
I like being efficient. It saves time and annoyance.
He looks across the spread toward Past and Future Delfarius, giving a small, amused chuckle. They laugh and nod, understanding the unspoken memory of another meal with Asterin.
Delfarius sighs and shrugs, recalling when he once pretended to be small among ordinary mortals. The memory earns only a crooked smile.
Delfarius
Why the fuck not... Let’s see how angry and cute she can look at once.
As everyone begins eating, sunlight gathers beside the empty chair. Asterin steps from the radiance, diminished but unmistakable, her expression sharpening as she takes in the crowded table.
Delfarius smirks and gestures toward the vacant chair. Asterin’s eyes narrow, but she accepts the invitation and sits, while the meal continues around her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn why Asterin returned
“"Hello Sunbeam." I purr towards her as I eat a mouthful of eggs. Past and Future chuckle and watch her get annoyed with my pet name and look adorable as she does. Neron looks over and is wanting to talk to her and ask her what she remembers. Asterin is momently taken back at seeing Neron and remarks about how she thought he was dead. They talk about what happened for awhile while I watch Asterin with an amused smug look on my face.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Delfarius
Hello, Sunbeam.
Delfarius purrs the pet name around a mouthful of eggs. Past and Future Delfarius chuckle as Asterin’s diminished radiance sharpens with adorable annoyance.
Asterin
You restored my memories yourself, and still you insist on calling me that? I thought I had escaped at least one old habit.
Neron turns toward Asterin, recognition arresting his hand above the table. His expression shifts from surprise to careful uncertainty as he studies her restored self.
Neron
Asterin? I thought you were dead. What do you remember, and what happened after Delfarius returned your true memories to you?
Asterin
I remember being divided, diminished, and left with only a pale memory of loving him. He restored what was mine, and I chose what to do with it afterward. The Astral elves did not give me myself back.
Neron listens as Asterin recounts her fractured existence, restoration, and choice to remain herself. Delfarius watches over his eggs with an amused, smug look, while Asterin’s tolerance for Sunbeam becomes a favor he now owes her.
“I smirk and sigh. Nadron fills my coffee cup with more coffee and Vaelith watches the whole affair with wariness. Asterin recalls how angry she is at being summoned here again for my own amusement. I gesture towards Neron. He is recording everything like he always did. Neron ask her if she still loves me and misses this or if that is only the past, like where his memories mostly hold her from. Asterin looks over to me and my other selves and speaks her mind about me and all the shit and cruelty I have put her through. I just laugh.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Delfarius smirks and sighs over his eggs. Nadron immediately fills his coffee cup, while Vaelith watches the domestic exchange with wary, measured attention.
Asterin
He summoned me again for his amusement, then expects me to sit politely among his selves and captives. My anger has not diminished with my power.
Asterin’s diminished radiance tightens around her shoulders as she remembers the summons. Delfarius gestures toward Neron, who already has the silver quill moving across a fresh page.
Neron
Asterin, do you still love him? Do you miss this, or is that only the past I mostly remember recording?
Asterin
I love what was real, and I mourn what he destroyed. I remember his cruelty, his claims over my memories, the pain he called protection, and every time he treated my survival as proof that he was right.
Asterin
I chose to remain myself despite him, not because of his ownership. I can still care for Delfarius, but that care does not absolve him, erase my anger, or make his cruelty beautiful.
Neron records every word. Past and Future Delfarius watch Asterin closely, while Vaelith’s wariness deepens. Delfarius simply laughs, unconcerned enough to make Asterin’s eyes flash.
“"There is only maybe one captive here, Sunbeam...and I do not think Vaelith would think that her bond and her words to me make her an unwilling captive." Nadron and Faelwen let Asterin know that they are there of their own free will. Vaelith defines how she sees her arrangement. Neron asks her another question to sate his curiosity about being a freed fracture of the soul that was Solan after he was destroyed. Past looks at me and smirks. Future leans in closer to Asterin and jokes about maybe he is a captive...no wait he wants to watch this all unfold because it is amusing, Sunbeam.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
There is only maybe one captive here, Sunbeam. I do not think Vaelith considers her bond and words to me unwilling.
The table quiets. Delfarius’s statement leaves room for each person to define their own bond, and Asterin’s diminished radiance steadies without fading.
Nadron
I am here by choice, my lord. I remain your kept pet because I want to, and because you have allowed me to speak and leave.
Faelwen
So am I. I care for you freely, Delfarius. That choice does not disappear because I understand what you are.
Vaelith
My arrangement is surrender chosen under unequal circumstances. The authority is real, but I remain able to name its limits, and I stay because I choose to stay.
Neron
Asterin, what is it like to be a freed fracture of Solan’s soul after he was destroyed? Do you feel released, or merely separate?
Past Delfarius
You see? Even our breakfast has become a tribunal.
Future Delfarius
Perhaps I am the captive. No, wait. I want to watch this unfold because it is amusing, Sunbeam.
“I eat some toast and sit back as Asterin talks and responds to all of that and is angry and annoyed that I can read her thoughts.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled +1)
Delfarius takes a slice of toast from the shared platter, eats it slowly, and settles back in his chair while Asterin faces the table’s scrutiny.
Asterin
Released? Separate? Both, I suppose. Solan’s destruction ended the claim he had over me, but it did not erase what he made me endure.
As Asterin speaks, Delfarius’s perception slips beneath her words and reads the thought beneath them: she fears that freedom may leave her defined only by what was done to her.
Asterin
And stop reading that. I can feel you rifling through my thoughts while I answer, and it is every bit as invasive as when you claimed my memories.
Asterin
He knows I am afraid before I choose whether to reveal it. Even restored, even diminished, he still reaches places that belong to me.
Asterin
I feel released because I can refuse him now. I feel separate because I am no longer Solan’s wrath. Neither answer makes me yours, Delfarius.
Asterin’s radiance flares around her shoulders, angry and controlled. Past and Future fall silent, while the breakfast table waits beneath the weight of her boundary.
“My grin grows wider and crueler as I just go back to my plate. Neron asks her if she thinks she is thinking differently than she use to under the cycles since there is no longer one because of my actions. She huffs an angry sound and looks at me and my other selves looking smug as we eat. Neron pushes the issue and asks her if she is her own person now instead of a fracture. My smugness is growing as I eat. She answers Neron snaping a bit. Faelwen gets up and offers her some chamomile tea to calm her.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled -1)
Delfarius’s grin widens as he returns to his plate, eating with deliberate calm. Past and Future mirror his smugness, while Asterin’s radiance tightens around her.
Neron
Asterin, do you think differently now that the cycles are gone? Delfarius’s actions ended the design that made you a fracture. Is your mind finally your own?
Asterin huffs sharply and looks from Neron to Delfarius and his other selves, finding their pleased expressions more provocative than the question.
Neron
I am asking plainly. Are you your own person now, rather than merely a fracture shaped by Solan and the old cycles?
Asterin
I am my own person, Neron. I was a fracture, but I am not merely what made me. Stop speaking as though freedom requires your permission to become real.
Delfarius keeps eating, his smugness growing with every clipped answer. Asterin’s anger remains controlled, but her diminished radiance flickers like sunlight behind storm clouds.
Faelwen
Asterin, would you like chamomile tea? It may calm your temper, and you deserve something offered without an argument attached.
“I laugh and my other selves join me. "See Asterin a fan of tea like you use to like." Past remarks on how I might need a cup of chamomile to calm down. Future remarks on how she can probably grow the flower with all of the radiance coming off of her. Neron looks at her and remarks how he does not need permission he just wants to understand what this is all going to mean for him and her. He explains how he was unmade one moment then awake and a fracture himself until I restored his true self. He wants her perspective honestly because she has experienced it more. Asterin looks at him then looks at me and notices the twinkle in my eye besides the cruelty and amusement. I staged this so he could have answers. She is still angry and adorable however.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Delfarius laughs, and Past and Future Delfarius join him. Asterin’s radiance flares with adorable irritation as the table’s tension loosens.
Delfarius
See, Asterin a fan of tea, like you used to like.
Past Delfarius
You may need that cup of chamomile to calm down, Sunbeam.
Future Delfarius
With all that radiance pouring off you, Asterin, you could probably grow the flower yourself.
Neron
I do not need permission. I want to understand what this means for me and for you. I was unmade, then awoke as a fracture, until Delfarius restored my true self. You have lived through this more than I have. Tell me honestly what comes next.
Asterin studies Neron, then glances at Delfarius. The twinkle beside his cruelty and amusement reveals the arrangement: he staged this conversation so Neron could receive answers.
Asterin
You planned this, you infuriating creature. Fine. Neron, restoration gives you back your truth, not a finished meaning. You may grieve what was made of you, question what remains, and choose who you become. I am still angry, still learning, and still mine. That is enough for today.
“"And still adorable when you are angry." I say to her with a smirk. Nadron is watching the whole thing amused at how amused I am with irritating Asterin. Past and Future agree with me and remark on how beautifully Asterin burns when is is furious. Faelwen demurely asks Asterin again is she would like the tea and Neron scribbles everything down and ask her if she ever misses what it was like before when the were all on the third path and before it broke. She is a bit mad, a bit frustrated but looks over to me and my other selves and answers honestly.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +3)
Delfarius
And still adorable when you are angry.
Asterin’s diminished radiance snaps into a bright corona. Nadron hides a grin behind his cup, clearly delighted by how thoroughly Delfarius enjoys provoking her.
Past Delfarius
Look at her burn, beloved. Fury becomes her beautifully.
Future Delfarius
She is magnificent when furious. I understand why you keep calling her Sunbeam.
Faelwen
Asterin, would you like the chamomile tea? You may drink it without answering another question.
Neron
I am recording this carefully. Do you ever miss the time before the Third Path broke, when we were all still together?
Asterin
I miss the trust we pretended was simple. I miss sharing purpose before every kindness became a test, and before Solan taught us to confuse unity with obedience. I do not miss being made into a weapon. But I remember enough to know this: the Third Path was not only his failure. We all saw the cage forming, and some of us called it shelter. I will drink the tea, Faelwen. Then I will tell you exactly where our first compromise began.
“"Thinking it would work. Thinking it was not just a bigger cage...Thinking that my love alone would keep you or Solan from trying to reach for power you could not handle..." I sigh and gesture out over the table. "The third path had so many flaws that were made bare when I was alone in the dark for three years reflecting on it." Past and Future nod solemnly and share what they remember about the time we all know as the bright lie that we fooled ourselves with. Asterin looks at me a bit hurt and taken back by my brash truthfulness over the whole thing, over breakfast of all things. Faelwen pours her a cup of tea and gives it to her. Nadron eats amused and a bit turned on. Neron is just recording everything and nodding and commenting when he feels it is right. Asterin gives me her peace of mind on it all.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
I thought it would work. I thought it was not just a bigger cage, that my love alone could keep you or Solan from reaching for power you could not handle.
Delfarius
The Third Path had so many flaws. They became bare when I was alone in the dark for three years, reflecting on what we had called salvation.
Past and Future Delfarius nod solemnly. Asterin recoils slightly, hurt by the bluntness, while Faelwen pours her chamomile tea and places it gently before her.
Past Delfarius
The bright lie was believing love could replace choice. We built shelter, then mistook the walls for proof that everyone inside was safe.
Future Delfarius
We called control protection whenever fear spoke louder than trust. Solan sharpened that weakness, but we offered him the blade ourselves.
Nadron eats with open amusement, his attention lingering on the candor. Neron records every word, nodding and adding careful notes whenever the memory gains a sharper edge.
Asterin
You are right, and I hate hearing it over breakfast. I loved you, but love did not make the cage gentle. I forgive no one’s control, yet I accept your honesty. That is where my peace begins.
“I look over to my other selves. "But it lead us here so, not a total loss." I sigh and give a weak smirk. My other selves nod sharing my bittersweet expression. Asterin looks at us all a bit unsure how to respond. Faelwen and Nadron are just confused. Neron looks around and wonders out loud where Vaelith is. Asterin starts to say something to me, an apology maybe, and another piece of her mind...”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Delfarius
But it led us here, so it was not a total loss.
Delfarius sighs, offering a weak smirk. Past and Future Delfarius nod with the same bittersweet expression, sharing the truth without pretending the path was harmless.
Asterin studies the three selves, uncertain how to answer. Faelwen and Nadron exchange confused glances, while Neron looks toward the empty place beside the broken lattice.
Neron
Where is Vaelith? She was here when we left the Heartwell. Did she choose to remain behind, or did something happen to her?
Asterin
She chose to return to the Astral routes. Not because they summoned her, and not because Delfarius commanded it. She wanted to see what remained of Cael Veyr with her own eyes.
Asterin
I am sorry, Delfarius. I should have told you sooner that another piece of me remembers wanting the same thing: to leave, to witness the truth, and to return by choice.
Asterin lowers her gaze, radiance dim but steady. The confession leaves the table quiet, while Neron’s fingers tighten around the silver quill and the unanswered question of Vaelith remains open.
Quest Complete
Learn why Asterin returned
Skill Upgrade: Interrogation Good→Great
“I roll my eyes and sigh. Past looks at Asterin and asks what she meant by her last statement. To leave us, witness the truth then return or what. Future growls and says what I am thinking, fucking astral elves. Nadron looks around and starts to clear the table and Faelwen helps him. Asterin talks to Past and then to me on what she meant.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Delfarius rolls his eyes and sighs, remaining seated as Past turns toward Asterin. Nadron begins clearing the table, and Faelwen quietly helps gather plates.
Past Delfarius
When you said you wanted to leave, witness the truth, and return by choice, did you mean leave us now, or leave only long enough to face the Astral routes?
Future Delfarius
Fucking Astral elves. That is exactly what he is thinking, and I suspect exactly what they are hoping we will fear.
Asterin
Past, I meant that I may go to Cael Veyr, see what remains, and return if returning is still what I choose. I am not abandoning anyone, and I am not promising permanence.
Nadron carries the dishes away while Faelwen removes the cups, leaving the conversation undisturbed. Asterin turns fully toward Delfarius, her diminished radiance steady.
Asterin
Delfarius, I want the truth firsthand. I want to know whether Cael Veyr still holds anything that belongs to me. If I leave, I will return by my own choice, not because a bond, threat, or expectation pulls me back.
Asterin
You do not need to decide for me. I am telling you plainly what I mean: departure to witness, then return only if I still want this place and these people.
“I lean my head on my hand. "Solan made it to judge me. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. I know the elves can make copies as he wanted so they might have a form of you, but I can not say for certain." Past looks at Asterin and says to her. no you were talking about us not just what you want to learn...you wanted to return to us didn't you. Future tells past to drop it, Asterin is adorable but not worth the headache that she is. Neron looks over and says the archives we got from the Heartwell might have answers.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Delfarius
Solan made it to judge me. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. I know the elves can make copies as he wanted, so they might have a form of you, but I cannot say for certain.
Delfarius leans his head into his hand, guarded and exhausted. Asterin’s radiance dims, while Past and Future turn toward her across the breakfast table.
Past Delfarius
No. You were talking about us, not only what you want to learn. You wanted to return to us, didn’t you?
Future Delfarius
Drop it. Asterin is adorable, but she is not worth the headache she is.
Asterin
I wanted to return to you if the choice remained mine. That is true. It does not mean I know what waits in Cael Veyr, or that any copy there would be me.
Neron
The Heartwell archives may answer that. Let me open the relevant records.
Neron opens the silver records. They confirm a preserved Astral pattern bearing Asterin’s former signatures, but no evidence proves it is conscious, active, or identical to the woman before them.
“I sigh. "I guess we deal with Cael Veyr now."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Delfarius
I guess we deal with Cael Veyr now.
Delfarius exhales and rises from the table. The decision settles the room; even Asterin’s radiance steadies as the Heartwell records turn toward a preserved Astral route.
Neron
Then we go now. The records identify the surviving passage, and I can guide us directly to Cael Veyr’s comparison chamber.
Asterin
I will come. I need to see what remains of my pattern, and I will decide what happens when we arrive.
Silver roots withdraw from the chamber walls, revealing a wide portal filled with suspended stars. Its far side resolves into Cael Veyr’s crystalline observatory, where Astral channels still glow.
Past Delfarius
No hidden route, no borrowed command, and no one speaks for Asterin. We face them together, but her choice remains hers.
Delfarius steps through first, followed by Past, Future, Neron, and Asterin. They emerge inside Cael Veyr’s comparison chamber as the ancient lattice recognizes its reclaimed source and falls silent.