19 // Zero // Fates Unfold

A massive explosion becomes the hinge upon which every storyline turns, pulling the scattered fates of the Flame into violent alignment.

Chappy

As Chappy's world begins to unravel, the story pauses for an interlude. Breaking the fourth wall, Chappy addresses whoever is willing to listen. He apologizes for his deception and reveals bits about of his complicated past as a changeling. Before he was Chappy, he was more-or-less born into servitude, a slave to his "Auntie" -- a powerful hag from the Hollow Bog. He shares that he met the real Chappy by accident, and took advantage the opportunity to escape and start his life over. Little did he know that he would later develop a deep friendship with Fert, Scraat, Smurk and Templeton.

Snapping back, Chappy, realizes the trial has turned on him. He pleas for understanding and seeks empathy from his Fey kind. In the realm of higher beings, Chappy’s words resonate. In the overlapping reality of the Fey Haven Colosseum, they do not. Two completely opposite reactions.

In the colosseum, his supporters sit stunned, drained, defeated. Gimble’s followers ignite with fury and righteousness. Mob rule surges through the stadium. The last moment of the scene erupts as enraged spectators vault the barrier, storm the dais and charge directly at Chappy.

Templeton

Templeton rides beside his father, Commander Cecil P. Hedgepaw, with the returning Outer Force as they push into Fey Ember. Passing the shanty district of Forlorn and reaching the South Gate, they arrive at a scene of tragedy: the Purple Dragon Knights lie where they made their final stand, the gate held open by their sacrifice. Among the fallen is Bellamy Shash, who in his final moments positioned himself against a wall so he could die standing. The scene leaves a powerful impression on Templeton who fights the urge to stop the charge.

As the thunder of battle grows nearer, Cecil’s warrior ways waver. The fearless commander becomes a panicked father. After multiple failed attempts to dissuade Templeton from entering the coming fight, he finally orders his son to ride south to Fey Haven.

Embarrassed to be sent away at such a pivotal moment, Templeton obeys without reluctance or parting words.

While riding, he discovers Chester Swiftwind slumped against a riverfront wall. He’s mortally wounded, eyes glazed in a state of divination. Swiftwind warns him: “There will be an explosion over my right shoulder.”

Moments later, the northern blast erupts, exactly as foretold.

Swiftwind then issues a final, urgent instruction through prophetic haze: “We must reunite the Flame at the Fey Haven Colosseum. ”

A Redcap crawls from the river to finish the incapacitated captain, but Templeton intercepts it, cutting the creature down in a flurry of decisive strikes. He hoists Swiftwind upright onto Luna and begins the escort to Fey Haven.

Scraat

Scraat (disguised as an Onyx Order soldier) approaches the control room containing the mechanism for the North Gate. Two guards stand vigil before the lever. Scraat presents himself as their scheduled relief, ordered by a high priest.

The veteran guard is convinced, but still on edge as he doesn’t know this soldier. The other guard steps away, leaving Scraat beside the veteran soldier. While alone with the veteran, Scraat earns his trust by reciting a simple prayer while sneaking in:

One with stone.

No stone without one.

Meanwhile, the Watchers whisper in Scraat’s ear, debating the exact moment the trap he set in Salynnya Yor’s cult hideout will explode. One voice rattles off the calculations...the accumulated pressure within the hemorrhagic engine multiplied by the blood-vat volume, all adjusted by the arcane multiplier—

Then an explosion from the north erupts.

Suspicion snaps back into the guard’s eyes, but Scraat reassures him with another prayer, this time accompanied by ritualistic gestures. The guard instinctively mirrors the movements, turning away from the lever.

In one swift, silent motion, Scraat pulls the lever opening the North Gate and walks away before the guard could notice his disappearance. Mission complete.

Smurk

High above the Kept, Smurk maintains his aerial assault. His magic wavers, resources dwindling as he holds a force barrier around several enemies. One jolt of his concentration would be his end. A gatling ballista in the courtyard swivels skyward, firing a blast that obliterates one of his skeletons, its bones and broom scattering across the stone.

Then the northern explosion whooshes into him, sending him and his flying carpet spiraling. Regaining control, he sees Fey Ember transformed into a full battlefield. Then refocusing on the Kept, he spots the North Gate sliding open.

Moments later, he sees Fert emerging with a flood of prisoners. He also sees the ballista adjusting its aim toward them. Smurk dives, unleashing poisonous magic at the gunner before the weapon can tear into the escaping crowd.

Fert

Excitement fills the the dark area. The prisoners found the hidden escape route. But their hope quickly turns to panic as a thousand desperate captives surge toward the narrow passage.

Fert (nearly naked, bruised, covered in blood) tries to rally them with leadership and instruction.

It fails, miserably. His words, awkward and strained, only make things worse. Anxiety spikes. Arguments break out. The crowd grows unruly.

Nana Boosh barks at them for silence, giving Fert enough time to try again. And he fails...again. The prisoners grow louder then suddenly silent as Lionel Lightfoot emerges from the secret escape hole. The prisoners part in reverence and reflection as they see Neb rushing forward to embrace his father.

Lionel hands Fert his magical haversack and commands him to lead the breakout, promising to hold the rear. As Fert dons his clothes and Flame jacket, the group finally regains some semblance of order thanks to Lionel’s authority.

Fert leads the prisoners into the courtyard. An explosion to north makes them wince into retreat before they see the portcullis beginning to rise, triggered by Scraat. Fert rally’s the group to move toward the exit, and then, the gatling ballista shifts its sights toward the fleeing prisoners.

Trusting Smurk to suppress it, Fert rushes the group forward. Then disaster strikes. The portcullis begins falling, collapsing to trap them.

Fert throws himself beneath it, to catch it, using his body to keep the path open. The crushing weight slams him down, twisting limbs, breaking bone. He should have died. A green, ethereal crown of thorns appears above his head. His body surging with strength. Then a familiar voice deep inside calls to him.

"Stand. Lift —Granguul Whitestone, last of your tribe. Fert, guardian of the Flame. Rise my champion."