“We have all been misled. The War of the Tap was orchestrated by the Thayne to ensure the wellsprings collapsed. They gave the power of the Aria to the Forgotten Ones to bring about their reign. They used that war to destroy the Ayar and lay low the Old Gods.”

Everyone took a moment to calculate and stare with contempt at each of the Forgotten Ones. Pode. Denebriel. Oblivion. Apotheosis. Xem’Zund. Only one remained. They looked at Oblivion’s image with loathing, unable to shake the unwavering hatred instilled in them by all he had done to enslave, ensnare, and destroy everything they held dear.

“How do you know this?” Lilith began to draw kanji in the air, the symbol for fire, and sent each to her sibling’s side when she realised they were not going to be returning inside anytime soon. The letters danced with purple flame and the decadent traditions of her ancestors.

“I saw it. Being part of the Pantheon gave me insight into the history of Althanas. Little snippets were all I needed to realise the truth. If we help force open the wellsprings, it will weaken the Thayne and when weakened…” Duffy ran his tongue over his piercings, excited at the prospect of doing what he had always wanted to do – make Scara Brae an island of culture, magic, and prosperity.

One by one, the images of the Forgotten Ones shattered, their fragments returning into the night sky and forming nebulae and neutron stars. One remained, Apotheosis, and Duffy pointed at it.

“And he’s going to help us.”

“You want to ask the most powerful, corrupt, tyrannical man to ever walk the face of the world for help?” Ruby raised an eyebrow. Inside, Duffy knew she was about to explode, but too many parties and debutante balls had taught the spell singer a thing or two about keeping face.

Duffy nodded.

“Well, no. I mean, he’s going to help us. We’re not asking for it.”

“What does he have that can help?” Lilith mimicked Leopold’s defensive posture.

“Before Oblivion made us his playthings we had a purpose. We were a family. A troupe the likes of which had never been seen. We’ve spent centuries being the heroes the world needed, never truly getting to ‘live’ our own lives.”

“You didn’t complain. You love being the centre of attention.”

“I,” Duffy blushed. “That’s beside the point. Our home is Scara Brae. We haven’t truly brought its heart to life for decades because we’ve been torn. We’ve been fighting in other people’s wars for too long, and now we have the chance to do what we were born to do – not made.”

“Be Scara Brae’s happiness and joy.” Arden remembered the oath they all took over Rodden pie before the Molyneux Edict banned magic from Scara Brae’s streets. Before Oblivion hid himself in them to live eternal. “What are you suggesting?”