Chapter Text
The server of Hearth had seen much activity since the happenings at the Banquet.
Anyone could imagine just how much tensions rose, but it was almost all hidden away in spouts of sparsity; people stuck to themselves, mourned or survived as needed, it was a silent yet connected fear for the safety of the future.
This had now been the second event in a row where an innocent life was taken.
First the ball with Em
Now the banquet with Bee
And though after the revelation of Chayse being the culprit for the first demise as the Ball and that being a direct cause as to what occurred at the banquet, It seemed the server itself was cursed to never have peace.
But those alone didn’t bring this blanket of fear, no, it’s easy to feign ignorance for most that lived there. All things considered, these events could be easily disconnected from their personal safety if they just kept to themselves.
However, there was something else in the air, this foreboding feeling that seemed to clutch onto everyone.
That’s what brought fear.
But what could’ve brought this trepidation?
We’ll keep it short.
Right after the banquet, most retreated to their bases for safety. Frosthavens advertisement of safety had been tainted, it was for the best for everyone to lay low for a while.
This was especially true in Dani’s mind. In her mind, she believed everyone would be looking to bring her and Em to the same fate she brought Bee. The thought she had put Em in more danger in trying to protect them was crushing, but they would do whatever they needed. Threatening whoever they saw, pleading to the Gods, denouncing them, even joining the rat cult despite everything just to ensure a bit of Em's safety while she did everything to keep them in Elysium.
Speaking of the rat cult, the rat cult had found its own concerns and inner conflict. More specifically between Scaresity and Frisk. After Dani's departure from speaking with Scare, Frisk entered, for the first time learning of the temple's existence. She found this as a betrayal of their trust, hurt that Scare would hide anything like this from her. They were supposed to share everything. During their dispute, they found themselves at their mothers grave, inciting another argument over the actions of their mother and whether she was a good person or not.
This ends in the reveal from Frisk that they and Scare aren't even biological siblings. That Scare was essentially thrown onto their mother. The reveal broke the rat and made them run away, leaving Frisk in the inner caves of the rat cult.
At the same time, another family seemed to be having a dispute, although much more minor and grounded in concern for the other. Despite Dani's protest and pushing, Em was…not willing to stay hidden away in the safety of Elysium for eternity like Dani had hoped for. They ended up making compromises. Having the sparse occasional trips to the Nether and even Frosthaven (which they were banned from) for supplies. During these trips they…got caught, but Bats let them off with a warning.
Also during these trips, they saw the ghost of Bee.
Bee's ghost…an innocent child, clueless to the world around her. Completely unaware as to where he was or the fact he was even a ghost, only a puppy and a dream to her name.
Forever looking for a family that couldn't be found
Either way, for the duo of Dani and Em, their compromise also included Dani making a watch tower to keep track of those who drifted in Elysium's direction and Em taking their time to make an arsenal of weaponry and protection. Netherite armor and tools, wither skeleton heads lined the top of the walls of the armory, chests were filled to the brim with an array of potions-
Em was prepared for a war if that’s what it took to protect those they cared for. Prepared to do anything.
Dani was prepared to sacrifice anything if that's what it took for Em to be safe.
Artemis…
Artemis had learned that they were about to do what it took for a different kind of dedication.
After receiving a sign from their Goddess, Artemis received a new drive--a goal.
Revenge
The Goddess reminded Artemis of how the world has been against them. Against them both. A world before Hearth but one that still hosted this evil. A world that didn't deserve to exist any longer.
It was time for everythings comeuppance
The deer immediately acted on this new mission, seeking out the fox they had already gotten a weird vibe from since seeing him during the banquet. They hoped he would be able to assist in their goals, unintentionally or not.
Zephyrus had already been researching the end for his own personal reasons, and when the two met upon a campsite, he found himself crumbling under pressure from Artemis to allow them to join their escapade under a few conditions.
They were to help Zephyrus with their research and in getting materials they may need and, most importantly, the dragon was to not be harmed. Anyone Artemis allowed to assist in the project would be okay to join this journey to the End as long as they followed that same rule.
Why the dragon was to not be harmed was never told.
Nevetheless, the two made an agreement, and research progressed. While Zeph continued his experimenting and daily writings of progress, Artemis sought out Dani for more information on the end and how to possibly get there. Seeing as Dani was one of the few people they knew closely that was notably not from this world, it was worth a shot to see what they knew.
Luckily, it seemed this was a profitable endeavor, Artemis not only learned of the potential closeness the end had to the overworld and how the Gods spoke of the dangers in said realm, but also learned that Dani may have some sort of connection to it as well. Maybe not directly, but something about them, something they could do, might be able to help with the process. Though in Dani's eyes it was all speculation and theory, Artemis knew in their heart it was true.
Where Dani confirmed family, Artemis confirmed a tool.
Meanwhile, something else occured in the server.
Bee had returned.
Two lives left.
Coming from a mocking limbo set on an unforgiving stage, Bee woke up in their home, disoriented and disheveled but happy to be in the overworld once again.
With people to see, they immediately traveled around, checking in on Bats at frosthaven and letting her know she was back, running into Dani and somewhat making amends and finally finding Zephyrus and the two blowing up Bee's childhood home as a way for her to try disconnect from it after the experience in limbo. It was an eventful first day back, but it was one that hopefully promised the beginning of a new start for Bee.
But nothing starts without an end.
And where a new life began, one had ended.
Vee.
Original hoster of the ball, close friend of few, murder suspect to many. Her last appearance was at the banquet, sat in the background as she watched time seem to repeat itself again.
Nothing ever seemed to go their way. Everywhere they went, despair laced their footsteps.
And eventually, that despair caught up in full.
Vee's body was found in Echo's castle.
And their last words were found by Dani in the form of a letter.
"Hi Dani,
I didn’t want to leave without a goodbye so I’m writing this to you. I’m not sure how to start this. From the moment I came here, I only wanted to feel welcome. So I hosted the ball. I was so proud of all the work I did, until it actually happened. The ball, which I was putting all my pride in, just ended up hurting people. Most importantly, hurting you. I don’t think things ever went back to normal after it.
I always felt guilty, I’ll never stop feeling guilty. I know it’s selfish but it brought me something positive too. I met you and even though I was a walking reminder of Em’s death, you still let me stay with you. I considered you family, I still do. Both Em and you felt like home to me. You just have that warmth surrounding you at all times, no matter how bad it is. You were there for me at my lowest. The only issue is, it never got any better. I thought it could only get better after the ball, but you’d be surprised if you knew how bad it became. I only ever wanted to be loved by people. I failed miserably. Nothing ever went my way. So I am taking matters into my own hands and I’m leaving. Please don’t look for me. I would say remember me by the good things, but there is nothing good about me. So try to forget.
The last thing I want to say is I’m proud of you. You have the whole world ahead of you. I believe in you, Dani. Keep being strong and keep fighting for what’s right.
-Vee"
No one knew exactly how they had passed.
Maybe no one would ever know.
But that end is what takes us to this new beginning.
A beginning fit for The End.