Passage through Mobius - Ida

You open your eyes and see the stars above you, framed by treetops. You find yourself lying on your back in a dark, cold forest. You blink and sit up, scanning your surroundings. Your only landmark is a flickering light in the distance. Remembering the words of Xedric, you begin walking towards it.

Time passes, but you're not sure how much. Hours have passed in an instant and now you are standing on top of a wall overlooking the forest you've just exited. You turn around and look into the gnomish city of Dormair. Fires burn sporadically between the stone buildings, burning down trees and stables and barracks while your brethren scramble to put them out. You look along the top of the wall with a sense of dread, and to your horror, she has her crossbow drawn. What is her name?

Your body is frozen and your perspective shifts to hers. Where did these fires come from? Who started them? It has to have been them. You were sympathetic to their plight, but now they leave you no choice. You swore to protect this city, your family, and you will fulfill your duty. The light of a flaming arrow appears in the corner of your eye and you swing your crossbow towards the satyr camp just outside the walls, letting the arrow fly towards the arsonist. Time slows as you realize your mistake, and the arrow freezes before it strikes the satyr child holding a torch.

Idaliope turns towards you with tears running down her face. "He doesn't die here, you know. I never got to find out in my lifetime, but if you're going to continue on, I figure it'd be cruel not to tell you."

"I'm the other you. My story ended years ago. It's been fun watching what could have been. You'll have a lot to show us when you get here."

The fire is spreading up the wall now, which is not something you remember happening. Soon, you will be engulfed, but you do not feel any fear.

"Aside from the obvious, there is one thing I regret not doing before our end. Do me a favor and tell our parents goodbye. They won't understand, but it will be worth the pain, I see that now."

The fire envelops you in a blinding golden light, and you wake up.