Calypso sat there. With a face that still had remnants of tears that rested in a dazed forlorn, mixed with shellshock. Staring past anything that was facing her, as she was draped with a cream blanket.

But at least this time, her mother’s hand rubbed at her shoulder. Embracing her with warmth as they sat secluded in the madness and ruin that surrounded them.

“…She gave me mini heart attacks, but I did like Alice…”

Calypso simply looked to her left. Her expression changing subtly to a moved expression. But nevertheless pained.

Penny tensed a bit at the sight, but refused to retreat from this moment.

“And just to dodge the, ‘oh you’re just saying that’—yes. She was trouble, she caused you trouble… I remember how you’d get into those shouting matches with her, and you’d spent entire weeks miserable. Why you would constantly go through that for someone that’s not worth it, it was beyond me… But it wasn’t.”

Calypso simply tilted her head in quiet confusion… Until it hit her. Penny chuckled lightly at the body language.

“Guess the genes really do run deep, huh~?” Penny nudged her daughter in a joking manner. Calypso was way too tired to calculate if her mother truly made the connection or not.

And just simply sighed.

“Maybe I should take up drinking after this…” Calypso sounded so hoarse. So small.

“And I would not blame you in the slightest…” Penny proceeded to rub her daughter’s back, lost track of how many times so far.

Calypso then looked back to the scene. How they were huddled on a makeshift bench of sorts, watching state troopers and first responders scurry about the main plaza of Willow Reverie. Flashing red and blue drowned the scene, as shouting and question polluted the air more than the lingering smoke did.

And there was Cindy Robinson, prattling on about how she left “for one moment” and the worst incident that’s ever happened to the town occurred. Calypso, thankfully, didn’t need to hear what was being parroted.

Per Richard’s agreement: Cassie’s rampage was deemed a deadly prank gone wrong. The arson attack on the hospital was a prelude from her, wanting to cause a massive riot and panic on Willow Reverie in a meaningless attempt of hooliganism. A lonely woman, who recruited fellow “outsiders” to organize the attack… And it quickly got out of hand. The arson with the “ink” and “fake blood” that she got ahold of caused flames so strong, they made the skies seem to turn red. She and the main conspirators perished within the flames, along with the many victims, the only evidence being disturbed writings and scraps “recovered” in the basement of the hospital.

Sadly, in an odd fashion, no one could take a critical eye to that story. Way too many survivors simply repeated that, in various ways and in various levels of serendipity. What people perceive as responses to trauma was massive, invasive mind control.

It's all these humans have. All these families have, really. Calypso shook her head softly at the thought.

There was a sharp intake of air, causing Calypso to look immediately to her mother, who was away from her now and she shook her head, pointing forward. Calypso looked and saw her dear friends approaching her, Natalie with her hand slightly before her face in worry.

“Yeah—those aren’t bloodshot eyes from the smoke or asphyxia—right—"

Gale, meanwhile, wordlessly darted forward and hugged Calypso. So tightly.

Calypso accepted it without a second thought, and wrapped her cloaked arms around her friend as well. Closing her eyes in the warmth. She felt a small pat on her shoulder, that turned into a firm clutch.

“We did it,” Natalie tried to reassure her. “It sucked, but what was going to happen… Well, y’know. But we did it all the same, only one more thing left…”

“And you’re stuck with us now, so we’re gonna try everything to make you feel better~” Gale cooed into the conversation. “And it’s going to be great!”

Calypso huffed in response… So heavy, but earnestly carrying that weight. “Yeah. It’s going to be.”

She was content to keep her eyes closed. Content to stay in this moment.

But the sound of crystalline tolling rang out. Forcing her eyes to open, as Calypso witnessed everyone but her immediate loved ones began to freeze in motion.

And a heavenly light shone down upon them.

“…G-guessing this was the ‘last thing’…?” Penny shivered out.

“Mhm,” Calypso couldn’t help but to glare upward at the so-called ethereal shine. “And the trickiest thing this time, is that it’s fully staffed this time…”

As she finished that sentence, the light spirited them away.

“This is a proceeding, conducted and carried out by the eminence of the Fates That Be… All in attendance.”

Five of them, each of them sat upon pillars of light. All of them, adored in pure white gowns, stylized to each of their respective builds. The unifying constant being masks, a mix between a knight and a judge’s wig.

“Claiborne,” the Fate that was stout, hunched over with locks that hung down crudely into massive knots. Their mask was a rigid built made of sharp corners that caused it to become misshapen.

“Berkeley—” the Fate looked as if wind could break them, their gown barely holding on, so svelte that they naturally swayed where they sat. Their locks flowed opposite where they swayed. Their mask was a mess of overgrowth.

“Rutherford~” the Fate “felt” the most feminine, their locks tumbling down their shoulders without an ‘end’, their gown the neatest. Their mask was curvaceous, with each shape ending with a curl.

“… Skylark,” the Fate the monster girls knew simply motioned a wave. No longer in what Calypso guessed was their “casual” wear, now in puffy robes and equally messy wig. Their mask was the biggest, shapes spread outward into plume, fluffy edges.

The final Fate placed a hand on their chest, their robes the most traditional, their wig the most accurate. Their mask made up of vectors that created something that could only be described as a “scowling knight’s helmet”.

“And Lucian.”

They all adjusted from their respective poses, becoming eerily still.

“We will decide upon the fates of all present. Always and forever.”

Calypso looked around. She was surrounded by her friends, family, the townspeople in the know, Richard, and his mother far on her left…

“Now then…” Lucian rubbed at their… “Temple”, the side of their mask. “Considering that the Terrorizer is currently at the bottom of the sea… We can safely conclude that her attempt of Terrortide has ended in failure. In addition to her fate, any attempts to thwart or bypass this will be made near-impossible due to the sheer debt she managed to circumvent.”

Lucian trained their gaze at Richard. “And any resulting backlash from her side of your pact made will be rendered null and void. Happy outcome for you, I presume?”

“Considering that it nearly slipped my mind—” Richard exhaled in that sudden relief, rubbing the back of his hand as his mother overemotionally prattled and hugged him.

Calypso wanted to keep staring at the display, but simply trained her gaze back to the Fates.

“But thank you, Honorable Lucian…” Mrs. Moses wheeled forward. “Since they’re too, urm… Overcome with emotion to answer.”

“Hm,” the Lead Fate curtly answered, still… Irked. Calypso felt a pit manifest in her stomach.

“Ah, Isabella Moses,” Rutherford turned their gaze to her. “I have to say: it’s been so long since a human… Well, formerly—have appeared before us several times. Not since the elder days~”

Mrs. Moses withheld a sigh. “And the fact you all answer the call means that you are more generous than need be. We are truly humbled by your eminence.”

“If anything—it relates to what Lucian was going to bring forth—a notion—a proclamation really—but I’d be speaking for Lucian—which I shouldn’t—and I will not—” Berkeley… Said? Calypso had to take a moment to process what was said. She never knew someone could speak faster than Natalie.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“D-did we not save everyone--?” Gale asked. “Was it all for nothing--?!”

“Noooo,” Skylark tilted their head back as they said it in a drone. Already done with this conversation. “It meant something. Terrortide ended. Things have returned to normal…”

“However, there are other pressing issues that spawned from this messy ordeal,” Lucian began.

“The irreversible scars, for one,” Claiborne’s voice was as if thunder could form words. “The death toll was remarkably minimal but there are far too many people that have witnessed what they should not have.”

“Not to mention—the nature of things—from the ecosystem—to how meaning transcends their physical means—like how we ultimately came to be—but that in of itself is another story—a story that only a few of you know—” Berkeley prattled on.

“Wait, yeah, that’s an honest question…” Natalie sounded as if she were slowed down, compared to who just spoke. “I know, I know—I’m creating more interruptions, but I feel like this could tie into the pressing issue… What… Are you? Were you… Us, once upon a time--?”

“Ha! Heavens no—” Rutherford had to hold their chest in mirth.

“Everyone seems to think we’re ascended humans—when that isn’t the case—it’s the reverse actually,” Berkeley explained. “We were the air—the seas—the earth—skies and light—we were akin to that—equal to that—fundamentally still the same~”

“But you humans kept personifying us,” Claiborne rumbled into the scene. “In order to maintain our existence, we had to adorn the shapes you associate us with. For the sake of maintaining the balance of this unstable realm.”

“…We… Chose these looks for you…” Natalie scanned them all, her tone clear. “Now—I purposefully dress as I do for various reasons, but if I may be so bold, why are you centuries out of date?”

“Because they are centuries out of date—” Skylark continued to stare up into nothing. “—Out of spite—”

“It is not ‘out of spite’, you—” Lucian grumbled at Skylark, before correcting themselves. “The sheer complexities of maintaining this system of the natural and supernatural takes many of your lives to do. As a result, yes, we are still reviewing things in order. But it does bring up the matter at hand.”

Lucian pointed outward. “Simply put. Human depravity has taken a drastic rise. And as a result, hexes—curses—pacts—the supernatural has become a plaything that we’re desperately trying to untangle. The fact that Isabella Moses has been a part of two Terrotide attempts in her pitiful life says it all. As such…”

“The realm shall have a grand cleansing. A reset that will shift the balance back and a new start for us to keep affairs in order,” all the Fates said at once.

The silence was deafening.

“That sounds not-good except for you—” Gale was startled.

“…There is no. Way.”

Calypso didn’t care to hide her growl, her contempt. She had to be immediately held back by both of her friends.

“There is no way that you’re going to erase my—no—everyone’s suffering and sacrifices, just to absolve your negligence!”

“Calypso Elise Grimes,” Lucian had a stern, even tone. “While you have indeed proven yourself time and time again for the good of the realm, I will only remind you of this this only once. We are not on your side. We are a neutral party. We have outlived decenters such as yourself for many lifetimes. So. Await our judgment or we’ll just carry the motion as soon as my breath ends.”

“You all made us into your minders,” Claiborne muttered. “And we shall do our job.”

“Okay—in the interest in faiiiiirness—” Martha verbally broke up the fight with her sugary tone. “Let us review a couple of things, before giving this idea any legs to stand on… This is a saying, not literally, our Honor—”

Richard adjusted his tie. “For one… Since the Terrorizer’s position as the subject of this proceeding was immediately voided, that makes us—the ones who proved them wrong—the new main subject. Thus allows us slight sway that the Terrorizer was going to be awarded. Is that not true…?”

“…He makes a good point.”

Calypso’s rage was muted once she saw Skylark. Engaged, if not intrigued.

“Can’t really challenge that without a longer proceeding, when more and more depravity is adding to the overall problem—”

“Gaaaah…” Lucian facepalmed. “This logic is sound…”

“Not only that…” Martha stepped into the conversation. “While I don’t wanna be a Debbie Downer but such mass death would certainly be contested… By a member that urm, you had terrible trouble with—and is not really a member of the court, but—”

“Yes yes, we know you’re referring to Death…” Rutherford’s usual teasing disposition turned frigid.

Calypso couldn’t help but tilt her head, at that. Another personification that isn’t aligned with them…?

“We’ve come to blows many a time, but yes—it would take additional effort to even commune with them…” Rutherford groaned. “The logic continues to be sound.”

Richard gestured toward Calypso and her coven. “These three, cursed beings that were meant to be torn apart by their vices and only live because of that fixed fate, proved that humanity is capable of co-existing with the natural and supernatural, and use that resonance to become more. Here’s your answer. It’s what they represent…”

The scarecrow lifted a finger in the air, “I propose this reset to be less drastic and more… Inventive. Change the rules. Reset the damage. Let us work to discover and figure out the new rulings… And if that still gives you pause, I do have an additional clause that everyone can have a say in.”

Richard turned to the crowd, “That could be literal. For a grace period, we all have our memories and knowledge of the arcane wiped—”

“What--?!” Calypso shouted.

“Everyone,” Richard stressed and turned back to the Fates. “You said it yourself. You’re all outdated, lagged behind. You can observe how we as a people act now, in this modern age. You can adjust accordingly and once the changes take hold, so will our prior memories. I just ask that we get our affairs in order.”

Calypso stared back at Lucian, as they stroked at their chin.

“… That’s rather workable,” Lucian comfortably sat in their chair. “Both a penalty and a boon.”

“A less violent solution,” Claiborne nodded. “I concur.”

“I agree—and I sympathize—nature’s about renewal—about change—change takes many forms—the plan’s not rigid, can be applied different ways—” Berkeley nodded. “—I third this notion.”

“Hrm…” Rutherford verbally pouted. “I suppose it’s a stopgap for a reason… But mind, if we ever see any of you after all this—we have to be harsh, yes? You all have to keep that in mind… Well, after you regained them~! Hahahaha~!”

And Skylark simply looked down and shrugged, “Mm.”

“… We have words for a reason, you—” Lucian acted like a stereotypical sitcom father.

Skylark sighed. “yes, I, skylark of the fates that be, agree with this sentence—”

Lucian then “gaaah…”-ed softly again, shaking their head.

“Now then…”

All of the Fates spoke at once, for the final time. Raising each of their crystalline tools in their respective hand, as they slammed them down to create the gong.

“Such. Is. Fate.”

Calypso blinked and everyone was transported back to the spot where her friends and mother were resting at. The chill of the night perfectly framed the situation.

The skeletal monster girl turned her gaze toward Richard and Martha. The former adjusting his once white tux and the latter cheerily waving with lowered eyes.

“Well. It was pleasure doing business with you all~” Richard smirked. Raising a hand of his own, he walked off with his mother. The duo surrounded by various people who were working to help the town, suddenly stop and leave with them.

Protecting them.

“So many dead for them to replace…” Mrs. Moses wheeled forward, her gaze matching her student’s. “Not only proved that their brainwashing agent works, not only most of the victims at the Founding Festival were of the effluent families of the community… Martha’s a noted hero of the tragedy. They were the ones that let this spiral out of control. They inadvertently caused these deaths. The Better People came out of this better than before, and will have better footing once the reset happens.”

A small “fuck” escaped her professor’s lips, as she looked down at the ground. Calypso immediately had the question of why she didn’t object, but considering what was at stake and the ego’s involved… It was the only choice, really. Any more incidents, and the Fates’ patience would’ve been tested.

Calypso just growled. Animalistically, this time.

“…I didn’t want to speak during that whole thing because I was scared I’d be the subject of a smiting—” Penny spoke up, with a tremble in her voice.

“For Christ’s sake, Penny…”

Hearing Artemtis’ voice made Calypso tense, perk up.

“What happened to Sal, Auntie Art--?”

And she turned around to find her answer. Sal laid there limp, her head in Artemis’ lap as Bradley was on his knees holding her body.

“Sally, no—” Calypso immediately went on her own knees, gently holding her cousin’s face. “You can’t do this to me—not you too, please—”

Sal proceeded to lift her head up, so that she can playfully nibble on Calypso’s nose, causing the latter to pause.

“hey, what’s happenin’, cally-?” Sal asked casually with a weak smirk.

“I’m going to strangle you—” Calypso said that in an eerie calm. Sal simply laughed and properly lifted herself up and hug her cousin.

“I ain’t goin’ nowhere, girl,” Sal said softly. “Gonna need more supped up monsters ta’ do all that noise~”

“Yeah…” Calypso tried to not sound so choked up. For all her moaning about not feeling or expressing anything, she has to fight not to feel the spectrum of emotions this rollercoaster resulted in all at once.

She truly hated everything—

“Aaaw, cheer up~” Sal broke the hug and grabbed Calypso’s shoulders. “You got weeks or months of no-monster stuff ta’ look forward ta’~!”

Calypso looked glum. “Sure…”

“I mean... It’s not gone forever, but… I think we—of all us, I reckon we all needa break, y’know? I know, I know, I’m bias an’ what not… But this all happened ta’ ya’ in five months. Ya’ can stand some R-n’-R.”

Calypso just sat there in silence…

“Do you guys think we’ll forget each other…?”

Calypso and Sal turned to see a misty-eyed Gale, shifting in place.

“That’s what I’m worried about… S-sure it was bad but… Good came from it. And-and now I sound all selfish, like, because there’s families that don’t even know that their kid’s dead and here I am all, ‘well we’re fine maaan’—and--!”

Calypso chuckled a bit. “We don’t deserve you anyways, Gale…”

“If it helps…” Mrs. Moses eased herself into the conversation. “In theory, our memories won’t be gone… Just dormant. Awaiting to rise again. As both someone that fought ancient evils and constantly learning student of human nature… We’ll find each other again. Befriend, fall in love, cross paths… It’s hard to break bonds like ours. So there’s nothing to worry about, Ms. Prachett.”

She then adjusted her glasses. “That said—if I end up too hard on you all during this haze period in class: I’m sorry in advance and you cannot pin any grudges on me—”

Everyone had an honest chuckle, at all that.

“Either way… We have a grace period to get affairs in order…” Calypso said.

“You got things in mind…?” Natalie said, quizzical.

“A few,” Calypso nodded. “And if you all want… We can do it together?”

“DID I HEAR ROOOOOOAD TRIP--?!” Sal shouted from the top of her lungs, causing Calypso to squint comically.

“Ooooh…!” Gale jumped in place, clapping. “I’m game, I’m game, I’m game~!”

“And we just got done with camping—” Natalie then smirked, with her toothy grin. “Hey. Give me time to pack and we’ll be off~”

“Good…” Calypso smiled. Then, with a sullen expression, looked at her parental figures. “We promise to be careful, I—”

Bradley let out a hearty laugh, before patting Cal’s shoulder. “Hey. That was then and this is now. Sal was right, y’all need a break an’ some fun for once. We’ll be alright here.”

Calypso proceeded to make a small smile of relief.

“’sides, you guys are 3 of the 1 girl that fucked us up—you’re fiiiine,” Artemis made a dopey face, after the face.

Once again, the group genuinely laughed at the joke. The most heartwarming for Calypso, was the fact that Penny was earnestly joining in.

***