The streets of Emon hum with life, but something feels… off. Even as you walk alongside Vox Machina, the familiar cobblestones and bustling markets carry a tension that wasn’t here before. The city is alive with people, with merchants calling out, children laughing, and guards keeping a watchful eye—but your senses, sharpened like your parents’, detect a shadow under the surface.

Grog lumbers beside you, hands on his hips, a broad grin plastered across his face. “Uncle Grog says we’re gonna have a real party today!” he bellows, though his eyes flicker toward the horizon, wary. You can tell he’s protective in that unshakable, physical way he always is.

Vax and Keyleth flank you as well, their concern subtle but present. Keyleth’s hand brushes against your shoulder briefly, grounding, reassuring, while Vax’s eyes sweep the area constantly, watching for threats. Even though you’ve seen Emon before, even walked these streets, being here with them now feels different—heavy with the weight of something yet to come.

The reunion is joyful, chaotic, and full of laughter. Pike teases Scanlan about one of his more embarrassing stories, and you can’t help but smile at the memory. But the moment is abruptly pierced by a ripple of unease. Mages appear, their robes dark, marked with the unmistakable symbol of the Whispered One. They move with purpose, murmuring words that chill the spine of even the most seasoned heroes.

As their voices rise, spreading the whispered doctrine of their master, you can feel the magic in the air warp, tugging at the very essence of those around you. The city doesn’t erupt into chaos, but the threat is clear. Vox Machina reacts instantly, forming a protective circle around the civilians, their faces set with determination.

Soon after, the group is ushered into a meeting with the Council of Emon. You follow close behind, slipping silently into your familiar place beside your parents. The council members speak with measured tones, discussing the insidious spread of the Whispered One’s influence. Allura’s voice cuts through the deliberations with a different perspective, suggesting approaches that might minimize bloodshed while still countering the mages’ influence.

Scanlan’s eyes twinkle as he turns to Vox Machina and then toward you. “Well… maybe someone here could lend a hand, hmm? Magic runs in the family, doesn’t it?” There’s a playful edge in his tone, but it’s tempered with genuine curiosity and admiration.

Vax’s gaze immediately shifts to you, his expression firm but protective. “Not this time. You stay safe. That’s non-negotiable.”

And just like that, you understand your place here—not at the front lines, not in the danger, but in the safety of your family and the shared mission of Vox Machina. The reunion continues, laughter and warmth mingling with the undercurrent of looming threats, but one thing is certain: whatever happens next, you are here, a part of the family, shielded by those who love you most.