Chapter 16: The Faceless Spirit in White

Securing Liberr behind my back, I grimaced as I tried to wash my worries. I picked up Galy’s bow from the ground and tightened my grip. Just as I was about to stand up, I noticed a flicker of movement from Liberr’s fingers in the corner of my eye.

“Huh?”

I turned to find Liberr lifting her head on my shoulder, her face contorted with pain. Yet, she felt colder, colder than the first time I had touched her, as if all the warmth was swept away in an instant.

“Libe—!?”

As I spoke, I noticed something unusual—her eyes were red. They had been green. A sense of foreboding crept over me, making me scan my surroundings in the thick darkness. Hastily, I grabbed Sonneflowers from my girdle and waved them in the air, yet, there were no Treco Birds in sight.

On impulse, I grabbed the knife hanging from my girdle and swiftly cut the fabric, causing Liberr to fall behind me with a loud thud.

I hastily aimed the knife At Liberr’s body—she wasn’t really Liberr, but she was. Something had taken over Liberr.

“What?” echoed a voice, though Liberr’s mouth remained unmoving.

A monster had entered Liberr. What should I do now? What could I do now? I couldn’t abandon her. I would never abandon her. Before “Liberr” had a chance to rise, I lunged onto her injured body, pressing the knife closely to her neck.

As my eyes blurred from my tears, I saw my hands trembling. I can’t do it… I can’t kill Liberr. Oh, Mother Banshee, please give me the strength to do this.

However, before I could act, my body was suddenly pushed by an unknown force, striking whatever was behind me. I felt a loud impact on my body as it paralyzed my senses in an instant.

“Gah!”

My vision blurred, and a cold sensation enveloped my body, as though death itself was near. Before I knew it, Liberr stood before me, seemingly unbothered by her injuries. I realized then, it wasn’t her. Looking up, I saw a sorrowful expression on Liberr's face. Please. Not.. Don’t do that on my Liberr’s face.

“Why did you put that knife to my neck?” She asked, this time using Liberr’s voice. “I thought we were friends”

“Lies! That’s a lie!” I gasped, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. I knew I couldn’t do anything against the monster inside Liberr’s body, yet I refused to give up. Tears fell, summoning every bit of strength I have left. “Please, anything but that body. It’s not yours… It’s my child’s. Please, I’ll do anything. Just spare her.”

“Anything?” she repeated, kneeling down in front of me.

Before I could reply, words stuck in my mouth, leaving me silent for a moment. “Yes… I don’t care anymore… Just spare the child from this… Please.” I pleaded.

“Where is Aeonian?” She responded immediately.

“Aeonian?” Confused, I couldn’t help but repeat it.

“Yeah,” Liberr tilted her head up, gesturing with her bloodied hands and missing fingers, “It’s something floating on the skies. Have you seen it before?”

What did she mean by that? Floating in the skies? I thought briefly before my thoughts drifted to the difference between the monster in Liberr’s skin and the real Liberr. Despite recognizing that the person before me was not the Liberr I used to know, I couldn’t help but feel worried about where my real Liberr had gone.

“Are you talking about Stella Luna?”

Turning back to me, she repeated, “Stella Luna?”

She doesn’t? Even though it has been hovering above since the beginning of time?

“It’s that glowing white Goddess in the skies, the thing that infects people with its light.”

“No, not that one,” she replied. “I am referring to a castle, a fortress, an object of many that floats in the sky.”

“I haven’t… seen anything like that…”

“Is that so?” Liberr said, sounding disappointed.

Upon hearing such, I quickly interjected, fumbling as I spoke, “But! But someone I know might know where it is.”

“Is that so?”

“The Mother Banshee in the village might know… I can guide you there… So, can you return my daughter now?”

“Very well.”

Without warning, Liberr’s body fell lifelessly. I quickly caught her before she could be harmed further. Feeling for her pulse in her heart, I found her skin was cold to touch. She was dead… Never to return. I knew she didn’t have much time with these injuries. But deep down, I wished I could bring her back to the village one last time, so she could see everyone before passing. That way, she would know that I never abandoned her.

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At that moment, a wave of overwhelming sadness washed over me, the ache in my heart becoming almost unbearable. Tears streamed down my face, each drop made the emptiness grow within. I silently wept… I knew I can’t be loud in a place like this.

Wiping the tears off my cheeks, a hollow chill spread inside me. I recognized this feeling all too well—the emotion I needed to steel myself against sadness. Liberr was gone, like the others before her. There was no time to grieve, especially in a place like this.

Not now, Estrea. Remember how many friends we have lost, yet we always have to return their bodies to their homes. A place where they can rest. I had to focus on returning. I had to.

“Are you done?” I heard a voice from somewhere.

I turned my attention to it and through my blurry eyes, I saw a transparent figure, a spirit in white with a featureless face.

“—?!” I let out a silent scream before blacking out.

***

I awoke to the sensation of a cold liquid trickling down my cheeks, my eyes struggling to focus on the blurry surroundings. A faint flickering light caught my attention in the corner of the room, the scent of dampness and decay filled my nostrils with each breath, I could feel the weight of the room pressing down on me, suffocating and oppressive. I struggled to piece together the fragments of memory that were out of reach. Where was I and how did I end up here? There, a distant echoing voice called out to me.

“Are you awake?”

Struggling to raise my heavy head, I felt as though I was dragged towards the ground. Turning towards the voice, I saw the Spirit in white, its head appearing facing the opposite of mine. Right. I remember now.

“Are you alright?” the spirit repeated.

I replied cautiously, ”Yes…”

A spirit… I never knew they existed… Mother Banshee always said they were a rare sight; We—, I, I never believed her. Who would have thought I would be the one to encounter one.

Looking around, I found myself back in the cave. There, I saw Liberr’s sleeping form by my side. Gently caressing her cheeks, a sense of emptiness enveloped me. I had always anticipated our separation, but I never imagined it would be like this.

This child… Her sweet smile was what brought me back to my feet. No matter how difficult surviving the catastrophes in this world or how challenging the monsters I have to fight. However, now, she is sleeping, her eyes closed forever.

“Vi Tablos, Vi’ar Nomsenriu, Katlos. Vi Nome des Latos, des Etos, en’des Paros. Vi Anos Deto.”

As I recited an incantation of farewell, memories of the past flooded my mind, filled with moments shared with Liberr. I could still hear her singing songs with children, see her joy climbing trees, recall her wonder at the first snowfall, feel the excitement of her first hunt, the heartbreak of losing her first love, and the bravery that earned her first scar.

As each memory surfaced, a part of my emotions flickered out, leaving me feeling numb. Despite this heaviness of it all, tears had already dried, as if I had already steeled myself.

“What does that mean?” a voice called out to me.

“‘What does that mean?’” I repeated, turning around to see the spirit completely still.

“Vi… Tablos… Beyr. Momosiru?” the spirit said, “It’s hard to say what you did before, I mean. What does that mean?”

“Oh, that. It’s just a farewell.”

“A farewell?”

“Yes,” I said, before turning my gaze to Liberr, caressing her dark hair as I cleaned off the dust. “My dear child, dearest child of mine. I wish you a safe passage to the afterlife, where you will meet your father, your brother, and other families. Please rest in peace, my dear.”

“Afterlife? Is there an afterlife?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know where it is then?”

“No,” I replied. Taking a deep breath before I continued, “I wish I did… I want to see them again.”

“I, too, as well.”

Hearing such, I couldn’t help but wonder. Who is this spirit? Why is it here? Could it be separated from other spirits, trying to find its home, Aeonian? If that’s the case… What happened?

I wanted to ask, but Mother Banshee’s words always warned against meddling with otherworldly spirits. Doing so, she warned, would result in an eternal curse of suffering.

In any case… I have to return to the village, so that my child can finally be at peace without worry… Then guide the Spirit to Mother Banshee.

Summoning my strength, I stood up from the ground and began preparing. My fingertips gently traced the Liberr’s face one last time before securing her body. It was a face I knew better than my own, now still and rapidly cooling. I expected the familiar ache of loss, the void her absence would bring. But, there was.. nothing. I felt empty. I wondered if I had any more grief left to give after I bid many farewells.

I have to go back… To the place where Liberr can rest along with others.

Quietly, I placed Libber behind my back, secured her by tearing up my clothes, and carefully double-checked my tools. While in the midst of my preparations, the Spirit spoke, “Are you afraid to look at me?”

“Afraid…” I murmured, the Spirit’s faceless appearance flashing before my eyes. “No… It’s more of… surprise, really.”

“And what about the Mother Banshee you spoke of? Would she be afraid?”

“I don’t think so… I’ve never seen her scared once…. Wait, why did you ask?”

“If she does, I’ll possess you… But there’s no need to worry. I’ll simply conceal myself in your body and won’t take control.” the Spirit claimed, “That way, you will be the one to ask her my questions.”

Before I realized it, I felt an ominous presence creeping towards me. A transparent white, glowing fabric caught the corner of my eye, making me shiver unconsciously. The air suddenly felt chilled, as if the heat had vanished.

“I just want answers… I just want to find Aeonian and then I will leave.” the Spirit halted. “Oh, I forgot to ask… What is your name?”

“Estrea… Estrea Bansalla Frostgard.” I said hesitantly, slowly turning my gaze to the Spirit.

Suddenly, something—a hand—reached out to me, and instinctively, I backed away. But that wasn’t enough, and the cold, transparent fingers ended up sliding across my jaw.

“Should I possess you, or should I follow you? Everyone doesn't like it when I possess bodies. So, how about you?”

Everyone? Immediately, I replied, “No need. Just follow me. But before we enter the village, can you wait far away? I’ll come back, I promise. I want everyone to be aware of your presence. You wouldn't want people to hate you, right?”

“Indeed. Please do.”

This Spirit… seems to be reasonable…