Part 3

Anima Sepultura (Latin transl. The burial of the soul)

Soul Burial.

Cold air.

Dark clouds

Lightning.

Rain.

Thunder.

Night.

Heavy rain poured down onto the ground.

The child was thrown to the ground, sliding across the wet dirt. coughing.

“You are struggling to exist even now, holding on to that fragile life.”

The child tried to stand up, but his body felt weak.

His vision was getting blurry.

His breath was heavy as he was struggling to breathe as he rubbed his arms, trying to keep himself warm.

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Cassius looked on at the struggling child, almost with pity.

“Your body is working against you now; it is the drawback of that forbidden technique.”

The child’s fingers clawed into the dirt, tying to keep himself up.

"The aura that we are able to give off comes from our soul. From the moment we are born until the moment of our deaths, that energy never changes, thus allowing our bodies to adapt to it, just as it does for Dragon-borns.

The child tried to comprehend what the man was saying through his shallow breaths.

"Because of that method, we hit a limit on how strong we can actually become. It is taboo amongst our race; doing that very act overwritten your soul with your mothers, combining both, essentially creating something that can neither be called a soul; your body is weaker now because what is operating your body in the absence of your soul is now far weaker than what you are used to."

The child collapsed under his weight, with the side of his face crashing into the dirt.

"We were only able to find you because of the infant’s cries; even now, as I stare upon you, your body gives off no aura, not even a speck."

"But perhaps that works to your advantage....."

The child looked up at the man for clarity.

"You and your sister have nowhere to go now that your village is destroyed."

The child simply shook his head.

"This group and myself are resistance fighters against the Dragonborns, and this place is our base of operations outside the nearest main city. Taking in small children is not my style, so you are free to take your sister and travel through the wasteland full of beasts that would rip you two apart, given that you have no way to defend yourself or...."

Alistair waited for the man to continue.

"I can make an exception and allow you and your sister to stay under our care if you join and fight with us."

"....why me?"

"You are an oddity—one I have never seen before because no one was ever foolish enough to take that step. With the right training, you can be useful against experienced enemies. You can be dead or alive for all I care, but I don't want anyone useless.”

Placing a hand on his waist, he spoke again.

“So, you have two choices.”

The child calmed his breathing and closed his eyes.

(Whatever happens…… promise me……you will take care of your sister.)

His mother's voice rang out in his head as he clenched his fist.

Alistair opened his eyes, staring at Cassius.

He made up his mind.

The child nodded.

That was his reply.