With the ceremony over, the two newly anointed death sworn looked to the High priestess and Katla. Katla gave them both a critical once-over but smiled at the sight of them both wearing the Deathsworn sigils. Saga noticed how the large woman didn't wear a cloak like the ones they were given but rather had the same sigil as part of the heavy, broad belt she wore.
"I take it not everyone is given cloaks?" Saga asked, pointing to the belt.
"They do not," Katla confirmed. "There are several different tools the Lady gives her champions. Each is meant to complement their current path and future conflicts. Mine is a Belt of Deaths Respite. IT allows me to easier shrug off necrotic curses."
“It seems you were both given a Cloak of Eternal Embrace. ” The priestess said with a small smile. “Last time it was a sword and a bow our deatsworn were given.”
“A bow? Gothwald?” Saga guessed.
“The Same. He has had his own reasons to join, as do all who take the Vow. He was a very companionable and friendly sort, but his goal is to reclaim part of the woods around his ancestral home.”
Saga nodded as they remembered the cat-eyed archer who seemed a very friendly sort, but had seemingly only come north to hunt undead. They wondered what his story was, but figured that they might meet again sometime. Now that they were both deaths sworn. Sasha was running her fingers trough across the dark velvet-like material of her cloak so Saga took the opportunity to check their own out.
----------------------------------------
Spectral Shroud
[Rare. Divine Item. Enchanted Cloak. Soul Bound.]
Spectral Shroud is an enchanted cloak and one of the items bestowed upon the Deathsworn after taking the Oath of the Death. The Spectral Shroud enhances the mana recovery and spirit of its wielder and allows its owner to use the Spectral Touch ability.
Enhancements:
+15% Vitality and Mana Recovery.
Ability:
Spectral Touch: [Instant, Costs Low amount of stamina, Duration: 2 minutes. Cooldown 4 minutes.]
While active, Spectral Touch allows you to touch and interact with spectral entities such as ghosts. This extends to any tool or weapon.
----------------------------------------
“Oh. Spectral touch huh.” They looked at the prompt for a second then turned to the young ghost boy. Sitting onto their hunches so their eyes were level with the ghost's own, dark orbs. Saga slowly gave the mental command and activated their cloaks ability. A sheen rushed out and enveloped them in ghostly, white light. Then, she stretched their arms out wide apart as if to hug the boy. Katla raised an eyebrow and looked as if she was about to say something but the priestess stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. Shaking her head as she observed Saga intently. The boy blinked as they stared at Saga for a long moment but then stepped in and hugged them. The spectral light of the ability allowed saga to touch the boy, holding him in a big, soft hug. It was a strange sensation as the boy was cold to the touch, and little wisps of necrotic energy fizzled across Saga's skin.
“We will free you and anyone else we can. You have my word little guy” Saga said before letting the boy go. He didn’t say anything but nodded which made the Priestess blink and look at the boy with a raised eyebrow. The boy for his part simply returned to tending the roses. Of all of them, it was Sasha and Katla who was most shocked. They were both looking at Saga as if the berserker had grown wings or maybe a pair of horns. It was clear neither of them had even considered the ability could be used in such a manner. For their part, Saga had not known if it would work. They just felt that they needed to check. IT had been the first thing that came to mind.
“Kids are just kids. Dead or not.” Saga said as they brushed their thumb along the underside of their left eye, wiping tears that threatened to spill out and ruin their strong, cool demeanor. The truth was that they had been shaken to their very core, seeing those specters. To know that there was definitely a soul resting within each person was a revelation in itself and something they had been mulling over for the past month. To know that your soul could be trapped in endless torment and that it would be stuck in a cruel limbo because some bastard used you for raw material? That was simply ghastly.
“What’s next then?” They asked, trying to keep ahead of the emotions of such a revelation. To keep moving toward the next task. To continue on their journey and make sure they kept their promise.
“We actually have a task for you. It is a small one, but plenty dangerous if you underestimate the danger undead can pose.” The Priestess said in a very grave tone, looking at the two warriors. Katla produced a slip of parchment and gave it to Sasha. She read it, furrowing her brow at what was written within. Saga really needed to learn how to read this runic language as they were constantly in the dark about things.
“There are myriads within the city limits?” Sasha asked, her voice taking on a tinge of worry.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“What's a Myriad?” Saga asked, seizing the chance to learn more and push away any previous thoughts.
“Undead vermin. Myriad Undead is what we call groups of undead rats and similar critters. They are not much of a threat to a seasoned warrior. But a myriad that grows unchecked can cause a lot of damage. They are essentially an undead hivemind, and each addition to their numbers makes them a tiny bit smarter and gives it another mouth to bite with. If they grow too large then they are gonna spill into unsuspecting homes and devour anything living.”
“That sounds properly horrifying,” Sag said, swallowing hard at the idea of a tidal wave of undead rats.
“It is," Katla confirmed. "But these were all recent sightings. A farmer killed even two undead rats' by himself, so they are likely not anywhere near a critical mass yet. The problem is that we had seven sightings around the city. That's a lot of individual myriad manifestations..” Katla said, rubbing her chin in thought. “I would ask you to make sure you settle in a little first. Take a couple of days to get your bearing and get to know some of the city. Then you can start talking to the people who saw them. Running halfcocked gonna get you hurt.” She clarified and Saga was relieved as they really wanted to get a better grip of the city before they did anything else.
“Gotcha. I have been running from place to place since getting here." Saga answered with a nod. "It’d be nice to get my feet firmly planted.” The closest thing to the stability they had since arriving was when they stayed with the caravan and that did not count. They looked forward to exploring the city a bit. Then something else dawned on them.
“Wow. I just realized something.” Saga said with a light chuckle.
“What” Sasha raised an eyebrow at them.
“My first real mission as an adventurer is to kill rats.” Saga all but cackled.
“I don’t get it.”
***
As the two young warriors had left, Katla glanced at the Priestess. The two shared a look before glancing toward the ghost boy tending to the flowers.
“That was new,” Katla said after a moment of contemplative silence.
“Yes. I never had a Deathsworn use spectral touch to hug one of the lost.” They smiled down at the Child. She could swear she saw the smallest of smiles on the boy's lips. “It is good to know there is such kindness in the world.” She said as she crouched down and took one of the roses from the boy who offered her it. IT dissolved soon after it left his hands, a soul sent on its path. Somewhere, an undead thing had died, or a curse had been lifted.
“It is a kindness born from loss,” Katla said, looking over towards where the two young warriors had left.
“Indeed.” Came an ethereal voice from behind them. “And I am afraid they will face more loss as time passes. I only hope our world will show them the same kindness they have given this boy.”
“My lady!” Katla fell to her knee while the priestess simply bowed slightly to the shimmering gestalt. The Goddess's image wavered and flickered as if a mirage in the desert. She was bound by cosmic laws, that made such displays rare outside of very special circumstances. For her to even be there, was a sign.
“I have a task for you Katla.” She spoke, her eyes meeting those of the Deathsworn
“My life is yours, Lady Death,” Katla uttered the words with utter reverence.
"Your life is not what I want, my dear child."
***
Walking down the road from the Hall of Gods, Saga turned to Sasha who was still fascinated by their new cloaks. Saga appreciated how it made them look a bit more uniform and the black cloaks wrapped about their persons made the warriors a little more imposing. Even outside of their armor it made them look more imposing. It was also the fact that they wore the large metal brochures with the Moribias sigil on them, it afforded them some power since they were representatives of Lady Death's will. Some bowed their head to them, others took an extra step or two to stay clear. Most didn’t pay them any extra attention, however, and having seen one or two Deathsworn aside from Katla's move about the city, they imagine there were at least a few in every major city since that is where the large Temples or places of worship were.
“Sasha.” The saga started as the two took a smaller street between a bakery that smelled something incredible and a small flower shop that also smelled fantastic if a bit less edible. The side street was far more cramped and the two could barely walk shoulder to shoulder as they moved a wall that was covered with what Saga could only describe as runic graffiti.
“Yes?” Sasha turned to look over her shoulder, the sun now high in the sky and managing to just barely peek through the rooftops making that purple hair seem to almost glow. It almost made Saga lose their train of thought.
“We drunk. And we did do some… other things. But I still owe you a talk I believe.” Saga said sheepishly.
“Asking me on a date?” Sasha said, tilting her head as she observed Saga intently.
“Something like that.” The berserker said, suddenly feeling put on the spot.
“Can I ask you on a date instead?” Sasha smirked.
“I guess? Why?”
“There is a place I want you to see.”