Mira sat in the pew closest to the podium at the front of the temple’s main room. The wall of stained-glass shined its depicted angelic woman onto the floor. She felt Encante’s nonexistent form roll his eyes at the light bouncing from the windows. Irae brought Tella into the room and the young girl yawned as she sat next to Mira.

“That is everyone,” Amethyst nodded, “Where should we go?”

“Is this place not good enough?” One of the guards laughed.

“Irae, make sure the women’s bathroom is cleared. We can be sure there are no prying ears or eyes there,” Mira paused for a moment to think before she shook her head, “I believe that should be fine.”

Thesson moved nervously in his seat until the healer came back with an all clear.

“Healer Gimma, I trust you can make sure no one enters,” Mira nodded, “I do not believe there is a chance you will join us?”

“I’m too old for that and I already know,” The old woman smiled and shook her head, “I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.”

“Thank you,” Mira grabbed Tella’s outstretched hand, “Tella, I have something I want to share with everyone, including you.”

As they walked into the room, a thick wall of flowery aromas slammed against them. Pools of bubbling water carved large holes in the marble floor. Mira nodded to Irae who moved the water from the nearest pool in front of the door. As she suspended it in the air, Mira’s hand extended, and she pushed energy outward. The water froze as it splashed against the door.

“Healer Gimma, can you hear us?” Mira called loudly.

She waited a moment. When she didn’t get a reply, she turned to the group. She took a deep breath to steady herself as the painful chill crossed her chest. She knelt to Tella and smiled faintly.

“If you get scared, I will let you leave, okay? Go to Healer Irae now.”

Amethyst walked to stand at Mira’s side. She ground a thick, black substance in a large mortar with its pestle. The incredible foul smell coming from it assaulted the otherwise pleasant aroma of the baths.

“Whatever is said in this room… does not leave,” Amethyst nodded, “I will make sure of it.”

“Some of you know parts of the truth,” She looked around.

The eight bandits, a handful of guards, Nara, and Irae waited for her to speak. She felt an anxiety bubble under her skin as she prepared herself.

“But – only parts of it,” Mira walked to kneel in front of Tella, “After this, I will have to leave.”

“What? No! You can’t!” Tella started to run towards her, but Irae grabbed her shoulders.

“Tella, I can’t stay. I’m putting everyone in danger. The longer I stay here, the more likely he is to come back…” She took a deep breath, “I don’t want what happened to the village to happen here.”

“Then, where are we going?” She pouted, “How will I train to be a better healer if we aren’t here?”

“I cannot take you. You won’t be safe.”

“You won’t be safe without your healer!” She stomped her foot.

“I would not be able to live with myself if anything happened to you,” She patted her head, “It will be safe for you when I leave.”

“How?” Her eyes watered, “You promised you would stay with me forever!”

“Quince, Sharlen, Agroth, and Miken,” She pointed to each of them, “Step forward and show your forearms.”

The bandits Quince and Sharlen did not hesitate. The guards looked to Thesson. He cautiously nodded and they stepped forward. They rolled up their sleeves as Amethyst put a finger into the thick goo. She drew a simple sigil and motioned for Mira to step towards them.

“Do you swear to protect Tella, this temple, and Vimgraunt, above anything else?” Mira eyes Quince.

“Above all other oaths,” He nodded, “Or may the goddess drag me to the void.”

Mira gripped the sigil and pushed energy into it. As it burned into his skin, he winced. The brand was barely noticeable against his dark skin, but the fresh scar glimmered to a close eye.

“Wait, what are –”

“Sharlen, do you swear to protect Tella, this temple, and Vimgraunt, above anything else?”

“I shall die before any harm befalls the girl. I shall risk my life to protect the temple and Vimgraunt,” The tiny green elven woman nodded, “Above all other oaths. Or may the goddess drag me to the void.”

Mira gripped the sigil and burned the brand into her skin. The dark ink stood out better against her pale complexion. Mira stood in front of the guard next.

“Agroth, I ask you the same. Do you swear –”

“By what authority?!” He snorted, “Can you claim and implement this oath?”

Amethyst stepped forward, “Lady Mira, may I?”

She simply nodded and stepped back.

The orc stepped forward and pulled her shirt down to reveal the mark on her own chest, “By my own oath, I verify that Lady Mira is able to place this brand on those she deems worthy. The only way I can speak of this oath through the permission of the Goddess herself, Vessels, or the Guardians Stones of Legend.”

“She speaks the truth,” Val whispered, “Though, I do not know if I need to verify for the guards.”

“Wait –” Quince’s eyes grew wide.

“You all know that I possess very strong abilities,” Mira stepped forward, “The bandits met me as the wraith –”

“Goddess above –”

“Enough.”

Mira stomped her foot and the room around her shook. She ran a hand through her hair to calm herself. She looked with worry at her small friend. The girl squealed softly and grabbed Irae’s hand.

“I understand if you want nothing to do with me, Tella,” She whispered, “Please… know I would never harm you.”

“I don’t understand…” She shook her head, “What do you mean?”

“I would never –”

“You… you’re the glowing eye man?” The girls eyes watered, “How… you—you killed mommy and daddy?”

“I didn’t know –”

She shrieked, “Did kill them to get to me?”

Panic shot through Mira, “No! Tella, I—”

“What about Pallik? Delpho? Reyla? Did you kill everyone because of me?”

Mira wheezed and grabbed her chest. She felt the emotions simmering beneath her skin and threaten to explode. Tella yelled more angry accusations at Mira. She lowered her head in shame as the girl berated her. There was nothing she could say to stop it. Her nails dug into her palms and her teeth gritted together as she tried to find the right words to say.

“Tella—”

“How?” Thesson asked, “How can you possibly be the wraith? That monster—”

“Enough!” The dark voice reverberated from her as she clasped her throat.

Mira met his incredulous gaze and stood. She fought against the surge of power that Encante pushed into her. She felt for the strand deep inside of her. She hadn’t transformed since she found Pallik’s corpse. It wasn’t something she wished to show, but it had to be believed. She pulled the dull, plain mask from a bad and held it to her face. The white wood merged to her skin as the transformation began.

Mira gripped onto the tantalizing power inside of her. It ripped through her muscles. The sound of snapping bones and horrified gasps filled the room as a shroud of darkness surrounded her. It folded tightly against her skin as she transformed into its form. Her red curls flattened into a silky silver curtain of hair. Her skin paled and turned a grossly, undead lilac. Her limbs extended to grotesque proportions as she transformed. The dull mask grew to the color and texture of bone as the monster’s face lifted. The androgynous form of the wraith hunched over and the darkness that danced around it flattened into black leather armor. The large, glowing orbs blinked into existence behind the mask. Black mist bellowed from the creature as it settled into its new form.

It looked to see the terrified faces of those around it. It hummed unpleasantly and spoke with a gargled, inhuman voice that caused Tella to jump. She screamed as she tried to hide from its gaze.

“She couldn’t control me until recently, little one,” Its skeletally thin hand reached towards her, “I’m sorry.”

Tella squealed and hid behind Irae. The healer shrank at the sight, but she instinctually put herself between them. Its hand retracted and it turned to Amethyst.

“This is what you wanted to see, isn’t it?” The voice growled.

“Glorious,” Her bright purple eyes sparkled as she took in the sight of glittering mana erupting in the air around the wraith, “The descriptions do not do it justice.”

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

The bandits fell to their knees at the horrific sight. The wraith turned its head to those in the room that stared in disbelief. The priestesses in the back huddled in a corner to appear smaller. Nara’s emerald eyes were wider than Mira had ever seen them.

“Who controls this form?” Nara asked.

“Before it was just I. Now, we can control it together,” The wraith answered, “Though for now, she gifted me the reins until her emotions settle.”

“What does that mean?” Sunodagh grunted, “Who else?”

This was the moment Amethyst waited for more than anything else. Her awe-stricken state washed away as she resumed her position.

“In the tales of the old ages, five beasts ruled the world. The fire elementals under the lead of Agrowl the Roaring –who burned all she deemed worthless away. The stone elementals under Zrud the Mountain –who forged valleys with each step he took. Winds and lightning under Saceida the Swift – who terrorized the lands with his spiteful storms. Those of ice and water under Vanora the Brackish – who froze oceans if any displeased her,” Amethyst grinned, “They only fear one other, besides our Goddess.”

“The one that soared through the skies as king of fallen and feral beasts. The one that nested the isle before his great fall and returned upon his rebirth,” The wraith bowed, “The Great Protector and Guardian of the Unclaimed Isle.”

“Goddess above,” Thesson took a deep breath, “You’re kidding me, right?”

“I first met Encante nearly ten years ago now. Just before the founding of this temple… Prophetess Renda sacrificed herself because his power was too weak from protecting Mira from Isaan. He is Encante. She is his Vessel,” She stepped forward and motioned to the wraith, “They are... this.”

“So, we ask again,” Its large glowing orbs focused on the guard, “Agroth –do you swear to protect Tella, this temple, and Vimgraunt, above anything else?”

He fell to his knees in an instant. The miasma around the wraith flowed around him and its hand grabbed the mark on his forearm.

“My duty is to the crown of Zrud,” He whispered, “Can I keep both oaths?”

“Honorable but no,” The wraith’s inhuman voice laughed behind a mouthless mask, “My Vessel offers you home and safety here, with your family. No more missions away. No more wondering where you would be in a year. Take it.”

The statement leaned towards a threat and the guard stumbled back.

The color drained from the dwarf’s face, “I mean, I –”

A low growl came from the wraith as it stood up again, “What exactly does your queen do if you leave the royal guard? Behead you? Strip you of land and title? I do not know these days.”

“The l—latter, my lord,” The dwarf whispered, “My wife. She pregnant and –”

The wraith’s grip tightened on the man and pointed to the girl, “Would you protect Tella like you would your own child? If your family were here, would you not protect this temple, this town?”

“You promise my wife will be unharmed?” He stared into the glowing eyes.

It looked upward at Val. The woman nodded and it turned its gaze back to the dwarf.

“Sheiala, wife of Agroth, is due in approximately three weeks. She will likely want to give birth before she wants to travel to Vimgraunt,” She reported diligently, “Are you alright with this? Or do you require her here before the birth? Either way, we will have someone escort her personally.”

“Whatever she wants.,” Agroth relaxed and nodded, “As long as she knows we never have to move again.”

The wraith dipped its head in a small nod. Agroth stood and clasped his hand over the lifeless one on his forearm.

“I swear on my honor. No harm will come to the girl, this temple, or this Vimgraunt without my stopping it,” The dwarf exhaled as the mark burned into his skin, “Above all other oaths… or may the goddess send me to the void.”

“Miken,” The wraith’s head tilted unnaturally to the side as it moved to look at the young man, “The one who had no letters from home. The one barely above youth. You are the one I do not know the answer for. Tell me, would you bind yourself to this oath?”

The human man, barely old enough to have a stubbly chin, looked at him curiously. He paused a moment before nodding.

“My village was burned down ten years ago after a blue elf and his servant came through… Should he return, I want to kill him myself.”

“Then, Miken,” The wraith gripped his forearm and its masked face got uncomfortably close to his, “Do you swear to protect Tella, this temple, and Vimgraunt, above all else? This oath will last your lifetime.”

“I look forward to calling this town and this temple home,” He placed his hand over the wraith’s “By my honor and above all other oaths.”

Miken didn’t even twitch as the mark burned into his skin.

“You four will make unlikely mates but you will learn to work together. I selected you based on your different skills,” The wraith looked between them, “Quince, you’re stronger than most men. You will be her shield. Sharlen, you have stealth and archery skills rarely seen outside of assassins. You will be her shadow. Agroth, you are the most levelheaded and experienced. You will be her scholar. Miken, you are youthful full of rage. Your will be her fire.”

“Yes, Leader,” The bandits pounded their chest.

“Should any of you dare cause harm to Tella, the temple, or this city,” The wraith tapped the mark on Miken’s arm, “I hope you can amputate your limb before the poison reaches your heart. It will not be a painless death.”

Irae’s eyes widened, “What will happen?”

“They will have one minutes until full body paralysis, three until it reaches their heart and stops it,” Amethyst shrugged, “My mark is much quicker. Lady Mira suggested I tone it down for their oath.”

“The next concoction?” It looked to Amethyst and snapped it long clawed fingers.

She pulled a large bottle from her pocket and shook it vigorously. When the inky blue settled, it sparkled red. She grinned and opened it. Val stepped forward and placed her forearm out eagerly.

“Razorclaw, from henceforth, you will be renamed and remolded,” The wraith dipped a boney finger into the bottle and cut a new symbol on Val’s wrist.

The thorny stem on the back of her hand curved into a droopy rose. Little petals dropped from the flower. The ink settled as the wraith pricked its finger. It allowed a drop of blood to dry into the ink. It flashed a brilliant red.

“A wilted rose,” It snorted, “How endearing.”

“Mira thought it was suiting,” Val shrugged.

“Childish,” It shook its head, “The Wilted Rose –an order of knights bound to Encante and his Vessel. Only those willing to enter may know the truth behind this mask. This spell binds your body and service to me until I deem it complete. Should you cross me or ignore my orders, the thorns will grow and cause increasing pain.”

“I am willing and ready,” Val brushed a hand against the magical tattoo, “It’s pretty.”

“You are an odd creature,” The wraith said plainly, “Next.”

The bandits stepped forward one by one to enter their new group. The wraith pointed to Sunodagh, and Irae.

“Step forward. Mira trusts you to keep your word. I do not. Until we reveal ourselves, you are to stay silent.”

“What about Tella?” Irae stood between them.

“We are willing to accept our downfall if it is due to the little one,” The wraith bowed its head, “The Goddess-Speaker has kept the secret thus far and we believe she will again.”

The wraith painted lines across their wrists. Small thorns branched outward when the drop of blood hit the ink. The wraith turned its glaring gaze to Thesson. He hesitantly stepped forward.

“Once she is delivered to Hangral, you cannot speak of my existence or her connection to the wraith until she announces us,” It drew a line, “Your men may not know, outside of the two here.”

“Should we not get the roses as well?” Quince raised an eyebrow.

“Your oath is until the end of your life. Their oath is until it is ended by us, our death, or their death,” The wraith looked to Tella and its head lowered, “You will stay with her until you are unable, as we cannot.”

The wraith rumbled dramatically and jerked violently as its skin simmered away. The darkness bubbled around it as it shrank. Its straight silver locks curled into auburn. Its limbs shrank and its form became womanlier. The mask fell and woman’s face appeared beneath it. As the last of the black mist faded, Mira refused to look up. With the monster gone, the girl became brave again. She stepped out from Irae’s side and pointed at her.

“I—I hate you!” She yelled.

Irae touched her shoulder, “Tella, you don’t –”

“Why did you kill them?” She ran and slammed fists against Mira, “This is all your fault!”

She took the abuse willingly. Tella screamed at her as she punched, kicked, and beat Mira in any way she knew how. The woman stood as still as a statue.

“I’m sorry, Tella,” She murmured as she knelt before her, “I’m so sorry.”

“They’re all dead because of you!” She shrieked and slapped her, “You lied to me! You always lied! It’s all your fault they died!”

“Irae… Please, take good care of her,” She looked past the girl, “Promise me.”

The woman nodded and tried to pull the shrieking girl away.

“You’re the reason they’re dead! My mommy! My daddy! Mama Reyla! Daddy Delpho! Big brother!” She sobbed violently,” It’s all your fault! I hate you!”

“I know, Tella,” Tears streamed down Mira’s red and swollen face, “I wish I could take it all back. I try to think of a thousand different ways I could have saved him. To save all of them. I couldn’t do it.”

“All of this is your fault! I hate you!” She ripped away from Irae to pound her fists against her, “You’re evil!”

“And I will carry that with me until the end up time,” Mira wiped at the edges of her eyes to stop the tears, “I’m sorry, Tella.”

“Did he know?!” She yelled, “Did Pallik know?”

She nodded, “He knew.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?” The girl fell to her knees crying, “Why did he hide it too?”

“He didn’t want to hurt you any more than I already have,” Black mist sizzled from her skin as the pain in her chest cracked through her stoic demeanor, “He knew it would hurt. We wanted you to be older. I’m so sorry, my friend.”

“You’re not my friend!” She yelled, “I hope you die!”

“Tella! You don’t –” Nara began to scold her.

“No, Nara. It’s okay,” Mira turned from the sobbing child with a crestfallen face, “It—it’s best this way.”

The bronze elf reached out to Mira, but she refused to meet her gaze. She melted the ice and flung the door open before she lost her composure. As Tella hurled insults through the door, Gimma looked behind her. The room emptied quickly, except for the healers, Tella, and those sworn to protect her.

“Val, you’re leading the mission to retrieve some items,” Mira dabbed at the moisture in her eyes, “The map is in the kitchen. Thesson, prepare your men to leave immediately. I have my bag packed.”

“Lady Mira –”

“Amethyst, I am not in the mood right now,” The wraith’s inhuman voice echoed in her own. She placed her hand against her face and took a deep breath.

“Pack your bags and get to the guards’ tents at once.”

The orc simply nodded and took a step away. Nara chased after Mira as they entered her office.

“You know she –”

“I am acutely aware she is hurt. I did that. She is right. I am the cause of every death in her life,” She shook her head, “She has every right to be angry with me. It is better this way. She won’t try to find me. She will be safe. Even if she hates me, she will be safe.”

“You know she doesn’t hate you, right?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Mira laughed hollowly as her eyes turned white, “I will never see her again. None of you will be safe if he knows I care about you.”

Nara threw her arms around Mira without another word. She lazily fought against the elf but eventually caved to comfort even though her arms stiffened at her sides.

“I am having them collect some items. Mostly buried gold and valuables from my missions,” Mira dabbed at the sides of her eyes, “It should pay for everything, then some.”

“I promise to write every update. Anything you need to know… I will get it to you. She will be well cared for, Mira,” Nara pinched her cheek, “You’ve grown into a wonderful young woman in the few short years I’ve been allowed to know you. I will miss you.”

She felt an odd twinge in her chest, “I will… miss you as well, Nara.”

“Will you write back?”

Mira nodded and grabbed a bag hidden in Nara’s wardrobe.

“Will she ever stop being mad at me?” Her eyes showed an unfeeling sadness to the elf.

“It may take some time, but I think so. She’s so young to understand what has happened to you, and to her for that matter,” She smiled sadly, “She isn’t mature enough to understand right now. When she’s older, I’m sure she will.”

“Then… I will return when she welcomes me back,” Mira took a deep breath, “Thank you, for everything you’ve done for me, Nara.”

“Goddess above, I would do it again,” She smiled, “Safe travels, Mira.”

As Mira stepped into the hallway, Irae and Sunodagh waited patiently. She looked between them curiously. Irae threw her arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

“Please, make sure she keeps to her lessons,” Mira whispered.

“Of course.”

“And that she eats well.”

“Yes, of course.”

“And that—”

“You worry too much!” Sunodagh tussled her hair in his hand, “We’ve survived without you.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Irae smiled but her small tusks peeked from behind her quivering lips, “It feels like you’re never coming back. Please, come back.”

“Irae, I’ve come to think of you as a good friend,” She smiled, “I will see you again. I told Nara I would write as often as I could. Send letters to Hangral and I will find them.”

“Good,” Sunodagh grunted, “This is for you.”

He tossed a small coin pouch from his belt. She cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Don’t rob anyone while you’re with the guards,” He grinned, “You need something to start off, don’t you?”

“Thank you, Sunodagh,” She chuckled, “I’m sure that they would frown upon that.”

“Safe travels, Aquellan Mira,” He wrapped his arm around her, “Goddess hold your favor.”

Mira waited another moment to see if anyone else would say goodbye. When no one approached, she stepped from the temple and towards the guards. Thesson threw her bags into the wagon and clasped chains over her wrists. She looked back sadly on the only place she felt close enough to call home. Encante reassured her as best he could.

“I like it here. It reminds me of home,” He purred, “When we return, it will be with a victory on our wings.”