Nýchta turned to Nionyn who clicked his tongue before standing up.

He glared at Kiburi briefly before taking a deep breath.

“I cannot believe that the last of a heroic order would be so pitiful but… I owe you my life so I will tolerate you.”

Kiburi nodded before turning to Nýchta.

“I will help just as long as we act quickly.”

[Alright. Please follow me then.] Kiburi said before leading Nýchta and Nionyn out of the dining hall.

He then led the two down many corridors and they eventually arrived at a set of two iron doors which stood at about four meters tall and like the one before, they opened by themselves, allowing everyone to see what looked like a treasury.

The chamber was filled with crates full of gold and silver coins. Sitting haphazardly atop those crate’s were all manner of bejeweled items that ranged from statues, swords to crowns. Standing behind them were statues of featuring designs that Nýchta could not even comprehend.

Kiburi, however, floated past them.

He only stopped by a table which was covered in what appeared to be empty burlap sacks that were covered in a white dust.

“I do not want any of your gold, if that is your intent.” Nionyn scoffed as Kiburi moved aside a few sacks, revealing one that looked like it still had something.

He then, using his ethereal hands, lifted the sack and took out something from within it.

Nýchta’s eyes narrowed as upon seeing him hold out a palm sized lump of what appeared to be chalk only she very well knew it was anything but. The rock also had a pale glow but Nýchta’s gaze remained on Kiburi who’s expression was weary.

“Aleusara.” She thought aloud.

[Indeed.]

“Wait… is that Divine Sap?” Nionyn gasped with trembling eyes.

[Yes. I have been using that which was gifted to my brothers by the gods themselves to purify this land and allow the souls of the Fallen to rest but, no matter how hard I try, no indirect method seems to work.]

Nýchta's eyes scanned the dusty chamber as Kiburi spoke.

“I am not the most educated when it comes to the specifics of some magics but I am guessing you are going to be using the soul manipulating arts of Aithérios.” Nýchta supposed.

[I will. Please, follow me.] Kiburi said before leading the two out of the chamber.

He then led them to a library which was filled to the brim with dust covered scrolls and ancient tablets.

[When I wasn’t trying to cleanse the castle and my brothers of corruption I was in here. I learnt many things, one of which was that there is almost no way for beings or structures of the physical world to interact with the ethereal, only the opposite seems to be true. Although there are some places that are exempt from these rules.]

“Like the underworld?” Nýchta asked as they walked up to a table which was littered with scrolls and various other texts.

[Indeed but that is an entirely different story.] Kiburi said while raising his empty left hand.

A dagger then rose from beneath the pile of scrolls and it hung mid air. It’s blade emitted a pale purple glow.

[I asked myself one day what would happen if a weapon was imbued with the power of the soul. Would I not be able to reach my brothers? I caught a pigeon from atop the roof and, using the Aithérios arts, arts which I studied in these walls for years, I transferred it’s soul into this dagger.] Kiburi said.

A moment then passed as he looked at both Nýchta and Nionyn.

“And?”

[I do not know. I know that it works but I haven’t the nerve to leave the castle and test it on my brothers.]

“Tsk.” Nionyn sounded while shaking his head.

[I- I know, at least theoretically, that it should work on their corrupted souls but…]

“Don’t worry. I understand. Umm… could you lend me the dagger?” Nýchta asked and the dagger promptly floated towards her.

She grabbed it and swung it a few times, striking nothing but air.

Her narrowed reptilian eyes then turned to Kiburi who visibly shuddered.

“If it worked on you, an ethereal being, then I think it would help if we could test it. Sir Kiburi, could you please take us back to the exit?”

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[Of course.] Kiburi said before taking Nýchta and Nionyn back to the small passageway from which he found them.

Nýchta then slithered out into the swamp and, as expected, wisps of black smoke rose from the murky waters.

She rushed towards the closest of the Fallen as his dark form gathered and promptly stabbed him in the forehead and she celebrated internally as the dagger sunk into his skull.

His form then rapidly disintegrated before falling to the earth as black mist.

“Look out behind you!” Nionyn yelled snapping Nýchta out of her celebration inducted daze.

She looked around and saw that countless Fallen were appeared around here but she quickly slithering back into the castle before they could fully form.

“Well, there you have it. It works.” Nýchta reported.

[Thank the gods and thank you for agreeing to help me. I could never have gone out there by myself let alone harm the souls of my brothers.]

“How and why were you ever accepted into this place?” Nionyn hissed.

[I was just one of the many they offered a home to. But, before we continue any further, please follow me.] Kiburi Said before leading Nýchta and Nionyn to the castle’s second floor where he stood by two tall wooden doors which opened by themselves revealing two bedrooms.

[Here.]

Kiburi held the lump of Aleusara with both of his hands and promptly broke it in two.

He offered one piece to Nionyn who reluctantly accepted it.

Kiburi then floated his way to Nýchta’s tail.

[As you might have deduced, corruption cannot simply be healed away using medicine or even Gaia magic. But, all one really needs is light to banish the dark- err… may I?]

“Go ahead.” Nýchta said.

Kiburi gave her a quick nod before crumbling bits of the Aleusara over her wound.

[All you need is light.]

Nýchta bit her teeth as the Aleusara came into contact with the darkness that writhed within. This interaction made her wound ache painfully and it quickly grew unbearable. So much so that she hunched over as her tail wriggled back and forth.

“Are you alright?” Nionyn asked but Nýchta simply offered him her hand and he quickly accepted it, allowing her to remain upright as her tail burnt with pain.

Kiburi then suddenly disappeared as Nýchta's movements subsided.

He returned shortly after with a towel which he used to wipe the blood that had poured out during the cleansing.

[Let this be a lesson to you. Both of you. The Smog is coming and although it’s touch is initially cold and seemingly harmless, it’s corruption burns with a malice that has vowed, for some reason, to devour everything whole. Please travel safely and cautiously, even after we part ways.]

“A-alright.” Nýchta wheezed and Nionyn scoffed before reaching to his waist to put his Aleusara in his bag but he stopped and gave Kiburi a questioning glance.

“Where are you going to get the souls needed to imbue our weapons?”

[Ah… that will come after you have rested. I am sure you’re both tired. So feel free to use these two rooms for as long as you need. If you need something to eat, you will find my in the kitchen where I am currently gathering some ingredients to cook with.] Kiburi said before handing Nýchta a lump of Aleusara and slowly disappearing.

Nionyn clicked his tongue.

“For how long will you be angry?” Nýchta asked while trying not to think about the burning pain in her tail.

“Do you not feel the same way? We are indebted to a coward. One who hid while his supposed brothers died. Does that not cause your blood to boil?” Nionyn asked with a twisted face but Nýchta shook her head.

“He was faced with a choice. Go out and die just like his comrades or run and hide. He chose his own survival and I do not plan on faulting him for choosing to live in an obviously terrible situation. That being said, I do not know for sure why he took his life. Perhaps it was fear.”

“Ugh. Well, I for one would never commit such gross acts of cowardice!” Nionyn barked before taking a deep breath.

“But… we owe him our lives. The least we can do is honour his wish.” He added before dragging himself into his designated room.

Nýchta chuckled to herself briefly and entered her room as well.

It was a cosy space, full of wooden furniture that was ornately carved, although the bed was understandably small.

The lack of lit candles weren’t a problem for Nýchta, who could see clearly even in the darkest of places, and so she slithered to the right side of the bed where she promptly removed her armour, placing it next to her.

She then sat by its side on the floor and rested her arms and head on the bed since this position would provide the most comfort.

The seconds slowly passed and, as all other sounds left the air and silence remained, a single tear fell from her left eye but, just as quickly as it fell, she wiped it away.

She couldn’t cry.

Not yet.

And so, after taking an extended, calming breath, she slept.

.

..

[Milady.]

A voice called prompting Nýchta to open her eyes.

Her gaze met with Kiburi’s and just as it did, wisps of white light left his body and they rapidly made their way into the mouths of her head serpents.

“Oh, no! Look away!” She cried while frantically reaching for her helmet.

She slipped it on and faced Kiburi who curiously looked himself over.

“Are you alright?” Nýchta asked while making her way to his side.

[Quite alright but… no. It is not my place to ask. Please, follow me. It may be simple but I prepared a hearty dinner.] Kiburi said while turning to leave the room.

Nýchta nodded before wearing her armour and following Kiburi to the kitchen where a wide eyed Nionyn sitting by the table opposite the kitchen proper.

He was reading through some scrolls and paid no mind to Nýchta and Kiburi.

“What are you reading?” Nýchta asked as Kiburi offered her a bowl of potato stew. A thick broth filled to the brim with carrots, peas and various spices.

Nionyn had a bowl as well but it looked like it was getting cold.

“Kiburi and his fellow Keepers recorded the names of every man, woman and child who ever entered this place and guess what?”

“What?” Nýchta asked while taking care not to burn her tongue since her serving of stew was piping hot.

“CRATUS HIMSELF ONCE SOUGHT SHELTER IN THESE GREAT HALLS!” Nionyn yelled.

“Ah… yes. Cratus… a great man known for his… greatness.” Nýchta droned.

“Don’t tell me you have not at least heard the name of one of the greatest gods on mount Olympus!”

“Have I heard of him? Yes, although I am sure you will tell me all about him.” Nýchta chuckled.

“Oh, I will! Said to be born of Pallas and Styx herself, Hercules truly was one of the greats. Slaying countless men and monsters by the will of Zeus, he- he-“

“He was legendary?” Nýchta asked with a smile.

“YES! He is actually the reason why I travel. You see, it is said that he is still carrying out a task which had him venturing into the Smog to the far East to defeat even more monsters and that’s where I’m going.”

“Wait… he’s still alive?”

“I hope so! And I will not stop until I have found him.”

[What will you do, should you come face to face with he who was said to be the embodiment of strength itself?] Kiburi asked.

“I will fight him! But, enough about that. I expect you will be showing us how imbue our weapons with the power of souls. How exactly?” Nionyn asked with narrowed eyes.

[Using none other than mine own.]