14. Spirit Society III

Raziel stuffed his hands into his pockets, his blessed knives singing against his fingertips. Distributing his weight onto the balls of his feet, he prepared to spring into action at a beat’s notice.

Father Linus appeared far more casual. No weapons were grabbed, or muscles tensed. However he must’ve done something because the [Wraith] went to stand directly in front of him, blocking him from the [Ghouls]’ view.

“Raziel, watch closely. I’ll show you how an experienced alchemist handles this situation,” said the [Wraith].

The man walked up to the crowd of [Ghouls]. Murmurs went through the crowd, “Wraith” they warned. “He’s a wraith!” The female [Ghoul] in the butter-yellow dress perched her chin on her fist and leaned forward in interest.

Raziel didn’t know much of anything about the hierarchy of spirits, but from the way Father Linus reacted to the [Ghouls], they must be quite dangerous. Their trio however had the advantage of the [Wraith] on their side, which seemed to be causing the [Ghouls] some digestion issues, judging by the expressions they wore.

“We want no trouble,” said the [Wraith]. “Just hand over five spirit fruit, and we’ll leave you alone.”

Father Linus pinched the bridge of his nose.

Angry cries erupted from the [Ghouls]. They all seemed about to speak, but then the bride hopped down from the tree, incurring their silence. She had unremarkable features, just like they did, just as the lowly spirits did. What caught his attention was the crown of iron thorns wound around her forehead.

She could be a Wealcroft, a Ravenbone, a Holt, or a member of any other of the Bramblebog families.

The female sniffed them. She turned back to her party. “Give them seven spirit fruits.”

“But Last Wish - “ one cried out.

“Don’t argue with me, Manavoid. We are honored that interlopers from beyond have traveled all this way to celebrate my marriage.”

Raziel’s brows went up. They were this sentient?

“Last Wish, spirit fruits are not cheap! Just five fruits is a hundred years of harvest…”

The female [Ghoul] turned her nose up at this Manavoid. “Don’t speak to me about the value of our local produce. Hand the seven spirit fruits over to the wraith.” The spectral fruit were gathered into a cloth bag and handed over to Last Wish. She reached, giving them to the [Wraith], but then pulled it back slightly at the last second. “Two extra, in hopes you will stay for the ceremony.”

“Very well,” said the [Wraith] greedily collecting the goods.

The man took out one of the fruits, inspecting it. Aside from the ghostly translucence of the fruit, it resembled a juicy apple. Spectral dew even clung to the skin, and it emanated an ethereal aura.

The [Wraith] bit into the fruit, pale juices flowing down his chin. His mana danced around him like a winter storm.

He chuckled lightly. “Marvelous.”

“Help me back up before my groom sees me,” demanded Last Wish. The other [Ghouls] gathered around her, hoisting her into the tree.

The [Wraith] ushered Father Linus and Raziel to him.

“What’s the plan?” asked Father Linus.

“To wait,” said the [Wraith].

“For what?”

“Spirits don’t love. This is obviously a political arrangement,” explained the [Wraith]. “We can get a good idea of the landscape by analyzing this event.”

Father Linus nodded seriously.

The [Wraith] brought out a spirit fruit, dangingling it enticingly in front of Raziel. “Want this?”

Raziel shrugged, eyeing him with increasing suspicion. “In return for what?”

“Ask Last Wish about the spirit that attacked your cousin. If you can get anything of interest out of her, then I’ll give you this spirit fruit.”

“How does that benefit you?”

“I think I would sleep easier at night knowing my descendant isn't running head-first into danger, searching for someone who no longer exists. The sooner you’re broken out of your delusions, the better.”

“Fine.”

“Wait.” The [Wraith] reached into Raziel’s pockets and plucked out his blessed knives. “She won’t let you anywhere near her with these things.”

Raziel felt naked and vulnerable without his knives. He would’ve rather actually given up his clothes. “If she attacks, will you rescue me?”

“If she attacks you, you’re done for. I’ll be too far away to do anything in time.”

“Then…?” He looked at Father Linus.

“Women are on their best behavior during their wedding. She won’t attack you. Now - go on,” the [Wraith] nudged him forward, like a mother bird trying to get their chick to fly for the first time.

Raziel didn’t feel good about this at all. He steeled himself, reminding himself that he came all this way for one reason, and if anyone would know anything, it would definitely be the [Ghouls]. They seemed to possess intelligence. He only wondered if the [Wraith]’s explanation was genuine, or if he had some kind of underhanded motive.

Secondly, he wondered if they truly did share the same eyes. What did others see when they looked at Raziel?

Raziel glanced back at the [Wraith], who gave him an encouraging wave.

If only his reds didn’t glitter so maliciously.

He went up to Last Wish without any trouble, only a few unsure looks were tossed his way.

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“Oh? The Wraith’s friend?” said Last Wish. “How interesting. I’m afraid that unless you’re interested in getting married, you can’t join me in this tree. But feel free to sit in its shade.”

It was permanently night in the Spirit World and nothing quite cast its own shadow. Raziel took the invitation however and sat at the base of the tree, one leg bent toward his chest and the other laying straight.

“I definitely can’t get married. I don’t even have a dress for the occasion,” he said sardonically.

“Good. If there are two willing bride prospects, it’s customary for us to duel for the groom’s hand.” She smoothed down her dress. “And what a pity that would be. I'd just cleaned the blood from under my fingernails too.”

“Really?”

She laughed. “Nah, if you wanted my groom that badly, I'd let you have him. He's not really my type.”

Right, this wasn’t a typical Bramblebog marriage. These were spirits trying their hand at politics.

“If you don’t like him, then don’t marry him,” said Raziel. “Who cares what everyone else thinks? They can find another bride.”

“Well, this was all my idea.” She giggled. “But thank you for your concern little one.”

Decorations continued going up around them. Raziel was very curious about the goods in the market, which seemed to be openly magical in nature. Could the wooden pendants offer him protection? Could that crystal mirror show the future?

Raziel looked at Last Wish through the fringe of his lashes.

Clearly, this spirit was some sort of a leader figure amongst the [Ghouls]. She commanded Manavoid to give up the spirit fruits from his stall to the [Wraith] on a whim, and received relatively little fuss in return. As much as Bramblebog adored their [Mayor], even Wealcroft wouldn’t be able to order people around like that without argument.

He wondered what Last Wish had over her people.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Raziel paused. “Do you remember anything about your life?”

“Vague impressions. Why?”

Raziel shook his head. “I’m looking for a spirit… they’re responsible for my cousin’s disappearance. I guess I’m just wondering what kind of person that spirit used to be. They seemed a lot more malicious than the [Ghouls] here. Have you… have you heard of a spirit like that?”

“Oh? Yes, I have.”

“Really?” he asked excitedly.

“Your cousin… was she a mortal girl about fifteen years of age? Beautiful eyes, the color of river jade?”

The hair on the back of Raziel’s neck stood up. “Yes,” he whispered.

Last Wish smiled at him - it was Kindred’s smile, off-center and sharp. “Then you’d be looking for me, little one.”

Raziel shot to his feet.

“What did you do to her?” he demanded icily.

“She was so pretty. I really hate girls who are prettier than me…” Last Wish sighed. “So you must be that red-eyed boy who managed to escape from me? If only you had led me to Bramblebog. I could have feasted. But it’s alright. I don’t hold grudges.” The grin became wolfish. Blue shadows appeared in the crevices of the tree and on the surfaces of the leaves, as if Last Wish were a large azure flame.

His blood was cold and heavy in his veins, and his aura burned. Raziel was frozen in place. He had no weapons, and the [Ghoul] was too high up to reach. His [Vilehounds] remained on the verge of death.

“Your hatred does taste so delicious…” she giggled and it was Kindred’s voice. “Now, don’t interrupt. My groom is here.”

Darkness wrapped around him like chains, covering his mouth so he couldn’t yell out. He struggled, but any movement caused the darkness to constrict even tighter. The [Ghouls] looked at her in fear.

They didn’t respect her - they never saw her as their leader. They were deathly afraid of Last Wish.

A larger procession of [Ghouls] appeared from the west, headed by a [Ghoul] with liquid-black eyes and a mane of autumn leaves. The thousand lowly spirits that the [Wraith] had blown away danced around them like a river of fire. Frost clung to Raziel’s lashes as the temperature plummeted. The sheer number of spirits in the area astounded him - no wonder Bramblebog’s veil was having issues. There were far more spirits than there were living villagers.

The new [Ghouls] carried a more turbulent energy. However, upon seeing the [Wraith] in the bridal party, they became nervous.

Father Linus looked like he wanted to run to Raziel, but the [Wraith] was holding him back.

“Last Wish,” said the [Ghoul] with the mane of autumn leaves. “If I form a union with you, will you truly cooperate with us?”

The female [Ghoul] smirked. “I’ll do my best, Fable.”

The ceremony proceeded. The air was incredibly tense. With an expression of stone, Fable took the offered saw and approached the tree. He cut the branch that Last Wish sat upon. Fable stood right next to where Raziel was bound, acting like he wasn’t there. ‘I carry the stories of the lost,’ his aura whispered, dispersing the shadows lapping at the man’s ankles.

The branch splintered, and Fable caught Last Wish in a bridal hold.

They were married.

As Fable was still holding her, Last Wish’s mouth split open and she took a bite out of his shoulder. He instantly released her, but was devoured in seconds by the female [Ghoul].

She stood, swaying like she was drunk. Her face was covered in blue spirit mana. “The Fable Faction belongs to me now.”

There was a second of silence. Then the spirits rioted, surging towards Last Wish with killing intent like a violent ocean.

She gave them Kindred’s smile. Pirouetting on her heel, she vanished in a spiral of shadow.

Even though Last Wish was gone, the fighting only seemed to ramp up in intensity. The ‘Last Wish Faction’ and the ‘Fable Faction’ collided. Unlike the battle with the lowly spirits, this fight involved magic. A giant [Ghoul] transformed into a tree, whirling their branches around like whips. ‘I am the source.’ Another reached for the heavens and moonlight-armor shimmered into existence on their body. ‘I invoke the silver tides.’

The shadows released Raziel, only to be scooped up into the crook of an arm.

“Learn anything of interest from the blushing bride?”

Raziel growled. “You knew.”

“Of course I knew. Last Wish is only wearing the form of a [Ghoul] - she’s something far worse,” said the [Wraith]. “I’ve been around for a while. I can spot a [Phantasm] instantly.”

His heart felt cold in his chest. There was no way… no possible way…

After what he’d seen Last Wish do to Fable, Raziel couldn’t deny the evidence any longer. There was no chance that Kindred was still alive. His entire body felt numb and he couldn’t even muster up any anger at the [Wraith] for putting him in that situation. After all, he was alive, and Kindred was…

When they reached a certain distance, the [Wraith] stopped and set him down against a tree. Father Linus sprinted to them, gasping for breath.

The [Wraith] took three spirit fruits out of the bag and handed them to Raziel. “For you and your two dogs.”

Raziel didn’t even lift his head up.

“You reek of mange,” was all his ancestor said, taking another bite out of his fruit.

The skin between Father’s Linus’s brows creased. “Dogs?”

“He has two canine Beast Cards in his core,” said the [Wraith]. “He earned them fairly, so don’t even think about confiscating them when you’re back in the mortal world. I’ll consider it bullying.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” mumbled the [Priest]. “Go on and enhance your beast summons with the spirit fruit, Raz. It’s not every day you’re given such a precious resource.”

“Normally, this level of spirit fruit would be too potent for mortals, but you can probably handle it,” said the [Wraith].

Raziel clutched the fruit close to his chest. “Hey,” he said softly. “That day… you were the one who saved me, weren’t you? In the forest?”

The last thing he’d heard was a crow’s call.

“Yes,” said the [Wraith].

Raziel’s eyes hardened. “Why didn’t you save her too? She was your blood.”

Father Linus went quiet. The [Wraith] crouched down, his eyes red like old blood and infinitely fathomless.

“Because I didn’t care about her. ”