Just like the cell back then, only a few torches were lit, just enough to know where you're going.

As I walked carefully across the cobweb infested hallways of cobbled stone, I took some time to examine my clothes.

It was a sleeveless brown rough spun tunic that covers my torso, while not the most comfortable of threads, it was better than nothing. I was also wearing pants made of the same material, tied around my waist with a rope.

My feet were wrapped around by the same kind of thread, providing with the basic of foot protection.

That's it. Nothing else, I ran my palm to the top of my head, finding rough hair nestled and untamed there. Pulling a bit, they were black. Hmm, wonder what race Mara had gave me.

Footsteps and quiet mumblings stopped my tracks dead. My first encounter, although it won't necessarily be a violent confrontation, but given how old and run down this place is, I can't think of anybody decent living here.

Crouching a bit, I slowly moved forward while trying my best to reduce the sounds my footsteps made. Given my unhealthy weight and wearing almost nothing at my feet, not much noise was made.

The hallway led into a long cell block, with almost all of them were closed, but the two opened ones had ethereal inhabitants. I could more or less see that they had fur garments and a weapon tucked by their waist.

Ghosts, were the souls of mortals who refused to pass on, living on as spiritual beings, sometimes they were friendly, and sometimes they weren't. According to Mara's teachings, at least. At any rate, better avoid them.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Moving my right foot forward and slowly landing it in front of me, then doing the same to the other foot. At first, everything was fine, I couldn't hear my footsteps, it was all quiet.

With a bit more confidence, I continued a bit faster, going to a flight of stairs at the end of the cell block, when halfway through, they sensed me.

"Hm? Does someone live among the dead?"

And by the tone of it, they don't sound like they want to be friends.

I sucked in my breath and held it, while my body went completely motionless.

Steps made their way towards me. I'm not sure how the dead see in the dark, it wasn't in Mara's guidance, but I hope they can't see me.

Given that I stood in the middle of the room like a giant obstacle that screamed 'Investigate me!', the chances of it happening is low.

Skimming through my mind trying to recall any way to survive, two arcane spells surfaced.

During my planning in my mind, time had slowed down considerably that a few seconds became a few minutes. A gift from Mara, perhaps?

The first spell was Flames, a Destruction Branch Magick. A simple spell where it would spew hot streams of flames from the palm of your hands. An ideal solution to my problem at hand.

The second spell was Healing, from the Restoration Branch Magick. Like the previous Flames, Healing is also a non complex magick, it restores your body while consuming mana.

These two spells were perfect for a newborn like me, especially right now.

I thanked Mara again and again for her kindness.

With an almost instinctual action, searing flames bursted and enveloped my hands, it was a blessing that it didn't hurt it's caster.

I turned and ran at the ghost that was walking towards me earlier, his distance were closed in a single breath.

Taking the advantage of surprise, I slammed my burning palms at both sides of his face, finding it was indeed tangible, a pleasant surprise at that time.

I burned my mana until it was empty, by that time, his face had melted, leaving behind a mess of light blue substance, Ectoplasm, as Mara had called it.

A solid strike on the back of my head sent me tumbling forward and dizzy from the disrupt in balance.

Right, there were two of them.