The Shades assault was successfully held back, throughout the defence I was originally ordered away from the guards but as they slowly became overwhelmed citizens began to assist by grabbing any flammable materials nearby and handing it to the guards stationed around the walls to maintain light sources, a few guards had been lighting torches lining the village walls, the shades absorption worked by weakening the light sources and dimming flames until extinguished, providing fuel for the flames counteracted this, however fire can only burn so fast so more people were needed to create larger flames, it started to look like multiple bonfires. Unfortunately a few guards stationed outside from the onset had become victims to the shades and were slowly consumed, it began by a shadowy infection spreading through their bodies causing irregular decay, their corpses would almost liquify and flow into the surrounding shadow, this slowed advances as shades would group up to quickly consume the ‘self’ of each victim, it seemed the received some satisfaction from consuming such things. I would’ve perhaps been able to save a few of these victims; however, I couldn’t reveal my blade to a crowd this large, unfortunately the larger guard who questioned us when we first arrived was one of those victims. After the assault was over, most people involved had collapsed from exhaustion and a swell of emotions could be seen, crying from those who had lost and cheers from those noticed the shades retreat. I wasn’t in either camp, Len was with me helping break some furniture for wood throughout and passing it to the guards, who had all but ignored the previous hierarchy within the village, although the homes targeted were those closer to the walls, the slave houses.
After it had finished, when the only noises upon the wind were those of the inhabitants, I took the opportunity to question Len.
We made our way to a nearby medic who was charged with handing out food resources for anybody assisting, these included a simple bucket full of water from the centre well, for washing and drinking, this was now surrounded by people washing themselves in quick succession, albeit for a slaves who were shoved aside who then decided to return to their homes to avoid tempting an already tense atmosphere. A second area was full of pieces of bread and some stale fruit, I picked up two half loaves after weaving through the crowd and had handed a piece to Len before finding a seat away from the crowd, it was a small bench that hadn’t been used for fuel outside a slave residence.
I chewed on the bread as I spoke, my voice was slightly hoarse from the shouting, I had been coughing due to inhalation of smoke and hadn’t had the opportunity to gather water.
“Len, how did you manage to get away from your master?”
Len quickly looked at me while quickly gulping down the bread in her throat, she seemed to struggle a little before coughing and answering.
“All slaves are to stay in the residencies on the village outskirts, I snuck out while they slept, it’s easy. The guards here don’t really pay attention to people if you climb the wall instead of through the gate.”
The wall here was rather high but I could imagine Len was fairly capable, to anybody outside the village, it would seem kind to provide slaves with housing, however the particular reason here was to keep them away from the centre village to pretend they don’t exist, as such they weren’t allowed in the centre if they didn’t want severe punishment and were expected to eat scraps. If a slave was seen consuming anything considered fresh or somewhat valuable they would also receive severe punishment, due to this, slaves in the village often fell ill and were abandoned by their owners. A few slaves accepted night work with residents to get some bedding in richer housing, although most ‘customers’ weren’t particularly gentle, the slaves would either die during the sexual activity or would gather some serious injuries, they couldn’t refuse as payment was normally accepted by their owner first, refusal meant death.
We continued talking until the sun had fully risen into the sky and then went our separate ways, we had agreed to meet again after we had both rested in the evening to begin our duel, however I first had to check on Nora and Unmy after the events regarding Lerz.
As I entered the inn there was nobody inside the main lobby, this was expected as it had been closed to the public, the most striking aspect was the silence, there was no crying or comforting from anywhere. I slowly proceeded behind the bar to a slightly ajar door, upon opening it with a small creak I peered inside. Inside was a small stool stationed next to wooden bed, upon the bed was Lerz, his eyes were closed, and he looked peaceful, a broad smile could be seen over his shadowy face, it seemed he was satisfied as he died. Next to him on the stool was Unmy, asleep with her head resting on Nora’s shoulder. Nora was also asleep in a similar position, Unmy had reddened eyes and exhaustion could be seen on every inch of her face, she had surely been crying through the night, Nora had similar red eyes. I quickly grabbed a nearby blanket upon them both before starting to leave, Erebus spoke up as I began to leave.
“Kurt, could you place your hand upon Lerz for me? Although I couldn’t stop his death, there is something I can do for the mother.”
I would’ve questioned it hadn’t it been for Erebus speaking in a very serious and sincere tone, she was normally rather playful but there was no sense of that here. I quietly approached Lerz and placed my left hand upon his last remaining arm, it was coloured black and was extremely brittle, like applying too much force would cause it to crumble. Slowly a shadow crawled through my skin and onto Lerz’s figure, it surrounded his entire body and was moving, it seemed Erebus was consuming the remnants of the shadowy infection. Seeing this I remained silent until she had finished, once she had finished his flesh had returned to its normal colour although paler and upon her signal, I retreated from the room and went straight to my own bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
I woke up in a blackened world, feeling neither warm nor cold, I quickly glanced around and saw Erebus perched upon a stool while looking at me expectantly, I instantly took my place upon the stool opposite and ushered Erebus to speak after giving her a small nod to acknowledge her presence.
“We meet again Kurt, sooner than I expected, however given the circumstances it seems most appropriate.”
I maintained eye contact as she spoke, she truly was beautiful, her skin pale, her flowing purple dress, flapping although I couldn’t feel any wind. As I sat and positioned myself, she continued speaking in a serious yet calm tone, it was much warmer than usual.
“Erebus, first point of discussion will need to be the restrictions laid upon you in regard to ‘healing’ the shadowy inflictions and why the shades are particularly interested in me.”
Erebus smiled as she manipulated the stool she sat on to mould its form into more of a conventional chair, she sat back as she answered.
“Indeed, I suppose you are referring to the young man and yourself, certainly, I can ‘heal’ the curse, in your case I simply removed the hand of the abomination holding your ankle, the two we’re somewhat different, although remnants can be left behind that spread, much like the Erze who died today. Although yours would’ve eventually seeped into you and affected you, due to my presence you have somewhat of an immunity towards it. The young man, Lerz, as he was infected I cannot cure him, simply calm his passing, however due to circumstances I couldn’t perform such a service.”
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I thought back to my hesitations upon facing my sister and how I essentially abandoned Lerz, at least that’s how I had felt. Now it seems like he could’ve been helped somewhat if Erebus could treat him. Erebus, noticing my regretful expression spoke slightly quicker with a sense of comfort.
“Kurt, I certainly don’t think you were to blame, you were dealing with a much stronger foe, furthermore you managed to rescue Lerz before he truly died, allowing him to speak to his mother, although I don’t fully understand the values of the races living here, the expressions shown were surely that of appreciation. He was lost either way, you performed a most respectable feat.”
It didn’t feel that way, I was somewhat responsible, withholding information meant Lerz wasn’t aware of the Shades interest in me, although I don’t fully understand it, there was probably another way to handle the events that transpired.
“Surely, you couldn’t possible have saved the young man, although I couldn’t heal him, I removed the remaining infliction to return his previous complexion. Regarding the Shades interest to you I am unsure, however I suspect it may be in part to my connection with you, my sister surely wants me found as I am intending to stall her plans. I also expect it’s due to the same reason I can inhabit you and your strength of self, ‘self’ feeds the shades, gives them strength, it is for that very same reason we met the larger shade today. Although they are intrinsically connected, they have their own ‘selves’ to some degree, a shade that consumes others gains benefits for himself. Feasting upon you would bring them much strength.”
Hearing that I became a little suspicious of Erebus and her own goal in inhabiting my shadow, although I struck the idea from my head almost instantly as she had saved me, I owed her some credit. Noticing my expression, Erebus sat back in her chair while giving a serious gaze.
“Your sister, that was a shock even to me, it does confirm her connection with my sister, shades can take on memories and forms of those consumed, however that was somewhat different, it felt incomplete. I suspect the shades have met your sister and so can imitate her to some degree.”
I quickly responded.
“Then we can simply interrogate the shades!”
Erebus promptly shook her head to instantly dispel my idea.
“The forms they take only know as much as those consumed, your friend (Rex) didn’t know the location and so neither will they, furthermore shades operate on simple commands from my sister, they wouldn’t reply if questioned and are more like programs than people, simply seeking more strength to complete the goal of complete corruption.”
I sat back in my chair that Erebus had created alongside her own and pondered for a bit, then my expression filled with determination.
“Then, last question alongside a request of sorts, what are your combat abilities, I recall you blocking the attack of the larger shade, do you have any other tricks?”
Erebus perked up to the question and grinned, it was much wider than her previous smile and had a faint sense of mischief as she raised her had to her soft red lips.
“I do. Although I am not quite sure of them myself as I haven’t inhabited such a strong host before, I believe my capabilities are connected to you in some way.”
“Me?”
Erebus nods.
“I believe given some practice you would have some control of the shades yourself.”
The answer was somewhat to my expectations, it was strange that I could inflict wounds on the shades and fight them, although my sort had been infused somewhat, surely if it was just that, others would’ve had a similar effect in time.
“In that case, you will have to teach me, about aspects related to the shades and the dominions they inhabit.”
Erebus released an incredible grin, as if she had expected such a development and rose from her seat, I had followed her upwards, as she rested a pale hand upon my shoulder she spoke with determination.
“Certainly, we shall start with dominions is it? Afterwards we shall train in manipulating those domains and the shades within, yes. This shall be most interesting. Regrettably we must continue this another night, it seems you are most exhausted, you need rest for your duel tomorrow. May you show me a wonderful spectacle.”
Her spirits seem to have risen as she used the hand upon my shoulder to thrust me deep into darkness, as her form faded into the distance my own vision faded to black as I fell into deep sleep.
I woke up, my body was aching somewhat but nothing too extreme, I rose from my bed and instantly got dressed in high spirits. Suddenly I remembered what transpired the previous night and descended the stairs with a hint of apprehension. As I reached the bottom and opened the door to the bar of the inn. I saw Unmy discussing something with Nora, they were both awake and chatting, Unmy had a solemn look but had more vigour. Nora was equally dejected, but their spirits seemed to be improved.
Upon noticing me, Nora gave an incredibly warm, appreciative smile as Unmy rose from her seat and slowly approached. I felt like she had earned an outburst, as I relaxed myself to not cheapen the strike I was to receive allowing Unmy to hit me without injury, I maintained eye contact as her arm rose…and was through around me, Unmy had hugged me as a few tears fell onto my shoulder.
“I don’t know how you did it, but I must thank you for returning my son to that form, I hardly recognised his body shrouded in black. Thank you so much!”
I stood there shocked, I had expected Unmy to hate me with every part of herself and reject me, I had already retrieved my things for departure, standing completely dumbstruck, Unmy noticed my expression and smiled.
“I can’t blame you Kurt, Lerz went out there on his own volition, he surely knew the dangers before he left.”
She clutched her hand as she looked down, her gaze then went to the room where her son lay, her sorrowful smile continued.
“Besides, my son died with such a smile, how could a mother be angry at such a thing.”
I felt my expression tighten slightly as I looked at her in awe, since when was she such a strong woman.
“Nora told me about your friend Rex and how you blame yourself, truly I believe you weren’t to blame, surely if your friend had seen what you achieved yesterday with my son, he would be as proud as me.”
Listening to this I couldn’t help but shudder as a couple of tears fell from my eyes, something I had wanted to hear for years, it wasn’t my fault, that he would be proud, I steeled myself as Unmy had given me a hug, a similar, warm and welcoming hug to that my mother gave me when my sister was first hospitalised, the type of hug one would receive from a mother, a lover or a very close friend, the type of hug I had forgotten.
We remained like that for a few minutes before separating, regaining myself I spoke to the two in the most serious tone I could muster, first to Nora.
“Nora, the girl who I was with yesterday was a slave I had helped, in return she wishes for a duel. After the duel is complete and I have paid my respects to Lerz, I plan to leave. I had planned to do so in secret, however know I believe that you have earned the right to know. I plan to leave your gem with Unmy in the hopes that you two can remain here together. If that is so then I would like to give my thanks for accompanying me until now, although I had written you off as a brat, you have surprised me, it was fun.”
Nora instantly stood, she had a devilish grin on her face like she was planning something.
“I had a feeling it would be something like this, I fully planned to knock you out if you tried leaving without a word, however I have also made up my mind after discussing it with Unmy.”
I quickly glanced at Unmy who had clearly told Nora of my plans who had a slightly guilty expression as she turned away slightly.
“I’m going to continue travelling with you if possible. Although I want to help Unmy at this time, I cannot simply stand idle while you follow a quest that may even help everybody around you, after the shadows have taken Lerz I am even more certain, I will do my best to not be a hindrance, I ask you to please let me remain by your side until the task is done.”
Nora had a slightly more elegant air to her as she spoke and lowered her head slightly, I approached and lightly rubbed her hair as I spoke.
“It would be my pleasure. Although I’ll be cooking for myself from now on.”
Nora’s cooking tasted like a rotten stew after all, to this she simply raised her head with a slightly angry expression and landed a solid hit onto my chest, causing my to chose slightly as the three of us began to laugh. Nora had promised to make me regret my words, I doubt it’d be anytime soon, afterwards I had discussed my plans to stay for any ceremonies for Lerz before I left, Unmy said her thanks as I departed the inn for my duel.