The sharp silver tip sank into Gregor’s finger, drawing out a scarlet drop on his pale skin. Not sparing a moment, Kash-baba pricked her own thumb. Her lips quietly mumbled an incoherent incantation before she raised her voice.

“From now on, there will be no turning back. I hope you feel lucky today, Little Wolf.”

“It isn’t a matter of luck, baba,” replied the young shaman calmly. “You are our Grand Elder. If you fail, no one can do it.”

“Good. Then do your best and don’t faint on me.” The old woman grabbed the knight’s healthy hand, her glowing bone necklace coming to life and binding their wrists together.

“I won’t.”

Gregor’s expression turned solemn. With his bloody finger, he drew a complicated symbol on Kash-baba’s forehead and the old Binshi repeated the procedure between his brows. The two shamans closed their eyes, their voices synchronizing in a fast-paced chant. Instantly, the air around them became like molasses - heavy, sticking to one's lungs with every breath.

Noah’s ears popped. Red Dawn shook in his hands, the sword’s blade emitting a humming sound, almost like a chant of its own, that mixed with the two shamans’ hex. Being close to Shana’s vortex and the Binshi casting their magic rekindled a familiar sensation in Noah’s heart. It was dark, cold, and hungry, and it made his muscles twitch and burn just like back then... When Yanosh’s first attempt to construct the Star of Norden had ended in a grand explosion; when he had found his friend’s dead body and the one of Orhana amidst the desolation left by the Red Hands; when Shana was kidnapped and he had faced Akh-Moren; and also… when the dhrowghost had attacked them. He had felt the same - that wild grand magic, trying to break and reform the world, and the urge to quell the threat pushing his hand. Today too, something ancient stirred in his mind, warning him of danger - an instinct, sleeping deep in his bones. He had listened to it two times, and both times it led to bloodshed.

Gritting his teeth, Noah suppressed the impulse to jump fort and separate Gregor and the old Binshi.

“What in the names of the Fathers are you trying to do?!” The words came out of his mouth with difficulty.

“You seem in pain. No, you seem… hungry.” A strange, sonorous voice came out of his friend’s throat at the same time as the old shaman’s lips started moving. “It must be the nesvet’s blood in your veins that reacts to our increased magic.”

“Who are you?” Red Dawn pointed at Gregor’s back. “What have you done with Gerash?”

“Is this your first time seeing a full soul-merge between moren-detir up close?” His friend turned around and his eyes looked like a sea of stars. “Don’t be afraid, Noah, we… no, I am here. And so is Kash-baba. It is complicated. But it is safe to say that now, with our powers united and resonating with each other, we are strong enough to disrupt that magic vortex.”

“I thought that you needed anchors and moon-stone ash for a soul merge.” Noah remained vigilant as his primal instinct was screaming that whatever the thing before him was, it was dangerous.

“Do you expect us to tell the Limerians all of our secrets? The anchors and moon-stone ash make things safer but are not mandatory. Don’t let your tongue run wild, youngling! But without a proper explanation, he will never let go. True. Now concentrate.”

After the strange explanation, Gregor pulled Kash-baba up, their wrists still bound by the bone necklace. They faced the crackling black vortex, hands outstretched in a commanding gesture, and their fingers curled up like claws. A low humming started deep in their chests, reverberated through the air, and made Noah’s bones itch. He swallowed dryly, every fiber of his body preparing to plunge into battle. In his tight grip, Red Dawn hummed in unison with the melody of the Binshi language.

“From blood to blood, from soul to soul. May what is torn becometh whole! In bodies two a single sprite. Two wills entangles single plight. The flame of Life may Dark besiege. From us to thee a formless bridge. Tear mists of sin and mists of woe, to drive away the evil foe.”

With the chant, a spot in the magical whirlwind began to shrivel and collapse, like a thin ice-crust dissolving at the touch of a water droplet. Blue and green sparks danced around the edges of the forming arch, stitching its ends tight and preventing it from closing.

“It won’t hold very long,” Gregor and Kash-baba said in unison. “Don’t waste our efforts. Go in.”

“Thank you!” Noah stared at the two for a moment before pointing at the young knight. “But I still need my shaman to face what’s inside.”

“And you will have him.” As small dissonance started to form in the two Binshi’s voices. “But I will still keep us half merged just in case.”

The last words came only from the old shaman’s mouth. With an abrupt pull, she separated their bound hands, leaving a glowing bracelet-like mark around Gregor’s wrist.

“Baba! The burden will grow, the farther we go apart. This might kill you!”

“Stop yelping!” The woman rolled her eyes. “If you continue to dawdle, you’ll see what real danger looks like! Go!”

Gregor balled his fists but didn’t retort. Instead, he looked at his friend. No words were needed between the two, only a nod. Silver blades in hand, the young Binshi stepped into the gash and Noah followed just behind.

Twilight reigned inside the vortex. The whole space, which was in truth no larger than six by six steps, now looked twisted and much bigger. Where the floor of the gazebo was supposed to be, a thin layer of gray dust covered the stone slabs and the sound of rustling sand filled the air.

“Star-hounds, bite me!” Gregor hissed through clenched teeth. “Everything here… is being pulled into the Spirit Realm! This shouldn’t be possible!”

But Noah paid no attention to his friend’s rant. His whole being was concentrated on the little white-haired figure kneeling in the center of the twisting space.

“Shana!” he shouted and leaped towards her, only to be repelled by an invisible barrier.

Stumbling back, he crashed into Gregor, who managed to steady him on his feet. During the whole ordeal, Shana didn’t lift her head, ignoring her father’s desperate cry. Instead, her quiet voice reached Noah’s ears.

“... fate of Norden rides on the wings of a bird…. The Beast falls, the Swallow triumphs…. No! It isn’t fair! Flowers… under the Beast’s feet,... the hearts of people… quake. What flowers? Grave flowers? Are the people mourning?!… The White Lady heralds war, the Beast howls in agony. No! Don’t hurt papa! Don’t kill him! For the Sun to shine over Norden, the Swallow must be devoured. I tried! I tried! But why… Why did papa jump after her?! Why did he…?”

Black mist rose from the gray dust and started to twist around the child’s body like a giant snake.

“Stay away from her!”

Noah charged again, brandishing Red Dawn. The sword too was deflected with a clang by the invisible wall, a fountain of black sparks shooting around. Again and again, Noah pounded on the barrier.

“Keep going!” yelled Gregor and began frantically chanting and stabbing a circle of silver blades where the barrier was supposed to merge with the ground.

Doubling his efforts, Noah shouted Shana’s name with each slash, begging all Saints and deities to let her snap out of her trance. At the same time, the black smoke snake observed his efforts amused. It slid up Shana’s arms and around her throat, a tongue-like protrusion licking her cheek.

“I am sorry, my love. You failed.” The low hiss of the fiend was still loud enough for Noah to hear. “I know you wished good but in the end… you killed your father.”

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“No!” Shana shrieked and covered her ears. “No! He… he’ll come back! He has to!”

“A fall from such height… the cliffs, the storm, it was without a doubt fatal.”

“No! I… I didn’t want to hurt anyone, dada! I wanted to scare her... drive her away. But you said… the Swallow was supposed to die... be devoured. That this would save papa...”

“You saw the future, my sweetheart. You chose the right path. Alas, some sacrifices were needed. But it was for the greater good.”

“I don’t… care about a greater good!” the child sniffled. “I wa-wanted to save p-papa. Save my f-family. Not this! I… hurt… papa!”

“Shana, I’m here!” Noah shouted at the top of his lungs. This only made the demon hiss with glee.

Anger engulfed Noah’s whole being. He swung Red Dawn tirelessly, chipping at the barrier, black sparks erupting each time and burning his hands. He just doubled his efforts. Clang after clang rang in the air, followed by an almost inaudible crack. To Noah, this minuscule sound was like a thunderclap.

Almost there! Just a swing or two and he would reach Shana!

The tiny crack in the shield didn’t remain unnoticed by the mist snake and neither did the triumph in Noah’s eyes. The fiend shrank back with a vicious hiss, its hollow eyes staring at the accursed Duke of Norden. But its confusion didn’t last long. The dark mist churned and twisted, growing more and more corporeal until finally, a full-bodied figure stood behind Shana’s back. The last part that molded into shape was the face. When Noah saw the familiar features, the sword almost flew out of his grip.

To the side, Gregor’s gasp confirmed that what his eyes were seeing was not an illusion.

“Ya...nosh!”

It hurt! Even uttering the name was a dagger to Noah’s heart but seeing his friend here and now… It should have been a matter of joy. Of relief that the spirit of the strongest shaman he knew was there to help. It would have been if this Yanosh hadn’t come from the black mist; if he didn’t feel… wrong. Something in the curve of those familiar lips, the squinted eyes, his posture and the disdainful tilt of the head… It was all foreign and cold. It was not Yanosh!

“Who are you?” Noah gripped the hilt of the sword tighter. “What are you?”

The specter ignored him, the smirk on his lips stretching further. He leaned in and whispered into Shana’s ear:

“Don’t try to deny the truth, my child. You know too, deep down, that you killed your father. Accept it. Only so will the pain heal.”

“No. No. I didn’t mean to! All I wa-wanted was to save him!”

“Leave her, demon!”

Shana’s wail mixed with Noah’s bellow. Unfazed, the apparition continued its poisonous whisper:

“My sweet child, the path to the Afterlife is covered with good intentions. But if you don’t believe me, you just need to look up. Your pain and guilt have called forth the Spirit Plane. Open your eyes and see him for yourself.”

At his final words, Shana’s head shot up, her red, teary eyes meeting with Noah’s gaze.

“P-papa!” Her body shook uncontrollably. “No! Can’t b-be. S-sorry! Forgive me! C-come b-back!”

“Wake up, Starlet! This isn’t the Spirit Plane. We are still home!” Noah pleaded with her. However, his words didn’t bring the expected effect. Inside the barrier, Shana flinched and cried even louder, her fingers digging in her hair.

“Papa… papa curses me!” she squeezed between hiccups. “He… hates me!”

“Alas, he has turned into a vengeful ghost. Now, he yearns for the blood of the one who did this to him. He will kill you if not for my barrier, child. Staying longer into the Spirit Realm would be dangerous.”

“You damn lying snake!” Noah struck the barrier with his fist and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to lift Red Dawn again. The terror in his daughter’s eyes shackled his hand.

“What sh-should I d-do now, dada?” Shana bent down, her forehead resting on the gray sand. Dark spots marked where her tears mixed with the fine dust.

“You should purify him, child. Let his spirit find salvation. Repeat after me: Cleanse the one before my gaze, calleth forth a burning blaze. Dost not leave a bone uncharred. Dost not leave from soul a shard!”

“To the ground!” Gregor screamed and rammed his whole body against Noah.

They crashed on the stone slabs, the gray dust doing little in the way of cushioning their fall. The impact robbed Noah of his breath. His head slammed against the hard surface, his ears ringing like church bells, and Red Dawn flew out of his hand. But all this was nothing compared to the wave of azure flames that traveled above them. Even with Gregor covering him, Noah still felt the scorching heat. His body stiffened from the sensation. It was the same spell that had taken his face all those years ago, today - even more powerful and well-aimed than back then. The smell of burning hair and a small whimper attracted his attention.

“Gerash! Did it get you?”

“I’ll spit on it and it’ll heal,” squeezed the young shaman through his teeth. “But I might need a serious haircut afterward.”

For a moment Noah felt relief. If his friend was able to joke, the damage was probably not that serious. With a grunt, the knight rolled to the side, leaving a trail of charred clothes in the dust.

Scrambling back to his feet, Noah reclaimed his sword and turned to his friend who still lay sprawled on the ground.

“Can you move?”

“Sure.” Gregor stood up with a huff, throwing away the burned outermost layer of his garments. “Mir-mama, I’ll never complain about heavy ceremonial attires!”

The two dragged their feet back to the barrier which hadn’t suffered even a dent. In its center, Shana sat coughing and panting and the ghastly figure beside her had become paler.

“Now is our chance while they are recuperating.” Gregor placed both his palms directly on the dome and his face quivered from the pain. “Start lopping at it. Quickly!”

Noah needed no second reminder, the strange dissonance that returned to his friend's voice not remaining unnoticed. The sword crashed against the hex anew, but this time, web-like cracks immediately formed at the impact point. Inside, the fiend trembled and wrapped its arms around Shana’s shoulders, its lips whispering something in her ear again. In a second, their bodies began to shimmer and fade.

“Not good!” Gregor pressed his forehead against the barrier. “He is trying to pull her somewhere else, body and soul!”

“What!” Noah tripled his efforts. “I thought wrapping space in the Mortal Realm was impossible for corporeal beings.”

“How should we know!? That thing managed to leak and merge enough from the Spirit Realm into this world, so if they treat this place as the true Spirit Realm, they could just exit somewhere… You know, this isn’t the time for lectures! Noah, you have to snatch her away before it is too late!”

That much he knew.

Under the onslaught of Red Dawn and the combined magic of two powerful shamans, the barrier finally broke a chunk. Stumbling through the crack, Noah covered the distance to the child in three large strides. His hand grabbed Shana’s arm.

Wisps of black smoke rose from her skin and burned his fingers but he did not flinch.

“Starlet!” he cried as he wrestled the child from the apparition’s grip.

She looked at him with empty eyes but didn’t react.

“She is mine now! You’ve failed!”

The gleeful words being spoken in Yanosh’s voice infuriated Noah. He swung Red Dawn but the wisps of darkness bound his wrist before the strike could land. The pain that shot through his bones made him cry out and drop the sword. Still, his left hand grabbed Shana even tighter.

“What a pleasure. Now I can have you both. You will make a fine dhrowghost, Duke Norden!”

“Go to the Dust, you monster!” Gregor jumped at the fiend and stuck two silver daggers in its back.

The creature shrieked, its face blurring into a mixture of random features before reforming into Yanosh’s face again.

“You flies!”

More black tendrils shot out of his wound and wrapped tightly around the young shaman’s body.

“You think you can win against me with a little soul-merge? With only two souls and a rusty sword?! I’ll use you as my nourishment and your bones for my hexes!”

The darkness burned Noah’s skin, the corruption spreading through his body like wildfire. A thousand beasts were gnawing on his flesh and trying to rip the core of his being apart. His cries mixed with the ones of Gregor as the world slowly started to fade.

“We won’t allow you to do this!”

A new voice, little more than a whisper, emerged from the chaos. Something akin to a cool stream touched Noah’s forehead, wiping away the pain and clearing his vision. He blinked and his eyes focused on a string of silver-white mist that was extending from a little red pendant around Shana’s neck and caressing both Noah’s and the child’s foreheads. Soon, another string, thicker and brighter, left the second twin-drop and wrapped around the black tendrils. With the hiss, the darkness disintegrated.

Released from their binding, Noah dropped to the ground, twisting his body so that Shana would land on his chest. Next to them, Gregor rolled in the dust. Noah cradled his daughter, his eyes peeled on the apparition’s body. Right now, two veils of mist, silver and black, were clashing against each other. The silver one seemed to have the upper hand for a while, its shape growing more solid with every passing second. Before Noah’s eyes, it materialized into another ghost, and this one he also knew.

“Yanosh?”

“No time for greetings, little brother.” The ghost gave him a sad look while wrapping his hands around his double. “Take Red Dawn and stab us!”

“No!” The fake Yanosh wailed and tossed around, his limbs constrained by the silver mist. “I killed you! I fed on your remains!”

“Noah, do it! I’m too weak to hold him for long! Do it or everyone will die!”

In some sort of a trance, Noah stretched out his hand. His fingers wrapped around his sword’s hilt. It felt warm, comforting, rejuvenating. He carefully laid Shana on the ground and stood up. Then he took a step forward.

One thrust.

A single tear rolled down his cheek under Yanosh’s warm smile.

“You did great. Goodbye, Noah.”

A second later, a deafening shriek shook the air.