"HALT!" the guard shouted, surprised to see a young girl drag two people like it was nothing. Although Zahra was trying her best to act like a normal six-year-old, it was quite hard to explain the whole situation. Forcing out some tears, Zahra choked between sobs, "A wraith... It killed everyone." "Another wraith? That is like the fifth one this week," the guard whispered. "Little girl, are you sure that it was a wraith?" the other guard asked, doubting if such a young girl could successfully distinguish wraiths from normal ghosts.
But Zahra simply kept sobbing, not answering the question. With a young girl bawling her eyes in front of them, the guards couldn't help but want to allow the slightly suspicious girl through the gates. But before they could allow the three to pass, a routine check had to be done. "Little girl, do you have any sort of identification?" the guard asked in a soft tone. But judging from Zahra's puzzled expression, the guard doubted if she understood his words. Noticing Ela sleeping behind the girl, the guard tried to wake her up while the other guard went to seek advice from their supervisor.
"Who are you?" asked a startled Ela, confused on why she was sleeping out in the open. "We need the children and your identification papers in order to let you in," the guard said. "Is this South Rusto?" Ela asked, recognizing the town nearest to the village. "Yes ma'am, once again I am asking for your papers," the guard asked once again, getting slightly impatient. But with Ela not even conscious when leaving the house, there was no possibility she had any sort of identification on her. Ela had a ton of questions she wanted to ask, but she could sense the guards irritation that was slowly building. "Is there anyway that I could apply for new documents?" Ela asked. This was clearly not the first time that the guard had been asked this question. "VICKY! Another one of those wraith attacks," the guard yelled.
A young woman in her twenty years came out from the sentry post. As she saw Ela and the other, she knew instantly why she was called. "Papers?" she asked the guard, confirming her task as she quickly led them through the gates. Seeing that they were allowed in, Ela carried Jason in her brace with Zahra following behind. Once she felt Jason's cold and dry skin, an expression of worry quickly washed over her face. But she knew this wasn't the best time for questions, she passed a quick glance at Zahra, whose calm expression slightly soothed her tense heart. Passing through the gates, Zahra was admiring the magnificent architecture. She grew up in the goatmen village where huts were built with hay and the human village where houses were made mostly with wood. To see a whole settlement with sturdy stone bricks and glass windows was certainly a first for her. Their village had a population of around a couple hundred people, but this town clearly housed more than ten times that amount. Stalls and shops could be seen everywhere, the economy was clearly more dynamic in such a big town.
Vicky led them to the townhall, which was also a grand work of architecture for one to admire. With the front entrance wide open, tons of people from all walks of life were coming and going. Familiarly leading them to the front desks, Vicky was clearly experienced. "They need papers, a potential case of another wraith attack," she said, before heading back towards her post. "Good afternoon," the lady behind the desk said, pulling out a large slate. "Please place your hand here," she said, checking out the tattered clothes. Shifting her arms into an awkward position to ensure Jason wasn't going to fall right out of her arms, Ela barely managed to press her palm onto the cold hard rock.
"Ela, age twenty eight, married to Edward Fletcher," the woman said, reciting Ela's information. Ela's face darkened as her late husband's name was mentioned, but quickly forced herself to lighten up. "Don't lose this again," the lady said, handing Ela a piece of parchment. The lady's expressions weren't exactly the most welcoming, so Ela quickly led her kids away.
Wandering around the streets, an overwhelming feeling of helplessness was slowly swallowing Ela. Now she had the more urgent matters off her hand, she had the spare attention to notice that her two children weren't exactly in their best condition. There was a gaping hole in the back of Zahra's clothes. And now as she paid closer attention to Jason, she could tell that something was definitely off. She originally thought that he was just sleeping, but his pale skin and cracked lips told another story.
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Before she could go into a full blown panic, Ela felt a little hand patting her on her calf. "He'll be fine, don't worry," Zahra said, comforting Ela. Realizing that she was losing her composure, Ela quickly calmed down. In a situation like this, she was supposed to be the one taking care of her children, how could she panic? "Thank you," she said, patting Zahra on the head with a warm smile. Taking a deep breath, she was prepared for the challenges ahead.
Back at their village which was now festering with undead, the wraith was levitating above a coffin of vines. "Interesting," it screeched, observing the weird spell that clearly wasn't common in this Era. Dark energy sprang from its boney fingertips, mixing in with the life force that was being transmitted into the one inside the cocoon. Sensing its dark energy slowly integrating with the priest inside, the wraith was surprised with the new discovery. A new spell that could not only transfer the necrotic mana into its target, but integrate it deep inside the target's body was more valuable than it seems. That meant that the newly converted undead would not only keep its memories and powers, but could also be easily controlled even with its higher intelligence.
The wraith inputted more of its malevolent power into the roots, priest Aldway screaming in pain. The wraith could feel Aldway's mind slowly being bent to its will, its dark energy enhancing and taking over his body. "Soon you will rise, and bring me to the one who casted this spell," it cackled, dreaming of what it'll be rewarded with if it managed to get its boney hand on the spell.
The one who casted the spell was having a rough time, since they still needed to find a place to sleep. Zahra followed closely behind Ela as they wandered the streets, wishing to find a place to become their temporary home. But without a single coin to their name, the chances of them finding a new residence was slim to none. As they meandered further away from the wealthier parts of town, they seemed to set foot in what looks to be the more unfortunate parts of town. Reeking of urine and tobacco, Ela knew that this wasn't the most ideal place to settle down. Ela observed the slums, where the sick, poor, and outlaws dwelled. She had no problem living in such a bad environment, but there was no way she could let her children suffer. But before she could turn away, Zahra stopped her. "It's alright, Jason and I are strong kids," Zahra said with a cheerful smile. With her kids so empathetic, Ela couldn't help but want to cry. She had been strong for so long, raising two of her kids despite losing her husband. But watching Jason and Zahra grow made her efforts all worth it, what more could she ask for when she had two smart, talented kids that could understand her struggle? Walking into the slums, she swore in her heart that she'll get them out of here as soon as she could.
Luckily, there was what looked to be a vacant tent not far from the entrance. The last owner had probably died or left judging by it complete lack of maintenance. Entering the tattered tent that reeked of death, Ela looked around. The inside of the tent was barely furnished, a rusty bedframe with a futon that was moldy and patched up. There were rotting foods on the makeshift shelves, the fruits festering with maggots and flies while the stale bread was covered in green mold. In the corner was a large tin bucket, with larvae swimming inside. Gently laying Jason onto the futon, Ela got to work. Slowly chanting, what could barely be classified as a broom formed in Ela's hand. Ela was definitely not a mage, which was pretty clear from the fact that she was already light-headed when all she did was conjure up a piece of wood.
Seeing that Ela finally regained her spirits, Zahra gladly joined in on the household chores. Easily digging a large hole, she emptied the rotten produce and dirty water bucket inside before covering it up once again. Refilling the whole bucket with clean water with an easy spell, Zahra's display of abilities impressed Ela every time she witnessed it. Ela knew that her daughters talent for magic shouldn't be wasted doing household chores, she had to find a place where Zahra could truly be appreciated. Ela sighed, knowing that with her children displaying such feats of controlling mana, they were definitely meant for more than a peaceful life in a rural village. Perhaps the town would have some hidden opportunities for her precious twins to shine.