Death gave no warning when he returned Viktor to Father Lena’s ranch. One second, Viktor was staring into a void, and the next, he was back in the chair. Darkness more complete than any night had descended, and Viktor tensed, still expecting to be restrained, but his body obeyed effortlessly.

What has happened? How long have I been gone? Viktor braced himself and rose, eyes straining to adjust as he inched his way into the kitchen. It was cold. Has the fire ever gone out? But it shouldn’t be this cold simply due to that, should it? He licked his lips and called. “Hello?”

Nothing moved, and Viktor pressed on, feeling his way carefully along the wall until he reached a table and felt around for… he didn’t know what he was looking for. Nadia was standing in front of the soup pot. It doesn’t feel like anything is broken. It’s just… missing.

For as long as Viktor could remember, the kitchen tables were always being used, even as an extra storage space, so nothing went on the floor. But each table was empty as if it had been wiped clean, without any sign of a plate or food. It unnerved Viktor, and he hurried forward, almost tripping in his haste to reach the fireplace.

That wasn’t a stool! Viktor shivered as he leaned down, hand slowly reaching out until it encountered a solid shoulder covered in a familiar robe design. “No,” Viktor whimpered as he used both hands to hunt for a pulse, but once he reached the neck, he froze. The skin was as cold as ice, barely giving from the slightest pressure from Viktor’s fingers as he reached up… and found a trimmed beard.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Father Lena.” She killed him. He would have killed her, but she killed him… how? Viktor crawled over Father Lena’s body and reached the fireplace. Light. I need light. Why wasn’t I a Fire Cleric instead? Viktor shook his head and felt around… until a soft hand landed on his shoulder.

“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Nadia?” She’s alive. She’s safe! Viktor turned, hands reaching and finding the one he loved most as she hugged him back without any of her usual warmth. “Where are we? What’s happened?’

Nadia shrugged, one hand resting on Viktor’s head while the other stayed on his shoulder. “You were right about Father Lena. It took a lot to kill him…”

“I don’t care about that! I practically fell on top of him. What did you do, Nadia? What is this?!”

Nadia kissed his forehead and sighed. “This… is my home. Where I was born… Zum wants to see you, Viktor. Will you come?”