The walk back to the manor house was quick, and the sun was just setting overhead, the air turning a glorious color of pink and gold and purple from the vapor and smoke that filled the city air.

Eideth’s promises of a good meal were very well deserved, the meal was excellent, a thick stew made of crunchy vegetables and a slightly musky flavored meat that I thought was sheep but couldn’t be sure. I made a note to ask the cook how they’d done that, just the tastes in the dish were already giving me some ideas for other meals I could prepare.

I wonder if they’re using local meats, or if this is something special? Does it count as sheep if they call it something else?

Lakshmi told the table about my kiss of Eshaan, which made me turn scarlet, though Soriya applauded politely at the description, giving me a wicked smile.

I stuck my tongue out at her, and did my best to ignore the rest of the table. It wasn’t easy, Eshaan kept blushing too.

When the meal finally wrapped up, Eideth called for our attention.

“So, after having discussed it with Rangrim, it seems that I must concede that he at least believes there to be a ghost. So! Since it seems to make most of its appearances in the library, and that’s where all the records you wanted to look at are… I guess the two tasks are linked.” She paused, then continued “If you’re really sure that you can defeat a ghost?”

I sighed and said “It’s not that you ‘defeat’ ghosts. You just… resolve their issues. Find out why they haven’t moved on, and… help. Swinging a sword at a ghost might disrupt it for a day or even maybe a month, but it’ll come back unless the core problem is resolved. And yes. I’m confident that I can help resolve the issue.”

Eideth frowned but nodded, tugging at her braid. “You do seem to have a knack for finishing the impossible. Well.” She clapped her hands. “For now, lets all get some rest, and tomorrow we’ll start with the task of fixing up the library. We can do two for one.”

We trailed upstairs, sorting ourselves into our rooms. As I was about to head into mine, I turned back and grabbed Eshaan by the wrist. “Wait, Eshaan. Before you go, I wanted to ask you something.”

Eshaan blinked at me with that earnest face and nodded eagerly. “Of course, Lily, you can ask me anything, you know that!”

I smiled wryly, and then nodded back. “Yes, I do.”

I led him inside, and sat down on the divan, patting the spot next to me. Eshaan quickly sat down beside me.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” He asked, eagerly.

I looked into his eyes, and honestly wondered. Does he think I want to confess? I already kissed him, I wonder… I shook my head and smiled in exasperation. All I need to do is ask, he would answer. And just why am I trying to get philosophical thoughts out of a block of wood anyway? I wondered.

“Eshaan, doesn’t it… doesn’t it bother you at all, that the System seems to have scouted this all out?”

“I don’t know what you mean?” He said in confusion.

Ah, of course he doesn’t. I sighed.

“Where ever we go, it seems like that’s where we were supposed to be!” I said with frustration. “We leave Camaxtli’s sand city, and head to the Monanin capital. And there’s info there we need! We leave Breezewood, and we just happen to run into the very people who can give us the next piece of the puzzle we’re looking for! Doesn’t it bother you at all, that it seems like we’re on rails?!”

Eshaan sat back, and stroked his cheek thoughtfully. Finally, he said “No?” With a puzzled tone in his voice.

“Well, why not?!” I asked with an aggrieved tone.

“Because I don’t see it like that. What we’re trying to do… what we’re learning here… Lily, this… everything we’re doing here. We’re talking about the System. We’re talking about the Church and the Empire. There is nowhere in this world that they don’t touch somewhere. You and Soriya and me… we’ve set out to stop them, because they’re doing things they shouldn’t. Because they’re messing with the fabric of the System. That’s… that’s big enough that there’s nowhere that they haven’t touched!” Eshaan was silent for a moment, then said “So why is it surprising to you that no matter where we go, we learn something new about our quest? The only place we could really go and not find pieces of this puzzle is the Cavern of Trials. And that’s only because it blew up.”

“Eshaan, we flew the Sparrowhawk entirely at random into a hidden ancient city! An ancient city filled with technology we needed, an ally who’s got priceless information helpful to our quest, and we just… happened to wander into it?!”

Eshaan tipped his head to the side, confusion playing over his features. “Yes? There are ruins from the Ancient’s all over the world, everywhere. There’s one under our feet right now, Lily. Why would it be strange that we’d happen to find one?”

I sighed heavily. “You don’t think that’s strange at all!? You think it’s normal to just wander off in a random direction and that happen to be exactly where you needed to go all along?”

Eshaan was silent for a long while. Finally, he took my hand in his and squeezed it. “Wherever we go, it turns out that’s where we needed to be. Or if not, we learned something important from it, or it taught us something. That seems like the guidance of the System to me. And the places we find, the things we learn… the Ancients made wonder’s we can’t comprehend. They created the System with the help of the goddess! I don’t… find it all that strange that it would take only the slightest nudge to move us where we can do the most good. If anything, it means that the goddess herself smiles on our quest! She’s granted you the Arcanum, and the keys to the System…. I’m afraid I just don’t understand. Are you upset that we’ve got divine guidance?”

I stomped my foot angrily. “Eshaan, the point of the little quest, is that things don’t… I don’t… what if I don’t want to be the divine saintess or whatever! I don’t want to complete this storyline! I don’t want to be some ancient computer program’s puppet!”

“Ah… well, I don’t know what a ‘computer program’ is… but if you don’t want to be the program, then we don’t have to do this. We can quit right now.”

I gave a long sigh and sank back into myself. “You know I can’t do that, Deacon will come looking for me. Again. The empire will keep hounding us. They’re certainly in the city right now, looking for us.”

Eshaan nodded. “Yes, that’s true.” He took my hand and squeezed it again. “But Lily, if you want to run, then we can run! I’ll go with you, where ever you want to go. Whatever you want to do.”

I wiped at my eyes, and sniffled. Meadowlark. When did I start crying?!

“I can’t… you know I can’t.” I said brokenly.

Eshaan shrugged. “What I know doesn’t matter much. We’re talking about what you know.”

I let out a broken sob. “I don’t want to be the heroine anymore!” I said. “I don’t want to have to dance on people’s strings!”

Eshaan nodded. “Ok. You’re the seer. If you say you’re on puppet strings, how do we cut them? If the dance isn’t fun, then let’s change the tune.”

“I thought that’s what I was doing!” I said, my voice cracking. “We didn’t go to Nanwe, we came to Hecate, and we find that there’s an imperial airship here, and my mother’s journal already has a map of the undercity and Eideth moved into the mansion my mother helped clear out, and there’s a ghost here… it’s like whatever I was trying to run from followed me! Laughing!”

Eshaan rubbed my shoulder soothingly. “Leaving aside the fact that the Ancients left ruins everywhere, and your mother seems to have been a world traveler who’s also been most everywhere… what do you want to do about it? We can leave. Just walk out the door, say thanks to Eideth, buy passage on a passenger airliner to anywhere.”

“I can’t.” I looked down at my lap, my hands twisting my skirts into a tangled mess. “I can’t leave the ghost trapped here. I can’t…”

Ehsaan waited a bit, then pulled me into a hug. “Then what it sounds like, Lilyanna, is that you do want to help the ghost. You do want to bring down the twisted shadow image that calls itself Deacon. You do want to find the System and help the goddess.

“You’re not on any predestined path that I can see. You could walk away at any time. It would be hard, granted, but you could. And I would help you. We all would! But when you’re offered the chance, you always choose the course that helps people, that makes things better, even when it’s hard. You’re doing what you think is right. If the goddess is placing opportunities to do the right thing in front of you, to make the world better… what’s wrong with taking them? It sounds like she’s giving you the opportunity to do what you wanted to do anyway.”

“But I’m not really like that…” I said quietly.

Eshaan shrugged. “I don’t see anyone forcing you to help the ghost, Lilyanna.”

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

I was silent. Finally, Eshaan patted me on the shoulder, then leaned in an kissed my cheek softly. “Goodnight, Lilyanna. Whatever you choose, everyone will back you up. 100 percent. You’re the one we follow.” He stood up to go, and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

I got undressed and slipped into bed, but it was a long time before I could get to sleep.

The next morning, I was awoken by the smell of breakfast, a sweet and savory aroma that hooked me by the nose and practically pulled me out of bed. My stomach growled and I flushed a little as I hurried downstairs, still wiggling my feet into my boots.

The kitchen was a bustling area, and I looked around for an apron to tye on to help, but as I was reaching for it, the stern old Monanin matron whapped the back of my hand with a ladle.

“None of that now!” She said with her thick accent. “Me and the lasses will get you fed, you just sit tight at the table like a good girl!”

I stared at her, and an intense battle of wills raged. I lost almost immediately, and slunk towards the table with a softly muttered ‘yes ma’am.’ And sat down to wait. One of the maids quickly nipped in and handed me a basket of hot buttered rolls and a plate of fruit.

My stomach growled, and I blushed as I reached for the food.

The maid smiled and said “I’m glad I brought those! Just to tide you over!” She paused, and then went on “You’re the Spiritist that miss Eideth hired to get rid of the ghost, right?”

I blinked at the description, but nodded hesitantly. “I suppose so…?” I said.

The maid fidgeted for a moment, then pushed a slip of paper at me. “Can I have your autograph?!” She rushed out.

I stared at the outstretched paper and pen, then looked up at her, my eyes wide with surprise.

“W-what?!” I asked, baffled.

“No, huh?” The maid withdrew the paper looking disappointed.

The disappointment was too much for me to take, and I reached for the paper and pen. “No, it’s not that, I just… why!? What on earth is so interesting about us?!”

The maid’s eyes got big. “Are you kidding?! A real spiritist!? And a ghost hunter spiritist?!”

“I left my proton pack at home though.” I muttered as I scrawled my name on the paper awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t get that. What?” The maid asked.

I waved my hands, and gave her back the paper. “It’s nothing. I just… I didn’t realize that spiritists were interesting.”

“Oh! I guess maybe it’s a Monanin thing? Maybe? I’d heard that you didn’t have ghost hunters in the Empire for some reason?” The maid asked.

I looked at her in surprise. “You mean…” I frowned at her. “Do Monanin houses have a lot of ghosts?” I asked curiously.

“Oh well… you know, not really. Not anymore than any other really old place. Ghosts are rare, I’m sure you know that!”

I didn’t. Actually… I still don’t. I didn’t even know ghosts were real until the Wake! I thought to myself. Hang on-

“Um… does that mean you have… issues with other undead too?” I asked nervously.

“Oh! Well no, not really! You don’t get skeletons or vampires unless there’s a dark energy influx!” She blushed and ducked her head. “I’m sorry, you must know all this!”

I shook my head slowly. “I really don’t. We sort of… stumbled into ghost hunting, actually.”

It was the maid’s turn to look surprised. “Really!? That’s something you can just… stumble into in the Empire?!”

“Well… in my case, yes.” I said with embarrassment.

“Wow! Well… hang on! I know! I’ll bring you a copy of my Vapor Trails magazine! It has tons more info!” She looked around then flushed. “Or, actually, if you don’t mind, I’ll get that to you tonight, when I’m off work! I don’t want to have Majordomo Rangrim catch me slacking off!” She dashed off, waving the autographed paper at me. “Thank you! I won’t forget this! See you later tonight!”

I sat there, chewing thoughtfully on a roll, nibbling at the fruit to take the edge off.

This fruit would make a really good tart… maybe a stuffing with the sheep actually… I thought as I pondered the ghost hunting.

Soriya came down, and plopped into a chair next to me, pulling over the basket of rolls and a slice of apple.

I smiled at her. “Hey bestie. Did you sleep well?”

She grinned at me. “I did sleep, yes. Are you really asking about that?”

I flushed, and looked away. “I’m glad you’ve found somebody, but I don’t think I’m ready for details of intimate relations!” I said with embarrassment.

Though I do kind of wonder… I slapped my cheeks to drive the intrusive thoughts out. Later. I will consider the mechanics later! I chided myself.

Soriya grinned. “That’s fine. You’ll get there.”

I chewed thoughtfully on the roll. She’s probably right. I’ve gotten this far, and if… if… My cheeks heated with another blush If Eshaan and I…

“Oh ho, is that smile from Eshaan?!” Soriya needled me.

I sniffed and lifted my chin. “So what if it is? We’re dating, there’s nothing wrong with… a few thoughts.”

Soriya gave a little squeal and gave me a quick hug. “Ah, young love!” She said teasingly.

I gave her a glare. “Don’t you give me that, you’re the same age as me! Daniyel is much older than you!”

“He’s twenty two!” She responded.

I blinked, then giggled. “Well, then, that just proves my point, he’s practically got a foot in the grave by jrpg standards!”

Soriya shook her head. “No, not even close, he needs to be at least thirty before he’s a dried up husk.” She grinned again, her eyes sparkling. “Maybe a little sooner if we keep up the fun.”

I scowled at her. “I hope you’re taking the morning after tea!?” I blinked a bit in surprise, feeling a new piece of info floating up into my head. There’s contraceptive tea? Oh, I might need to… oh spirits above I can’t believe I’m even thinking about this!

I shook my head wildly and slapped my cheeks again as Soriya giggled fiercely.

“Ghost!” I said. “We need to discuss the ghost!”

Soriya popped another slice of fruit in her mouth and chewed. “What’s to discuss? We find the murder or whatever, and solve it, done.”

I raised my eyebrow at her. “Oh sure, and all we need to do is enter the System core and reset everything, simple!”

Soriya waved her hands. “That’ll sort itself out.”

I stopped and stared hard at her. “Soriya… are you really ok with just following the plot?!”

Soriya blinked and then said “Mostly, sure. I don’t want Breezewood harmed! And I don’t want you, or anyone else, to die! But the rest? Lilyanna, I’ve been fine with this role the story has given me since I met you!”

I thought about that for a moment, then said “Even the parts where you’re looked down on? That lecture at the symposium…?”

A flicker of darkness swept over her eyes, and she swallowed. “Well. I wasn’t all that happy with that, but I’m used to it. If I’m right, then in the after credits, I’ll get an invitation to teach at the Academy.”

I stroked my hair thoughtfully. “Yes, I suppose that’s true…” I shook my head. “I guess… you really like your role.”

“It’s a pretty good deal.” She nodded.

“I wish mine was.” I muttered.

“I dunno, you and Eshaan seem to really get along now. You seem happy, honestly. Much happier than anytime since we first met.”

“Do I?” I asked skeptically.

Soriya pointed a slice of fruit at me. “Look. We could assault the church right now. We know they must have an artifact, and that artifact is probably either an Arcanum, or something related to it. It’s almost assuredly the final showdown. We could cut right to the end if you want. That’s a little risky though. Didn’t you just have a major intimate moment with Eshaan? That’s dangerous.’

I shuddered all over, flinching from the idea. That sounded like an excellent way to die horribly, as a sacrifice to bring the group together and motivate them.

I ruthlessly crushed the idle thought that my other half had, it would serve the greater good.

We are not doing that! I thought viciously at myself.

“Well, there you go.” Soriya said. “So what do you want to do? We’ll learn something important in this little expedition, and almost certainly the location of another Key.”

I swallowed, fiddling with my skirts. A thought occurred to me, and wouldn’t leave.

“We… could go to the Sylvan jungles. They have chocolate there? And it’s certain they’ll have a Key!”

Soriya hummed thoughtfully. “And they’re so far away from the holy church that wants to use you.” She said pointedly.

I flushed and looked away, feeling compelled to add “And they’re far away from Deacon, yes.”

Soriya reached over and rubbed my shoulder. “Then we have our plan, bestie. Don’t worry. I’ll let you know if you stray too much. And for now, we have a ghost to resolve. And also, some important information to learn. And we can help Eideth straighten up her manorhouse. It’s a win-win-win!”

I sighed and nodded. “Yes, it is. And I do like helping people. It’s just… so predictable!”

Soriya grinned. “So shake it up! If it’s that predictable, we can solve this murder mystery in a snap!”

I blinked thoughtfully, then nodded. She was right. If it was that predictable… this would be easy! We… might be done in less than a day!

-Three days later-

I threw myself into the overstuffed library chair, which let out a huge cloud of dust as I flopped into it gracelessly. I coughed and hacked, my eyes watering. Soriya looked at me with amused sympathy, closing a book she’d been browsing.

“Getting to you?” she asked lightly.

I nodded miserably, my eyes watering from the dust. “This was supposed to be over soon! All we’ve found is fake ledgers, mystery novels, and books of ancient kings!” I complained.

Soriya’s eyes sparkled. “I don’t know, you seemed to quite like the yaoi fiction we came across. I still can’t believe how adorable your blush was when you read the title of the first one!”

I turned scarlet with embarrassment at the memory. “T-that has nothing to do with this! We’re looking for clues related to our ghost or info about the artifact!” I protested angrily. “And to top it off, we haven’t had a single supernatural event or haunting!”

I can’t believe I’m a yaoi fiction fan! I thought with mortification. And it was so bad! And I still took it to read! Thank the spirits that Eshaan hasn’t caught me with it! At least I finally understand why girls read it though…

“This looks a lot easier in games!” I grumbled.

"Well” Soriya said reasonably “That's because this would be a montage scene. It’s a lot rougher when you can't press skip."

I sighed heavily and nodded, reaching for another book. "Yeah."

Two more days passed slowly, while Soriya and I combed through the library. The others kept themselves entertained by prowling the city, or browsing the shopping square. Lakshmi got herself a bright red trench coat and tricorn hat with a grand plume and I had to admit, she did look very dashing indeed. I noted the way Camaxtli’s eyes followed Lakshmi around with a slightly baffled air as though trying to solve a complex puzzle.

“Agh, this is hopeless!” I complained that evening over dinner. “There’s nothing in the library but old manuscripts, novels, and forged receipts from the smugglers!”

Eideth shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know what to tell you, lass. It was always a long shot.”

“But it shouldn’t have been a longshot!” I complained. The others looked at each other in bafflement.

Camaxtli spoke up. “Something I find to be strange, the preponderance of these fictions you spoke of. Why would a smuggler’s library have ‘entertainment’, especially of this manner?”

“Maybe they just like boy’s love?” Soriya said impishly.

Camaxtli’s comment caught in my mind and I sat up straight. “Wait a second… most of the books have to do with doomed romance! And murder mysteries, and… hang on!”

I jumped up from my chair and dashed back to the library. Spinning slowly around in a circle, I thought out loud. “Murder mysteries. Hidden puzzles. Romance, and murder… and all the notes were… if the smugglers shuffled…” I dashed over to a wall sconce and stared up at it.

Yes, right next to an out of place picture… if I was a mystery fan…

I pulled gingerly at the painting, which swung to the side on hinges. There was a soft ‘click’ in my ear, and I started to grin broadly. I pulled down on the light fixtures. The second one gave a second ‘click’ and a section of bookcase slid soundlessly open. I giggled in glee, rubbing my hands together. “I get it! I get it!” I shouted triumphantly. “You’re a mystery fan! A gothic romance mystery fan! The novels weren’t distractions from the ledgers, the fake ledgers were distractions from the novels!”

“Lily?!” Eshaan called to me from the entrance of the library.

I spun to face him. “I’m going to see a ghost about a plot!” I exclaimed happily then turned and hurried into the secret passage revealed by the open bookcase.