Arc 1 – Some Spirits Walk, Others Fly
Episode 4
X786
Winter
Lilium
The open-air auditorium was full. It always was—since he had decided to stick around, the town had built it, and the variety of shows held there had quickly become a source of revenue for the town. His smile grew just a little wider. It was time for his exit.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I wish to thank you again for coming here!" With the echoic walls of the auditorium, his voice carried, even without the use of magic. "But now, it's time for us to part ways and say goodbye." With a twist of the wand in his hand, and the whispered, "Scattering Doves," the audience watched as the mage's body broke apart into a thousand doves, all flying out the open doors and skylights and vanishing.
Just outside one of the auditorium's side doors, the doves regrouped, reforming into a Caucasian male, his slightly slanted, teal eyes danced with mirth. He adjusted the black gloves on his hands, fingering the initials M.I. for a fond moment. His white, fish-tailed suit was still intact—he could still remember the first time he tried that trick; it ended with him nearly mooning the rest of the town—white domino mask in place. He patted the white hair slicked back over his head, frowning.
"Um…" The magician's head snapped up, looking over at a small pair of siblings looking wide-eyed at him. The oldest was probably only fourteen, but it was the younger one—a girl, younger than ten with light brown hair—that spoke. Both children had slightly ratty clothing, with the exception of the young girl's thick red jacket, the hood drawn up over her head. She was holding a large black top hat gingerly in her hands. "Is this yours, sir?"
The magician smiled, crouching down to her level and carefully picking the hat from her hands. Blue eyes lingered on the white Guild mark on his forehead. "Thank you, miss." She beamed as he pulled a rose from seemingly nowhere, handing it to her. "And my name is Julius Noventus. You can call me July."
The older of the two, a boy with greasy dirty blond hair and a little beauty mark under his eye, stepped forward and shook his hand. "I'm Jack Yuki, but I prefer Aisen. This is my sister Anya." July nodded, but the kid stepped back quickly. He was thin, unnaturally so, and his blue—they were probably closer to violet—eyes were dulled with starvation and a thirst for survival. Julius recognized it all too well, but the Yuki siblings ran off moments later.
July sighed, shaking his head and watching them go. A pair of small white hoop earrings jangled at the movement.
…
It wasn't for another few days before he saw the two again. Or rather, to be more accurate, saw Aisen. The kid was loitering around some food stalls, sticking close to a young dark-haired couple. July raised a brow. They looked like they could be his parents, if not for the way they didn't even acknowledge the kid's existence.
He frowned, but muttered, "Invisibility," and made his way closer as his body disappeared from sight. Aisen was edging closer and closer to the stall, and once within reaching distance, he muttered something under his breath and he too turned invisible. July rose a brow, and as the shopkeeper turned to speak with the couple, he watched as several apples disappeared, presumably under the folds of the kid's invisible clothing.
July had to hand it to the kid; he knew how to make a getaway without drawing attention. Most kids made a run for it—it was half the reason why they got themselves caught. Of course, most street rats didn't have the ability to use magic, evidently. Before the kid could get too far away, July started edging his way around the crowd after the sound of footsteps and the unnatural movements of crowds. Once they hit an emptier street, Aisen faded back into visibility, and then he took off running.
The kid ran several blocks, making loops and shortcuts and detours—no doubt trying to throw off any potential pursuers—before pausing, glancing around and then proceeding to duck into a little alley. July felt his spell wear off, and he stayed hidden behind the corner, glancing into the alley.
Aisen was kneeling next to his sister, the girl curled up on a dirty mattress, covered in a couple of moth-eaten blankets.
"Hey, Anya," he spoke gently, a kind of soft focus in his eyes reserved entirely for his sister. "Look what I found." He pulled out an apple from his pocket, cleaning it off with his shirt before handing it to her. She took a small bite, Aisen laying the back of his hand on her forehead as she did. And July had seen this too many times not to know where it would end.
"You know, if you wanted some food, you could've just asked." Aisen jumped, and July caught a glimpse of light glinting off a small locket around his neck. The kid seemed speechless, mouth opening and closing in some attempt to say something—an excuse, a lie—but July continued, already having an idea of what he'd been telling Anya. "I've seen this before. You can try your best, but she won't last the week."
The kid tensed, his blue-violet eyes no longer dull, but shining with a protective fierceness, and July's expression softened a bit. "And what do you propose I do?" Aisen snapped, but July recognized the fear for what it was. That same fear and desperation for survival he'd heard all too often in his own voice for years.
"Come back to the Guild with me," he tapped the white mark on his head for emphasis, "We can make sure she gets the proper medicine. I know you can use magic, so it shouldn't be a problem joining. Most of the mages stay in the Hermitage; we have more than enough room for both of you." He gave the kid a smile, held out his hand. "What do you say, Aisen?"
X786
Winter
Spirit Walker
The newest members of the Guild were fitting in well. They'd both showered and slept in a proper bed, and with a little hot food and clean clothes, there wasn't even a shadow of the starving kids July had practically carried into the Guild.
They'd had to buy Aisen new clothes—black pants and a thick green jacket—though he'd refused to get new shoes quite yet, still wearing a surprisingly nice black pair. He sat at one of the tables with Riley, Asha, Tatsuki, and Aysel, the youngest member of the group playing with Kitty. Anya had gotten over cold just in time for the holiday season, wearing tight pants and a fleecy red hoodie, her light brown boots lying haphazardly on the ground as Aysel helped her get on Kitty's back. The Irish wolfhound just stood there patiently.
Mia grinned. Kitty was great with kids, and she'd always wanted a younger sister. She'd given Anya a bunch of her old clothes that were still good, and eventually was hoping to teach her how to cook and the other little odds and ends around the Guild.
She pushed up the sleeves of her sunny leather jacket, scrubbing furiously at the stain on the bar. It'd been a couple weeks since she'd started on it, and it was almost gone. She scrubbed harder, but her hand slipped as the doors opened, two people covered in jackets, snow, and bags stumbling in before they managed to shut the doors against the snowstorm, with the help of Erie and Riley.
Her head snapped up at the sound of familiar, heavy black boots stomping off the cold and lingering snow. A grin spread on Mia's face at the sight of her brother. "Bayen!"
His short brown hair had been matted down, the normally spiked up front dripping with melted snow. Flecks of snow stuck to his lashes, ocean blue eyes bright with the Christmas spirit that had infected everyone that day. He set down several of his bags, spreading his arms. "Told you we'd make it back in time for Christmas!"
Mia wrapped her arms around his brown fur coat, somehow still able to feel that muscle underneath. She was engulfed in a warm embrace, and laughed when the scratchy brush of the stubble on his face rubbed her forehead, shoving him away.
He grinned, hands up in surrender. She figured she'd let him off this time; they hadn't seen each other in months after all.
"So how was your mission?" Spirit joined the two of them, looking between both Bayen and Zack, who had made a beeline for his girlfriend. Bayen rolled his eyes affectionately; Zack and Tatsuki had gotten together only a couple months ago after Zack had passed the S-class Trials, but everyone had seen it coming for months before that.
Zack turned from their embrace to grin back in Spirit's direction, fangs poking out from his otherwise angelic smile. Black gloves with a blue shell on the back of each hand pushed his wild black hair out of sky blue eyes. "Great! They don't call them 10 Year Quests for nothing." He turned to one of the members sitting sleepily at the table by the newer members. "You really missed out Aysel. Join us next time."
Aysel just smiled and shrugged, but he didn't say anything as Aisen jumped up, looking between him and the two arrivals. "I… I can't believe it. You guys are Hell's Shade, the strongest Team in Spirit Walker." All three of them chuckled at the boy gaping at them.
Spirit just rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't say that. They're probably the least threatening people you'll ever meet." Zack walked over to slug him in the arm. The Soul Speak mage stuck his tongue out childishly. "We all know it's true. Which, speaking of, where's our famous Nightmare King?"
"Took a detour to visit with his sister. He wants to spend Christmas with her this year."
"Well then," all the little conversations stopped as Shekinah entered the room, a trail of beautifully wrapped gifts following behind her. "He'll just have to open his presents when he gets back." She turned to the floating presents with a smile and an air of gratitude. "You can set those in front of the tree there, thank you." The gifts made their way to the magnificently decorated evergreen in the center of the room, the tables having been pushed around to make room. Lights and handmade ornaments hung from the branches, including more than a few embarrassing crafts from some of the senior members. (Bayen and Magnus had been taking them off and hiding them from the Master ever year, even though they somehow made their way back the next morning. Spirit was resigned to his fate.)
"Long time no see, Master." Shekinah beamed at Bayen and Zack, gathering them both in a warm hug. She smelled like eggnog and chocolate.
"I'm glad to see you're safe, boys. And you brought presents!" Shekinah stepped back to look at the large bags they'd set on the floor, an approving look to them followed by a knowing one in Spirit's direction. Her grandson rolled her eyes.
"How did you—" Bayen made a zip-it motion, and Zack sighed. "Never mind." Indeed, as predicted, the two started pulling out wrapped boxes—some of them a little beaten up from the journey—adding them to the already rather large pile gathering under the tree.
As her brother continued unpacking, Mia stepped back towards the bar, rounding it towards the kitchen doorway. "Hey, Anya, can you help me out?" The Guild's youngest resident nodded enthusiastically, sliding off Kitty to run over and join her.
"That would be my cue," Shekinah glanced around, "I do believe everyone wants some eggnog and hot cocoa?" Vigorous nods answered, and she laughed, squeezing her grandson's shoulder as she passed. "Spyro, help me hand out some mugs, will you?"
Spirit gave a long-suffering sigh as he reluctantly nodded and followed, ignoring the other members making catcalls for extra marshmallows or extra mugs. He had no doubt his grandmother would already have those preferences covered.
In the kitchen, Mia was showing off her cooking magic to Anya, who was either watching with wide eyes or helping with the little things, such as cutting up fruit or mixing dough. Shekinah was watching them fondly, a dozen mugs already sitting on the counter. Without needing to be told, Spirit followed into the routine, creating another batch over the stove before letting it simmer as he picked up four mugs and hauled them out. His hot chocolate was never quite like his grandmother's—she had a secret ingredient that she refused to tell him about; it had become a game at some point, and years later he was still trying to guess what it was—but he knew he could still make a mean cup. It helped when he could bribe the other members into approval with extra marshmallows.
There was already a bit of a line at the counter for mugs, the older members knowing Shekinah's hot cocoa was a limited supply, but Spirit dodged them all, going straight to the newest members. Aisen obviously had yet to try any, and Spirit made a mental note to save a mug for his sister, handing another to Asha. The other two in hand were quickly taken by others.
He returned to the kitchen, setting aside two for Mia and Anya. Shekinah was pouring his batch into mugs, another pot already set out for eggnog.
Once the rest of the cocoa got passed out and the older members started moving onto the eggnog, someone added Christmas jingles and very quickly the Guild dissolved into a mass of Christmas hysteria. Spirit had managed to steal a cup of eggnog for himself, (he'd bribed the Guild spirits into keeping it quiet, but he had no doubt at least one of them had told Shekinah; they always were more loyal to her) and if he was slightly drunk singing "Jingle Bells" while cheering on Erie and Bayen, no one ratted him out.
Aysel was wearing his ugliest Christmas sweater—also his favorite, as it lit up with lights and jangled with little bells—but he'd passed out several of his other Christmas sweaters to some other members. Spirit tugged on the hem of his own, a Spirit of Christmas Past that glowed in the dark. Everyone else thought it was immensely funny, even if he didn't really get it.
He stole a cookie as Mia ran by with a plate, her pretty, dirty blonde hair bouncing in its haphazard bun. He glanced at the suspiciously cheery looking reindeer on it before setting it down on another plate. She tended to enchant her foods when people were least expecting it. He edged out of the center of the crowd, everyone too drunk on drinks and the Christmas spirit to notice. He just hoped Bayen would keep Anya and Aisen away from the eggnog (and maybe the cookies) like he did for Mia.
The Guildmaster was standing at the very edge of the room, looking at the stars from the open doors leading to the balcony. When she turned, seeing him staring, she smiled.
"Spyro," Shekinah waved her grandson over to her. Spirit raised an inquisitive brow, but followed her out onto the balcony nonetheless, leaving behind the ruckus in the Guild hall. He closed the doors, shutting out the noise as well as the warmth.
The stars were bright that night, the mountain spirits quiet. Even the breeze seemed to be holding its breath. Spirit clutched the mountain stone talisman that hung from his neck, feeling uneasy in the pit of his chest.
"Gran?" His voice was quiet; barely audible.
"I want you to be the next Guild Master." She didn't dress it up with small talk or soften her voice with sympathies; it wasn't her. She didn't look at him, and that uneasiness grew.
"Gran, you're not that old yet. Besides, last year you said I was too inexperienced to even go out on an A-Rank mission by myself." He tried to sound indignant about it, bitter even, the way he'd been for months after that day, but even that was weak.
She finally turned to look at him, a nostalgic expression making its way there. "I know. But you've always been ready for this. I just wanted to be a little selfish for a while longer."
Spirit was silent.
"Gran?" He hated how small he sounded. "You're scaring me."
She rubbed his arms in a comforting gesture, but he only felt colder. "I'm sorry, Spyro."
"For what?"
Shekinah didn't answer his question. "I love you, you know that? Both of you."
Spirit's throat closed, and he knew this was it. The quartz, the extra time she spent before the picture wall, the distance… He swallowed, nodded. His eyes stung. "I know."
She held her grandson close with calloused and scarred hands for the last time.
X787
Winter
Spirit Walker
Bayen woke with a start, head narrowly missing the wraith hovering in front of him. An icy feeling crawled down his spine, and Bayen ignored the slight hangover (Mia had totally put something in those cookies; he should've known) as he jumped out of bed, tugging on the first top he could find to join his gray shorts. It was one of Aysel's sweaters, something involving eggnog knitted on the front. The S-class mage had let him keep it as a Christmas present.
"What's wrong, Reaper?" His familiar didn't say anything, and the silence only made that disturbed feeling grow. Despite what many thought, Reaper was friendly, communicating often with those that could understand him.
Reaper just floated out of the room, and Bayen grabbed one of his scythes as he followed the wraith, grip white-knuckled and palm sweaty. It was quiet, and what should've been a peaceful night felt wrong, somehow. Something wasn't right.
He crept out onto the walkway leading from the Hermitage to the main Guild, ignoring the way his feet just about froze on the icy wood. Reaper waited only briefly for him before leading the way into the hall.
It was empty and dark inside, a stark contrast to the evening just a few hours before. The presents were still there, waiting to be unwrapped when morning came. But Reaper didn't stop there, waiting by the main entrance just long enough for Bayen to spot him before leaving.
"Hey, Reaper, wait! I'm not dressed for this!" He cursed, the wraith not listening to him or waiting. He hunched in on himself as he pulled the doors open, the wind whistling as snow buffered his underdressed form. "Hellfire," he muttered, putting only a small fraction of the usual energy into the spell, a rather sizable flame burning steady in his hand against the wind. The supernatural heat radiating from it kept him reasonably warm as he hurried through the snow, following the glimpses of his familiar further down the mountain.
Bayen's feet were near frozen by the time he caught up to Reaper, who was hovering quietly a short distance away from Spirit. The dark-haired mage had his back turned to both, shoulders hunched against the cold. He was trembling, but Bayen wasn't sure if it was from the cold. They were in the back of the cemetery, in an unusually large lot. The first Master of the Guild—the original, even before Shekinah—was buried beneath a blank gravestone here, the surrounding area clear of snow.
Bayen stepped closer—Spirit was staring at the grave, or at something by it—his feet hitting cool dirt. It was a relief compared to the frozen slush, but he hardly noticed it as he came to stand next to his friend. But no, they were really more like brothers, and Bayen felt that in the overwhelming stench of death as he stared at the sight before him.
His entire body felt cold, even with the hellfire still burning in his hands. He understood why Reaper had been so quiet now. He would be too.
Shekinah was hunched against the gravestone, cyclamen flowers scattered around her. The petals were reminiscent of blood, and the scene was haunting. Bayen wasn't an expert on spirits or souls the way the Hugues family was, but he could feel the absence of the old woman's soul. Shekinah's spirit was strong, powerful, and it often left a certain charge in the air where she was. It was a comforting aura, but the lack of it in the air left Bayen feeling cold and scared.
He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, but he closed it again. He didn't want to know. Spirit told him anyway.
"I can't feel her." His voice wavered. The kid much like a little brother to him was terrified, and Bayen was certain his blood froze in his veins.
"You mean she's…?"
Spirit shook his head, face red from the cold and the hot tears running down his face. "Even… Even in death a person's spirit lingers for a while. Some decide to stay, some move on after a couple days. But… But I can't feel her. I can't see her. It's like her soul was just… erased from existence." He was heaving, breath stuttering, and Bayen recognized the coming panic attack, pulling Spirit into what he hoped was a comforting hug. It was hard to comfort someone when you yourself were on the verge of breaking down.
…
The funeral was quiet. Bayen held his sister tightly, burying his face in her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder. Zack and Tatsuki stuck close together, tears running silently down her face, and his hands trembled, eyes bright. Magnus knelt before the fresh grave, shuddering breaths and shaking shoulders the only thing anyone could see. Aysel's expression was blank, shut down even with the tears streaming.
Asha, Aisen, and Anya didn't hold the emotional ties that the others had, but the thick sorrow was palpable, and it engulfed them the way it did the rest. Everyone had different ways of expressing their grief. Some, like Sophie, were silent and stony, while others like Elin cried openly. Spirit didn't. He stood there, staring blankly at the unmarked stone. Tea roses dangled limply from his hand.
…
When they all returned to the Guild hall, everyone shuffled into a seat, no one quite willing to be alone just yet. It was oddly silent, not even the creaking of the Guild or its other residents audible. For once, Riley wished they were around. The entirety of the place was suffocating. He wanted hot chocolate, but at the same time, the thought of it was oddly painful.
Spirit stepped past all of them, not pausing to sit down or talk, worried eyes following him as he made a beeline for the balcony. Bringer stood up abruptly, walking out of the room himself and towards the Hermitage, eyes stony.
Spirit pushed open the doors and stepped outside, not meeting any of the pitying eyes. The rest of the Guild members were shut out, leaving just him and the mountains. The air was cold enough that his breath came out in little clouds, and the fog was too thick to see the town below. He took a deep breath, relishing in the sharp sting of his lungs and the frost nipping at his face.
This was his home. His family. He looked up at the night sky, clear despite the fog. He took another deep breath, and spent many moments just watching the stars, staring at the path they tread across the sky. She would never walk that path, no matter how much he wished she could. But her soul was gone.
Spirit clutched the amulet around his neck, rubbing the smooth dark surface with his thumb. The shape of their Guild Mark, carved from the mountain stone, offered little comfort. The mountain spirits were quiet that day, the breeze elsewhere as the harsh wind bit at his weather-worn skin. Snowflakes danced in a flurry, and the lonely peaks looked down at the world below them. It was truly winter now.
End of Arc 1
Hate me yet? This is only the beginning. :D
Cyclamens - meaning "Goodbye" and "all things will eventually come to an end"; these are often used at funerals.
Tea Roses - meaning "I will remember; always".
NEWS
All you straight bastards. xD For the sake of some characters having at least a chance at romance, I'm welcoming some gay/bi/pan characters with open arms. That would be nice, you know. Get some variety in there. (And yes, I'm starting to work through some of the romances and rivalries and nemeses and things, but this is not going to be a romance-centered fic. Just, love is a part of life. Yup.) This variety also accounts for the other Guilds. They all need some more male characters (females are taking over haha), but the Silent Moon Guild in particular needs some men. You'll see it on my profile: I'll have a need more men thing by each of the Guilds. When it starts to even out, those will go away.
Also, Kive660 wants to draw some of the characters and possibly post it online for practice. If you're okay with it, just add it on in your review or PM me. :) (Some of you I may have already asked individually, but this is just a mass question really.) I may be drawing some stuff myself, eventually too, so I'll be taking your permission as an okay for both cases, if I go through with it.
MY RAMBLING HI
So that was the intro arc, so to speak. Some of the arcs (I like to call them mini arcs) will be about this long; others, such as the GMG, will be much longer. It will largely depend on how long each chapter ends up and what the overall plans for the arc are going to be. And just because this 'intro arc' is over, it doesn't mean this is the full set of characters. Far from it actually, haha. ^^ If your character is listed somewhere on my profile (not counting certain villains I don't want to reveal yet), then they've been accepted. Just keep a lookout for them. (But if you're dying to know, I can give you a rough estimate.)
There's a mini arc coming up, and then the GMG, where all those other light Guilds will finally be introduced. But that's all I can tell you for the moment. ^^ Hope you're enjoying so far!
Characters We Met:
Julius Noventus – at twenty-one, Mister Impossible is one of the older mages and has been at the Guild for two years. By Captain Lassiter
Jack "Aisen" Yuki – At fourteen, the kid known as the Draedric Aura is one of the youngest mages to join yet. By Luchux
Anya Yuki – Jack's little sister, this eight year old is a civilian but stays at the Guild with her brother, helping out with maintenance and keeping spirits high. By Luchux
Rabayeniss "Bayen" Darner – The Nightmare King, he's the oldest member at twenty-four. He's been at the Guild almost nine years, second in seniority only to Magnus. By Jeptwin
Reaper – The wraith familiar of Bayen, who usually stays behind to help out around the Guild. He has his own magic called Grim Reaper, and can teleport between Bayen and the Guild. By Jeptwin
Zackery Masayoshi Orion – AKA the Phantom, this nineteen year old has been a member for a little under a year. By Lewamus Prime 2017
Mia Kipp – Bayen's fourteen year old half-sister, she knows a bit of cooking magic and helps out around the Guild, her home since she was five. By Jeptwin