Chapter 2
Mission Briefing
"… and that is the decision of the Committee, headmaster Archion." cawed one of the two ravens, as they had explained the task presented by the Haunting Committee.
Archion, a robed old man with bald head, long white beard and kind eyes, stroked his beard, as he always did when in thought.
"I see..." he said calmly. "Please tell the Committee that I will bring my best student to them as soon as possible, once we're ready."
The two ravens nodded and returned to deliver the reply. As they took to the dark sky, headmaster Archion continued to stroke his beard while processing everything. He already knew who his best student was, but the question was, was she ready? And was he ready to let her go?
Sighing, he knew that he couldn't continue to coddle her for eternity, she had done very well during her training, better than most, and while she hadn't completed it, he did believe that she was ready. But not knowing exactly where she would be posted, or what she would face, worried him, especially since the mortal know as the Ghostbreakers had been able to create a weapon that could destroy spirits. While the Ethereal Bomb had been destroyed in the successful campaign of Gravenville, the Ghostbreakers were still at large, and could possibly build another bomb.
Sitting on a high branch of a tree overlooking the dark landscape, was the ghost of a young woman, dressed like a highwayman from the late 1700s, wearing a dark hooded cloak that barely reached her waist, a black mask that covered the upper half of her face, and a long dagger hung from her belt. Her cause of death was clear for all to see; gunshot to the heart, her clothes were still bloodstained around the wound.
"So, here you are. I should have known." she heard a voice on the ground. Turning her head, she saw Archion walk up to the tree.
"Headmaster. Have you been looking for me?" she asked as she floated down from the branch.
"Indeed I have, child. I have just received a message from the Haunter Committee, they requested my most skilled student for a campaign of quite some importance."
"Really? And who have you chosen? Grim? Or maybe Slasher?"
"Oh no, my dear Josette, while they are both skilled, as are several others, but I have decided that you are the most suited for this."
"Me? Why? I haven't even finished my training yet."
"You have great skill, and even greater potential, all you need is some time in the field and I'm sure you'll become a good Ghost Master."
"I am not sure I agree, but I trust your judgement, headmaster. I will not let you down."
"I know, child, I know. Now, come, they are waiting for us."
Arriving at the grand castle that the Committee used as their headquarters, Archion and Josette were met in the entrance by the spirit of a lawyer, complete with business-suit and briefcase.
"Welcome headmaster Archion." the spirit said, adjusting his glasses. "And this is your chosen student, miss…?"
"My name is Josette."
"Miss Josette. I'm Charles, and I've been assigned to you by the Committee as their representative and your aide. It is my job to relay you the missions given by the Committee, as well as supply you with information and monitor your progress. I will also do all the paperworks required, such as mission reports, applications for special training for your squad and much more that you don't have to worry about."
"I remember when Ghost Masters had to do those things themselves, but now everyone require help with it." said Archion.
"Times have changed, and there is a lot to keep track of, too much for majority of the Ghost Masters to handle while also managing their field duties. Speaking of which." Charles opened his briefcase and handed a leather-bound book to Josette.
"This handbook will be your most vital tool in your campaign. I will keep it up to date with all the information on your squad, mortals present at a haunting and any restless spirits that you make contact with. It will also allow you instant travel through spectral portals, it is with this you reach the hauntings you will be assigned and can return here if required or necessary. Please open it and pull out an empty page and place it here on the table."
Doing as asked, Josette tore out a page from the middle of the book and placed it in the middle of the table. It piece of paper suddenly started to unfold itself, even though it was only one layer of paper. It continued to unfold until it almost covered the large square table, and patterns formed on the paper, taking the shape of a city-map.
"This is a map of the city that you will be assigned to, Sunshine Valley." said Charles.
"Sunshine Valley?! What kind of name is that?" said Josette shocked. "I thought that I would be assigned to a town with a name like Gravenville, Slaughter Creek or Tombstone. Sunshine Valley sounds so…"
"Happy? Yes, I know. And that's part of the reason why the Committee have decided to assign a Ghost Master there. According to my research, the city was once know as Dead Valley, acting mainly as large grave-field, but a few decades ago the mortals changed the name, hoping to turn it into a popular tourist area, while still retaining their historical significance, using a slogan that states that everyone can rest in peace there. The Committee was not very happy about this, but it got worse when they learned that many mortals from areas of other campaigns, travel to Sunshine Valley to rest and recover, the hospital's therapists have been busy helping them as well, undoing much of what we've achieved."
"A question, if I may." said Archion, and Charles nodded. "If this area is such a problem, why has not actions been taken sooner?"
"Lack of resources, we got Haunting teams all over the mortal realm, but we just don't have enough to cover everything, and until recently, Sunshine Valley, while known of, wasn't such a large problem as it is now. But I have faith that miss Josette and her team will handle this. Speaking of which, allow me to introduce the Haunters assigned to you."
With a snap of his fingers, four other ghosts phased through the wall and hovered in mid-air on the other side of the table. One squirrel, a typical white ghost with a large chin, dreadlocks and a high hat, a swarm of what appeared to be wasps or bees, and a lizard with fire burning on it's back and head.
"This squirrel is Twitch, a Gremlin. As you well know, Gremlins have been seeing a lot more use over the years, due to the mortals relying so much on their electronic devices. Just don't expect him to sit still for any longer period of time, he is hyperactive without its like.
Spooks are well known for being versatile with their powers, and Jabu here is no exception, though I have a hard time understanding what he's saying, but maybe you'll learn to understand him.
This mass of insects is a Horde called Swarm, and you can count on mortals fleeing in terror at the mere sight of it, many seem to have great fears of bugs. An entity consisting of countless minor spirits, and despite being unable to talk, I think you'll have an easier time understanding Swarm than Jabu.
Lastly, you got the Fire Elemental Firecracker. Mortals have always been vary of fire, and with this noble salamander at your side, you can bring back that ancient fear they all possess. Also, he can use electricity as fetters, just like Gremlins.
If there is anything else you wish to know about them, you can either ask them or consult your handbook, which will contain much information about them. Sadly, you will have to make due with only these four, lack of resources like I said, but I am confident that you'll be able to expand your team with new recruits during your campaign."
"I understand. When do I start?" Josette asked.
"If you're ready, you can start now, we will arrange a portal there immediately. Your first objective is to establish a Ghoul Room, as you need a base of operation. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to locate a suitable location yet, lots of paperwork, but I will continue searching."
"Thank you, but I think we will try to find a place on our own, if you don't mind."
"If you like, I will not stop you. Still, I'll keep an eye out, just in case. Now, take your map and go to the courtyard, a portal will open shortly."
Now things are starting to happen. We've met our Ghost Master, and her starting team. What kind of things will they meet in the mortal realm, find out next time.
Also, I'll be publishing images and short bios of the team on my Divantart page. Link is in my profile, as well as under here.
gallery/56389033/Ghost-Master-Fanfic
Sadly they'll all be classified as Mature, just to be on the safe side.