Innocent Conversation

Achlys could not believe what her father had just said.

"What?" she asked again.

"I am leaving you alone with Thresh today," Karthus repeated, equally stunned by the statement.

Achlys searched Karthus's expression, looking for any hint that would betray his words as an unfunny joke or a statement made in madness. She could find no evidence of either.

"Is my company so unbearable?" a voice behind the girl asked.

Cautiously, Achlys turned around and looked up at Thresh. A weak smiled crossed her face as she, not wanting to appear rude, answered his question.

"No," she said in a tone that told that she wasn't even sure of her own response.

"That is a relief," Thresh said, "I've been hearing how unpleasant I am so much I'm almost starting to believe it."

Nervous fingers found their way to the sea glass pendant, which now shone with a harsh green light as Thresh loomed over her. Achlys ran her finger over the soft surface as she looked between the two wraiths, unsure of how to feel about the situation she found herself in. On the one hand, being around Thresh always made her nervous, though she didn't know why, but on the other hand, he always helped her practice her magic and he did just give her this necklace. Maybe he wasn't as scary as part of her feared him to be. She could at least give him the benefit of the doubt; it would be the polite thing to do.

Thresh held out his hand towards the young girl.

"Come, Achlys," he ordered, "We have much to attend to."

"So I need to go?" Achlys asked Karthus a final time.

"You need to go," Karthus answered, "I will return for you this evening. Remember, if you feel afraid, Acheron is there to protect you."

Karthus didn't have to look to know that Thresh was smirking, finding notion that a construct such as Acheron could harm him humorous. But his words were not meant as a threat. They were hollow words of comfort to ease Achlys's nervous mind. They seemed to work.

"Okay," she sighed as she hugged him good-bye.

When she released him, she was still reluctant to turn and leave. Thresh solved this. He placed a hand on her shoulder and directed her away from her father.

"Do not worry, Karthus," he said, "I will guard her like a secret."

Thresh led Achlys deeper in Helia. Lesser spirits scattered at their approach, disturbed by the presence of the Chain Warden. Achlys looked around in confusion. She had never been to this part of the city before, not even in her nightmares.

"I thought we were going to the vaults?" she asked.

"We are," Thresh answered, "but we are taking a different path to them."

Privacy was what Thresh had desired and he did not fully trust Karthus to uphold his half of the bargain and not spy on his lesson with Achlys; either directly or by sending one of his wraiths. He would still bring Achlys to the vaults, as he said he would, but it would not be to the chambers Karthus had previously visited. There were, after all, dozens of hidden places below the city, lightless and cloistered.

In the ruins of an ancient building the floor had given way, bricks having been sundered open during the Ruination, and opened a dark passage to the hidden vaults that ran below the city. Thresh stepped into the opening, gliding effortlessly down into the shadows. Achlys was less willing to walk off the ledge. She peered down, trying to rally her courage and find a way to climb after him. Finding none, she backed away.

"I can't glide," she protested, "I will fall."

Thresh extended his lantern out to her.

"Grab hold," he ordered.

She reached out towards it, but as her fingers touched its surface, a chill, like ice water poured down her spine, rushed over her and she snapped her hand back.

"Grab hold, Achlys," Thresh repeated.

Achlys did not like the sensation that came with touching that artifact and she decided that she would rather chance falling than experience that chill again.

"Let me try my own way first," she called down before turning to her guardian, "Acheron, help please."

She wrapped her arm around Acheron as tightly as she could and held him firmly against herself.

"Down, please," she instructed.

Slowly, she stepped over the edge and began to drift downwards, but Acheron's crystalline body was smooth, leaving little area for Achlys to find purchase with her grip. After a few seconds, she lost her grip and fell. Thresh was quick to respond. With little more than a casual motion of his hand, he commanded his chains to wrap around Achlys and catch her. He let them lower her gently to the ground before pulling her roughly towards him and catching her wrist.

"Were it not for me you would be dead," he scolded, "if not from the fall then from whatever would come to prey on you after."

"I'm sorry," she stammered out as she stumbled to regain her footing.

"You are forgiven, but Achlys, do not disobey me again."

As he said these final words, Achlys felt that icy chill run down her back again. She nodded, hastily promising to listen better. Thresh released his grip on her and let his chains fall back to his side. These vaults had been under his complete control in life and he wanted them to be so in death. He would not tolerate any challenge to his authority here, not even from a child.

"That's a good girl," he said as he turned to lead them down passage, "Now stay close to the lantern. Terrible things dwell in this darkness."

This time Achlys obeyed without hesitation. With each step they took, the light from outside faded until the lantern's cold glow was the only source of illumination. The air in these subterranean tunnels was oppressive. Achlys held Acheron tightly as her eyes searched the darkness, trying to make out anything with little luck.

"It's scary down here," she whispered, "I feel lost."

"It is easy to lose oneself here."

"Have you gotten lost here before?"

"Never. I know every last corner of this place."

"How?"

"This is where I was in life."

"Oh. Was it always this dark?"

"Yes."

At length, they arrived at a metal door which, despite its weight, Thresh pushed opened with ease. A wave of stale air rolled from the dark room, washing over Achlys and disquieting her nerves. Thresh placed a hand on her back to keep her from backing away. He gave her a firm nudge to encourage her forward.

As Thresh crossed into the room, the sconces that lined the walls began to glow with cold fire, though their fuel had long ago burnt away. Achlys blinked her eyes at the sudden brightness. When they had finished adjusting, she looked around the room, curious of where she had been brought to. The room was small, about the same size of her room back at the cathedral, but with a lower ceiling. Runes had been carved into the floor in the shape of a circle. Some of their magic remained, despite the centuries, and the sigils of protection pulsed with waning energy as Thresh passed them by.

"What is this room?" she asked.

"A place to learn."

Before the Ruination, those of Thresh's long dead order would study the artifacts they collected here, tapping into their power only just enough to learn which chamber they should be locked away in. It was also where Thresh would conduct his own studies of the artifacts under his care, testing their effects in manners the order would have deemed inadmissible. He knew how private this chamber was, which made it ideal for Achlys to be able to work her magic without distraction.

"Are you teaching me something new?"

"Perhaps, but it depends on if you can help me with something first."

"I can help!" Achlys exclaimed, "I love to help!"

"How kind of you."

"What am I doing?"

"I want you to speak with a soul."

"A soul? Like a wraith?"

Achlys considered the task before her. She knew how to speak to wraiths easily enough, but getting them to respond was still a skill she had yet to master.

"They are similar," Thresh responded, "but there is one important distinction."

"What is a distinction?"

"A difference, and here it is. The wraiths you see out on the Isles are bound to the Black Mists. It clings to them; gives them shape and power, but it also changes them."

"Father says they become their purest selves."

Thresh would vehemently disagree with that statement. While he would have agreed that the form he held now was true reflection of the terrifying monster he knew he could be, he was not satisfied with it. His "purest self," as Achlys would have called it, would not be bound to another's will.

But that was a discussion he had no intentions of having with the child. Let Karthus teach her to blindly follow the will of the Mists. For now, her eagerness to please those around her served his needs just as well.

"They are a reflection," he continued, "but the souls that I keep here in my lantern are different. They aren't as affected by the Mists. The details are not important for you to know right now. What is important is that their memories are preserved."

"You keep them safe."

"I keep them secure."

Achlys nodded in approval, knowing that this would make her job much easier. Now more confident, she was ready to begin.

"Who will I be talking to?" she asked.

"The soul of a father. Tragically, he died in front of his son and I took his soul so he would not forget the boy's face. They have been apart for years and now I want to reunite them. Sadly, the father will not help me locate the boy."

"Why?"

"Because he is afraid of me. He fears I will kill his son, but Achlys, you are clever, you know that death is not the end."

"Death is not something to be feared," she answered as she was taught, "Father says it's a step in everybody's journey."

"And I want to help the boy take this step. Can you imagine the anguish he must be feeling over his father's death? You would not want to be separated from your father, would you?"

"No."

"So you understand that they should be together for eternity, just as you desire to be with your father. Any information you can learn of the son would be of benefit to me. We should not allow them to linger apart any longer."

Achlys didn't need time to consider what was being asked of her. She knew what the right thing to do was. She held out her hands expectantly.

"Let me speak, please," she asked, "I will help."

A deceptive grin curled onto Thresh's visage.

"Thank you, Achlys," he said, "If only your father could see how your kindness was being used."

With a soft click, the lantern opened. The light of the artifact bloomed as the room was filled with hushed whispers. Thresh held his hand over the lantern and curled his fingers in a beckoning motion, drawing out the soul he desired. The small orb trembled in his palm, its light pulsing like a quickly beating heart.

"Here he is," Thresh said, "Now hold him tightly. He may try to fight you, and remember, he is afraid of me, so do not mention that I am here."

As he approached her, Achlys felt her hairs begin to stand on end. She ignored this sensation. She had a job to do and would not let something as small as goosebumps distract her. Using the magic that he had taught her, Achlys reached out to Thresh with threads of binding magic and wrapped them around the soul in his outstretched hand. The familiar jolt of adrenaline that she had come to expect from connecting with one of Thresh's souls rushed through her.

"I have him," she said, bracing herself to reel in the soul.

With a nod, Thresh released his hold on the soul. At once, it began to strain against Achlys, fighting to be free of her hold. But with each passing year, Achlys's magic had grown, and the girl found that she had no difficulty in maintaining her grip. She allowed the soul to exhaust itself before drawing it to her and cradling it in her hands. Her heart fluttered as she held the terrified soul close to her. She closed her eyes and focused on it, listening for any words, but all she heard were confused sounds of whimpering.

"Shh," she hushed, "Shh, shh. Hello. I won't hurt you. Shh. Hello."

For a minute she tried to coax the soul into calming down until finally she heard a tiny voice in her head. It was quiet, little more than a whisper, and was filled with fear and disbelief.

"You're not him?"

"Hello!" she chirped, cheerful that she had finally gotten a response, "My name is Achlys. What's your name?"

"Is the monster still there?"

Achlys looked around the room. It was just her, Acheron, and Thresh; no monsters as far as she could tell.

"No monsters."

She heard what she thought was a sigh. The soul was beginning to calm. Achlys took a deep breath and focused on controlling her heart. She knew that smaller wraiths were influenced by her emotions and she wanted to see if she could share her air of calm with the soul she held. She spoke again, in a calmer tone this time.

"I am Achlys. Who are you?"

There was a moment before the soul spoke.

"Vlasi."

"Vlasi," she repeated with a nod, "Hello, Vlasi."

He didn't return her greeting, but began flooding Achlys with questions.

"Who are you? Where are we? How did you find me? Is it over? Am I free?"

"One question at a time, please. You're talking too fast."

"I'm sorry. I've just been afraid for so long."

"I could feel it, but you don't need to be afraid anymore. I want to help you."

"Help me?"

"Yes."

Achlys thought she heard crying again.

"How can you help me? We're both dead."

"I'm not dead."

"You're not?"

"I'm a living person who helps the dead."

"How?"

"Magic. I use it to help wraiths find peace."

"Peace. I can't remember the last time I had peace."

Achlys's face lit up. Now they were dealing in her area of expertise.

"I can help!" she exclaimed, "My magic is best on memories! But first we need to calm down."

As excited as she was, Achlys understood that she couldn't expect the soul to become calm if she couldn't calm herself. Focusing on what her made feel calm; her Auntie brushing her hair, watching the waves wash upon the beach, Father singing lullabies; Achlys worked to make her mind a peaceful place. She began to hum one of his lullabies and mumbled the words under her breath.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm, the moon shines down on the Isles' shore, hmm, hmm, hmm."

Vlasi's voice in her head interrupted her.

"What is that song?"

"A lullaby Father sings."

"Your father?"

"Yes. He is a good Father. He takes good care of me and loves me."

"Father."

More sobbing noises.

"I was called that once."

"I know. You have a son."

"How do you know that?"

Achlys opened her mouth to answer, but remembered what Thresh had told about how the soul was afraid of him. She looked over to the specter where he was leaning against the wall of the small chamber watching her.

"Is something wrong, Achlys?" he asked.

She shook her head before turning her attention back to the soul in her hands. She didn't want to lie to the soul, but she also didn't want to disobey Thresh again by mentioning him. She scrounged her brain for a response that would make everyone happy before speaking.

"I," she stammered, "I was told to speak with you because you had a son."

"I do not understand."

"I don't understand my magic all the time either, but I know it can help. Watch, you're going to remember your son."

She could feel Vlasi's memory below the surface of his mind. It was like bubbles underwater; she could feel them against her magic, but she was unable to latch onto them. But even if she couldn't see his memory, she could still make Vlasi see it, so she entwined her magic more tightly around his soul and pulled the memory upwards.

The effect was immediate. Achlys felt a sharp spike of fear drive at her heart before a sinking feeling filled her stomach.

"No! That memory is too painful!"

"How can it be painful? It is a happy memory."

"Because I can never have it back."

"But you will. I just need to learn about your son so I can help you."

"I don't want to think about him!"

"Why?"

"He's in danger! He's being hunted! I can't put him in danger!"

"He won't be in danger. He will be kept safe, but I need to learn about him, so you need to remember him."

"I don't want to!"

Achlys was growing frustrated. She didn't understand why this soul was fighting her. She was just trying to help it. Again, she looked over at Thresh. He looked back at her with unblinking eyes. Even though he said nothing, Achlys could feel his expectations weighing on her shoulders. He needed her help and she didn't want to disappoint him. And to her, that was more important than what Vlasi wanted. So whether this soul wanted it or not, she was going to help him.

"But you will!"

Just as she would bind a wraith to her will, she latched her magic into Vlasi's soul. She felt the expected resistance against her magic as her will clashed with his, but she refused to fail. This was for his own good, she reminded herself, and no matter how he struggled, she knew he would ultimately thank her when he was reunited with his son. She steeled her resolve and made her desire singular; rip that memory to the surface.

Thresh observed silently, delighted to see how proficiently she was able to wield the magic he taught her.

"Please stop fighting!" Achlys pleaded, "I just want to help!"

She felt Vlasi's will give way to hers and the memory washed over him like a wave. Achlys, though she couldn't see the memory, felt the warmth, joy, and sorrow that filled his soul. She let out a sigh as hers and Vlasi's emotions mixed together. Her mind felt fuzzy, like there was water pouring in her ears, but through the confusion, she heard a name.

"Fyodor."

"Fyodor."

As she repeated this name, Thresh approached Achlys.

"Ask the question, Achlys," he ordered, "Is that the boy's name?"

Again, Achlys felt a chill run down her spine and again, she did not know where it came from. She nodded to Thresh and gently ran her fingers over the ensnared soul, infusing her will into it.

"Vlasi," she asked, "is Fyodor your son?"

"We are at the hunting cabin. I sing a rhyme about how to skin a rabbit. He looks up at me and smiles. He follows along, mimicking my motions perfectly. The animal is skinned and ready to cook. Fyodor, my son, you are so bright. I am so proud of you."

The sound of crying once more fills Achlys's head. Thresh's voice cuts through it.

"Is that the name?"

"Yes."

"Well done, Achlys," Thresh praised as he held his hand out towards her, "Now, give him back to me, but first, leave him with a happy memory. We want him to remember joy, after all."

Achlys nodded in agreement and focused on the warm emotions surrounding Vlasi; love and pride. She let them swirl around her mind, strengthening his memory. She imagined that it must be burning clear and bright in his mind and hoped that it will bring him peace until he is reunited with Fyodor again.

"Good-bye," she whispered as she handed Vlasi back.

Thresh waited until the last of Achlys magic was detached from the soul before entrapping it with his own once more. The calm nostalgia that Achlys had imposed on Vlasi evaporated in an instant.

"No. . . "

As he closed his fingers around the soul, Thresh felt terror bloom in Vlasi. A wicked smile twisted his features. His physical senses may have been dulled from centuries of a spectral form, but this, the agony, remorse, and despair, was still visceral.

"Do not worry, Vlasi," Thresh said in a tone suffused with mock kindness as the lantern was opened, "I will find Fyodor."

The lantern pulsed with light and Vlasi was pulled in once more. Achys looked up at Thresh.

"Did I do it right?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered, "you did exactly as I wanted you to."

Achlys beamed with pride.

"If I ever need this type of help again, would you offer it to me?"

"Yeah!"

"Thank you, Achlys. You are such a kind girl."

Thresh could not help but chuckle to himself as he watched Achlys look up at him with her bright, innocent eyes full of childlike naiveté. Thresh knew that he would have eventually torn Fyodor's name from Vlasi, but to watch Achlys, daughter of a being who loathed him, do it for him willingly and with enthusiasm was beyond amusing. How would Karthus react if he knew his precious daughter had aided him in damning a soul to an eternity of imprisonment?

As much as he desired to see the lich's reaction, Thresh did not want to sacrifice the semblance of trust he had finally been able to cultivate with the other specter. So, just as he offered a deal to the father, he would offer one to the daughter.

"Achlys," he said, "do you know how to keep a secret?"

"I know about secrets, but my Father doesn't like them."

Another chuckle escaped Thresh.

"I would disagree. You Father knows that there are times when it is important to keep secrets. Do you how to keep one?"

"I think so."

"I want you to keep what you did today a secret from your father."

"Why? I think he would be proud."

"I have no doubt he would have fervent emotions about what you did."

Achlys had no idea what the word "fervent" meant, but she assumed that it was good. She nodded in agreement.

"But I believe you should practice humility," Thresh continued.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that you do not brag about what you have done. The best deeds, Achlys, need no recognition. The knowledge that you have done well is reward enough. Do you understand?"

"I think so. I will keep it a secret."

A nervous smile crossed Achlys's face. She didn't want to keep a secret, but she also wanted to be humble.

"I knew you would not disappoint me," Thresh said with a nod of approval, "and so to thank you, I will teach you a new type of magic."

The doubt on Achlys's face began to fade.

"What type of magic?"

"Levitation. I know I had just told you that the knowledge of a deed well done is reward enough, but you have done so well today, that I feel you deserve to be rewarded all the same."

"And so next time I won't fall in the hole?"

"I would still advise against trying to glide down all alone, but so long as I am near, I will be ready to catch you."

Achlys nodded excitedly and another secret was locked away in the vaults.

For the authentic Thresh experience, Achlys chose dangerously trying to do it herself over grabbing the lantern.