Chapter 6: Saving My Brother
"Let's brainstorm how we're gonna save my brother!" Ortho says.
Kalim suggests, "What if we try talking things out with the bride? We could even do it over a dinner party! Maybe she'll let Idia go if we just explain the issue."
"A lovely proposal, Roi Doré," Rook says, "Though there's one troubling detail: Would a bride who's spent so long seeking her groom be willing to relinquish him? Were it myself, I would never let my dear beloved go."
"Then I guess violence is our only option," Leona says.
"No, that's the problem. We already tried duking it out, and where did it get us? Here, in this field, that's where," Vil says.
"Precisely," Crowley says, "These ghosts cannot be defeated with a mere fight. Things would be exceedingly troublesome if we got on their bad side. We should consider combat only as a last resort."
Then Briar says, "Well, maybe we should try to reason with her?"
"Reason with her? After her ghosts attacked us?" Ace asks.
"Well, she can't be all bad," Briar says.
"I'm not too sure," Deuce says, skeptic.
"I know, but… I feel that she needs to understand that she can't force Idia to marry her. I mean, it's wrong," Briar says.
"She does have a point," Tanzanite says.
"Maybe, but those ghosts don't seem like the reasonable type," Jasper says.
"Yeah. After they booted all of us out," Grim says, annoyed.
"Ghosts, hmm…" Lilia says, thinking, "Young Sam is quite the authority on all that's creepy and crawly, you know. What if we sought his expertise?"
"'Young Sam'?" Deuce questions. And soon understands, "Do you mean Sam, the guy running the school store?"
Lilia nods, "Mhmm. I'm acquainted with his great-great-grandfather."
"You sure love dropping hot goss on us, huh, Lilia? And with no hint if you're being for real or not," Cater says.
Then Crowley says, "Onward, to the school store!"
Sometime later, the students and headmage arrive at Mister S's Mystery Shop.
Sam soon greets everyone, "Well, if it isn't the headmage with a merry band of imps in tow! What brings you to my humble store today?" And winks, "I kid, I kid. I already know. You're dealing with the Ghost Bride, aren't ya?"
"You're one step ahead of us, it seems. Almost like you knew we'd be coming," Riddle says.
Sam chuckles, "Neh heh heh. My friends in the shadows keep me well-informed. It is quite the conundrum, though. Ghosts are beings who are trapped in this world because of powerful, lingering attachments. You can make them go poof for a short while with magic, but they'll always come back. There's no sending them on to the hereafter as long as their attachment remains unresolved."
"Ohhh, so that's why those ghosts in Ramshackle just kept comin' back every time we clobbered 'em," Grim says.
"Exactamundo! Ghosts can be tricky customers," Sam says.
"So, how do we save Idia?" Ortho asks, "It's not like I can expect some item that magically solves our problem to be—"
Suddenly, Sam calls out, "—IN STOCK!"
Everyone reacts in surprise.
"Wait, you got something?" Leona asks, shocked.
"Your selection of wares never ceases to amaze," Azul says, impressed.
"Tragic brides have existed for eons. They develop lingering attachments and stick around as ghosts all the time!" Sam says, "Lots of ghost brides means lots of people suffering, which also means there are a lot of anti-ghost bride items in the world," And soon brings out the object, "Here's your ticket to expelling the Ghost Bride—the Circle of Severance."
And soon, Crowley and the students see a silver band ring with a small gemstone on it.
"It looks so pretty," Sereia says.
"It looks like a real engagement ring," Briar says.
"Precisely. Put the ring on the ghost's left ring finger after saying this incantation: 'I vow to love you for as long as you live,' Sam says, "The ring will then sever the ghost's lingering attachment and send her on to the afterlife!"
"Ah, so it sets up an escape clause: 'No promises once you're dead,'" Lilia says.
"That would come in handy while dealing with ghosts," Tanzanite says.
"Absotively posilutely! It's the perfect answer to your woes," Sam says.
And Vil says, "But this begs the question of how we're supposed to get that ring on the ghost's finger."
Rook suggests, "Couldn't we simply give it to her as a gift? As a token of our heartfelt regard, perhaps."
"It would only frighten her if a man she didn't know waltzed up and gifted her a ring—and with good reason. Not to mention trying to put it on her left ring finger. No woman alive OR dead would permit that," Vil says.
"Her soon-to-be hubby Idia could probably get away with it, but he's already being held captive," Cater says.
"Then we must become worthy of bestowing a ring upon her," Azul says.
"And how would we do that?" Deuce asks.
"By becoming her fiancé," Azul answers, "After all, a fiancé would be expected to place an engagement ring on his bride's finger."
"But the bride's already picked Idia. She's not exactly taking applications," Ace says.
Sereia soon realizes, "Hold on, are you saying that…"
Then Lilia says, ""Ah! You're suggesting someone steal her affections!" and snickers, "Khee hee hee. Stealing a bride wounds delightfully dramatic and intriguing."
"Ask for the Ghost Bride's hand. Put the ring on her finger. Retrieve Shroud. I dub this scheme: Operation Proposal!" Crowley announces, "We've established our mission. Now, who will most likely ensure its success? ...Ah, but of course," and turns to Briar, "Briar, I ask that you gather the following students…"
"Um okay," Briar says with a nod.
