"What are they?" Katarina said, staring with awe and some nervousness at the figures all around them.

Made of semi-transparent, shining silver, they looked like phantoms. Clad in armor, regular clothes, suits, robes and in some cases naked but for rags, they only existed for a few seconds, doing incomprehensible actions before disappearing. For some reason, many seemed to be throwing themselves off the nearby cliff into the water below.

"No one is sure, not really," Rafael said quietly. "Some say they're ghosts of the dead. Others says they're visions of the past or glimpses of the future. Ancient texts, supposedly from Queen Shanalotte herself, say some are glimpses into other worlds where other possibilities happened. Her husband, the Chosen Lord of the Hallowed, sometimes fought against evil beings who invaded the world from another seeking to bring grief, and sometimes fought at their side, united by common bonds that are said to surpass time, space and soul. All are united in their hatred for someone called Raime, though."

For some reason, Sophia seemed to shudder, even as she hissed in anger.

"Is that it?" Keith said, pointing to a pedestal, upon which was thrust a sword.

Rafael nodded. "The Storm Ruler. An ancient weapon from the time of myths, said to be able to destroy giants with but a few blows. Some writings say it's even older, just one half of an even more powerful weapon used against ancient demons from before the time of the dragons. They say to even draw it, much less call its true power, you need the favor of the ancestral spirits or something called the moonlight forest."

"Is that why all these things are here?" Mary said. "Are they the spirits whose favor you need? Or are they other people who're trying to get the sword's power?"

"As I said, no one knows," Rafael said. "Be careful about the burning marks on the ground. They contain the thoughts and words of from beyond. Many are completely nonsensical. "

They all walked. Despite herself, Sophia couldn't help but examine some of them. They seemed to speak to something deep in her soul.

'praise the son'

'gotta git gudder, need mor suls'

'Fick Raime'

'BD to PC wenn?'

'Kuro X Kamiko'

'Fack Raime'

'rolling is effective'

'where bonfire?'

'Feck Raime'

'Ancient Dragon OP, plz nerf'

'poise useless, just roll'

'mai waifu!'

'Fock Raime'

'like and subscribe!'

'F-ck Raime'

Sophia felt… like she was coming home.

They reached the pedestal, and Sophia shook herself. This was why she was here, her understanding of the ancient languages. She walked to the bell behind the sword and though the steel was time-worn, she was able to make out the words.

'Go beyond death. Seek strength. The rest will follow. If you are followed, strength you seek will rest in you.'

"Well… that's useless," Alan said.

Sophia stared for a moment… then she punched the bell.

It rang, long, loud and clear, much stronger than her little fist could have made it.

Immediately, every phantom vanished.

"Sophia? What did you do?" Nicol asked, looking around.

"It… felt right," Sophia said. After all, a bell is meant to be rung, right? That's just common sense, just like hitting every chest to make sure it was a chest and always checking the ceiling before you enter a room.

Next to Sophia, a phantom appeared.

As the others gave a start, Sophia turned towards the phantom.

It was… her.

Some of the features looked a bit off, like the nose a little longer, or the cheeks a tad wider, but it was recognizably her. She wore thick thick plate armor with rounded pauldrons, and over one shoulder carried a scarred sword with a wide blade and triangular tip that was taller than she was.

Another appeared, clad in long dark leather and atop hat. Something that looked like one of Lady Maria's guns was in one hand, and she held a cane like a sword in the other. Another appeared, wearing ragged robes and a frayed hood, a staff topped with spinning rings in hand. Another, this one all naked save for rags at her chest and hips and metal knuckles in each hand.

More and more of them appeared around her, all clad in different clothes and different weapons, eventually spreading until they'd taken the place of all the other phantoms, filling the cavern.

All staring at her, faces blank.

Waiting.

Sophia stared back… then raised her left hand and waved enthusiastically, as if greeting and old friend. Then she lowered her head and bowed.

There was a pregnant pause.

And then the phantoms in front of her smiled and waved, just as enthusiastically. They bowed.

Hesitantly, Sophia turned and pointed at the Storm Ruler.

The phantoms stared at her again. Then one by one, they waved their right hands, shaking their heads.

Undaunted, Sophia pointed at the Storm Ruler. Then she pointed at Katarina.

"Eep!" Katarina cried as every single phantom turned to her.

The result was anarchy. Some went to one knee, spreading their arms and raising them as they opened their mouths like they were letting out a mighty cry. Others jumped up, kicking up one leg and chopping with their arm. Many raised their left fist in the air, pumping them up and down with joy. One made a strange gesture where they held their left arm straight up and the right arm straight to the side, not moving for a full minute before slowly mirroring the position.

Most, however, fell on their knees, put their hands on the ground, and bowed their head.

"I have no idea what's happening," the Third Prince said.

At those words, they seemed to notice him. Sophia saw many of them scowl.

The Third Prince watched in confusion as every phantom pointed at him as if in challenge, then pointed down at the ground.

"Do they think I'm a bookshelf or something?" he said.

Beneath every phantom, burning marks appeared, most containing the same five letters.

'casul'

Eventually, all the phantoms stood. Mostly all together, they pointed at the Storm Ruler. Then at Sophia. Then they spread their arms wide, as if welcoming her home.

Hesitantly, Sophia turned and placed her hand on the sword. She closed her eyes, asking for their blessing. "Fuck Raime," she said for some reason, and drew the sword.

It slid surprisingly easily from its place.

The first of the phantoms stepped forward and Sophia felt her pass through her, into the sword. The second one did as well. Soon, more and more phantoms passed through her, a veritable flood.

When the cavern stood empty, the Storm Ruler raged in her hand, seeming to vibrate with pent up power.

Sophia grinned. "All right! Let's bring that stupid flying flat fish down!" she cheered and ran.

Sadly she wasn't watching where she was going and ran off the cliff.

Don't worry, Maria was able to heal her. Unfortunately the ring with the purple stone passed down from her mother broke in the fall. She was quite distraught at that.