A tear fell from Elizabeth's eye. She wiped it off her cheek to gain back her composure. 

"I'm sorry I. Can't save him Sir Vali." Inside the single room hut were a couple of chairs. Elizabeth stood next to a bed where a red blanket covered a sickly boy. Vali's right hand formed a closed fist. His left hand gripped the hammer from his blacksmith. He sat on the other side of the room next to a table and a bookcase as two candles illuminated the room 

"Miss Elizabeth, what do you mean, can't. Save him. Is this not the best country for your so-called remedies?" Vali brushed his hand through his brown braided beard. He stood from the chair in his charcoal covered apron. The giant of Voltgar faced Elizabeth. As Vali spoke, Elizabeth nodded her head in acknowledgment. "Brandt was fine two days ago until you asked him to fetch your plants." His voice rose in subtle grim fury. Elizabeth would attempt to reassure Vali that she is doing all that she could but is outspoken by Vali's rising tone. His hammer slammed on the wooden chair as it crumbled into pieces. He demanded Elizabeth to listen. Elizabeth jumped from her feet, raised her hand in front of her, and took two steps back from the man walking towards her. 

A door opened on the other side of the building. An elderly looking man rushed between Vali and Elizabeth. 

"That is enough Vali, you need to calm your anger," declared the old looking man. 

"And why should I," demanded Vali, "my son is dying on that bed, Harold. Look at him! You defend your daughter for her failure to save my son?" 

Harold vocalized as he defends his daughter's skill as the herbalist. "I'm the village elder and you will listen." Harold took a deep breath and lowered his voice, "let me talk to her if anything can be done. Go outside and calm down. Brandt's still conscious you know." Vali stared at Harold then over to his son. Once healthy and strong, Brandt's skin was nearly gray. His body lacked any muscle as his skeleton is visible under the shriveled flab of his skin. Vali walked out of the building and slammed the door shut behind him. Harold sighed in relief.

"For a Voltgaran, that could have been worse, wouldn't you agree?" He looked back to see Elizabeth drop down on a chair. She took quick, deep breaths as her hands rapidly twitched. She ran her hands through her long brown hair for comfort. On the table to her left, she reached for a leather book titled Natures Remedies for the Healing. She skimmed through the pages for an answer she could not find.

 "This book has to have something father. Why can't I find anything? This is my fault! Did I not crush the wild red leaves correctly? I should leave for Elstara. I could pay for some Nazraki vine roots from the druids. Oh, maybe the blue fern of Artaragon. This book says It cures battle wounds. This might work. It has to!"

 Harold grabbed the book and placed it on the table. He lifted his daughter to her feet and embraced her in his arms. "you did the best you could my dear angel. But I need you to clear your mind. Tell me what needs to be done." A couple minutes passed for Elizabeth to regain her composure and respond, 

"I have never seen anything like this. He was well two days ago." Elizabeth closed her eyes and uttered the only possible answer. "Father, it pains me to admit, but he isn't going to make it by tomorrow."

 Harold nodded, "I will find two runners in the morning. They will leave for the Temple of Shen, so his spirit makes it to Eshreal's wardens." 

"But what if he doesn't go and he comes to back to haunt me," asked Elizabeth. 

"I will be in the way for you to get away," Harold added which makes Elizabeth giggle and roll her eyes at her father's recurrent phrase. "But no worries. Vali's intimidating enough to keep him away. It's getting late, we need to go to home. Let Vali come in to spend time with his son." 

Harold released Elizabeth and picked up the broken chair pieces as they exit the building. Small lanterns were lit on the dirt paths to guide people as crickets chirp from a distance and the stars shine above. Vali leaned on an extra fence post used for the renovated horse fence on the northwest side of the village. Elizabeth and Harold departed as Vali entered, no exchange of words to one another.

The farming village of Sarsoa lies southeast of Klavora's capital. Harold's first to wake up and be outside in the morning. At sunrise, before any labors are to begin, a prayer is dedicated to Alfred Sarsoa, the skilled gardener whom King Charleigh the Uniter tasked to care for the royal gardens when crowned two hundred years ago. The grave of Sir Alfred was in the center of the village with a tree that overhang. A stone path was between the memorial garden to lead any who wish to pray. This is the only area deemed as holy ground ratified by the priesthood of Klavora. Harold raised his head from prayer and turned to the Sarsoans. Harold's face was wrinkled, his beard and little hair left on his head was gray. His scraggly body showed more as his tunic and stockings were loose on him. For being in his forties, the responsibility of being the village elder took a toll on his health; he remained spiritual and kindhearted but stern when needed. As he announced the unfortunate news of Brandt's passing, he instructed the village to prepare for the ceremony of spiritual passing.

Harold elected the two sons of the carpenter as runners to escort the priests of Shen to Sarsoa from the capital. Two days to the temple, two days to return. One hundred and sixty Sarsoans prepared for the ceremony. The farmers gathered the wheat from the fields, picked the vegetables from the ground, and plucked the fruits from the trees. They were sent to the inn located east of the memorial grounds. The Wheat and Ale Inn is owned by a Hal-ling named Bulgo Snaketongue; a lesser race compared to the dominate human. At the humble height to a human's mid-section, Bulgo lived tall and prideful. He is known to bring profit from any traveler who stumbled upon Sarsoa, especially with his famous snaketongue brew. He convinced travelers to drink his multiple pint-size samples of his special brew. Afterwards, he looked after their well-being and recommended them to stay as they will be quite intoxicated only to spend more coin. As the Inn prepared, the lumberjacks would go to the woods west of the village to hack down a tree for the carpenters to construct an altar and a stage south of the grave site. The stage will have a single step in front of it while the altar sits in the middle. It would be large enough for a single priest to present the ceremony. A red carpet went over the stage as purple and white flowers decorated the sides. The rest of the Sarsoans was assigned to clean the village. The task took two days. It would have taken longer if Sarsoa had to obey the Klavoran draft. It mandated that all villages are to provide thirty percent of the population to serve in the Royal Army. Sarsoa was an exception because it provided a substantial number of rations to the army in every harvest. Why would the nobles wish to hinder such a work force? Patrols and highwaymen escort the wagons to pick up the food each season; the only time Klavoran authority would come to visit Sarsoa.

It was mid-day, Elizabeth placed the flowers around the outside of the altar for Shen's chariot to land. She sees her father walk around to inspect what needed to be done as the Sarsoans complied and assisted. Elizabeth had not seen Vali since her confrontation two days ago. It discouraged her as she did not know what to say to him. Maybe it's because Klavoran traditions are different from Voltgar. Though Klavora was to welcome all outsiders, it was still strange to see different cultures in the countryside. On the other hand, why wouldn't he be mad at her? Brandt was the first to pass away since she became the village herbalist two years ago. Elizabeth hasn't even bothered to look in her book. Was it her fault? Did she not find the right remedy? Was she even ready for that responsibility?

"Over thinking, again are we?" Elizabeth dropped the flowers and turned to Shayleth who then patted her head to settle her down. In usual response, Elizabeth reached to pinch her cheeks. They both shared a laugh as Shayleth lightened the mood. Shayleth had black hair straightened in a ponytail. Her pupils were black that cover much of her eye. Her ears were pointed but she covered them with her hair so humans wouldn't judge her, even though no one did. Despite this sensitivity she was a cheery and pleasing lady to be around. Her body was slender with traits of a human and an elf of Dvorna. She too was a mixed race; she was a Hal-Ef. Like Elizabeth, Shayleth owned a book but never shared its contents. It was a gift from Bulgo. The two continued to laugh while Shayleth overly dramatized Bulgo's last attempt to gain more coin from the last group of travelers. As tensions relax in the over thinking Elizabeth, Shayleth asked what happened the day Brandt died. Bulgo kept her busy at the Inn so this little break was the best time to ask. Elizabeth recalled the unknown illness and what he looked like after his collapse. Shayleth believed it was a form of Ranzaran poison. She was unsure though. It had been a while since her travels abroad before she settled in Sarsoa a year ago.

 Before any more words can be shared, Bulgo approached: the bare-footed Hal-ling with the poor outer garments baggy enough to hide the expensive clothes underneath. He altered them for his size as the last group of travelers didn't come back for them due to a game of cards. He bowed courteously to the ladies and requested Shayleth to come back to the tavern to finish her job for the day. "You should talk to Vali," insisted Shayleth as she looks over her shoulder to Elizabeth, "he has calmed down. I would know, I talked to him recently." Shayleth had that air of confidence to approach anyone due to her travels and being beautiful enough to be the bar maid of Bulgo's Inn. Elizabeth smiled and hugged her. She walked her way to the blacksmith on the east side of the village. From her peripherals, she looked to see from the village entrance a black horse pulling a cart while a brown hooded individual rode on top of it. A crude tabard with a Chariot leaving a gate towards the continent of Khalderahna is set on the side. Elizabeth searched for her father to inform him who has arrived.

Elizabeth escorted Harold to the cart which parked next to the Wheat and Ale Inn. A man lifted his hood to reveal a white beard properly trimmed to the standards of the priesthood. His face showed age; wrinkled to look upon. He stood tall for an average man as his posture defined his professional yet smug manner. Rather different than how most priests would be. Humble and calm. Not proud and uneasy. 

Harold attempted to assist him off the cart but is waved away. He thanked Harold for his kind gesture but insisted to do it on his own. "Eshreal's holy order," said Harold. 

The priest was puzzled as he studied the village elder. "Shen's guiding chariot," replied the priest. His voice was old, loud in pitch, and deep in tone despite his hoarse whisper. Not to waste any more time, Harold requested the priest to follow him to the altar. Then, the rear door of the cart opened. Four hooded individuals jumped out and made a line behind the priest. Each of them much younger with a pendant of a chariot around their necks while in brown robes. 

"Excuse me holy priest, I didn't expect so many from your order to conduct the ceremony," remarked Harold. 

"And what would an elder peasant know what is done correctly," questioned the priest. 

"I know this ceremony and seen it done before kind sir," replied Harold, rather surprised from the remark. 

The priest raised his hand to Harold's face to prevent him from speaking anymore. "My apologies elder, perhaps an explanation is needed. You must be aware of the coming war between Drizzoch and Iot-sha do you not? Well to prepare, I have taken the responsibility to train these five acolytes. They will follow my order until they are fully promoted priests. I only ask that they are not to be spoken to. Can you handle that request, peasant?" 

Harold nodded but bit down to the urge to confront his unprofessional demeanor as he led them to the altar. When they arrived at the stage, Harold asked them to wait a moment. The Sarsoans must be informed and the food must be out. All would have been ready had they arrived on schedule. The priest waited until everyone gathered. Vali carried Brandt's body to the altar. Elizabeth aided Shayleth to bring the food out on the stands made by the carpenters. Only a man and his wife from the carpenter house did not help. They stood at the entrance wondering why their sons have not returned with the priests.

Sarsoans gather to view the ceremony of spiritual passing. Despite the stage being constructed for a single man and the altar, the priest ordered his acolytes to stand around Brandt's limbs; two by his legs. Two by his arms. They bowed their heads, clamped their hands together, and quietly prayed. The priest held a religious tome in his left hand; he spoke loudly for everyone to hear. The priest was an excellent presenter, but he didn't seem to remember the ceremony. He would read from the book as if to joggle his memory as he walked around the stage. He then moved to Brandt. He urged Shen to come from his chariot to take him away. He placed his hand over Brandt's forehead. With an order given.

The priest bellowed out for all to hear, "Release his soul from the cage of his body mighty lord. Let his soul. Be free!" Silence and anticipation spread among to the Sarsoans. The priest gave a momentary pause. He looked to his tome and repeats the prayer.

Elizabeth and Harold stood in front of the Sarsoans. Shayleth later joined Elizabeth a couple minutes after the ceremony began. Bulgo squeezed between them to get a front row view of the ceremony since no one would hold him up. Elizabeth was confused. She asked her father if this was normally how the ceremony went but was ignored as Harold grew more agitated by this poor excuse of a priest. She turned to her right only to see Shayleth and Bulgo speak in a different language. Annoyed, Elizabeth could not understand what they are talking about. It must have been a secret. Elizabeth disliked secrets kept from her. She wished to learn their dialect and be part of the conversation with her friend. 

Elizabeth then looked to her left. Vali stood on the other side of the crowd quietly to himself as everyone avoided him. Elizabeth recalled Shayleth's advice and moved to him quietly through the crowd of Sarsoans. 

"Hello sir Vali. Are you ok?" Elizabeth stared up towards the giant of Voltgar. 

"Miss Elizabeth. I am fine but at a loss," as Vali grinned and gave a slight chuckle, "Most of your country's religions are odd to me. My people would mock these ceremonies." Vali paused for a moment. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry about the other night. I was blind by anger and grief. I can't thank you enough for doing your best to care for him."

 Elizabeth took a deep breath of relief and looked towards Shayleth as she knows her ego would grow from her being right. Elizabeth accepted his apology and held his hand. Was this how to comfort a Voltgaran? He seemed to not mind as he allowed Elizabeth to hold his hand. Before Elizabeth could reply, she gasped at what she believed to be the impossible. Brandt was moving. 

The peasants cowered from the sight. The elder pleaded the onlookers to remain calm but to no success. The priest waved his acolytes away from the body which they obeyed. Brandt gasped for breath two seconds at a time. His body twitched uncontrollably as his mid-section thrusted up. Brandt's head bashed into the altar and broke the boards to create sharp edges that scratched the side of Brandt's face each time his head slammed down. Then his body moved to the left. His ear speared into the pointed tip of the broken board. The more the body moved, the further the piece of the wood lodged deeper into his head. After a few seconds a crack is heard as his neck broke from the movement. Blood trickled out of the open wound as it slowly dripped onto the stage itself. His fingers scratched into the altar, ripping out his nails as splinters penetrated his fingertips. Nothing was done to stop him. Vali ran up to save his dead son from mutilating himself further. The acolytes stood in front of Vali to prevent him from disturbing the ceremony. They attempted to slow him down as he pushed each acolyte aside with ease. Nothing was going to stop him. The priest raised his right hand. His palm faced down, he placed it on Brandt one last time and lifted his hand away in a forceful manner as if it was stuck to Brandt's forehead. The last breath was heard, and the body was lifeless once more.

Vali kicked each acolyte that held his legs away as he stepped up to the altar. The priest gestured with his hand for the acolytes to release Vali. Vali took his shirt off and placed it over the wound behind Brandt's head to prevent further blood spilling on the ground. He freed Brandt's head from the broken piece of wood that was lodged in his skull by his unnatural movement moments ago. Vali breathed heavily for a moment as he held his son close one last time. Harold marched towards the priest to face him right in the eyes. 

He gripped the robes that neared the priest's shoulder and shook him in frustration. "What the hell was that?" Harold demanded the priest to answer. 

"Unhand me peasant. He didn't leave." 

Harold let go of the priest only because he knew the punishment by law if he continued to lay hands on a member of a priestly order. 

"Unknown to me, his soul did not enter the chariot." The priest regained himself. He turned to the horrified crowd, "my greatest apologies to you all," he said in a calm fashion, "his spirit has not left. But do not be alarmed, I will continue this ceremony to ensure you are protected from the wandering spirits that don't enter Shen's chariot." 

Elizabeth attempted to pull her father's arm to keep him from the priest. He ensured Elizabeth that he would not do anything else. After a moment of conversation between the elder and the priest, Harold informed the Sarsoans that the entourage will return tomorrow to try again. By the order of the priest, Brandt was to not be moved from the altar for fear of his spirit being agitated. At this moment, he gave the acolytes permission to bless the food, as requested by the priest. Two acolytes left to watch the cart as the others went to the Inn. They prayed and caressed their fingers over the food while the villagers waited in line to feast. Harold reassured Vali at the altar and explained what would happen. This of course did not bode well to him as he was promised to burn his son on a pyre per Voltgaran tradition after the ceremony but reluctantly agreed.

Elizabeth walked to one of the acolytes blessing the bread on the table. She leaned forward to see the face of the acolyte; a man slightly younger than her, smooth face with dirty blonde hair. The acolyte didn't acknowledge her presence.

 "I hope what happened doesn't discourage you from your holy duty," commented Elizabeth not to expect a reply, "you must be very strong minded to stay calm after that." 

Elizabeth looked away as she reached for the cheese bread. 

"More than what you can comprehend my lady." His voice was old, loud in pitch, and deep in tone despite his hoarse whisper. Elizabeth faced the acolyte that spoke and asked what he meant. 

"I told you not to speak." The acolyte spoke as if instructed by the priest himself. The priest, who stood next to the cart, yelled to the acolytes to return as they will leave this moment. As they departed, majority of the Sarsoans began to feast on the blessed food. Elizabeth was hungry as she hadn't eaten all day. But did that acolyte sound familiar?

Elizabeth looked towards the bread section and, once again, glimpsed at the cheese bread. It was her favorite. Her hands reached for it but not until Shayleth grabbed the portion of her sleeve and pulled her hand away. Why is she acting so odd?

 "Trust me as I trust you," Shayleth loosened her grip, "Bulgo will make a fresh one for you. I'll make sure you don't pay." Elizabeth agreed to the idea and began to walk inside the Inn. As Vali passed by, Shayleth asked him to join as she had a fresh hog currently over the fire. Vali agreed yet could never put together how a Hal-Ef knew so much of his ways. Elves hated Voltgar for invading the Noggash Republic before it became a recognized nation. Shayleth guided Vali and Elizabeth as the rest of the Sarsoan's feast on the blessed food. Then all entered the Inn.

"A toast for Brandt. He has helped me greatly to care for my horses!" The Horse farmer cheered as the Sarsoan's lifted high a pint and took a drink. 

A full house in the Wheat and Ale Inn as those on stage played the lute and viola. Every round table made of tree stumps on the main floor are occupied. Cloths of many colors and silks over them as a coin purse or headwear, overflown with copper piece donations, rest on them. Younger couples strolled up the stairs and rent a room for two, leaving a chair to be nabbed. From one end of the bar to the other are tankards for people to snatch and fill from three small barrels of ale and beer and a larger one with Snaketongue brew. A toast was made each time a tankard is paid for. A roast based hog skewered over a plate of sliced pork for the juices to spill over. Warm baked bread placed around dipping bowls of melted cheese, rich oils, the countries wine, and sugar water. Vegetables and fruit of varied size, ripeness, and blanch to everyone's liking. The village came together to celebrate the life of Brandt even if his soul supposedly did not leave with Shen.

The night continued as the Inn was emptier. Vali, Shayleth, Bulgo, and Elizabeth sat at a table to share drinks. Other guests have either passed out, talked amongst themselves, danced on stage with the lute player, or prepared to leave. Everyone else left earlier than usual. Each time someone left, Bulgo would make another toast for Brandt along with a far-fetched story to keep his customers. Of course, each time a toast was made, those inside would follow suit.

"A toast for Brandt for carving these lovely tables that have these lovely coin purses!" Bulgo shouted out as those at the table would groan and drink once more. A few more begin to walk out. "Oh, a toast for getting rid of those dire rats. Hey, why you leaving? We haven't even toasted on his valiant effort of." 

Shayleth placed her hand over Bulgo's tankard and pushed it back down to the table.

 "Bulgo, stop," instructed Shayleth, "no more toasts. I will not be cleaning puke all night." 

"But my darling," complained Bulgo, "we got to keep the coin coming." Shayleth raised a finger towards Bulgo without eye contact, 

"first, do not call me darling. Second, look around," Shayleth waved her hand around the Inn, "barely anyone is here. Think of something else to talk about. Please." 

After a nod of agreement from Elizabeth the table became silent. Had Vali not been present, they would have discussed the ceremony today.

Bulgo snapped his fingers, "So Vali," pried Bulgo as he leaned on his elbow towards Vali, "care to share the stories of them scars on your arm?" 

"Ugh Bulgo really," Elizabeth argued at the new subject at hand. Shayleth kicked Bulgo's chair and glared at him. 

Vali chuckled, "after all these months I've lived here, you still ask that." Vali raised his tankard to his mouth and sighed, "I told you I was in the border expansion years ago." 

"Ah but what else," as Bulgo placed a silver piece in front of Shayleth to bet he drank enough to tell the stories." 

 Vali showed no signs of impairment nor intoxication. "Nothing else," replied Vali. 

"Damn it," Bulgo shouted as he banged his hand on the table. Shayleth smiled as she picked up the silver piece and placed it in her shirt pocket over her right breast. 

"Look, I'll tell you tomorrow night," Vali chugged the remainder of his ale and stood, "but I need to finish the pyre and pack my things." 

"You're leaving," questioned Elizabeth. 

"That explains them bloody bags at your door," mumbled the agitated Bulgo.

 "My bags are inside my hut, how do you know," asked Vali.

 "Well," Shayleth interrupted as she smacked Bulgo indirectly in the face with the back of her hand. She hid the action by lifting her arm to stretch.

 "It's really late. Bulgo drank too much. Bulgo must go to bed. Move along little goblin."

 Shayleth rocked Bulgo's chair until he jumped off it. The two bickered back and forth as Shayleth shoved Bulgo up the stairs to his room. Shayleth waved to Vali and Elizabeth and announced the Inn was closed.

"So where will you go," Elizabeth inquired to Vali as he escorted her back home. 

"I do not know. Had the ceremony been different, I would have left in the morning." 

"Ah from this afternoon," Elizabeth commented s as she looked towards the ground. She began to think of her failure to save Brandt, his death, and when he came back for mere moments. His spirit is sure to haunt her. 

"So, why worry of the rot of a life essence," asked Vali but Elizabeth seemed unaware of what he meant. "Spirits. You fear of spirits haunting you?" The two arrived outside her home. 

"Wouldn't you if you wronged someone of life? And did father talk to you?"

 Vali began to frown as he brushed his hand over the scars on his left arm, "I have wronged many of life Elizabeth. Each scar has a story. But we view death differently."

 Elizabeth squinted and looked up to Vali for an explanation. Vali pointed at the tree that over hanged the grave site. 

"In Voltgar, we believe the life essence comes from the tree of life. Each essence holds honor, duty, valor, and the warrior spirit. Everyone in Voltgar are born with it. But over a lifetime, the essence builds rot from things like anger, grief, or whatever else. When we die, our essence returns to the tree of life as a new branch. Any rot falls off like an apple. The rot will never return, and the life essence exists to protect."

Vali placed his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "You hold a good life essence Elizabeth. Even if you don't believe in my culture's ways. I hope this brings you comfort. If it were possible for the rot to haunt, Brandt would never do that to you. I swear on my honor. Remember, you were the first to welcome him when we arrived. I could tell he built a connection to you as he spoke of you at the table. The last thing he mentioned before he collapsed was helping you find your plants." Vali patted his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and then walked. 

"So, a guardian spirit," Elizabeth spoke in a joyous tone, "that makes him my guardian spirit, right?" Vali stopped and looked behind.

 "Um, if that's what they call it here, then yes a guardian spirit." 

Elizabeth's eyes widened, she cheered with relief, and lunged at Vali with a hug. Elizabeth paused for a moment to realize what she did and stepped back while her cheeks turned red.

 "Sorry, sorry I didn't think that through." She placed her hands behind her back. "Thank you, Sir Vali, I hope to see you tomorrow." 

Inside Elizabeth's home given to each elder had a single room with a window next to the door. A table and three chairs sat in the middle as a green tablecloth draped over it. The hearth on the other side had a fire burning under a pot. Inside is soup that Harold prepped for the morning before going to bed. To the right was a staircase that led to the bedrooms. A wooden closet was to the left of the door. Inside were clothing, ink feathers and parchment. And there's that chest wrapped in a tunic. Harold's memorabilia locked inside. Items before he became the village elder; before Elizabeth was born. Being twenty-four, Elizabeth wasn't curious of it anymore. She didn't ask if she was old enough to see. Harold promised he would show when she was older. She outgrew the surprise of it. Now It's the closet stool where her own herbalist chest sits over it. She recalled of Brandt's assistance to locate the herbs Elizabeth would need. When she first met Brandt, his face was as cold as his father's, but his heart was warm and full of care. She remembered how he could see when she was overthinking. Where Shayleth would tell stories to make her laugh, Brandt would ask if she was ok while he held a plant she required in his hand from his trip from the woods. Again, her heart could feel. She closed the dresser and turned to go to bed.

Elizabeth stopped with her mouth wide open. Her hands tremble as a chill went up her body. Her breaths, quick and uneasy. A cold sweat was down her left side. The man was tan, well built, and near Elizabeth's age. His hair was brown, and his face was clean shaved. It couldn't possibly be him. He couldn't be here to haunt her. She couldn't speak a word. She heard the same tone of voice before he passed away. Her arm hair stood up. He spoke as if being told what to say, "from where I stand, a chill be felt. Take this way to see a new day." Elizabeth blinked once; he was gone. She bolted to her room and hid under her blanket. Awake for a few more hours, she pondered on why he would haunt her.

 "No, he isn't," whispered Elizabeth as she repeated Vali's words moments ago. "He's my guardian spirit." She relaxed but wondered what he was guarding her from. She fell asleep with the words etched in her mind.

Elizabeth woke up before Harold. She ate a bowl of soup before the morning prayer. The sun shined from the window into her home. Elizabeth felt at peace now. She was eager to finish the ceremony today. She wanted to witness the pyre burning Vali mentioned. Maybe convince Shayleth to teach her a different language. Harold walked down the stairwell in surprise to see his angel up and ready before him. She was at the table reading her book of remedies once again. It had been a while since opening the book three days ago. As Harold finished his food, Elizabeth hugged him and walked to the village center. She figured the flowers needed to be rearranged at the altar as she felt a breeze hit her neck as her green dress blew in the wind. This would be her labor for today. She arrived at the stage with flowers around it, the altar stood in the middle but. But Brandt was not lying on the altar. 

Vali would not have gone against her father's wishes to keep the body there, nor would anyone move Brandt. In fact, none of the usual Sarsoans were out. Not even the farmers carts were prepared, nor did the bakers chimney shoot out smoke. No one was out aside from those seen late last night. Ten out of the entire village. Elizabeth walked to the Inn to peak through the window. Shayleth wiped the tables from last nights event. Bulgo placed the dishes in a crate to be washed out back. Elizabeth greeted them and asked of Brandt's whereabouts, but they were unaware. Elizabeth walked outside to see Vali's temper rise as he wondered where his son had gone. His veins visible on his forehead as he locked his fingers together behind his head as he paced back and forth. He raised his voice in disbelief of his son's disappearance. Harold rubbed his thumb over his eyebrows, closed his eyes, and decided to delay the prayer as he would need to find Brandt. He asked those who were awake to see where everyone else was. Elizabeth went to the nearest home. Elizabeth called out the home owner but no answer. She thought how strange it was when she saw no one else got any answer. Elizabeth knocked on the door. She then opened the door.

A dim candle was on a table. Tattered curtains block any sunlight that could enter the wooden home. Elizabeth heard no one inside but that stench creeped into her nose. The smell was of rotten fruit mixed with horse manure that lay forgotten under the sun. Flies buzzed around the home. Elizabeth put her elbow to her face and moved to open the curtains. She turned to an empty bed with a green puddle of vomit on the pillow. Red chunky mixtures of blood and food covered the floor and the sheets. A pink gooey string hanged from the end of the bed. Elizabeth cursed under her breath. She backed away from the sight but nearly tripped on the door. While outside she leaned and gagged. She must tell her father. The moment she looked for her father a scream from a woman is heard. Elizabeth would investigate where the scream originated from. She walked to see a woman looking out towards the farms.  

Elizabeth viewed the missing Sarsoans not present at the village center. Each of them stood in a circular shape in their night attire. A closer look would see a red stain with green saliva while some had a pink intestine sticking out of their mouths. They slouched down, they were still, their limbs bent in unnatural ways. Their pupils were pure white. While Elizabeth and the other woman walked towards the circle, the rotten scent of vomit and flesh grew stronger the closer they got. Elizabeth was behind the woman who wished to investigate this event. Her name was Tanya, an average size woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, saw her friend Ashley who stood in the circle. Ashley was stringy except for her bloated belly where green pus flowed from her navel. Her skin was gray. Her tongue hanged down to her right breast as if a parasite was pulled out. Tanya waved her hand over her friend's eyes to get her attention. No reaction, not even a breath came from Ashley. Tanya reached for her hand to pull her away. In return, Tanya was grabbed by her friend as the other blood covered villagers reached for her dress. She screamed for help as she attempted to push herself free. Elizabeth heard similar screams from the other side of the village. She grabbed Tanya by the shoulder to free her. No success. Ashley pulled Tanya closer. Elizabeth swung her arms around Tanya's waist and pulled. She was met with defeat. Tanya begged Elizabeth to get her free. Elizabeth found an item behind her that would help. A broken fence post leaned on one of the houses. She rushed back to Tanya and gripped the broken fence post with both hands. She swung it as hard as she can into the side of Ashley. Ashley's arm cracked as her bloated belly popped, shooting out rotten guts. She swung again but downwards on top of the head. Not even the head dangling from a broken spine stopped Ashley from grabbing hold of her friend. Another villager took hold of her hair while the other attempted for Elizabeth's arm.

Elizabeth screamed in fear and ached in pain while the villager pulled her to the circle. Elizabeth punched the villager she once knew as Robert but her plan to free herself failed. She yelled for help. Her energy to fight back grew weak. She couldn't push away any longer. She closed her eyes and yelled one more time. At that moment she fell back on the ground. She felt Harold's familiar arms pulling her away as Vali, with the swing of his monstrous axe, sliced the villager's arm with brute accuracy. It cut off the limb as if it was a knife that carved through a slice of meat. Red mist spilled from the open stub. Elizabeth pleaded to her father that Tanya must be saved. Vali stopped Harold from his attempt as they saw three of the villagers surround Tanya. She was held in place as a prisoner by those she knew. It was too late. All Vali did was reach for the wooden post and gave it to Elizabeth. The three retreated to the center of Sarsoa. The villagers didn't pursue as if their presence was non-existing.

Harold, Elizabeth and Vali made it to the center of town where Bulgo, and five other Sarsoan's gathered. They each looked for Harold's guidance on what to do. Those villagers did not move. They were still until someone got in arms reach of them. Those Sarsoans within the circle were cursing and screaming from afar. At the risk of being captured themselves, they could not save them. Elizabeth was unable to locate Shayleth. A familiar voice is heard south west of Sarsoa. Elizabeth dashed to her friend's voice after she freed from Harold trying to stop her. She would not lose Shayleth for anything, even for her own safety.

Frederick, once one of the bakers, moved his forearm around Shayleth's neck as she struggled to free herself from Frederick and to breathe. Elizabeth rushed to her aid by helping her pull the arm away for her to breathe. After a moment, Shayleth gasped for air. Elizabeth continued to pull the arm away. Shayleth yelled for Elizabeth to back away but she refused to listen. She would not give up on Shayleth. She ordered Elizabeth to be ready to swing at the upper arm of Frederick. She trusted Shayleth and readied her fence post. Shayleth placed her hand on Frederick's arm and spoke a language Elizabeth never heard before. In a matter of seconds, the gray arm with a brown sleeved turned a shade of purple. The arm-hairs stood up and broke in half. His limbs were still and immovable. Shayleth leaned forward and covered her head and gave Elizabeth the order. Elizabeth swung down. Instead of the arm twisting from the impact, it shattered into hundreds of pieces. Shards of gray skin tissue and red blood melted on the ground as Fredericks upper arm appeared to be frozen. Shayleth was free but what did she do? Elizabeth was in awe as she struggled to ask how this was possible. Shayleth explained how she can infuse her hands to freeze anything she touched at will. She sarcastically referred to it as magic. Seconds later, the villagers tottered towards them. They all marched towards the center of Sarsoa slowly. Shayleth and Elizabeth turn to get away from them. At that moment from afar a black horse pulling a cart while an old man in a black robe steered it towards the village. The priest from before returned as his acolytes followed from behind on foot. Shayleth and Elizabeth retreated to the center of Sarsoa. Their window of escape began to shut off from them.

Precious moments passed as those not caught by the approaching horde of villagers barricaded themselves in the elders' home. Vali, with the help of two other Sarsoan's, pushed the closet in front of the entrance as they braced for the coming impact on the other side. Shayleth and Harold dragged the table and the bookcase on the shattered window as spindly arms reached inside to grab them. Elizabeth, Bulgo, and the remaining three Sarsoans grabbed any items they can use to support the barricades in front of the window and door. Elizabeth spotted the only item left not picked up; a single chair in the corner under the stairwell that led to her bedroom. The same location where the image of her guardian spirit stood the night before. She stopped to blink in hopes her guardian will come to her rescue. A large thud was made by those outside. Those inside fell from their feet. The impact alone was like a battering ram to get inside the home. Elizabeth came back to her senses and ran to the chair. Picked it up. And stopped. A chill breeze blew up her leg. 

"From where I stand, a chill be felt. Take this way to see a new day" went through her mind as she knelt down to place her hand between the cracks of the floorboards. 

Her guardian spirit protected her before this even occurred. A gust of wind hit between her fingers.

"Elizabeth! Help me! The window," Harold ordered Elizabeth to assist as he struggled to keep his table from being knocked over by the many hands of those outside who attempt to break in his home.

 Elizabeth rushed to aid her father and braced herself. "Father, there is a breeze coming from the floor. Where the chair sits. Go feel." 

Harold moved to where Elizabeth spoke of and leaned down to see if what she spoke of was true. It was. A breeze danced over his frail skin for a mere moment. He knocked on the wooden floor and appeared to be hollow from underneath. He attempted to reach his fingers under the floorboards to pull it up but with no success. 

"Vali," Harold waved him to come to where he was, "your axe, break the boards where I stand. We can get out. Quickly!" 

Vali picked up the axe he to get Elizabeth free from the villager who grabbed her moments ago. The axe head was no ordinary chopping axe, it was branded with symbols unknown to Klavoran culture. The axe head was larger than any hand axe seen in the village. It was heavy enough to assume that no one could wield it effectively. But Vali was strong enough to do so. He lifted the axe over his head. With all his might, he slammed the axe into the floorboards. 

Once. Twice. The first floorboard broke to reveal a dark hole. Thrice. Fourth. A fifth time, the holes large enough for someone as small as Bulgo to fit through. Sixth. Seventh. An eighth time, the small hole opened more for even Vali himself to fit through.

Vali breathed heavily as the veins pop out from his arm as his giant axe finished breaking through the floor. A path led somewhere to the west. No sound made, only a chill breeze. Vali returned to brace himself to the door as he told everyone else to get out as he held it. Shayleth and Elizabeth stepped away from the window as they ran towards the hole. Only Vali and Harold held the barricade together long enough for each person to jump into the unknown cave. No one was able to see anything in front of them as the light dimmed more the farther the tunnel went. Bulgo grabbed a stick and pointed it towards Shayleth. Shayleth blew into her hand and pinched the stick. A fire burned on the stick to make a torch. With it, the survivors could see in front of them. Wooden beams were placed to prevent this abandoned tunnel from collapsing on itself. The ground was damp with small puddles of water and mud. The cobwebs from the spider's touched from the top of the tunnel to the ground. From a distance, small pieces of wood laid between two metal tracks that go beyond the distance to be seen. 

"By my ancestors' luck, a mine from the dwarves. Wow such history under this house," Bulgo stood in front to admire the sight of a civilization that no longer existed here for possibly centuries. 

"Bulgo, move," shouted Shayleth along with the others who moved ahead to shove him forward. The only person that did not follow the group was Elizabeth. She peaked her head out of the hole to wait for Vali and Harold. 

Each moment Harold and Vali move away from the barricade, the bloodied villagers from the outside were breaking through. At this moment, Harold looks back to his brunette-haired angel and the familiar look in her eyes when he found her those many years ago. Such horrors he did not wish for her to see again. Luckily before, she was too young, so innocent to even remember her first experience with the undead. While performing his holy duties, he was tasked to purge a small village inside Iot-Sha corrupted by a necromancer who lost control of his puppets. He entered a little home where one undead stumbled over to him while another one toward the other direction. he held the hammer blessed by his patron; Eshreal and smite the foul undead with a single swing as the holy fire burned the flesh of the once living carcass. He moved to the one that moved away from him. Then he saw a precious little angel. A little girl cried as she wobbled to her mother to be held. It saddened Harold to think at this moment that little girl took her first steps only for her mother to never see. That little girl could not tell the difference between life and death. Not even when her mother's gaping mouth had skin and flesh dangling from her teeth. Harold bashed aside the undead with his shield and picked up the little girl. Harold covered her over his tunic and bashed the end of his hammer into the mother; brain matter, bone, and blood splattered when her head exploded from the impact. The young girl pulled Vali's tunic to her eyes to hide from the sudden carnage. She could only speak a single word: Mommy. He rushed out of the home and to the formation of his brother war priests. As he placed down his shield and hammer, the little girl was asleep to his amazement. It was at that moment, twenty-three years ago, Harold swore to give this little girl a second chance at life. He would teach her to read and write. Live in a peaceful home. And always put himself in harms way for her to escape. That day he became her second father and Elizabeth never even knew. He remembered the chest which he never opened until this day. The pendant and a letter of service given to him by his Regional Battle Priest. It was time Elizabeth to see the truth. Harold only regretted not telling her sooner.

"Vali, listen," said Harold, catching the attention of the giant of Voltgar, Harold began to speak in a dialect which Vali could understand.

 It amazed him that he knew his countries language. He listened and remarked on what is being asked of him. Elizabeth only watched and yelled for them to enter the tunnel. Harold pointed to the chest wrapped in his tunic and told him to take it with him. In Voltgaran they spoke, 

"The barricade will not hold for both of us to escape. They might try to follow inside the tunnel. You go Vali, they need you." 

"You are her father, let me die in honor. You know my language. Then you must know my ways," Vali argued as he struggled to hold the door closed.

 "Vali, by the jarl's vow of service, swear to me to be her axe and shield." Harold stopped Vali from speaking anymore.

 As if he was about to protest, he placed his right fist over his heart and nodded his head. Vali grabbed his axe and the chest. He rushed towards the tunnel entrance. Harold moved to the door to hold back the villagers from breaking in for only seconds longer. The table blocking the window collapsed as the villager's crawled inside to the nearest person. 

"Father lets go, we got to go," shouted Elizabeth as Vali blocked her from going out of the tunnel. As much as she struggled around Vali, she could not maneuver around as the tunnel was too narrow to move around his giant body. She could only watch over Vali's shoulder as Harold held the door that barged open seconds later by the villagers outside. 

Harold looked to his angel as he says for the last time, "I will be in the way, for you to get away." Elizabeth screamed as she reached her hand for her father. She begged him to not leave her. The villagers grabbed him and pulled him away. Elizabeth and the others escaped.

Five were captured. The souls were felt through the villagers the priest used to capture those who were not inflicted with the curse that was in the food. This was enough to at least perform the ritual once. The old man with white hair properly approached the village in his cart while his five cultists followed behind. The plan could have been better but to plan such a scheme only went against the chaotic nature of chance. 

Order was a flaw to the priest as he viewed his freed subjects around the peasants of this village as two hold each of them by the arms to keep them on their feet which prevented them from escape. This upset the priest as he expected more to be in his control. Time especially was not on his side as the cultists, being conduits of his lords fractured power, have been together for too long. This alone could catch the attention of the great enslaver. The priest waved his hand in a circular motion which the undead moved as told. Four of the peasants stood around what is believed to be the purest soul of the bunch. A slave to morality, purity, and the gods. 

The priest ordered his cultists to stand next to the peasants as he stood in the middle of the slave subject. The same location where the ceremony was held is the place where this ritual will begin. He looked to see whom fate deemed worthy. Harold is held in the middle as two male carpenters, a female tailor, and male teenager were around him. The priest and the four cultists pulled out a pendant but each one conveyed a portion of the human body but with spikes protruding through them: two legs, two arms, the body, and head.

 "I see you did not eat the food, peasant elder," the priest talked in a mocking tone as he remembered how this fool grabbed him by the cuff of his brown robe. The same robe he threw away before he returned to the village. 

"From my freed subjects' eyes, I saw other slave peasants. Where did the they go?" Harold spat in his face in defiance. "Typical," he rubs his face of saliva, "but no matter, priest slave. Shall we begin?"

Elizabeth reached the end of the tunnel with Vali, still sobbing after she left her father behind. It was pointless for them to go back. No telling what they had done to the others by now. The end of the mining tunnel led to the woods to the west under a bush. This area of the woods was on top of a large hill that looked down over Sarsoa. The birds chirped freely as they were unaware of what was going on below.

 Elizabeth recalled this area. She would peek at the overview of Sarsoa while she looked for the certain herbs in the book her father gifted her with. The same book she had hooked to her side before she could no longer return due to Vali's large stature blocking her way. The survivors of Sarsoa came together at the edge of the hill to look and see what happened to those left behind. It was a horror story put to life as they could only watch from afar. The survivors looked away form whatever was going to occur. Only Vali watched what happened to Harold and the others.

The priest chanted in a gibberish type of language that could not be repeated by normal voices. A knife was given out to each of his cultists. The priest was loud in his dark sermon and incomprehensible. As he held his cutting tool in his right hand, he pointed it towards the cultist with the pendant of the left leg. Once he lowered his arm that held the knife to his side was done, the cultist spoke the only word that could be understood, a name which Harold was familiar with; Beleon. 

The cultist sliced his knife through the neck of the carpenter as blood spilled like a waterfall down his throat. Harold screamed in pain as a cut from an invisible source is made over his left thigh. Instead of his blood dripping out, it spilt from his thigh as it circled around him as an unholy crimson typhoon. The priest walked towards the cultist with the pendant of the right leg. He pointed his knife to him and dropped his arm to his side. The cultist repeated the name; Beleon. 

He cut the throat of the second carpenter as Harold's ankle is scratched open. Blood escaped his wound and circled around him. The priest stepped to the crying female tailor, once more he pointed towards the cultist with the pendant of the left arm. He drops his arm. The name left the cultists lips. Beleon. 

The knife stabbed through her neck. Harold's left forearm was torn open. The crimson typhoon was larger and darker with blood. The last cultist bared the pendant of the right arm. The priest dropped his arm from pointing the knife to him. The name is heard once more; Beleon.

 He thrusted his knife into the teenagers neck. Harold began to shake uncontrollably and gurgles as more of his blood escaped from the open scratch of his right bicep. The priest walked silently around as Harold faced away from him. "May this soul be worthy to strengthen your power. Mighty lord Beleon,. Yhe priest gripped the knife with his two hands. He punctured the knife through Harold's neck and sawed it open as if to decapitate him. A dark mist cloud left Harold's open neck and pulled back into the hand of the priest whose pendant bore a head and the upper body. The crimson typhoon that circled Harold splatted on the ground. The undead villagers dropped lifeless as nature declared what should of happened from the beginning. The priest ordered his acolytes to depart immediately before the great enslaver can be upon them. Each of them stole a horse from the stables and went the opposite direction of each other as if to escape one another. Only death was left on the soil of Sarsoa as those responsible fled from this calamity.

"We have to go after them bastards," Vali demanded for seeing the carnage before him. He was the only one to see fully what happened to Harold. "I will make sure my axe cuts those bastards heads off to be presented as a trophy for what they have done." 

"No, we need to go to the city to tell them what has happened here." Shayleth attempted to talk Vali into the most logical answer. "By the time you get a horse, they will be beyond gone Vali." Vali swung his long axe into the nearest tree as it got stuck in the stump. Bulgo is next to Elizabeth with a handkerchief he carried in his pocket to clean the watery eyes of Elizabeth as she leaned back on one of the trees. She felt her life was gone after losing her father.

Everyone else agreed with Shayleth on getting to the capital to warn whoever. After Vali argued over the dishonorable solution, he recalled his vow he gave to Harold as Elizabeth looked at him, her axe and shield. She lost her father. Vali got his axe free from the stump and knelt to Elizabeth. He reached his hand to her, 

"whatever you decide Elizabeth," Vali placed his hand softly over her open palm, "I, as your axe and shield, will follow." 

A final tear left Elizabeth's eyes as she wiped it away from her cheek. She veered towards the Sarsoans who were scared and helpless. Despite what has happened to pain her so much, she was responsible as the elder's daughter to lead them to safety. 

She muttered in a soft voice, "please let us head to the city. It is what father would have wanted We need to get the Sarsoans to safety Vali." He nodded in agreement. He lifted her up from her feet, Elizabeth saw the chest behind Vali and knelt beside it. She opened the chest. Inside was a parchment and a necklace. Elizabeth looked down to grab the items. She embraced the items as if it was her father. The homeless band of travelers returned later to the dead village to gather what food they can from the gardens outside of Sarsoa. Then they departed for the capital. A tear fell from their eyes as they looked over the carnage. They wiped it away to regain their composure and followed Elizabeth.