Book 8: Chapter 11: E (Revised)
And then she woke up.
The young woman opened her eyes. Erin Solstice sat up in her bed, in her bedroom, in her home with the familiar, bleak skies of winter slowly giving way to spring. The faint sounds of a furnace, the glowing, bright lights of her digital alarm clock were the only disturbances to the pleasant silence and shadows in her room. She felt her warm, padded layers of blankets that kept the morning chill away.
Late morning, that was. She stared at the old, faded quilt with chess pieces stitched onto each diagonal panel of cloth, which had endured since she had won her first chess tournament when she was eleven. Hand-stitched by her mother
Something trickled down her cheeks. Slowly, the young woman sat up. It was cold. Normally she would have stayed in bed, lazily going back to sleep, even.
Yet something was wrong. She reached up and touched her cheeks. Tears ran down her face. She had no idea why.
I was so happy.
The sound of her own voice startled Erin. Why had she said that? She looked around, breathing in, out, not knowing what was happening.
For a moment. Then, the feeling of pain, of loss, was gone. She wiped the water off her face onto her blankets with a shaky laugh and wriggled until her cold feet were protected by more blanket. She rolled over and tried to remember what she had been dreaming of.
Her room was a soft, relaxing color. Light beige walls, bright blue curtains providing contrast, and when the windows were open, fully illuminated by the sun. A little table set with two chessboards lay next to the bed, a tripping hazard.
An old poster of a famous chess game, custom-ordered, was stuck to one wall, a bit frayed, nostalgic. With it, a younger girl had put up little stickers of chess pieces. Only three remained, along with some scribbles in pencil. Old notations in chess.
The carpet on the floor also cut the winters chill, and on the far wall, a desk with a computer, a third, miniature chess board, and two empty porcelain bowls stacked onto each other shared space with a messy notepad and cup filled with pencils and pens. Staring around the room to take it in, Erin let her head sink back onto her pillow, now a plain blue like the curtains, but which had once been chess-themed like her blanket.
Shed quite forgotten her dream, unfortunately. Erin Solstice lay there, occasionally turning, until her alarm clock went off, waking her for her 10:00 AM day. She promptly turned it off and went back to sleep. Twenty minutes later though, someone rapped on her door.
Erin? Are you still asleep? Its time to get up.
For a moment, she had the strangest sense of dj vu. Onlyit felt wrong. The voice was wrong; she poked her head out of the blankets.
Mom?
I have breakfast getting cold. And you have a job, Erin. Remember? You promised to start working.
Recollection of yesterdays promise flooded into her mind. Erin put a blanket over her head as if it was a shield. But not even an enchanted shield couldcould?
Aw, Mom. I dont want to.
The woman outside the door was clearly not in the mood to retread old arguments with her daughter. She opened the door a crack and Erin winced at the light.
Shauna Solstice walked over and opened the blinds. There was nothing like sunlight for getting her out of bed, and her mother knew that very well.
Like her daughter, Shauna had light brown hair, tinted a bit orange especially when the light caught it. Unlike her daughter, her hair was frizzy, while Erins refused to even consider a single fritz. Neither Erin nor her mother were taller than Erins father, but Shauna had an entire inch on Erin that had never vanished, no matter how much Erin had tried to catch up.
As always, clothing defined the twos styles. Shauna spent time making sure her clothing was coordinated for contrast, and she could do that better than most because she had sewn some of the clothing shed worn or adjusted what shed bought.
Erin had similar addendums to her wardrobe, custom t-shirts she had sometimes requested, but she would throw on whatever article of clothing was on top of her drawers when she was in a hurry, and didnt fold laundry, so accrued more wrinkles on her garb than Shauna had to gain herself.
At the moment, Shauna looked peeved, and she could do it well when she stood, hands on her hips, lips pursed. When one of the Solstice family was upset, everyone could tell by body language alone and Erin had learned from the best. Shauna turned to Erin, raising her eyebrows.
You discussed this with your father and made a promise. You have to take it up with him if you changed your mind.
Erin knew that was a tall task. Her father, Gregori, or Greg since the spelling always threw people, was big on promises. Well, he was a lawyer, and in workers compensation.
Slowly, Erin got out of bed. Her mother didnt wait for her; she was already downstairs. Of course, she was working too.
Erin Solstice opened a drawer and stared at the bright clothing. Wellnot flashy logos, but the colors seemed so vivid. She chose the plainest colorsuch soft cotton!and dressed herself.
As she did, she saw two things. The first was her hand-built computernot prefabricated, but put together from component partswas showing the screensaver. She supposed she must have forgotten to turn it off; she had long since disabled the automatic hibernation setting since she played games of chess online into the morning.
Forgetting she had breakfast waiting for her at once, Erin clicked on the mouse and the screen flashed to life. Sure enougha chess game. Definitely not against a real person. Erin moved her bishop absently, and then realized shed forgotten what game she was playing. Wellshe waited as the computer moved and then punished the programs foolishness.
Chess was chess.
Hmm, hmm. Wrong move, Mister Computer. Youre losing your edge.
Erin poked the screen. There was something relaxing about playing chess wherever she was. She opened the internet browser as she waited for the computer to make another move. It was being slow today; maybe her computer had a bug or was it just getting old? It wasnt some state-of-the-art thing. Custom-built, yes. But she hadnt built it.
Her father had built the computer. He liked computers and video games. Erins mother, Shauna, had an interest too, and it disturbed Erin that she was third-best in her household of three people at playing video games.
Maybe that was why she liked chess.
News, news
Erin murmured as she clicked and typed. The sound of her mouse and the background hum of the computers fan was the only real noise in the world.
She didnt normally narrate her life. She did trash-talk the computer when playing chess, but who didnt? Erin felt like she was trying to remember an old song and dance. Yes, check the news. Which was?
President To Speak On Latest Disappearances
Erin blinked. The biggest headline and picture was of a manthe president?at a podium, was juxtaposed next to a map with highlighted areas on it of varying intensity of red. The rest of the news page was filled with the other stories, links, an adbut this one was full-page.
Several things struck her as wrong instantly. Firstly? That wasnt who she remembered being President of the United States. Secondlydisappearances?
Memory tugged at her, but she scrolled down.
I thought he was gone. Families reunite after two-year disappearance among the Spirited Generation.
Anti-Vax fever at an all-time high. Experts warn pandemic only getting worse.
Angry tortoise kills a man in sleep.
The Spirited Generation: Disappearance and discovery in eight stories.
Erin stared at the stories. She felt an odd dissonance, but then reality asserted itself. Of course there was a pandemic. Everyone was stuck indoors and that sucked, even for young women who loved to sit indoors and play chess all day.
And of course the disappearances werent helping matters. She should know. She had been
Erin put a hand to her head and tried to remember. As always, nothing more came. She began to click on the first link about the Spirited Generation when an irritated voice floated upwards.
Erin Solstice!
Oops. Coming!
Erin pushed herself back from her desk, leaving chess and news behind. She emerged from her room, the hallway, and made for the stairs to the living room and dining room combined.
On the way, she halted. Her head slowly turned and she stared at a room lit at the far end of the hall. Door slightly ajar. Bright, artificial light streamed from the crack.
It wasa bathroom. Just a bathroom. Erin stared at it, as she always did, and slowly walked forwards.
She cracked open the door and looked around. It was empty, which was a relief. But
She turned off the bathroom light and closed the door. Then she went downstairs for breakfast.
-
There you are. Playing chess the moment I wake you up. I dont know where you get it from.
The accusatory tone made Erin wince as she walked down the carpeted stairs. She stared around her familys home. In Michigan. Warm in the winter, but not so much that Erin didnt wish shed tossed on a coat and slippers.
Snow was melting outside. Sunlightbrighter than the dreary wintershone through two open windows. At the far end of the room was the kitchen, dining room, and they connected to the living room without a hallway or door.
Shauna Solstice sat at the dining table, occupying the far end with a sewing machine and cloth. The chatter of the sewing machine was a familiar background, but Erin paused to listen to it anyways as she came down the stairs.
Her mothers job was making handicrafts, having picked up on it when caring for Erin. Shed jumped on the internet trend of selling her works online.
The smell of breakfast lured Erin to the table. She stared at the plate and knife and fork, and then sat down. She poked at a fried egg, the toast, reached for the butter knife.
Its cold, mom.
Well, it was warm when your alarm went off. And I warmed it up after I came to get you. I wonder how it got so cold since then?
Shauna replied without looking up. Erin sighed. Her mother had little pity for those faced with cold breakfasts. And truthfully, if Erin was playing chess she wouldnt even notice what food it was, or how warm.
She began eating, and discovered she was hungry. Erin began to perk up. But no sooner had Erin begun to enjoy her meal than her mother spoke.
When your father gets back, you can use the car, Erin.
For what?
Shauna glanced up and gave Erin a look over her glasses.
For your job?
Memory flooded Erins head again. Her face fell and the food turned to bleh in her mouth.
Aw, Momdo I have to?
Youve gotten your shot, and its been three months. Some time out of the house might do you good.
Id rather play chess.
Erin folded her arms and slouched. Her mother sighed. Shaunas daughter was an odd mix of lazy and hard working. She would play chess, study it obsessively for fun, and watch videos of chess games all day and night.
But try to get her to do a simple part-time job and Erin was as stubborn as her parents. Shauna pointedly looked at the food the chess-squatter had scarfed down.
Well, unless you have another big chess match online, your father and I think you should get some work experience.
As in, any. Erin wanted to object that she had tons ofbut she didnt, not unless you counted summer jobs. Right?
Shauna saw her daughter frown. The mother adjusted the sewing machine, cursing as she realized shed begun going off-target in the neat line while arguing with her daughter. She began to undo her error as she spoke.
Has that grandmaster messaged you again, Erin? Are you going to have a rematch?
Erin rolled her eyes. If she could have slumped further in her chair without sliding under the table, she would have.
No, Mom. Were not having another match. Im not playing grandmasters left and right. It was only three games, casually.
Three games against a grandmaster chess player.
It was awful, having parents be proud of you for things you were not, in fact, proud of yourself. Erin rested her chin on the table.
I lost the last one, anyways.
It was Shaunas turn to want to roll her eyes. Of course, shed been telling all of her friends about it.
Two draws and one loss is extraordinary. And it was all live. If you wanted to be one of those stream chess players
She gestured and Erin saw that a laptop was sitting on a stool, facing away from her. Her mother was watching something while working. Sometimes the newsbut shed been watching those newfangled live streams ever since her daughter had played one of the best chess players in three games.
There was even an article about you. Thats not nothing, Erin.
Shauna pulled up the small article that she kept showing people as if it were a major headline being broadcast in every living room in the world. Erin glumly finished her breakfast. She reached for a little accompaniment to the food. But her hand recoiled as she saw the blue
No, it wasnt blue. It was an avocado. Erin stared at the ripe fruit. Slowly, she picked it up.
I thought you hated avocado by itself, Erin.
What? Oh. Yeah.
This was true. Erin put the avocado back slowly. Nevertheless, she stared at it for a long while. Then she pushed back from the table and turned to her mother.
Well, Im not playing a big match today. But do I have to work?
Youre too old to just sit about, Erin.
Mom. Im only twenty
The bad argument that she was only twenty died in Erins mouth. Because of course, it was wrong. She was twenty four.
Erin still felt twenty, taking a gap between high school and college, playing chess, and wavering because she was good at chess, but she didnt think she wanted or could be a professional.
Four years had passed. Erins eyes slowly rose from her breakfast. She saw the calendar on the wall. Erin could have used her phone, the computer, anything. But the calendar, like a movie, was there to remind her.
March 6th, 2021. Erin felt a shock in her chest, as she had every day on seeing the date. It had been 2016 when shed gone to the bathroom and never come back.
Then she glanced down and saw the headline of the article on the small screen.
Spirited Generation girl plays three games against Grandmaster in chess game on
It wasnt a great title. They didnt even have her name, or the Grandmaster player, which Erin felt was a bit rude. It was just the idea of it that the article was trying to sell you on.
But that title.
The Spirited Generation.
Shauna Solstice looked at Erins face. She closed the lid of the laptop abruptly. Her daughter started.
The familiar looks of annoyance, motherly pride, and so on changed. Erin saw her mothers face cloud with concern. AndErin felt a lurch in her stomach.
How are you, Erin?
Erins toes curled on the carpet. She forced herself to smile.
Fine. I just dont want to work.
Shauna hmmed, sounding peeved, but she looked relieved.
Ask your father. And clean up the dishes! Dishwasher!
She pointed, and Erin realized she had to bus her plate and utensils and the breakfast dishes.
Oh, what a miserable existence. Erin groaned over ituntil she stopped. Because it wasnt that much work to put some food in tupperware, put dirty plates in the dishwasher. In fact, it was downright easy. Shed had far worse when
It was happening again.
Erin Solstice went upstairs before her mother could talk more about her part-time job. She sat in the chair in front of the computer and loaded up the news article.
The Spirited Generation. Thats what they called Erin and all the others whod been lost. Based on Spirited Away, the famous movie. Erin had to admit, it fit.
The article was nothing Erin didnt know, but she read it again.
It had been nearly four months since shed woken up in the abandoned mall. Three since shed been back home.
She remembered nothing of the four years before that, even when the FBI and other investigators had pressed her to remember any clues. Anything at all.
-
The world was in a bad place. A pandemic in the air. Lockdowns, a world divided by both sickness and paranoia. Conspiracy theories, tensions between countries, distrust in governments at an all-time high.
Protests, demonstrations, riotsit seemed like something new every day. Not just in her country, not by far. Erin could scroll through any number of sites and see dozens of conspiracy theories. Videos too. They werent being listed on a lot of big sites, but no one could get rid of them.
And the heart of the issue was the virus. And the Spirited Generation.
Erin was maybe even one of the first, certainly part of the first wave of disappearances at the very least.
Fourcloser to five years agoshe had been going to the bathroom in her house when she had vanished. Her parents had looked for her, suspected shed run away or been kidnapped. But they had no idea why. Why would Erin run away or be kidnapped? She was a highly-ranked chess player worldwide, but not some celebrity and their family wasnt rich. And run away? Erin was a homebody! She liked playing chess, not exploring or getting into trouble.
They had done what all good parents did: search and inform all the authorities. They had feared and prayed and tried to find a clue until they realized they were not alone.
Young people were vanishing. Across the world, teenagers to young adults were just going missing. Not children, and not anyone over thirty.
At first, it had seemed like a rash of kidnappings. Accusations had been thrown about, and all the old conspiracies trotted out. World leaders had been slow to comment. At first, that had caused outrage. Then, full-blown distrust in governments.
All because people had noticedseen with their very eyesthe young people vanish into thin air. It had been recorded on security cameras, reported by families begging for news of their children. They caused a fuss, but there was no tangible proof, just missing kids for any number of reasons.
Then people had begun seeing the actual clips. Security footage at first, which leaked from governments suppressing the videos for reasons of national safety. And then more.
Actual, sharp, clear images of someone just disappearing at a convention, when those were still a thing. A recording of a birthday where a girl turning nineteen vanished in front of her horrified friends.
A group of people vanishing in an airport, caught on the cameras and reported by people who had been standing right next to them.
Conspiracy became full-blown panic. This wasnt just some single event. Thisthis was aliens! Government organizations! The end of the world!
The breaking point was the disappearance of an airplane. Or rather, the inexplicable downing of Flight 241 in the skies right as it was leaving the airport in Portugal.
Investigators never found significant portions of the planenor could anyone explain what had happened in that moment caught on distant cameras.
Riots and demonstrations. Mass-protests at numerous capitals and a lot of blame from country to country. Then the pandemic occurred, and few people believed that was coincidental.
In short, it was like the end of the world. But something had happened while it was all becoming a fevers pitch. Something wonderful that did not end the conspiracies or unrest, but which changed everything.
The lost generation. The missing children.
They came back.
-
Erin finished reading the article. She sat in her chair, rocking backwards and catching her feet on the edge of the computers table. She promptly overbalanced and crashed onto her back.
Ow.
Are you alright, Erin?
Fine!
Erin got up, grumbling, and righted her chair. The article was done, but the story wasnt.
The Spirited Generation came back. Not all of them. Nor in any logical order. People like Erin, who were in the first wave of disappearances, came back after someone had vanished not a week ago.
Many were still missing, and the lists kept being updated with people who had just run off or suffered some other event. Still, lots of names, the confirmed missing, were still up there. Erin checked the confirmed list, and stared at the names. You needed some kind of visual proof to be on the list, so it was short.
Daly Sullivan
Kenjiro Murata
Erik Muller
Kent Scott
Followed by nearly a hundred confirmed names, some with addendums specifying that theyd been found! Returned!
Of course, that was just the primary list. There were plenty of others who werent confirmed, and reported missing with no good explanation.
And people wanted to know what the heck had happened. The first person to return had no memory of the nearly two-year gap. No knowledge ofanything.
They tried hypnosis, drugs, to no avail; that period of time was simply erased. Which of course lent credence to the aliens theory.
Nothing worked on any of the returning children. They couldnt remember. Some of the young people burst into tears when pressed. Hypnosis, medicationnothing brought it back, but some of them claimed they could remember somethingterrible.
Erin remembered nothing at all. Nothingbut some days she woke up like she had this morning.
Erin had been back for four months total. The first month had been in custody of the government. They had kept her under surveillance, asked her questions. Shed missed the initial spat of the first young people being kept in top-secret facilities as actual mobs threatened to storm the building unless they were released.
Even so, her appearance had meant more to her family thanErin closed her eyes at that memory of seeing her parents rush in. She wished she could have told them why it had happened.
Now, she was trying to live again, twenty four years old, but looking and feeling as if she were still just twenty. It was her choice, and her familys to avoid attention.
She could have been on television. Or at least been interviewed; it wasnt as if she was the first one back, so the huge demand for her hadnt been as strong. Erin could have been on any number of podcasts or shows. The offers still kept coming in.
Hence, Shauna and Gregs insistence that Erin try to reclaim her life by doing normal things. Which included going out of the house and working, apparently.
Erin would have loved to claim the pandemic made it impossible, but one thing about being a member of the Spirited Generation was that you got all the shots and tests, including the newest vaccines. So, Erins parents had no qualms about sending her into the world. She still had to wear a mask.
As for her job? Why, the easy thing even someone like Erin could do!
Shopping. I hate shopping.
Glumly, she loaded the app up on her smartphone. She knew what she had to do. Go to the store, get groceries, deliver groceries, get paid. She was going to be one of those remote-shoppers and her mother had threatened-encouraged her that shed be the first customer.
Erin almost wished she was playing chess live. There was money there! It was one of the things that had happened while shed been gone. She was too shy to do thatmaybe a day of shopping for other people would change her mind.
Erin, are you going to start? Your fathers not back yet.
Ill just walk to the store. I can do the neighborhood, right?
I dont think thats how it works, dear. Tell you whattake my car. Ill steal your fathers.
Erin sighed. Her mothers car had terrible acceleration on the highway.
Fine.
She stomped towards the door, thinking shed do an hour of work and then call it good to placate her mother, and hide in her room all day. A voice stopped her as she went for the door.
Dont forget to take a coat. Its raining.
What? Aw.
It had begun raining in the time since Erin had gone back upstairs. A drizzle, nothing too hard. Miserable. Snow became slush and Erin hated driving in slush. Glumly, she looked up.
Is it going to get bad?
Her mother typed on the laptop.
Let me checkno. Take a coat anyways.
Erin didnt want a raincoat. She looked around.
Ill just take
She reached for an object in a stand and halted. There was no reason for it. Suddenly, all thoughts left her head. She stared at the thin, long, dark blue object.
It wasnt anything special. It was just
An umbrella.
Erin reached for it, and then snatched her hand back. She stared at it. Why didnt she want to pick it up?
Erin Solstice stood there. Her mother was absently watching one of her shows as she worked. She didnt see her daughter recoil from the stand and slowly back away and walk back up the stairs.
-
She didnt leave her house.
The not-quite-recollections plagued her day by day. Anything could set it off. Erin knew it was normal. Everyone had them. Shed talked to people like her, was even part of one of their message groupsalthough some trolls had found the last one and started asking them all kinds of questions.
The problem was, Erin couldnt identify with the ones who started crying when they were watching a movie because it triggered some unremembered trauma. She criedbut their experiences were different somehow.
Usually it was an action movie, or a fantasy, horror, sci-fi movie, some piece of fiction that set it off in the Spirited Generation. Erin had sat through a number of movies without needing to cry. But she had burst into tears while passing by a clearance sale on old Halloween costumes.
A skeleton, one of those cheap ones on display. And then, when shed seen a colorful videogame ad online with those fantasy monsters. Ogres, Giants, Goblins, and so on. It was stuff like that which drove her and the others crazy. Something they had forgotten which was so important.
She didnt know why the umbrella mattered. It disturbed her, so she procrastinated. And as she always did, she found herself at her computer, playing chess.
There were two chess boards in her room, one for experiments, another for extrapolation if she wanted to think around a game she was playing. That felt familiar too.
Darn it. Darn it.
Erin muttered as she found opponents online to play at chess. In this new internet-age, it was never easier to play against people from the comfort of your bed. She wished it could solve everything, but it was just chess.
She clicked around listlessly, playing a game against an opponent whom she trashed. Not quite the legendary Fools Mate, but a variation on the Birds Opening into Fools Mate. They quit after insulting her.
The second game went like thatErin wondered if she was being matched with bad players. She just shrugged, moodily, and opened the game against the computer and set it to max difficulty.
That was how her mother found her. Shauna, on a hunch, had gone upstairs and found Erin.
Erin stared at the screen as Shauna sighed. Her daughter had been keeping a tally and it was all wins. She was on a streak, but her face was bleak.
Erin
She spun around, looking embarrassed.
Im going! I was just
She trailed off because the answer was she wasnt.
Her mother didnt scold her immediately as she might have. She just stood there, biting her lip. Then she spoke.
Erin, maybe we should see if we can book another appointment with your therapist today or tomorrow? You said she was helping?
Erins heart sank. Her mother looked at her, full of worry and anxiety. Erin knew she worried every day. She wanted to tell her what had happened. She had been as honest with her family as with herself. But she knew nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing
Erin? Erin. Whats wrong?
The young woman saw Shaunas face turn to alarm. She felt it again. A familiar sensation.
Tears ran down her cheeks. She reached up and touched them. Then she looked at the computer. She looked around at her familiar room. At her mother, looking so
Im sorry, Mom.
Erins voice was muffled. Shauna instantly went over to her.
Its alright, sweetie. Its okay. Lets call your
No. No.
Erin pulled away. She shook her head, trying to explain. Trying to tell hershe looked around and spoke.
Im sorry. Mom? Mom, Im really sorry. I think Im dreaming. I thinkI died. And Im just pretending Im back home.
Shauna Solstice blinked. Then her face turned pale.
Erin. Do you remember?
The young woman slowly nodded. She was uncertain, but the feeling grew in her chest. She clenched her hand, and felt something was wrong. She didnt remember. And yet? She looked up at her mother.
This sounds crazy, Mom. I dontremember where I went, when I vanished. I know why I came back, though. I died. I cant remember a single thingbut I remember my friends. I had friends. I dont know their faces. But I know they were there. I remember the people who died for me. It feels like a dream, right nowso far away, sosilly.
The certainty was growing in her. Like the tears, something was welling behind an invisible dam. She strained for the memories. What had it been? What had she lost?
Pain lanced through her chest. Shauna reached out.
Erin, let melet me call your father. And the agent
She fumbled for her phone. Her daughter was still speaking. Her eyes searched the distance, looking past the walls.
It was somewhere else. Anotheranother world. And it was good and bad. And I died. I remember.
She touched her chest. That was what was wrong. Shauna made a sound. Erin looked up and saw her mother was crying.
Erin, dont strain yourself. This could bejust breathe. Dontdont say youre dead.
Guilt flashed across Erin. Yet still, she shook her head.
Im sorry. I cant remember entirely. SomethingsI cant remember it all. But. I could never forget. They died for me. I remember how they laughed and how they left.
She stood up, slowly. Now, her head moved. Searching. Her room felt so empty. All the mundane things, all the things that had been so familiar, a worn plushy, warm blankets, the chess gamesit felt hollow. She shook her head.
Ive changed. I dont fit in here. I cant sit in my old bed and not feel as though somethings wrong.
She walked past her mother. Shauna tried to block her.
Your fathers on the way. Erin, stop. What are you doing?
Erins mother stopped as the young woman looked at her. Because there was something different in Erins eyes now. Certainty. She walked into the hallway of her house. Looking foragain, Erin shook her head. Trying to throw something off her. It was closing in, like fog, eating away what she knew had happened. Yet, it couldnt erase it all. She remembered.
I held them as they died. I watched them. I wish each and every one of them had survived. I would do anything to change what happened. But deny it? Forget? Forget? How could I be so petty? So small?
She turned her head. Shauna pushed into the hallway.
Erin!
The bathroom door. It was no wardrobe and the bathroom light was significantly less cool than a light post. Erin still walked towards it. Shauna pulled at her.
Erin. Erin, sit down. Youre having an episode. Erin?
I killed people. I killed monsters and I met heroes. I served drinks to adventurers and friends. I was there. II have to go back.
Erin struggled. She tried to explain, pulling away from her mother and feeling horrible. Yet she had to.
I have to! Mom! Let me go. Let me
Something was telling her to go. None of thiswas any of it real? Erin longed to explain it. But she felt it, more strongly than anything. She struggled free.
Erin!
The [Innkeeper] ran. Down the hallway, feeling each step elongate in time. The bathroom door. No, just the door to the other world.
I have to go back. I have something left to do. She grabbed the handle and threw it open. Erin Solstice stepped into
-
She woke up.
Erin jerked upright. She was lying on the ground. Blood soaked her clothing. She tried to pull out the crossbow bolts in her chest, but saw empty, torn holes in the fabric instead.
Whole skin. No gaping wounds, just bloodstains.
She looked up and saw a man in a hazmat suit recoil.
Subjects awake!
Then Erin saw the spotlights. The crowd of people in hazmat suits, and beyond them, two lines of soldiers. She stared around. She was ina mall? Yes, lying on pale white tiles, shops open around her, glowing with light in the early morning.
But someone had cordoned off the mall, erecting barricades, the warning tape that crisscrossed entire sections, and then gone fully military and set up actual concrete roadblocks to keep the press of people back. There were spotlights, two trained on Erins position, the rest glaring into the crowd, almost as if to blind the onlookers.
The onlookers? Hundreds, thousands of people were pressing against the barricades, pointing at Erin. The flash of cameras was blindingor would have been if many had a clear shot. But they couldnt even get within three hundred feet of Erin and the people clustered around her because of the soldiers.
Soldiers, wearing body armor and holding the kind of firearms that made you stop. There was shouting in the air.
Let us through! Is it one of them? One of the Spirited Generation
News! We have a right todont touch
Back up! Back up
The man in the suit was trying to say something, but someone on a megaphone was shouting orders. The military was forcing the crowd back as Erin sat up. Meanwhile, everyone within the circle of armed forces wore the bright hazmat suits that made Erin feel like she really should have had one herself. Then she realizedthey were wearing them because of her.
A gloved hand thrust out gently as she tried to get her legs to work.
Dont move. Can you hear me?
The voice was accented. Erin looked up. She saw a visor, and behind it, a mans face, concerned, but staring at her like she was a ghost.
Who are you? Wheres Numbtongue? I was
She had just been shot. By crossbows. She was struggling to remember. The figure looked around as a woman practically sprinted over.
Is she safe to move?
Im checking her vitals. Stand back. Miss? Miss, can you tell me your name?
She looked up at the worried medical personnel as the commanding officer and a gaggle of secret security, or whatever they were, descended on her. Erin breathed.
Erin Solstice?
-
The Spirited Generation. Erin sat nervously in front of the very serious government agent as he explained what that meant. It was not the dark room lit by the single desk-lamp, but a much brighter room with the antiseptic white walls and floor, marred only by the single door and window along the far wall.
The man wore no uniform; rather one of the suits with red ties and a single, round badge pinned to his left side. Unlike the bevy of military personnel, doctors, and other people whod escorted her through the crowds shouting her name, he had the secret-service look of someone who was not going to tell you how important he was.
Incidentally, this was Canada. Not her home country of the United States, but they were on the way and they wanted her. Even so, this government wanted to know what the hell had happened as much as everyone else, so Erin was here, repeating her story. It felt like less than an hour since shed been lying outside her inn, bleeding to death.
Goblins.
Mhm.
The man gave her a look and some of the observersand there were more behind the one-way mirror, Erin was sureall murmured. She remembered it all.
She had no Skills, though. Just her memories. Shot with crossbowsthe blood was on her clothing. Indeed, theyd taken her clothing, her possessions, and given her replacements.
And her bag of holding. That was what had convinced them. The first scientist to see the dimensional object actually passed out. But while that was important, the government agents were more concerned with Erins story.
Erin looked at them.
So Im part of the Spirited Generation? Havent you found more people like me?
The man hesitated. He consulted his notes. Looked around for the nod from what might have been the authority in the room and replied at last.
No. You are the first one.
Erin felt a shock on her skin. As if that was somehowwrong? No
Right. She believed it. Just as shed believed all hed said about the Spirited Generation, the confusion, pandemic, arguing. Chaos. No wonder they wanted her.
And no wonder the United States wanted her back. The serious agents gave her a break as someone rushed in. Erin blinkedand within thirty minutes a second military force, this one American, was escorting her towards a waiting helicopter that had just landed.
-
The [Innkeeper]. The girl who came back. Erin Solstices name was plastered on every newspaper in the world. And who read newspapers in print anymore?
She was on every headline, every website, video, worldwide for six months. And for six months, Erin was never out of the sight of one of the government agents.
Everyone wanted to talk to her. In fact, when the United States government had realized that the Canadian government had her bag of holding and the knife that Pelt had made, they nearly went to war demanding it back. It nearly went to war because it was magic.
Scientists interviewed her, medical people did a lot of embarrassing and sometimes painful tests. They wanted her blood, hair samplesErin kicked the person who wanted the stool sample, but that was only the start.
She met with the President after the first week of making sure she wasnt irradiated, a shapeshifter, carrying some horrible disease or parasite, or half a dozen other potential security hazards.
The day was January 22nd, 2021 when she shook hands with the President of the United States.
President Jeb Bush.
Two weeks later, she got to see her parents
This is a dream.
She had been feeling it. She pressed a button and Agent Olivia hurried into the room. She wasnt technically Agent Olivia in sense of rank, but Erin kept calling her that and the woman had given up long ago.
Erin? Whats wrong?
Erin stood up. Shed been having a moment of peace after months of being the worlds most famous icon. Shed met the Pope, at least a third of the worlds leaders, spoken in front of the UN
And that was fake. It had been a faint whisper in her mind. But she would have never noticed if not for
She pushed back the laptop, turned off the relaxing music and stood. Even the music wasbelievable. Thats what threw her.
She had put it down to the sheer fantasy of meeting the President and being in the worlds eye. But now she was sure.
Olivia. This is a dream. Youre fake. Thats real.
She pointed at the latest song shed stopped on her computer. The Agent folded her arms.
Very funny, Erin. If this is one of your plans to break out againplease dont.
Erin ignored that. Shed broken out of the top-secret, guarded facility and nearly gotten shot once because shed been cooped up. Thats when theyd started flying in expert chess players and giving her laptops and entertainment to keep her from going crazy, despite the security risk.
She looked around.
Fake. Fake wallsnot fake news. Fake news is a real thing. Well, some of the news is real, not fake. Theuh, expression is true. Youre fake, not really here. Or Im dreaming. But the Spirited Generation is really a thing back home. This
I think Id better call for one of the doctors. Erin
No. No. I know this isnt
Erin went for the doors. Olivia grabbed at her. Erin raised a fist.
[Minotaur Punch]!
She swung. Olivia caught the arm and restrained her, gently. Erin struggled, but the woman was trained and had a lot of pounds on Erin. She kept struggling, even as Olivia shouted for a doctor.
No! I know this isnt real! I know it! I
-
was so happy.
Erin stopped, with tears on her cheeks and her hand on the bathroom door. Erin looked around.
It had been only a second since shed stepped into the bathroom. All her adventures, all her friendswas it all a dream? A hallucination caused by night time peeing?
No it was not! It took Erin only one day to figure it out this time. She stood on the roof as her mother and father shouted at her and some people stared at her from the street. Erin didnt care. She screamed up at the sky.
I will never forget. And this place feels fake! No matter how hard you try, you cant fool m
-
She was an amnesiac again, only this time found by the government. It took Erin three months. But againshe shouted up at the doctor as he tried to figure out why she was denying reality.
I remember! I know this isnt reality! Is it me? Nowhat are you? Who are you?
She pointed up at the face, and kicked an orderly in the chest.
-
Woke up.
Sometimes it took months. Other times, a day. An hour.
Eighteen minutes.
Erin Solstice woke. She ate breakfast, and talked, and smiled. Then, at some point in time during her day, during the week, while shopping or browsing the internet orshe frowned and
The [Innkeeper] pushed herself back from her desk again and looked up. Shauna Solstice hovered there, frowning.
I know this isnt Earth.
One and a half days. Erin looked around.
I know this sounds crazy, Mom. But listenI think this is a dream and
How?
The voice stopped Erin. Because it was the first voice she had heard in this place that was real except her own. She stopped. She looked back and thereshe was.
Shauna Solstice looked like she always had. She had given Erin her hazel eyes, some of her features, although her hair was lighter than her daughters. She looked like the same woman Erin had always known.
And at the same time, not. Her eyes moved. She turned, and someone else stared through her eyes.
Like someone wearing a puppet. A perfect mask. Erin stopped. She shuddered. Her mothers face fell away. Not in any physical way, but changing.
A woman stood there. The same agebut she had Erins face.
Erin, a replica of herself, stared at the flinching young woman.
Erin, as if Erin was fifty. The [Innkeeper] recoiled.
Erin so old her hair was white and wispy. At the end of her life.
Three versions of herself. Not changing, but all at once. Like some strange trick-mirror or prism that let you see all three compounded into a single body. Three in one. Three of one.
Then Shauna again. Only, Shauna Solstice from her pictures, young, wearing the fashions of her youth. And Shauna as Erin had never seen her, older than her grandmother had been. All three at once, embodied in a single face.
Three Shaunas, like the Erins, in youth, in her middling years, and in her late age.
Whatwhat
Erin nearly crawled onto the computers desk to get back. The stranger just looked at her.
How?
Her voice was a mix of old, young, and middling. It was not Shauna Solstices voice. Not in tone, or intonation. There was imperiousness there. More than a parent wielded. Terrible authority.
Kindness too. At least, the kindness from one side. It was not kindness to Erin to hear it.
Whwhat?
The world shifted. And Erin remembered it all. She gasped.
The many times shed returned to Earth were a blur in her memory. She faintly recalled each false narrative, the details blurring together But her life? Her death?
She remembered that, and had realized the artifice of this place each time. She looked up.
The stranger stood before her. Wearing her mothers face. She looked at Erin. And a mix of emotions warred across her expression.
Curiosity. Annoyance. Disappointment? She spoke once more.
Each time, no matter how cunningly woven, you break out. You find the gap and tear it apart. How? Are we still so weak? No. It is something else. Willpower is not enough. Even when you do not remember, something informs you. What flaw is it? Tell me.
Who are?
Tell me.
The word shook everything. It was like Erins bones and soul vibrated. She flinched and the words tumbled forth.
Ican tell whats real and whats not! The Spirited Generationthe pandemicall the news and even the music. Thats real, isnt it? But not us coming back. Not me bringing back artifacts. Notthis.
Erin gestured at the open windows on her computer. The stranger looked dismissively around.
Yes. Your memory is here. And history is here. Enough to make all this to see what you would do. What you are. And you do nothing. You sit about, you playgamesand you eat and sleep. Nothing more. If you are thrust into great places, you do not act different.
I broke out of a government lab once.
Shauna ignored that. She looked at Erin.
You do not speak with the conviction of saints. You do not lead nations. You are not capable of wisdom or knowledgeif you were, they would have claimed you. Nor are you a great warrior. You have not withstood pain beyond any other. You arenormal.
Hey! Ive had pain and stuff.
Erin bristled. The eyes pierced her.
Yes. You have known love and loss and you play games. You areordinary. That is what disappoints me.
Wellyeah. Why?
A sigh.
I thought you would be greater.
Erin realized the hallway was gone. Her room, this woman, and only a few things were left. Everything else was oblivion.
Not white space. Not a trippy flat landscape of nothingness.
The world simply ended around her. And nothing more was here. The woman stared at her.
Who are you?
My name, child, is Kasigna. I thought you would be so much more. But you are not. You are the first of them. The children. And you are justErin.
Kasigna walked out of Shauna. Erins mother vanished and now she was another woman. She walked through oblivion, staring at Erin, trapped in a figment made of memory and reality.
Earths reality, in the year of 2021 combined with Erins mortal life. SomehowKasigna had made these false realities, baked of bits of truth and what might have been, or might be happening. Erin shuddered as the women circled, the three-in-one. Inspecting her.
Why is that a problem? Where is this? Im dead. I
This is my place. And I created it because I wanted to see. You were first. You should have been wondrous. That was the criteria. But your great talent wasthis.
She had a walking cane, now. The old woman hobbled, the young one walked briskly. The middle-aged woman faced Erin. She pointed and Erins head turned.
Her chessboard. Erin looked at it.
What?
The first one was to be great and glorious. A fitting first child. Talented. Unique. So many of the children are. So many not. But youthis is your talent?
Erin shrugged.
Well yeah, Im good at chess.
The look the strange woman gave her was withering. The chess board vanished.
What a worthless mistake that you of all others were chosen by chance.
She vanished too. Erin felt the room vanishing.
Hey! Hey, thats rude! Chess is great! Come back! Where am I? What are you doing?
A presence. Erin spun. Kasigna sat on her bed. Now, existence was a circle of about six feet. Erins eyes darted around. What would happen if this room vanished? This personshe made a punching fist and eyed her hand.
She didnt want to touch Kasigna. The strange woman smiled even as her eyes pierced the [Innkeeper].
And yet, you stand above most of the other children. You survive. And you saw the untruth of this place time and time again. How? I made it of your world. Events there. Songs. Your memory. Yet still, you break out. How?
She pressed Erin and it was like a weight on Erins entire being. The [Innkeeper] struggled, but this was no aura.
Nor did she refuse to answer. It was a relief to Erin to explain. She turned and pointed.
There. Duh.
Kasigna frowned. The pressure abated. She craned her neck to see
The computer. It was still showing the chess game, despite no wires existing. She frowned.
Is this trickery? How?
No, its chess. If you made this placeyou suck at chess.
Erin informed Kasigna with a triumphant smile. The stranger just stared at her. Erin went on.
Its the chess program. I keep beating it and that shouldnt be possible. Chess programs are better than any Human, yknow. Each time I start winning I get confused. Grandmasters too. And I win each game or lose. You end up in draws all the time at high levels. All I do is win and it gets old. Also, suspicious.
What?
The voice of the unknown, sinister presence was unworldly and possessed three ages in one. Nevertheless, it had the miffed quality of someone who had no idea what Erin was talking about.
Erin stood there, smugly folding her arms and smiling for all of five seconds. Then her face fell.
Wait, I just gave away the secret. Now Im trapped forever, arent I? Drat.
Kasigna stirred. She stood up without standing. One moment she was sitting, the next, standing.
There were no transitions to how she moved, Erin realized. If she was walking, she vanished and Erin saw her walking, or saw one of her ages. Now, the room vanished.
Erin stood in nothing. There was only her; nowhere to run. She could not run, or move her feet. She tried, but Kasigna was there.
No. No more illusions, Erin Solstice. I have seen you. My curiosity assuaged. Now, it is time.
Time? Let me go. II dont want to
Erin tried to turn around. She lifted a fist. Butthe woman was walking towards her. And she was reaching out. Three hands, one hand.
Want, child? No. Dont you understand? Look at me and know. You are mine.
She was smiling. Erin clenched her hand.
DontIllIll hit you
Every part of Erin was telling her not to touch Kasigna. But there was nowhere to go. No Skills to use. There was only this place and Kasigna was this place.
Erin was dead. And the woman smiled.
It will not hurt, Erin. I am the meaning in death. I am comfort. Take my hand willingly and come with me. For I have returned and I guide all souls. You and I will be one thing. And is that not glorious?
No. Stop. I dont want to.
The [Innkeeper] whispered. The hand reached out. Vast as everything here. As small as her own hand. Erin called for something. A Skill. A frying pan. Anything.
T-Tamaroth?
The word echoed louder than it should.
But the man with the beard did not appear. And Kasignas face turned wrathful.
He has no authority here. You would choose him over me? There is no choice here. Enough.
She grabbed for Erin. As her hand closed on Erins arm, Kasigna recoiled. Erin heard a sound. An exclamation. She saw a light.
It was no glorious beam of daylight heaven-sent. It was far more mortal. Smaller, but somehow, brighter. It glowed across her arm, and then the air. Erins eyes widened as Kasigna hissed.
What insolence is this?
The two stared at the burning flame. It looked so familiar. She heard a voice.
Well? Run already! Flee, my heir of fire!
The voice! Erin started. And she realizedshe could move! Somehow, even though there was no space. She turned.
Stop! Insolent fire!
Kasigna hissed. She reached out, but the flame moved first. A hand reached out and touched her. And the fire engulfed the stranger.
Begone, thing!
The fire laughed as Kasigna made a sound. Erin realized she was running. And there were voices. Behind her, the nothingness that was Kasigna was receding. And as she fled
hurry, hurry.
is coming. Someone has to
Not you. Not you, please.
Run!
A voice snapped. Erin looked back once. She was standing in front of the bathroom door, fumbling for the knob. But there wasnt one! Behind her, Kasigna was engulfed in fire, yet it didnt seem to be scorching her as much as infuriating. She was striding towards Erin.
A voice snapped from ahead of her.
Hurry, girl!
Erin had never heard the speaker before, but the voice was real and it gave her hope. She grabbed the edge of the door and tried to yank it open. Hands began to push it open. Hands? Of every shape. She saw a claw, a Human hand
Whats happening? What is that flame?
She reached out. Kasigna was moving faster. And the flamedying. Still laughing. Erin tried to squeeze into the opening and a hand caught her and began to drag.
A woman with a pointed hat pulled at Erin as Kasignas world tried to drag her back.
She looked at the flickering flame.
You knew her as Maviola El. She is sacrificing herself for you. Now, run.
She pulled Erin out of the door. And then Erin was stumbling. Standing
Three people stood around her. One was the woman with a hat. She straightened it and slammed the door shut. The others dragged Erin up. A Drake wearing gilded armor snapped at the others.
All this for a Human? We have to go, now! She is
The door slammed. Kasigna recoiled. And Erin realized the woman was standing right in front of them. There wasnt a door. That was
Insolence.
Now she was furious. Erin stumbled back, but Kasigna snatched at her. The woman with the hat pulled at her.
With me!
The [Witch] and Drake in armor leapt backwards, and the third rescuer, largest of them all, dragged at Erin. Pulling her with them. They were running, fleeing
The inn?
The Wandering Inn vanished behind them. Erin looked back and saw the familiar building, standing there. She stared. Her inn! Was that where Kasigna had been? No
Just outside of it. Where Erin had died. That wasnt what astounded her.
The inn was distant in moments. Erin wasnt running down the hill, but across adistance without any physicality. While the inn stood, it was not the only thing here.
A ruined city lay broken on the Floodplains. As well as Liscor. Erin passed by an inn and did a double-take. That was the same inn that she had once stayed at! Only it was beautiful, newly-builtand naught but rubble at the same time.
There were more villages and even settlements. Guard towers! She looked around even as the three urged her to flee!
Erin stared upwards towards the High Passes and saw a broken city, a glorious empire built in those reaches.
Nevermore. She could have stared forever, but behind them was the woman.
The stranger. And she walked after them. Chasing.
Gaining ground.
It was the logic of dreams here. They were running, conversing, and time was nonsensical. They could have been fleeing for days that passed in moments, talking desperately all the while.
The woman with the hat spoke.
She is too quick. This is her place! Maviola was consumed in a moment! We will never make it to sanctuary.
She was tall, commanding. The other, a Drake, barked a reply like an order.
Then split up!
No. She nearly has us. Keep going.
The last of them spoke. And Erin, like a dreamer, finally focused on his face. She saw a huge Drake wearing armor turn his head. She slowed and the others cursed. But she couldnt help it.
Zel?
He looked at her. And there he was.
Zel Shivertail. The [General] of the Antinium Wars. Tidebreaker.
He was as she remembered him. Not the body they had laid to rest, but Zel Shivertail. The same Drake who had sat at her inn, lectured her, been kind and
Here. He met her gaze, eyes sharp and watchful as he glanced over his shoulder. His feet slowed. His claws opened, and he turned, the Heartflame Breastplate gleaming. He looked at his companions, especially the shorter Drake. He reached out, and touched his companions shoulder.
There was no time for anything else. Not for Erin, not for more than words. No time even for regrets.
A kiss.
Ill leave her to you.
The Tidebreakers voice was gentle. The other Drake tried to block him.
No, stop.
Kasigna reached out for them, as large as a giant and no longer smiling. Her eyes and mouth were like pits trying to drag Erin in.
Mine. You are all mine. Join me. Feed me.
Her advance was faster than any of them. The trio of ghosts looked up as Erin tried to dodge. She saw Kasigna upon her. And then the three-in-one stopped.
The Tidebreaker of Izril had a claw on her shoulder. He tightened his grip as Kasigna halted. The other Drake made a sound.
Kasigna, affronted, stared at Zel Shivertail. He nodded as Erin ran, at the urging of the [Witch], looking back at him. Hewhy was he?
She knew. The three-in-one coldly spoke.
You cannot hold me back, little [General].
Zel looked past her, at the other Drake calling his name. He smiled to himself, satisfied.
Youve stopped.
She reached for him. Erin looked back as she heard a cry from the other Drake.
Zel was gone. And Kasigna rose, dark pits of eyes looking to her.
Nearly there. Further. Further.
Only the [Witch] spoke then, urging the two on. Erin wanted to turn. And fight? Fight what? She had no weapons. But she looked back as Kasigna strode after them.
How much further?
The Drake demanded. Erin looked aheadbehind
Kasigna was reaching for her again. There was no logic to her speed. No defying her touch. Erin raised a punching hand. The other two ghosts turned. Kasigna was frowning. Then something roared. She and Erin looked up.
And flames engulfed her. Erin recoiled. For a second she thought it was Maviola
But then the Dragon landed. He exhaled again, and silver flame made the thing, Kasigna, shriek. It recoiled, flailing, and fled. It looked like Kasignabut suddenly, Erin saw rotten features. She smelled decay, corruption, even in this place. Something fled into the distance of this ethereal world.
The three stopped and looked up. And there he was.
A silver Dragon.
-
Afterwards, the Drake fell to his knees and looked back.
Erin looked around.
She wasnt breathing hard. Shock rippled through her. Confusion. But it did not overwhelm. There was no mind to race. No lungs or heart to labor.
Sheand the three beings standing around herwere there and not there.
It was not a lack of color. Transparency in a visible sense. If there was transparency, it was that the entire world, everything, had a quality of ephemerality to it. Erin did not need explanation.
This is the land of the dead.
All three said it.
Yes.
The [Witch]. The Drake, who wore armor like Zel had, and the silver Dragon. They looked at her.
She did not know any of them. The two she had known were
Are they dead?
It was a silly question to ask. The Dragon snorted and took wing, flying after the place where the thing had been. Erin didnt know if it was still Kasigna. It had beenshe would have called it dead and rotting, but it had been alive.
Life in death. And with a shock, she realized thats what she was, too. If the world, that false city next to Liscor had been half-real, she was fully real. Compared to the [Witch] who addressed her, at least.
Not dead. Worse. Consumed. There is nothing left of them, as there would be nothing of you. I am sorry. They were your friends.
It was not a question. Erin looked back. She wanted to weep, but it had been too sudden.
This is
The place where the dead go. And I am Califor. You are Erin Solstice.
Another matter-of-fact statement. The woman spoke as if this were so and if it were not so, it had better well be so before. Erin looked at her.
But why? This is the underworld? Heaven? Thisthis?
She saw Izrils lands around her with buildings and trees in the same place.
Layers. What was now, what had been. A reflection of the world. And the ghostsshe stared at the kneeling Drake. He did not weep. Perhaps he could not.
Why here?
Why anything? Come with me. You too, Sserys. We stand too close to the edge of his protection, still.
Erin started at the name. The Drake slowly rose. He looked at her, and then followed the [Witch]. Erin walked after her, turning.
There was nothing in Izrils landscape. And she could cross a mile in a moment, in a single step. There was no sunlight. No light of any kind, really. All of itwas. No darkness, no illumination.
Except there were shadows. Shadows, without light. They seemed to gather and disperse at the edges of her sight.
Yes, there are more like that one. Weaker, though. They wont intrude so long as he guards us. Come on.
Califor grabbed Erins arm. There was no sensation. Erin began walking.
So this is the land of the dead.
Yes.
Why does it exist?
Because souls need somewhere to go. Presumably, it was made.
By who?
The woman was tall, and peered down her spectacles and nose at Erin. Califor looked like a teacher, if a teacher could be a [Witch]. Stern did not begin to describe her. Her clothing was black, but not plain; it simply had a style that you had to appreciate as your eyes picked out details among the traditional [Witch]s garb. Her spectacles were thin, and she was tall, authoritative.
Her voice had a snap to it that did not brook with excuses or delay. She adjusted her hat now, with a brisk tug of the brim.
Ask your pursuer. She has too much power, here. The guardian chased her off, but she will return. Yet she was not here in such strength even when I died. And before that? They were just shadows like those.
She pointed into the distance. Erin looked over her shoulder.
Now! Run!
The lost thing lunged. Uonp blocked it. She vanished. Erin stumbled away.
To arms!
The first [Lord] and [Lady] of the House of Byres drew swords. Gresaria Wellfar and her husband joined the ranks of ghosts freed from Kasignas control.
They blocked the three. Kasigna was enraged, striding forwards. Tamaroth was following Sserys. The Drake turned to Erin.
Run. And tell them.
He met her gaze. Erin began to run. She saw silver flash.
Yderigrisel. Freed, he roared and his voice was the loudest in this place. He flew upwards as the three turned to face the army of ghosts.
The smaller ghosts fled. They ran, with Erin and Califor, fleeing the three as the House of Byres, Sserys, and Gresaria made a stand.
The Knight-Dragon flew next to Erin and Califor for a moment as they raced south, the ghosts fleeing the battle behind them. Califor was pointing.
To the sea! We must find another continent, another haven if one exists!
Then she and Erin turned as they ran to the silver Dragon. For a moment, Erin thought his nerve had broken. One vast eye blinked at her, and Yderigrisel spoke. To her.
Remember this, girl from another world. Bring wrath and justice to these craven things when you wake! And telltell the House of Byres I was faithful even past death.
He banked his wings and turned. The Silver Dragon spread his wings and dove across the vast distance as the ghosts fled.
Erin ran once more. This time, her tears faded into nothingness before they even hit the ground.
Just like the ghosts.
-
Erin was crying as she ran. Death. Even here, after they died, why was there still death? Tears ran down her face at the unfairness of it all.
None of the other ghosts cried. They couldnt. They were trapped here, at the mercy of thesethese parasites. These predators of souls.
It was not right. So Erin was angry as she ran.
[Like Fire, Memory]! [Fireball]! [Minotaur Punch]! Relc Punch! No?
What are you doing?
Califor snapped at Erin. They werent sprintingwell, some of the ghosts were. Califor strode along at the same speed Erin ran. Some of the [Witches] just walked at top speed in this place.
Trying to fight back! If I could throw fireMaviola burned Kasigna!
The [Witch] shook her head.
She was inside Kasigna, wherever you were and the three-in-one was distracted! We saw her, and you. That cant happen here. Magic is gone, and so are Skills!
It was true. Erin couldnt produce the fire, try as she might. So she kept running. Yderigrisel had possessed his fire because it was his. Erincould spit on the dead gods?
She was darn well going to if she got the chance! Erin looked around and saw a swarm of bodies. The refugee ghosts were fleeing. Many followed Erin and Califor, but the others were splitting up. Some, on the assumption it was better to brave the lesser shadows alone rather than the three who would follow.
Others to warn the other strongholds. Izril was lost.
Erin saw two more strongholds on the way back south. Invrisil had been one, and the adventurers who had made a place here abandoned it, fleeing in every direction.
Similarly, she saw a strange conflagration of souls fleeing as she and Califor crossed the High Passes. Winged shapes flew, heading west.
Harpies.
Califor pointed up. Erin stared at the ghosts as they too ran from the kingdom that had once been theirs. She remembered a name.
Empress Sheta of the Harpies.
Erin stopped as she reached the Floodplains of Liscor. They had fled for momentsor perhaps longer, but it felt short. Califor stopped.
What are you doing? They are coming!
The [Witch] pointed. There were mountains in the way, countless obstacles, but somehow, Erin saw the three. They were turning towards her, having destroyed the sanctuary of the silver Dragon. They were following and they were faster than the ghosts.
HoweverErin ran towards the inn, not further south.
My inn! You said they couldnt get into the [Garden of Sanctuary]! Maybe if my bodys safe, we can
She ran into the inn. Califor followed with a stream of ghosts.
Theres a problem. Erin
The [Innkeeper] ran for a wall and phased through it. She realized what it was in an instant.
She couldnt use her Skills. Not even in her inn. Erin looked around.
Maybe the doors open? Mrshas here. It has to bethere!
She saw it flicker open this very moment, into the kitchen! Little Mrsha, stealing cookies! Erin ran at it.
Follow me, every
Even in death, the bwuh sound Erin made was instinctual. There was no smack of her ghostly body hitting the barrier, but she found herself pressed up against it. Erin ran her hands over the barrier she had never experienced with the [Garden of Sanctuary] beyond. She threw up her hands.
Oh, come on. Its me! Its me! You stupid door! Im going to
Stop shouting and run.
Califor grabbed her. The two ran onwards, Erin shouting insults at the [Garden of Sanctuary] the entire way. She looked around for Reiss. Numbtongue had claimed he saw the Goblin ghost.
Reiss was gone.
-
Onwards. Past Liscor. Erin had never gone this far south. She ran through the Bloodfields with the other ghosts. Behind her, she saw the three approaching. They stopped now and then to snatch up ghosts.
They were too fast. Gaining ground. But the ghosts had a lead on them and Califor carried them south.
They reached Pallass and ran past the empty walls. The Drakes standing at the Walled City called to them. Califor and the other ghosts from the north shouted warnings, but the ghosts of dead Drakes refused to abandon their city. Erin saw the three stop at the walls and walk onto them. A Dragon and Oldbloods breathed firethen knelt.
Gone.
After that, more ghosts of Drakes and Gnolls joined the stream flowing out of Izril. Gnoll tribes, Drakes from cities. Even Dragons, taking wing. Behind them, the three gorged themselves on the souls, picking at the slowest.
Erin looked back as she reached Zeres. And she saw them for what they were.
Rotted, foul figures, crouching, gorging themselves on souls. Fighting, snarling at each other. Even the Putrid One had not been so foul. They stank in this place. But they were alive.
Coming back. Growing stronger. Erin shouted back at them.
Why are you doing this? Why do you have to do this?
One of them answered.
We want to live. Dont you?
They were desperate. For all they wanted to be so feared. Erin saw them grabbing. She pointed.
Theyre people! Children! Dont you care?
Kasigna looked at her.
We matter more. Some things matter more than others. This is the truth. You matter more than grass or insects. So it is for us.
Erin clenched her fist.
The first person I ever spoke to was an insect! Hes my friend!
They laughed at her and followed once more.
Erin ran onto the sea with Califor. Across waves frozen in time, blurring over the ocean as the land vanished behind them.
And still, the three followed.
-
What could stop them? Erin had no Skills. Califor was helpless. But the ghosts were still brave.
So brave. A squadron of Drakes stayed to delay the three a second, darting around them and forcing them to slow to grab at them.
An adventurer halted and called an insult to Tamaroth.
Ive seen better beards on the asses of donkeys!
It actually worked. He slowed, and Erin laughed and cried as the adventurer vanished, saluting towards her and the others. More tried it, but the dead gods refused to fall for it twice.
If only they could be fought! Erin felt herself growingtiredof the flight. Even the ghosts felt the distance they had covered. There was no sweat to wipe, though, no muscles to burn or grow tired.
Tears, yes. Erin was the only one who could shed them, so she did. For the ghosts. For brave people.
If only I had some water.
The murmur came from Abel. He had joined Califor and Erin at the first flight and stayed with them. He looked longingly at a tear as it vanished. The [Innkeeper] nodded, licking her lips.
Water? Id love blue fruit juice. Anything.
Erin longed for it too, but Abel shook his head.
Just water. Just sweet water. I would do anything for that.
Erin closed her eyes, still moving. Yes, even that would be the most luxurious thing in the world.
A glass of cool water. Not so cool it hurts your teeth, but almost. So cold and fresh and even a bit sweet if youre thirsty enough.
The ghosts murmured, all of them imagining it. So did Erin. She heard a sound.
Erin Solstice. Look.
Califor stared as they fled across the deeps of the ocean. Erin looked down.
She was holding a cup of water.
She promptly dropped it and it vanished. Abel and Califor made a sound.
How?
The stool. Erin recalled the Putrid One making it! Out of a memory! That had been a cup of water from the well when it had first been dug! She tried again.
It wasit was a good cup of water. Not the best, and it had a bit of dirt in it, but I really liked it and I didnt tell Belgrade
She babbled and the cup was in her hands. She looked at it. Abel stared. She handed him the cup. He raised it to his lips and drank.
It tastes a bit of dirt. Itswater.
He would have cried if he could. The ghosts almost stopped, but the three following made them turn and flee. Erin saw Califor looking at her.
Memory. Memory is yours to command! If that is so
She looked over her shoulder. Erins eyes narrowed.
Are you thinking what Im thinking?
Califor seized her arm as they turned.
Dont think. Remember!
The [Innkeeper] obeyed. Memory. She would have loved to conjure something really nasty, but shed never fired or held a gun. In fact, the number of weapons she had held were
Acid jars, Pelts knife, Lyonettes sword one timeCalifor reached out as some of the martial ghosts halted, sensing what was happening.
A weapon! Any weapon!
Erin thought of a weapon to use against them. Nothing up-close. Something
She recalled her first friends. Her eyes opened wide.
She had held it just once. She looked down and Relcs spear rose in her grasp. Solid, dangerous.
The three slowed uncertainly as they saw the solid weapon appear. Erin looked around.
I dont know how to throw it! Anyone?
Give it to me!
A Gnoll [War Chieftain] howled. She hefted the spear and the ghosts around her howled or shouted as she took aim. The three slowed. The lost thing, Tamaroth, Kasignathe spear wavered between them. Then the Gnoll threw.
The spear flashed through the air, even without the aid of Skills. Straight at
It struck Tamaroth in the chest. Erin shouted and saw the dead god
Standing there. Tamaroth smiled.
The spear was gone. It hadnt even seemed to hurt him. No. On the contrary. Califor looked at Erin, and the cheering stopped.
Erin stared at Tamaroth. Hed just eatenabsorbedRelcsRelcs
Relcs what? Erin put her hands to her head.
Relc had a weapon? No, that wasnt right. He always went around with his bare clawswait, that didnt seem right either. How did he use his [Triple Thrust] attack? What
Youve forgotten.
What did I forget?
The Gnoll [Chieftain] was staring uneasily. The dead gods were laughing. She looked at Erin.
The spear.
I forgot that?
Erin felt a terrible fear in her chest. She looked at them.
Was that an artifact?
I dont know! Iwill anything work on them?
A weapon? Some gloriousbut what would work on them? Erin stared at the dead gods.
Flowers?
The faerie flowers? The three were watching, amused. They heard her voice.
The flowers of the fae?
Kasigna exclaimed. Tamaroth laughed. Even the lost thing appeared amused. They called at her, their voices twining, amused.
Yes! Yes, Erin Solstice! Yes, child! Fight us with flowers!
Erin looked at the laughing strangers and then at Califor. She whispered to the [Witch].
Theyre sounding pretty happy about that idea. Lets not do that.
Califor gave her a look. She tugged her hat up and snapped.
Run!
-
They were in the middle of the sea, with nothing around them but the waves when the first hands reached up and tried to drag them into the water. The green-blue waters turning to abyssal colors parted as something emerged from the fathomless deep.
Erin screamed, and ghosts were dragged under. Not to suffocate, struggling with whatever held them. What was it?
Drowned Folk. They clutched at Califors dress, at Erins leg. One grabbed Abel.
What are you doing?
He walks the depths. The wise one. The one with knowledge. He wants you. We live if he takes you. Stay. We want to live even here.
They pleaded with her. Drowned Women, dead [Sailors], peopleCalifor shouted as the three advanced, consuming the fleeing ghosts now struggling against their kind.
Traitors! They will consume us all in time!
The Drowned Folk would not let go. Laughter came from the depths. And thenErin saw, in the deep of the ocean, someone walking up towards her.
The wise man.
Emerrhain.
The three greeted him with distaste. Even rivalry, especially from Tamaroth. The wise man smiled.
So this is the one you hunt. Shall we make a contest of it?
He reached for Erin and the three fought like carrion crows. Erin ripped free of a hand trying to drag her under.
Youyou jerks! You all suck so much! I dont care if youre gods or dead gods or what! You are the worst deities Ive ever met!
She shouted at the four. All of them turned.
Affronted.
Kasigna stared at Erin.
You have never met ones such as we, Erin Solstice. You have no way of comprehending what we are. You should worship us and be grateful for what we bring. You know of us. Your world craves us!
Erin shook a fist at the four.
Oh yeah? Oh yeah? WellI may not have met the other ones directly, but I know theyre way cooler than you all are anyways! Pssh! Totally! Youve been dead for like, forever, right? There was this guy who took only three days to come back from the dead. And he was the son of a god! Plus, he had a nicer beard!
She pointed at Tamaroth. The man frowned at her. Erin hesitated.
P-probably. I didnt see it myself. But he has pictures! All you have is a stupid coin which gave Pelt a heart attack!
Emerrhain and Kasigna laughed at that. They were not united, Erin was sure. Allies of convenience at best. She pointed at the othersthe lost thing was just standing there, listening.
You know what? Youre not even gods. Youre likesuper cockroaches. Thats all.
The laughter cut off. Now, all four were staring at her. Slowly, Emerrhain shook his head.
How she shouts.
You have nothing to give us. Yet insolence we do not stand.
Kasigna reached for her again. Erin ran backwards, but the sea-ghosts were rising. Tangling her. She struggled as Califor put herself between her and Kasigna and the four, trying to tear the hands away.
You losers wouldnt even try this if it was a fair fight! Cowards! Ill spit on you! You all suck!
They held her, and the other ghosts. The four stopped.
Is that all you have to say? Would you really challenge us if you lived? Even knowing what we are? You, child? Alone?
Emerrhain bent down. He was more interested than the others. His eyes alight with curiosity. Erin struggled, but the hands of countless ghosts held her. So she just nodded.
I know what monsters look like.
She stared at him. Emerrhain frowned. Erin went on, panting, strainingready to spit or bite his hand. The words flooded out of her mouth without thought. Just what she believed.
II know monsters. See, you can run, hide, and refuse to fight people. Animals too. And thats alright. But monsters? Sometimes you have to fight monsters. Because monsters dont stop. Someone has to, even if it means you get hurt. And thats all I see. Four stupid monsters that smell like poo. That one cant even beat me at chess.
She pointed at Kasigna as best she could with the hands holding her in place. The other gods looked at the three-in-one. They didnt look amused this time. Erin had struck a nerve.
But the watching ghosts and Erin and Califor still heard laughter.
Well said!
The voice came from below her. Erin looked down. She saw a face grinning at her in the depths of the ocean.
Thenthe woman exploded out of the sea. She knocked the other ghosts holding Erin away. More ghosts followed, freeing the trapped ghosts, grappling with their kin.
More Drowned Folk? Her voice had some of Seborns cadence, but the woman looked different from the other Drowned Folk.
She had a really cool hat. The [Pirate Queen] swept Erin a bow.
So youre the ghost that one chases! Well, if I had a ship Id give these bastards a real battle! But we were without ships and at a loss. Good thing we found something better. To arms, sea folk!
More ghosts burst out of the surf. The four dead gods looked amused. Right up until the waters moved and something glowed in the abyssal depths. Erin looked down and realized there were more ghosts than she had ever dreamed of.
Branches broke the surface of the dark waters. Glowing, spectral, half-colored like everything here. The memory of a body not made of flesh or scale
The first of them stood taller now as the [Pirates] and [Sailors] ambushed the gods. Many ghosts flew through the water and into the air. More still rode the replacement for their lost ships.
Still beautiful. The being the ghosts rode stepped higher still, the tips of its body breaking out of the water. Even the four strangers looked up.
Erin saw vast, ancient limbs. Wood so old it had turned to stonethen something else entirely. What had once been a vast tree, but had changed over the eons underwater. Colorful aquatic plant life, sprouting from the trunken limbs, the branches and bark, replacing foliage with a different rainbow of colors. Life which became death and life again. It looked like
Coral?
A Treant rose out of the ocean, turning to face the four. Even the oldest of trees died. Tamaroth sighed, almost happily.
Ah. [Pirates]. Always unexpected.
The ghosts of the sea were laughing, clinging to the Treants as more of the ancient giants surfaced. The [Pirate Queen] drew a sword.
Alright, you know how to do it. No touching them. Keep these traitorous cowards off them! Go!
She swarmed towards the gods with the other ghosts, pressing in and blocking them. Throwing themselves like the surf at the four. The four looked more annoyed than anything.
You cant win! Its impossible!
Erin protested. She saw the other woman turn, urging her and Califor on.
Run, living girl! Run for sanctuary! Let us test them first! Dont you have something you have left to do? One of us has a second chance.
Because she did, and because that was true, Erin ran. She shouted back at the ghosts. Thanking them. They cheered her on, spitting in the eyes of the dead gods.
Literally. It wasnt just about her. It was about them. To frustrate them, delay them another second. These cheating, disgusting things eating everything without weakness or fairness in the world. Unstoppable.
Gods.
-
The end of Erins journey came as the sea ended. Behind her, the last of the brave [Pirates] were in flight. Even the Treants.
Four followed. Perhaps they could have stopped the other three.
Not Kasigna. Erin had seen a Treant refuse to vanish, grappling with the lost thing. But the three-in-one they could not stop.
They knelt to her power. All the ghosts fled. Izrils refugees. The seas people.
And they came at last to the other continent. Erin stumbled onto the dry sands and looked beyond. She realized where she was. Of all the continents
Chandrar.
The shore was a beach, but the sand never ended. The waves lapped up onto the sand, and while vegetation grew here, it was arid, nothing like Izrils lush grasslands. Only in a few places did Chandrar ever bloom, and then when it rained.
But Erin could see far beyond this coastline. Across the desert, where the vastness of the continent meant that even rains born from the sea would never reach that far inland.
A dead, gigantic desert. Zeikhal, the largest desert in the world where nothing could live. Mountains, perhaps created in ancient times, existing when water had flowed here, had been worn away to dunes the size of mountains instead.
And yet, Chandrar was not all dead earth. Imperium of old had been built here, and still remained, civilizations which rose out of the bleak landscape, shining with hope, to fallbut never be fully destroyed.
What the sands took, people reclaimed. A majestic land, harsh, but as glorious as Izril, Terandria, or Baleros lay before Erin Solstice as she stopped a second. The second continent she had ever laid eyes on.
Perhaps the last she would ever see. She looked back as the end came.
The four were hot on their heels. Once more, they reached out, fighting each other to grab Erin. Jostling.
And for the first time since Erin had woken in the land of the dead, she saw them hit something.
The four ran into a wall of sand. It rose as they tried to walk onto the sands of the desert continent of Chandrar. They recoiled, much as Erin had, and tried to push against the wall.
It began to give, sand yielding before their touches. Then it reformed. Held firm. The four looked at each other, shocked as Erin was.
What is this? Stand aside! Kneel.
Kasigna spoke and the ghosts around Erin were once again forced down. But a reply came from just ahead.
No. We are masters of our deaths. And even in death, even beyond it, we have our duty. Begone you ravenous filth.
A line of men and women blocked the four. They had been standing here, like statues, waiting for the flood of ghosts, knowing they were coming, and knowing what followed them. They held the wall of sand, shifting it to block the four strangers.
There were eighteen of them. Just eighteen. There had been more Treants. Far more great [Pirate Kings] and [Captains] of the sea.
The eighteen men and women did not move. Erin stared. They were Humansixteen of them.
Two of the eighteen were different. Half-Giant. Garuda. Each one was garbed in grand clothing. Crowns. Some identical.
A people lay beyond the line in the sand. The borders of the great desert continent, Chandrar. Noall peoples. Califor struggled upright as somehow, the eighteen threw off Kasignas command.
Thisthis sanctuary holds? There are so many ghosts! And look, even species of old! Jinn.
She pointed. Ahead, Erin saw a vast gathering. If Yderigrisels sanctuary had been home to millions, despite the small amount of land he held in the House of Byres, this was a gathering without limit.
It was all of Chandrar. Erin saw countless Drakes, Humans, Garudaand yes, species long dead to this world.
Jinn, floating alongside their family. Djinni, taking any number of forms they had possessed in life.
Watching the confrontation at their shores.
Not even the mighty Djinninor the watching Giants moved to help the eighteen at the beach struggling against the four. Every species in this world save one was here. There were no Dragons, Erin realized. She looked back; the wall of sand held! The eighteen were clearly straining, but it was a contest and the four were getting frustrated.
Especially Kasigna. She was staring at the men and women, puzzled, growing more furious with each moment. Erin was just stunned.
Who were they? How could they alone stand against her?
How do they hold us?
Tamaroth turned to Emerrhain. The wise man frowned at them. He named them slowly.
Khelt.
One of the women smiled archly at him. She was not beautiful if you only meant looks. She had taken many scars and she had not been chosen because she was a peerless beauty. Her beauty was confidence, grace.
Authority. She answered them proudly.
Our reign still endures. Our kingdom still stands. So our power and pact remains. We are the rulers of Khelt and we say againbegone, things.
I rule death. I am a release of all things. I am salvation. Kneel to me.
Kasigna ordered them. The half-Giant answered her with a shake of his head. The King of Khelt, the great smith-King, turned his head.
Fool. Death is not the end of duty.
Tamaroth stared at them. He spoke, eyes burning.
Your natures are mine. You rule men and women. Come to me.
Erin felt a tug at her heart. Just a tiny one. The rulers of Khelt wavered. Then they chuckled. Tamaroth wavered. This time the Garuda called down at him from the dune on which they stood.
Little man. We are not [Kings]. We rule Khelt because we must. We never sought the crown but were chosen because we were suited. Look to Terandria for those who coveted what is duty. A third time! Begone!
The eighteen stood. And the four struggled and argued and threatened. Yet they could not advance. Erin saw them staring at her. At the kingdom of death, which had more power here than any other so long as Khelt endured.
She watched the dead gods vanish into the distance.
-
The eighteen looked tired after the confrontation.
They grow stronger again. If only the power of Giants could join ours, or the Treants of the sea. Still, I would rather lie with maggots than ally with Dragons. Let them hold Baleros and Terandria if they can.
One of them remarked. The others nodded. Erin found herself staring up at them, awed despite herself.
They looked impressive. These were not the bodies of undead revenants bound in death. She saw them as they had lived. As the Garuda Queen had saidthey were not rulers by nature.
The half-Giant bore a hammer. True, ornate, but he carried a huge anvil on his back, secured by chains of mithril.
One of the others had ink stains on her fingers and a quill in her hands.
Yet another had such a grace to his steps that Erin thought he was either a [Fencer] or a [Dancer] or both.
All were still garbed in robes or cloth, rather than armor, wearing the same crown. Each royal raiment swirled with magical sigils for protection, preservation. Yet, the eighteen wore the clothing carelessly, heedless of the priceless artifacts they wore, now a second skin. The only thing that they never took lightly were the crowns. They weighed upon each one, man and woman, half-Giant and Garuda.
A proud, but heavy weight that pressed on all things. Joy, humor, sadness, wraththe weight of a crown. A kingdom.
Khelt.
The eighteen rulers of their nation turned to the vast number of ghosts, then. It was the closest female Queen who spoke. The last ruler of Khelt before Fetohep. She imperiously looked down the line of Izrils ghosts as she addressed them.
You stand before the Queens and Kings of Glorious Khelt, children of Izril. Rejoice. Weep if thou wilt. For while you walk Chandrar-of-death, know that no shades shall haunt you. We have pledged to guard our people and kingdom, and do so even in the second of our deaths.
The ghosts looked up, taking heart from the words. One of them, Califor, struggled to her feet. Even the [Witch] looked tired from the long flight.
Your Majesties. I bear news from the continent we fled. Izril falls. One of them walks it in strengthand we cannot stop the three-in-one either. If any strongholds remain, they will soon be empty.
The monarchs exchanged glances. Not surprised, just resigned. What seemed to be the oldest and grandest among them lifted her hand.
Such is fate. That any escaped is welcome enough. Kneel then, [Witch] of these dark tidings, and we shall accept you into Khelts glorious ranks. It is an honor we grant you for courage and escorting this one. Know that we shall shelter your soul until the end of things.
She gestured at Erin. The young woman looked at the first Ruler of Khelt.
She was an older woman, but sort of short. She had the same authority as the others. She just looked at Erin.
A living young woman. And you must be of Earth, as a few children claim to be.
Erin started.
Youve met more people from Earth? Like me?
The first Queen raised her left eyebrow.
Of course. No ghost is prey to those scavengers on our continent. This is the strength of Khelt, granted to us by Fetohep so long as he lives. Sanctuaryfor now. It may end. Until then, we are still rulers of Khelt. And you are?
E-Erin Solstice.
We see. Well met, then, child. Know that all those who sacrificed themselves that you might escape did so to defy those craven things.
She gestured to the sea. Erin looked at her. The other rulers of Khelt stood there, regarding her. They deferred to the first ruler of Khelt. Erin looked at Califor. The [Witch] gave her a side-long look.
Slowly, hesitantly, Erin bent her knees and awkwardly copied Califor, who had knelt before the rulers of Khelt.
Thank you for saving us.
She mumbled. It was an awkward gesture, far from graceful. However, she looked up and saw the first Queen smile.
It was righteous to do, Erin Solstice. And if you live, perhaps there is a chance you may repay us by bearing this knowledge into the lands of the living. For surely, that was your goal, [Witch]? How are you called?
Califor, your Majesty.
Califor stood as if she had never knelt. Proudly, she had knelt, and now addressed the rulers of Khelt more brusquely. But she had knelt.
So had Erin. They nodded. Another King spoke.
A fitting idea. There are few living in the land of the dead. None from this world apart. We have been attempting to contact Fetohep of Khelt, but even that connection fades as if he no longer stands on Khelt itself. If this mortal girl has even a chancewhat plan had you?
The [Witch] straightened her hat.
Knowledge, of course. Lessons. Secrets. Anything that might keep into the lands of waking. Ancient spells. Buried treasure?
Fitting and more.
The half-Giant smith looked approving. He gestured.
Guide her, Witch. We shall call souls of great knowledge to aid you. However long it takes, we shall attempt to secure that amount of time.
He grimaced.
Would that we had the Quarass of Gers strength. She was wiser than we knew, to remake herself eternally rather than end here in darkness. We have safeguarded every soul of our subjects in death. And we shall until the bitter end.
Erin stood there, in the company of the great ghosts of old. She looked around as they conferred.
Im sorry. I know this is all so important. I dont know if I can help. Ill try, but this is all too much. Im just me. Those were dead gits too large.
The rulers of Khelt and Califor looked at her. Slowly, the first Queen of Khelt knelt.
It often seems so. And it often is, young woman. But such is challenge. Will you rise to it? This world needs a [Hero], and the Dynasty of Khelt shall forge you into one if need be.
She offered Erin a hand. Slowly, the [Innkeeper] looked up.
But Im just an [Innkeeper].
The rulers of Khelt exchanged a look of concern.
-
[Innkeeper]. Innkeeper. Of all the classesdoes any scholar here, any of the great rulers recall a class by which an [Innkeeper] rose to power?
The dead rulers of Chandrar held great conference. Giants sat in the sands next to [Archmages] who had called Chandrar home. The Dynasty of Khelt, as the protectors here, led the meeting.
The great minds and famous adventurers looked at each other.
I knew a [Farmer] who became legend.
A [King] wearing a crown of glass raised a hand and spoke after a moment. An [Archmage] sitting in the air rolled his eyes.
Yes, but that was a [Farmer]. I could name a hundred and eighty nine [Farmers] who became [Heroes]. An [Innkeeper], though? I cant think of any
Erin loitered in the background, feeling embarrassed. The ruler of Khelt spokeCalifor was more practical.
I must find every [Witch] who lives or has come here. We will teach you. Maviola El told us you were akin to our natures. I think that is so.
Erin spluttered, astounded.
What, me? Im not [Witch]-y. I dont even know magic!
Califor gave her a look under the brim of her hat with a lot less respect than she had given the ruler of Khelt.
Then you shall learn.
The [Witch] strode off. Erin stood, scuffing her feet in the dirt.
Well, what do I do?
She looked around. Ghosts milled about her, talking, looking for those they knew. Many wanted to speak to her, but were kept back, respectfully. After all, she was the living girl among the dead. Erin called out.
Abel? Has anyone seen Abel?
Here!
The ghost appeared. Erin looked at him.
I dont know what to do, Abel. Should I just wait around?
The young man looked at the gathering of greatness. He nodded wistfully.
I wish I could help. But Im not that great. I justI died so soon. I could try to remember something from Earth, but I wasnt an engineer or anything.
Erin smiled sadly.
Thats okay. Im not sure all this knowledge is going to help that much. I mean, Im dead. What am I going to do, learn to use a sword? I dont even like fighting. I served adventurers, but I never wanted to be one.
She waved a hand. Erin looked back the way shed come. Towards her inn.
Im just an [Innkeeper]. I just wish
She looked at Abel again. Erin slowly turned her head. So many ghosts around her. So manyand so many sanctuaries emptied. So many lost. Weak ghosts were prey the moment they died, apparently.
Was there a chance? Erin spoke, slowly.
I remember them. If Zel and Maviolaexcuse me. Excuse me!
She raised her voice. The milling ghosts looked around. The rulers of Khelt broke off in a discussion with the [Monks], [Martial Artists], [Weapon Trainers], and the [Sage] who had invented Sages Grass as Erin floated up to shout. Erin saw fierce warriors, [Martial Artists] who were bare-chested, talking with great experts, one of whom had a blade three times as tall as he was.
The [Sage] had a cape like Rabbiteaters, which was not cloth, but substances flowing like cloth. Water, liquid metal, alchemical substances like mercury, all of which could be plucked from the trailing cape nearly ten feet long at a whim and used for great workings.
But she had eyes for none of it. Erin called out across the myriad ghosts.
Excuse me! Sorry, I just had a thought!
The ghosts around her looked up at the one living young woman. Erin shouted.
Im looking for someone if theyre here! A ghost! Some ghosts that I might know. If anyone knows meif you can help me find them? I know Im not the only one, butI miss them.
She gulped. Suddenly, she remembered. Her voice quavered.
Im looking for my friends.
The Antinium werent here. Nor were the Goblins. ButErin looked around.
Im looking for a man. Gerial? Andand a Gnoll? Brunkr? Does anyone know the Horns of Hammerad? Ulrien Sparson? A [Lord]? Toldos Everight? Redit?
She tried to remember their names. A ghost floated up to her. The [King] with the crown of glass, looking interested as the ghosts murmured.
Who, pray tell, is this Gerial? A great Gold-rank adventurer, perchance?
Erin stared blankly at him.
No. He was Silver-rank. Whore you?
The [King] smiled grandly.
Ah, young woman. I feel we have a connection though we have never met. You see, I keep abreast of the worlds news for I am not long dead.
He gestured at his regal form, the crown he wore. The crown of glass was magical, and sparkled with rainbow colors reflected by an unseen source of light, for there was none in the lands of the dead.
So powerful, magical, but so fragile that it seemed a touch could shatter it. He wore no robes like some of the monarchs, but armor. Leather armorlighter, clearly enchanted, revealed by a thrown-back cape, which, like the armor, bore a spiral-design of rune work, some magical shield against harm.
None of it had helped him, for the [King] was only in his fifties. And he was a sturdy fellow, without apparent health issues. Yet dead. He nodded grandly to Erin, his trimmed beard red-gold, like his entire family.
I died before my dreams could be realized, in accident. Yet my legacy was not lost. In time, they knew not my name, but my only grandson. And they call him by the name that has shaken the world. TheKing of Destruction
The [Innkeeper] was nodding distractedly. She gently put her hands on him and spun him around and gave him a light push on the back.
Yeah, okay, buddy. But Im not looking for you. Im looking for Gerial.
The King of Destructions grandfather looked shocked.
But I am a [King]! Is some Silver-rank adventurer more important than I?
Even in death the egos of some people. Erin looked past him. She spoke for his benefit, and that of those listening.
I dont know. Gerial was my friend, thats all. Hehe was sort of a goofy guy. He was part of the Horns of Hammerad, with Calruz, this Minotaur who was all honor and stuff, and Ceria, whos my friend. I always thought he was sensible. And nice. He was one of my first guests. Andhe died in the dungeon of Liscor. Undead got him. I actually fought them, at my inn.
The dead ghosts listened as the [Innkeeper] spoke. Erin didnt realize it, but flickers were appearing around her.
A laughing team, cheering on the night before they went into the dungeon. An army of the undead, a creature crawling towards her inn as a ring of Antinium stood. Skinner.
And the mans face. Erin spoke, a catch in her voice, even here.
I just never got to say goodbye to him. Gerial was his name. I know its a long shot. But if you know him? There are others. I knew a Gnoll who wanted to be a [Knight]. I thought he was a jerk at first. And he was. I punched him in the stomach. HeI wish he hadnt died. Thats all.
That was all there was. She wished they hadnt died. And she remembered them all.
Every statue in her garden. Erin stood there, looking down at the dead. And because she had told them about Brunkr, she had to tell them about the Antinium chess club. Because they werent here, yet they should be remembered.
Now, the names came back to her.
Ulrien of Griffon Hunt. Someone had actually been saved by his team.
Marian. Sostrom. Hunt!
Zel Shivertail, of course. Goblins she had known by name and not. Headscratcher, Shorthiltthe one called Bugear who had died fighting the Eater Goats.
Vladimir, Bishop, the chess clubs Antinium.
There was a brave [Lord]. An old man who fought for me. When I needed help, I asked him if he was willing to die for a belief. And he didnt hesitate. He was called Lord Toldos. I wish
Memories circled around her. The Dynasty of Khelt, Califor and the [Witches], looked at the [Innkeeper] as she remembered her fallen friends.
Ah. I think that the [Innkeeper] chose her class well. But she will not be the [Hero] or [Champion] of Khelt.
One of them spoke, and the others nodded. Erin floated there, telling stories. And though she met people who had known her friends
So many were gone. Someone had seen Hunt disappear when one of the sanctuaries fell. Ulrien? No one knew where he was.
She still told stories. Because she had to. Because it mattered, even if only the dead knew one more story. Her throat could not grow dry, and she would never grow tired.
It was as she was standing there, telling the story of the day her inns guests had played baseball, a story of the future after disaster and death, reclaiming a moment of happiness, that someone pushed through the sea of ghosts. He called up to her, floating a bit higher.
Erin?
She looked down. And there he was.
Gerial. Tall, gangly even, with a mustache on his face. Almost over-lean for a [Warrior], and so often wearing the bemused, worried expression around Ceria and Calruz. When he wasnt laughing.
Unlike most of the ghosts here, his armor had no enchantment. It was leatherjust leather. Compared to the flashing runes of magic, the Dragonscales forged into armor, the silk and, if you were a poor ruler, mere mithril armor, he looked like a pauper.
It just made him realer than the legends who stood around him. And more welcome to her.
He looked up at her as she froze. Erin breathed.
Gerial. Its you.
Its me.
He repeated after a moment of hesitation. What else was there to say. Erin floated downwards until they were on the ground together. She looked at him. He cleared his throat a few times.
I heard the story about Ceria. Calruz. I wishI didnt know if youd remember me, but they told me you were here. Everyonetheyre speaking across the coast, where we arrived.
He pointed. Erin looked across the sea of the dead. Gerial swept a hand through his hair.
We only met a moment. I was glad to learn that the others survived. And you remembered me. You
Of course I did. Gerial.
He looked at her. Erin began to wipe at her eyes, and then didnt bother. She smiled, tremulously.
Gerial. Hello.
Hello, Erin. Goodbye.
He smiled wistfully. Erin threw her arms around him.
Im glad I could meet you. Even if it meant this.
They smiled and hugged and Erin laughed, truly laughed in happiness for the first time since she had realized she was dead. For a moment, all was well.
Then the six walked on Chandrar with a second sea of shadows.
-
The Dynasty of Khelt held them with a wall of sand as tall as the sky. It was six, not four. The shadows flickered, pressing in.
The ghosts watched, unable to fight. A Giant stood there, ready to block the advance of the dead gods if they were victorious. If Khelt fell
Erin stood with Gerial. With Califor and Abel. And she realized something.
If someone told her the gods were bastards, she would get behind that statement. More than that, though, Erin decided the gods were petty.
They refused to let anyone snub them. They were petty. They fought with each other even as they threatened to overwhelm Khelts rulers. They were so much like people.
They would break Khelts strength. Erin saw it. The rulers struggled, moving up to the wall of sand and bracing it as if that would help. The thinning veil of sand saw the six, greedily pressing inwards.
Two more had joined the four. One was a fierce huntress, armed with a bow, pointing at Erin. The other? A dancing, charming man, who spoke of friendship.
You should have taken my gift. But you are not any one of ours. We didnt know what to make of you.
He smiled. Erin shook a fist.
I gave you food! You gave me a stupid coin! Who gave me the noose? That was a stupid gift! You tricked me! Get lost!
They laughed. This was all a game to them, Erin realized. She looked at the dignified rulers of Khelt, Gerial.
If they go through, you should run. Im already dead. Calruz and Ceria would beat me black and blue if I let you get hurt before me.
Gerial smiled, trying to be gallant. Erin wanted to cry again.
Id rather hit them first. Im so tired of this. If onlyall I have are my memories. Maybe fire?
She tried to conjure it. A ball of glorious fire. Tamaroth smiled, the pink glow reflecting in his eyes. Erin looked at him and tossed it aside.
Not glory. Not despair. And she had no mercy for them. Fire? She saw how greedily they pressed their hands to the sand. They wanted fire. They wanted life.
If only there was something stronger. Erin closed her eyes.
Hatred. She had that. But would they eat that?
There has to be a weapon that can harm them. Although if they are what we fear, what weapon can harm them that we could forge? Ponder that, child. Bring weapons from your world. Now, move back. We are failing.
The great smith-king grunted. Erin looked at him. He gravely nodded as the sand began to fall away. Erin backed up as Gerial pulled her back.
What weapon indeed? She closed her eyes. She felt like
Flowers were useless against them. Because they were flowers. She kept thinking of them. Because they were flowers from them.
The fae.
The Winter Sprites. And they were not of this world. Erin could remember holding a knife on Earth. She doubted that would work. If only she had something more
Her eyes opened. They flickered towards the six. Slowly, they narrowed.
Tamaroth was watching her, pressing forwards, wanting to be first. He watched as Erin slowly backed up.
Scuse me. Scuse me. I know everyones getting ready to run, butexcuse me. Can I get a word?
She poked the Giant of Chandrar, first of the Nomads of the Sky, in the leg. Then she had to fly up because he was so vast, even compared to Zamea, that he didnt notice. He knelt.
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BRING THESE FOES PAIN?
His voice was so loud even whispering, everyone heard it. The six snorted. The rulers of Khelt glanced over their shoulder. Erin whispered in his huge ear. Okay, she shouted, but her voice wasnt audible to the others, only him.
The Giant started grinning. He looked at her.
THAT, I CAN DO.
He opened his hand. Erin floated onto it and landed. Gerial stared up. She smiled down at him.
Erin? What are you doing?
Something possibly stupid! Get ready to run if it fails!
She shouted down at him. The Silver-rank adventurer blinked. Then he whooped.
The ghosts looked up. Erin was concentrating. Memory. Califors head turned as the [Witches] prepared to flee to Baleros. She saw Erin conjuring something.
A weapon wont work.
Shh. Feed us your memories, child!
The dancing man called up to Erin. She looked down at him and flipped him off. The six saw her raise something into the air. They were confident, pressing forwards. Erin slowly took a breath. The memory was so easy. Even after it had happened, she had never forgotten.
And she had feared it. Rightly so. Heck, shed even tried to stop it. Now, she reached out.
Erin, take a coat. Its wet!
Shauna Solstice stood in the hallway. Erin turned back. She looked to the side and slowly reached out.
She picked up the umbrella and opened it in the sky.
And then there was light.
Light, sunlight, shone from underneath the umbrella. It flooded down around Erin. Not just a memoryher breath caught.
Sunlight. The ghosts around her threw up their hands, crying out in shock. Gerials eyes widened as he stared up.
How?
Tamaroths gift on the Winter Solstice. Erin had refused it, yet she had held it now. How had he phrased it? A gift for her soul.
I offer an umbrella made from the suns light. To bring day into blackest night.
And there were no weapons in this world that could have harmed them. But this was something they owned. And it was a memory.
She was dead, though. So who was going to stop her?
The sunlight burned down around the rulers of Khelt. They looked upand the light burned away the sea of shadows. They fled across the ocean, screaming, wailing. And Erin realized they had voices.
The six were caught in the sunlight too. And it exposed them.
Kasigna, Tamaroth, Emerrhain, the other threethey threw up their hands and screamed. And Erin saw them once more.
Rotting forms, clinging to life. They howled at each other, at the light.
The living world comes forth!
How does she hold it? You gave it to her!
She stole it from memory!
The corpse of the bearded man screamed at the others. He pointed at Erin. Thief! Which reminded her of something else.
Thief! Erins eyes widened. Shed had a dream, once. And shed thought that was a dream as much as the umbrella. But what if
-
I could choose not to, even now. Will we be reborn into that far future?
The three stood around the stone, talking. Of the future, not what could be.
Young, old, and adult. It was a similar story. But it had changed a bit. Now, the King of Knights looked to the stars and dreamed of a kingdom in the future.
The old King of Chivalrys head was bowed.
If we are doomed to make the same mistakes, what point is there? Think of that.
The young Arthur Pendragon looked around. He hesitated.
You two
The girl, Ryoka, showed us a future that might be. One world. The hope of moreis it better to take the sword or not? I have taken the sword, but now I dream of
Arthurs.
They looked at the squire. The youngest Arthur pointed slowly.
Whered the sword go?
They stared at the empty stone.
-
The sword shone in her grip. And now the six did scream.
How does she hold that? Did they give it to her?
Impossible!
Impossible. They wanted to say that in the land of the dead? Erin felt the sword dragging her down.
Its heavy!
EXTREMELY HEAVY!
The Giant roared. His arm was lowering despite his efforts. His second arm came up, but he was still unable to hold the [Innkeeper] up. Erin couldnt even lift the blade! She kept staring at it.
It couldnt be. But it was. Even a memory
The blade of kings. She cant lift it!
One of the six cried. They wererottingin the light. Erin couldnt even tell which one. She gasped. The speaker was right. She gritted her teeth. However!
I cant lift it. Okay. Hey! I need a [King] to pick up a sword!
She heaved the blade over the edge of the Giants hands. He and she felt the weight lift at once and he stumbled backwards.
The blade some called Excalibur landed in the sands of the land of dead Chandrar. A blade fit for a King of Chivalry. Who could draw such a thing?
The ghosts of dead [Kings] stirred. A [Queen] of Nerrhavias Fallen folded her arms.
Only [Kings]?
The six looked up as an army of ghosts fought for the blade. Erin held the umbrella higher.
Kasigna called up to her, furious.
Youyou thief! Youre no hero! Youre just a thief and child.
Erin waved back.
Of course Im not! Im not a hero. I cant fight you. But
She looked around and down at her chest. She bled. The crossbow bolts stood out in her chest. Erin reached for one and yanked it out, as Numbtongue had. She tossed it down.
I want to live.
That was all. The six began to flee the burning sunlight of a world they could not walkyet. The sword borne by the mob of ghostly rulers. Erin spoke on.
I want to hug my friends and tell them Im sorry. That Im back. I want to drink water. I want
She thought of Sserys and gulped.
I want to be loved. I have so many regrets. And I want it all. I want my friends to be safe. I want to be safe myself. I want to see my family again. Its not enough to have one of those things. If I cant have any of it, Ill fight for it. Im selfish like that. And silly. I dont know about you lot
She waved a trembling hand at the dead gods and the end of the afterlife. The rulers of Khelt. The [Witches].
Grand destiny.
Erin went on.
I just know what I want. What I need to have.
They screamed up at her, enraged, furious, no longer smiling. Burning, feeling pain, fleeing the sword and light. Their voices mingled, screaming at her in unison.
You know what we are. Do you really think to pit yourself against us?
Are you the ilk from which they cut legends?
Do you hold the will to change fate?
Defy death?
Slay Gods?
Are you capable of challenging the world?
For answer, she looked at them. Erin slowly transferred the umbrella to one hand and raised the other. She curled her fingers up and then waved a fist at them.
Im being me. I dont know about all that. But dont get in my way or Ill hit you.
They shrieked at the young woman who was no grand hero, no impressive foe.
Then they fled.
-
Later, when the sword vanished and the umbrella still shone from the Giant who was bemusedly holding someone who in turn held the umbrella up, casting light, keeping the dark things at bay, Erin prayed.
Chandrar was safe for now. Not forever, but for now. So, in this moment, she prayed.
Not to gods. Shed met them and they sucked. Erin prayed to the living as the dead, instead.
Please. Pleaseeveryone. My friends. My family.
It was a simple prayer. Erin closed her eyes as she composed it.
I want to live. I cant ask you to, but please, if you willI want to live.
But I want you to live even more.
Dont die, please.
And let me see you again.
Erin Solstice rose. And then got to work.
The [Witches] waited for her. Great adventurers, [Sages], [Archmages], and so on. Trying to find out how to help the curious girl who brought sunlight for the first time in this place.
That was for her. For them, Erin Solstice had only what she knew. So, she carefully got to work.
It wasnt so much creating as remembering creating.
See, it was the best burger I ever made. I put some lettuce in there, some nice cheeseand I fried the hamburger patty just so. Even the buns. It was the best darn burger and Relc ate it in two bites. Sohere.
She slowly pushed it across the table. The hamburger of memory appeared and the grandfather of the King of Destruction slowly picked it up.
He stopped a moment to feel the texturetexture in this place. He found his mouth watering, and opened his mouth.
The ghosts watched as he bit, chewed, and swallowed. Erin held her breath. After a moment, the [King] opened his eyes.
I have had better. The seasoning is not strong; the meat slightly overcooked. The meat, to begin with seems to be substandard. Ground up because it cannot stand by itself. The bread, likewise
Erin threw up her hands, conjured an Imani-burger, and slapped it on the table. She shoved it at Gerial. It met with considerably more approval and the ghost-king looked disappointed he didnt get that one. Erin folded her arms and glared at him.
Well, this is the only inn in the afterlife. Thatll be four silver.
The [King] stared at her. The [Innkeeper] wondered if someone could make an inn or she could borrow a palace or something.
In the land of the dead, The Wandering Inn opened for business. And someday, surely
She would go back.
Authors Notes: And were done. It was more work than I thought! Less than I feared, honestly.
The previous chapter will be up for Patrons if they really want to see the differences, but functionally, having an editor improved the entirety of the chapter in ways from simple things like my overuse of words like but, line-edits for clarityand stronger visual scenery and proper emotional scenes.
In short, it improved me in my style, rather than cut down the chapter as many people feared. Which is what a good editor does, not shoehorn you into something else. I appreciate Rebeccas hard workand I dont want to be an editor.
Its exhausting to revise. However, I hope the wait was worth it and you can appreciate one of the better chapters Ive written. One of the bigger ones. But I think the chapter speaks for itself there.
Thanks for reading, and helping me get to the point where I can hold editor-contests and take the time to revise chapters. Im off to finish the next Patreon one, but look forwards to two more after this if youre a Public reader!
pirateaba
Erin and Headscratcher, and Hate-Fire Erin by /lightsresonance
DeviantArt: /lightsresonance
Frozen Erin by Decarbry, commissioned by /
Erin and Relc by Bunny!
Ko-Fi:https://ko-fi.com/mochibunny
DeviantArt:https://www.deviantart.com/mochibunny2
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