The moon poured its light into the Harrowing with deliberate intensity. An ever-florescent butterfly drifted down, settling on the brittle edge of a withered leaf. At the touch of its gentle glow, the leaf stirred and transformed, its decay reversing as green bled through its veins, filling it with vitality.

  Silence descended on the Harrowing. The unrest that had stirred within its mystical trees faded into the night. The Sage of Fire stood before Reece White, Balaam, her bonded spirit, looming at her side.

  Around the rest of the cohort, ever-florescent butterflies fluttered, weaving through the blue mist that streamed from the Spirit of Preservation.

  “Are you alright?” Lorna spoke first, breaking the silence.

  Reece sighed. “No,” he replied genuinely.

  She smiled, then knelt — cupping his cheeks in her palms. “You have been doing too much,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, I am fine here too, you know. Lost a hand but ah. That's a very minor wound,” Marius said.

  “Oh, shush, Marius,” Lorna replied. “Ashya will fix your hand promptly,” she rolled her eyes.

  “Ah. Would have to get to Illiad like a one armed bandit,” he shook his head.

  “Ashya’s in town already.” Lorna replied. “And stop talking, Balaam’s abilities work less on talkatives.”

  Marius chuckled. “Great to see you again girl,” the old man pushed himself up from the ground.

  “You shouldn't start moving yet,” Lorna replied.

  “Oh, come on. I am old already, if I die now it would be the story of the regal legend that protected the future of Egrimorth!” he raised his hand, basking in an illusory glory.

  Lorna sneered. “I see why you and that idiot get along so well.” she shook her head.

  Marius waved her off and she turned back to Reece who just laid there allowing his body to heal up. He could feel his stamina returning and he should be feeling better but his head was messed up.

  The horrors of the night replayed in his mind, again and again. What wounded him most, however, was that deeper pain he felt when the visitor made him incapable of accessing the symphony.

  “Boy,” his mother’s voice distracted him and he gave her a tired smile. “That bad huh?”

  “I am fine ma,” he said. “Just a little tired… a lot tired.”

  She pulled him softly toward herself and embraced him in a tight hug. “You are safe,” she muttered.

  It took a few tickings before she let him go, then she turned to Balaam who just stood like a statue with its eyes closed. “What are you doing?”

  The creature opened its eyes and then glanced at her, it swung its head sideways in obvious contempt. “Oh,” Lorna gasped. “I am supposed to thank you first? That is your assessment?”

  A puff of blue cloud swirled out of the creature’s nose. “You waited till it was this dire, why?”

  Balaam snorted. “No, no. You didn't just discover them by chance, a creature like this, you would have felt the wrongness…” Lorna began but Balaam began to strut away, waving its antlers in a rather carefree manner.

  “Oh, yeah leave. I don't take your games very lightly.” she said but the creature offered no reply and blended into the distant darkness. The glowing butterflies faded off a few tickings later.

  “Alright, I need to get you guys to a proper healer,” she glanced at everyone then her gaze fell on the red haired girl who seemed to be searching for something on the floor.

  She knew most of the kids in these woods as they were all thaumaturges and she made sure to know everyone of them that were under the bureau.

  She however didn't think it was time for her to start asking any questions. She glanced at everyone and counted them. Surrounding her were five people, there were also three dead bodies but the dead would be addressed later, for now she needed to get all of them to a proper healer.

  She lit her index finger up and began carving equations on the ground. When she completed it, she glanced at the others. “Is there anyone else that might be alive elsewhere? I hope this is everyone?”

  “We actually don't know…” Marius began but Patelon didn't let him finish.

  “They are all dead. I was there,” he replied promptly.

  Lorna nodded. “Well, brace yourselves!” She placed her hand on the ground and bright flames covered the entire area.

  Marius voice rang through the bright flames at the last minute. “Ah, Alaroc's Grave! Here we go again!” When the fire receded, only the three dead bodies were left in the Harrowing.

  In the hollow darkness of the now quiet woods, a figure walked forward wearing a pirate hat and a long white duster coat with a leather bag dangling across its shoulders.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  They glanced at the scenery for a while before jogging into the endless darkness.

  * * *

  Reece woke up to clear brown eyes staring at him. He frowned when he realized who it was and he shook his head. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  The girl heaved a sigh of relief before speaking. “Your status was a bit worrying,” she commented.

  “So how long have you been here?” he asked.

  “A few hours,” she replied with a sigh. “I came here to hide from all the others, it is hard to blend in when you see a total stranger,” she explained.

  Reece nodded and sat up. He pulled the sheets off his body and offered her a small smile. “How long was I out?” he demanded.

  “Well, we got here a few hours past midnight, and we are a few tickings into the last light so, let's say a better part of the day,” she smiled.

  Reece narrowed his gaze. Speaking to her felt very easy like they’d known each other for a while. “So, what were you doing in the woods at that time of the night?” He asked. “I mean, I still can't confirm if you are a spirit or not.”

  The girl cleared strands of red hair from her now perfect face. “I am not saying a word if you keep accusing me of being a spirit,” the girl shook her head.

  Reece left the bed and walked towards the window at the north of the room. He gazed outside and the familiar brown roofs that populated the Capital stared back at him.

  “Have you seen the others?” Reece asked.

  “No. I have been in this room all day,” she chuckled. “I think I have been avoiding the healers, so I just pretended to be asleep.”

  “Why?”

  “I am not just ready to narrate any of the events that happened to me yet. It all feels surreal. Everything had been going fine and suddenly it just turned chaotic,” she inhaled. “I don't even want to think about it.”

  Reece flashed her a glance. He understood where she was coming from. “What's your name?” he asked.

  “Glory,” she scoffed but Reece regarded her with a side eye. “My name is Kyla.”

  Reece nodded. “I am Reece White,” he replied, turning away from the window. “Thank you for saving my life.” he bowed softly.

  The girl's reaction however made him blink. She bulged her eyes in realization. “You are Reece White?”

  “That's what I just said.”

  “I was supposed to meet with you… you don't look like a merchant,” she commented.

  “I am not a merchant, why would you want to meet with me?” Reece frowned.

  The girl stood up. “You are the one Mia asked me to meet with, you are supposed to help me settle down in the capital.”

  Reece’s gaze narrowed further. “Me?”

  “Yes, you. Mia gave me three names. It was either you, Erous White or Lorna Crowley.”

  Reece relaxed, then sat down opposite her. “You will have to tell me your story now,” he froze. “If you are not ready yet, it's okay, I am not just too keen on leaving this room yet, there's going to be a lot of emotions outside and I just want to be here for a while.”

  “I’ll tell you, at least now that I know you aren't a spirit and you are not just a random egoistical thaumaturge.”

  “I am not egoistical,” Reece retorted. “Where did you even get that from, you don't know me.”

  “Oh shush,” Kyla waved at him. “You are easily the most arrogant person I have ever met and you can't argue.” she affirmed.

  Reece’s expression was a mixture of curiosity and awe. He chuckled a bit. “Alright.”

  Kyla then went on to tell her story. Throughout, Reece found himself realizing how much of a talkative she was. She spent most of the time diverting to little things like the kind of crystals that ornamented the church walls.

  Reece, however, didn't interject once. He just listened to her. Something about the way she spoke soothed him. So he let her rant on.

  “So that's it. The rest of it you know,” she explained.

  “Your eyes, why do they glow?” he asked.

  “They have been like that since I was a kid. I don't know why.,” she said. “Also, I have never told a soul, I would like you to keep that part a secret, if you can… I mean, as a favor, I’ll owe you one.”

  “Your story is your story. I will only speak about mine and trust me it won't be about you. I lost a lot of people today. I don't even know them that much, hell I disliked them. They were soldiers and we were thaumaturges, we could never be friends.” He chuckled. “But they are dead now and I feel like I caused this, I mean I did… I was their goal. Maybe I could have saved the others if I just had the courage to go with them…”

  “I am going to stop you right there,” Kyla said. “When evil people do evil things, focus on the evil people and stop beating around the bush looking for who to blame. It is pathetic.”

  The door creaked open, stopping Reece’s reply. They glanced at the door and an elderly woman walked in. She was tall and slender, and the green kirtle she wore matched the deep green color of her eyes. She glanced at the two of them with a judgemental gaze.

  “You should still be on your beds,” she commented.

  Reece inhaled. “Ms. Ashya,” he smiled. “It is wonderful to see you.”

  The woman scoffed before offering a genuine smile. “Your mother is worried sick,” she said. “And rightly so, your spirit body was damaged, your mental state was in a frenzy, and I can't even talk about your actual health. Multiple ribs broken, a broken jaw, there was a crack on your skull. If I wasn't the one who checked you up myself, it would have only led to a brain hemorrhage.” She shook her head.

  She turned to Kyla. “Your mental state and your spirit body received the most damage. Compared to him though, you are fine,” she affirmed. “Still not enough reason for you to be awake either, honestly.”

  Ashya Mohan was the Grand Physician of Egrimorth and a very good friend of his mother. She doesn't usually visit the Capital, as she’s also the High Lady of Illiad, a vastly important city within the inner ring.

  Reece however knew her as an aunt, that was why he was currently resting his head against her arm. “Your mother told me what transpired, at least what she knew. Marius explained how it all happened. He thinks very highly of you.”

  Marius was a terrifying man, he remembered how efficient and dangerous he was. “Four people died. I don't think there is something to think highly of,” he closed his eyes. “This is the first time I have ever stepped into the field unsupervised and I couldn't do anything.”

  Kyla snickered and Reece raised his head. “What part of this do you find funny?” there was a dangerous edge to his tone.

  “The stupid part.” Kyla retorted.

  “You are an annoying girl,” Reece sighed.

  “And you are a very stupid boy. You fought a guy who could blow things up just by looking at them. It took three of you to put him down. Then there was this man who seemed to have betrayed you. Then one of you turned to an evil spirit or something. What would you have done?”

  “Better…” Reece said. “You won't understand, but I could have done better.”

  “Arrogant fool,” Kyla shook his head.

  Ashya scoffed. “I like her,” she said. “Well, I need to get your mother. She wants to speak to the two of you alone.” She stood up. “Listen to her though, blaming yourself for this is equal to arrogance.”

  When she stepped out, Reece turned to Kyla. “You like insulting people, don't you?”

  “No, just you. You are annoying,” Kyla retorted.

  “Me. Arrogant? You…” he paused and decided to just let it go. The girl had a mischievous smirk on her face now.

  A few heartbeats later, Lorna walked into the room and shut the door behind her. She smiled at Reece and then turned to Kyla. “You two need to tell us everything that happened today in the confines of this room, no lies, no omissions,” as she talked, she walked to the window and then closed it.

  “Mom?” Reece frowned.

  “Oh, we need to get every detail, don't worry. No one else can listen to this.” She folded her right palm into a fist then covered it with her other palm. She closed her eyes and after a while the room felt as if it was floating on a gentle sea.

  Reece was familiar with what she just did. She just manifested the symphony and used it to seal off the room. Most thaumaturges above the Acolyte level can do it. He’d seen his parents do it multiple times when they wanted to have a close room conversation.

  Lorna glanced at Kyla. “I mean you no harm, there are just important information that are best extracted without outside influence.” she said.

  Kyla didn't seem convinced, her fists were clenched, her eyes kept scanning the environment. Reece smiled, he understood the process but he remembered the first time he was in such a situation, he’d been terrified. “

  His other-parents were also bad at explaining themselves. It was one of the downsides of being powerful, they have lost a bit of connection with regular humans. His mother still tried but that man called Erous.

  He didn’t care. He never tried. Somehow he managed to take pride in being both maddeningly cryptic and completely ridiculous at the same time.

  At the far end of the room, Lorna pulled down a broad sheet of white cloth draped over the wall, unveiling a tall mirror.

  Reece studied it for a few seconds before glancing at Kyla.

  “I wouldn’t look into that,” he said.

  “Why?” she shot back, her eyes already locked on the plain, unremarkable glass.

  Reece’s gaze drifted to it as well.

  After a moment, the three reflections staring back at them dissolved. In their place stood a man wearing a brown tunic and black leather trousers. An eerie smile curved across his face, and his eyes were pitch black.

  He blinked.

  Kyla yelped and stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance.

  The reflection moved.

  The man stepped out of the mirror.

  As his boots touched the floor, his eyes shifted from bottomless black to a clear, crystalline hue.

  He smiled at Kyla and Reece as though this were the most natural thing in the world.

  “Who is he?” Kyla blurted.

  “Me?” The man’s grin widened, crooked and unsettling. “I’m just the man in the mirror