“It's an ambush!” - last words of an unknown member of the Guardia Grifone, shortly before a ghoul bit down on his throat.

  Luna, Stello and Marco led the others into the apothecary. It didn’t seem that much different to the Six Strangers at first. It was much larger than the one in Tressviae, and perhaps it wasn’t as clean.

  The problems were apparent when they came across the tables. One had the usual parchments and notations splayed about.

  But the other had a corpse.

  It was one of the creatures. Its head was detached and lay alongside the body. Flies were buzzing around the cadaver, and it stank most terribly.

  Annabelle walked ahead, her eyes wide. “What the hell are you doing? Get that out at once!”

  Marco rolled his eyes. “Look, this is a warzone, don’t act so—”

  “No, you dolt, this is highly unsanitary! You want a contagion to spread in one of the few safe havens in this town?”

  Elizabeth held a hand on her shoulder, a smile on her lips. “You better do what she says. I don’t know how long I can hold her back.”

  Luna pointed at several of their men, and they dragged the body away. “We were trying to study it.”

  Etheros shook his head. “It would have yielded nothing fruitful. Fret not. We know what these creatures are.”

  “No, we’re not done. Where are the other guaritori?” demanded Annabelle.

  None of the locals said anything. Annabelle looked upon them expectedly.

  “Think about it,” whispered Leo.

  She gasped. “My apologies. I shouldn’t have been so brash. You didn’t know any better.”

  Luna raised a hand. “Don’t be. It’s what we need to hear.”

  “Shall we begin?” said Etheros. He muttered a spell, and chairs floated to all the people assembled.

  While most of the group obliged, Luna stood there, not even registering it. Annabelle paused upon seeing her stillness and asked if she was alright.

  Luna took a deep breath. “I know this might seem strange, but when you were fighting the creatures, did you see one with short black hair, a stocky body, and tattoos on his arms?”

  They shook their heads.

  Annabelle leaned in. “Why do you ask?”

  Luna trembled. “That would be my boyfriend, Giani. He sacrificed himself so that I could get away.” She sat in the chair, head in her hands, tears running down her face.

  Annabelle hugged her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “This city has gone to hell! This was our home.” She looked up, her bright eye flaring. “Our home! The nobili locked themselves in their towers while the rest of the city crumbled! We’re doing everything we can. But we don’t know what we’re doing. Please, what the hell is going on? Why is this happening?” Stello placed a hand on his twin’s shoulder as she simmered.

  Etheros took a deep breath. “Don’t worry. All will be explained. At least as much as we know.”

  They spent considerable time with the twins, recounting the adventures that brought them to this point—Leo’s adventures in Venito and Raveno and on the river. Etheros spoke about his encounter with the daemon and Annabelle’s efforts to save him. They mentioned how Tressviae got attacked, that Velo-Obitus took Avella and the rest of the Godshards. Luna asked many questions and got more distraught the longer the tales went on. Stello never spoke, but Leo could see him listening intently, occasionally whispering in Luna’s ear.

  “By the Gods, it’s not just here!” whimpered Luna. “How do you know the Island City hasn’t fallen?”

  “I would sense it if it had,” Etheros said, eyes flickering slightly. “Any Godshard would feel many Godshards disappearing for many miles. They’re safe for now. As for the nature of these creatures, what do you know about ghouls?”

  “They’re corrupted Benelim from the deserts,” noted Leo.

  “Correct. Do you know how ghouls first came to be?”

  “I do,” said Petro. “It is a tale of great sorrow to Regnum Solis. Many centuries ago, the last time daemons invaded our world.”

  “Back when Adam returned to the Cradlelands from his travels,” added Martin.

  “Indeed, and while Adam worked with the city of Primus to expel them from there, they were far from done with their foul schemes,” said Etheros. “Yanneros was besieged, and so were the Benelim Kingdoms.”

  “Including those Benelim who made their kingdom in the deserts,” added Petro. “But the daemons woefully underestimated the guile of my kin. They drove the monstrous horde out of their home through attrition, ambushes, and the very elements. But not before the daemons levied a great curse upon them. The daemons had their own guile, and under the desert moon, Benelim went missing. Particularly those we call Animites. These Benelim were more bestial in appearance, way more than myself. The king mustered rescue teams and sent expeditions, but they were too late. They came across a horrible sight when they found the victims in the daemon’s twisted lairs. Physical trauma wracked their bodies. At first, it seemed like they were dead. It would have been better if they were.

  “They were not; they were still alive, unnaturally, even as their flesh rotted. A hunger, a piece of a daemon’s hunger, now languished within them. These monsters attacked instantly, even as they clawed for breath like newborn beasts. And thus, the first ghouls were born. Like a plague, this blight spread amongst my kin, for a bite is all that is needed. Upon infection, the wound drains the soul away, leaking like dripping water, broken and formless into the Soul River. All that remains is the all-consuming hunger. The ghouls ravaged Regnum Solis, and even to this day, parts of their realm are lost. They continue to cause problems for that kingdom to this very day.”

  Everyone was silent. Leo never knew the nature of ghouls was that storied or that tragic.

  “Are you saying these creatures are the same as those ghouls?” asked Luna.

  “Possibly. I have had the misfortune of encountering ghouls several times. These creatures are similar, but they read differently to me.”

  “I agree,” said Etheros. “I have also dealt with ghouls. With them, the corruption was more . . . complete. The hunger entirely consumed them. With these undead, the daemonic hunger is latching on to a remnant of the soul, anchoring like a tick or a parasite.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “They might be different, but they die all the same,” noted Leo.

  Luna stood up. “Wait a minute. If the daemonic hunger is merely latched on, couldn’t you detach it?”

  Etheros paused. “To what end? Most of their soul would still be gone, and their bodies might not heal.”

  “Maybe their foul hunger would also disappear, and they would stop their rampages. We would be giving them their free will back!”

  “Listen, child,” Elizabeth sighed. “I know you wish to save your love, but it’s too late for him. The best you can do is put him out of his misery.”

  “It could just be a fool’s errand; we don’t know if enough of their souls are left,” added Annabelle. “They might just be empty husks.”

  “Wait,” said Leo. “Luna might be onto something. I encountered these same creatures in Raveno. I decapitated one before it died, the blackness in his eyes faded, and I heard it mutter ‘Thank you.’”

  Luna brightened. “So there’s a chance!”

  “It’s folly!” grumbled Elizabeth. “Can Etheros even cast a spell like that?”

  All eyes turned to Etheros. He said nothing at first, his eyes darting back and forth. He took a deep breath. “No Godshard has ever cast a spell like this before.”

  “See!” shouted Elizabeth.

  “But exploring and trying new things is in the Adamite spirit.”

  “This is lunacy! What if it doesn’t stop them? What if they still keep attacking people?” Elizabeth walked toward Luna. Both women had fire in their eyes. “You’re going to have to face facts; your boyfriend is gone! Nothing is going to bring him back.”

  “I believe in them. In Giani. They’ll stop.”

  “Are you willing to gamble your life on that?”

  “Yes. I would!”

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows raised, but neither woman budged. Leo sighed and stood silent for a moment. Someone had to stop this before it got physical. “This isn’t just about Giani. What other choice do they have, Liz? They’re outnumbered with almost no supplies. This might just give them a chance. Even if they all turned into soulless husks, it would still stop the carnage.”

  Martin stepped between both women, arms raised. “Let’s see if Etheros can even create the spell first. It’s been a long day; we should get some rest.”

  “Fine!” shouted both women before walking off in opposite directions. Annabelle followed Elizabeth, and Stello followed Luna.

  “Can you really do it, Etheros?” asked Petro.

  Etheros rose from his seat, stretching his legs. “I have to try. This is clearly part of the daemon’s plan—take the Godshards and sow chaos in their wake. A plague like this only benefits them, and if civilization collapses, it makes conquest even easier.”

  Martin nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. Daemon conquests are never quick; they’re gradual and indomitable.”

  Leo’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Petro sighed. “What do you think happened to the true Nephilim?”

  Etheros waved an arm and said, “That’s enough. Get some rest, you three. I’ll see about working on this spell.”

  ………………………

  Leo leaned into a chair, smoking a pipe. It had been a while since he smoked, but he had to do something to take the edge off his nerves. He blew a great ring of smoke and watched it trail up by the shelves. It felt weird being in the storage room of the apothecary. He felt like he didn’t belong there, and in normal circumstances, that would be true.

  It was similar to a pantry, with rows of ingredients—barrels of herbs and spices. Fruits and vegetables rotted away in wooden crates. It smelled awful, but compared to the scent of rotting flesh, they might as well have been tulips. Roots and flowers hung off railings above, a last bastion of color in a city where blood and dirt had drowned it.

  Etheros was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room. His grey hooded cloak hung in the air as he floated. His eyes glazed over, and his pupils frantically shifted back and forth. He warned Leo not to disturb him. A pity he didn’t wait ’til he left before starting. The sight was uncanny, even if he had seen similar stuff before with Avella.

  Etheros landed gently on the ground, and his eyes returned to focus. He took a deep breath.

  “Any luck?”

  Etheros shrugged. “It’s too soon to say. The creation of new spells takes a lot of work. You didn’t think I would be that quick, did you?”

  “I really wouldn’t know.”

  Etheros beamed and said, “Oh? I can explain.”

  “I-I don’t see the point. I’m not a Godshard,” stuttered Leo.

  “Ha, you’ve been around Avella too long. The sacerdozio likes to keep things to themselves. Adamites are always willing to share their knowledge, for everyone can benefit from it. Observe!”

  Leo sighed and straightened up in his chair. Evidently, Etheros was not going to take no for an answer.

  “Spells are spoken in the Old Tongue. It is a special language with special properties, for it is closest to the Gods’ own tongue. Whenever a Godshard casts a spell, they force their will upon the universe, commanding it to obey their speech. The incantations Godshards use are merely specific commands, sentences proclaiming what they want to do. To make a new spell, I must figure out what I need to say, in what order, and what words get emphasis.”

  Leo leaned in. “Fascinating. What would happen if I said one of these incantations?”

  Etheros shook his head. “It wouldn’t work. According to the teachings of Adam, a Shard is required. He said even lesser Shards are limited in what they can do. They can say the words, but the universe doesn’t obey.”

  “Why?”

  Etheros paused. “In truth, we don’t know why. Not even Adam knew. Maybe one day, some Godshard will figure it out. The nature of who we are is a constantly expanding process; nothing we know is ever set in stone. Adam understood this, and that is why in the last chapters of his book, he encouraged people to embrace that, not to be afraid of it or fight it. There is always something new to learn or discover. It’s a never-ending adventure!”

  Leo tilted his head. “Are you talking about the Godshards or in general?”

  “Both. The teachings of Adam were supposed to apply to all, not just us. Sacerdozio Godshards struggle with this. Their view is too narrow and dogmatic.”

  Leo was silent for a moment; he took a deep breath. “Avella said that the sacerdozio is a machine, one that sends Godshards where they want to go and can deal with problems decisively. I don’t know how things are in Yanneros, but here the sacerdozio has long been an astute ally of the Cradlelands. Padre Angelos is like a father to me; he’s been a rock for Tressviae. Avella has saved my life several times. How can you view them so poorly?”

  Etheros’ eyes flickered. “Salvatore is a good man. Avella is a capable woman. I respect Lazarus for ousting Abel and for his methods ever since. There are good people there. I don’t mean to diminish their work or their impact on your life. The fact they achieve well in the world is as respectable to the teachings of Adam as anything I’ve done. Perhaps in a perfect world, where we could define our own problems and struggles, where everything is on our terms, their way would be best.” Etheros leaned in. “But this is the real world. Problems do not always conform to their tactics or ideals. Nor can they use their teachings to insulate themselves from local politics. Avella calls her order a machine; perhaps when it’s a simpler matter, that is true. But the moment something not addressed by David, Solomon, or Samuel manifests, their world grinds to a halt.”

  The door thudded. “May we come in?” Luna’s voice could be overheard through the thick wood.

  “Of course!”

  The twins walked in, their steps in tandem with each other.

  “Any luck so far?” asked Luna.

  “Not yet. I’m glad you’re here, though; I wish to speak with you.” Etheros muttered a spell, summoning two more chairs.

  The twins glanced at each other for a moment. “Alright.”

  “You see, I’m fascinated that you have Soulsight and aren’t Shards.”

  “Thanks for reminding us,” grumbled Luna. “People judged us for years. They were afraid of us. In a world with monsters, Maelim and daemons, the two people with single glowing eyes scared them. Why? Godshards have glowing eyes, but they don’t get judged!”

  Etheros raised his hand. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to make you upset. You see, I think you’re special; you’re different. Did you know I have been around for over two hundred twenty years? Yet for all of that, I have never seen, heard, or read about anything like you two. It is fascinating and groundbreaking.”

  Luna was speechless at first. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about us.”

  “I’m curious to know what happened. Do either of you remember?”

  Stello whispered into Luna’s ear, and she nodded. “They told us it happened a few days after we were born. They said we were snuggled up next to each other in our cradle when a great light burst into the room. Stello doesn’t remember anything; I only remember that the light fell between us. When our parents entered, they said the room was filled with smoke, our cradle was destroyed, and both of us had scars down our faces, and from that day forth, we’ve had our glow.”

  “Incredible. Thank you for sharing your story,” said Etheros.

  “Most people don’t care enough to ask,” muttered Luna.

  Etheros turned to Leo. “And you see, there’s always something new to learn. Here we have something new regarding how shards interact with twins. Shards entering twins has happened before, but usually, it picks one or the other. I wonder what this shard of Omnitus was thinking? He only gifted you Soulsight and some burns? There’s much to think about there.”

  “Yes there is, but I must ask again about the spell?”

  Etheros turned back to Luna. “Patience. Give me some time; I’ll figure it out; you have my word.