The flames of many insignificant fires they had lit since that time had long since been extinguished as the three of them made their way deeper into the forest. Damp moss, pine, flora, and a menagerie of other scents drifted through the woodland air. The sky above them was enveloped by a dense cover of clouds, blocking out the light of the sun.

Looking back at Ymir and Lilith, who trailed closely behind, Ira inquired, “Do either of you need to rest?” Being the most familiar with the geography of this region, Ira took point in their formation.

“I think we’re good! Thanks though!” The voice came from Lilith. “Oh! I forgot to give this to you, Ymir.” She said as she slit open the tip of her index finger with one of her nails.

She twirled her finger as if to draw a spiral. “Blood brings life and life brings wisdom.” The blood from her finger stained the air, as if there were a transparent canvas hovering in front of her. The strokes all melded together, opening what seemed to be a portal of sorts. Reaching in with her small, delicate hands, she pulled out a grimoire and offered it to him. “Here ya go! The alliance had procured this. The Proxy of the Augurs said it would be of use to you.”

“Thanks.” He accepted the musty tome with one hand while giving Lilith a grateful pat on the head.

Feeling his hand atop her head, her face perked up in bliss.

Ymir opened the book. The pages within were all stained and frayed from countless years of use, giving off a dank, mildewed odor. It seemed to be some sort of archive of unusual markings that had been studied throughout the years. He leafed through the pages, his feet continuing to trek forward. Subconsciously, he stopped skimming and examined the page. “The Mark of Shadows.”

The moment he had spoken its name, the grimoire fell from his hands, and Ymir fell with it. The light began to disappear from his surroundings; his world clouded over, watching Ira and Lilith fade away as he entered the void.

A twisted, hearty laughter filled the vacant blackness. The sound of footsteps in the distance drew near as the white horseman came into view. “Back so soon, Ymir?”

Having seen this sight before, he was no longer startled by the being before him. “Why am I here?”

“It’s simple, is it not? You called and we answered. For future reference, we can be summoned by our names as well; although, my brethren are currently bound, therefore they are unable to hearken to your invocations at this time.”

“What is your name anyway?”

“I have many names, but you can call me ‘Pestilence.’”

Ymir took note of his name. Resentment resonated in his tone as he questioned, “Why did you slaughter everyone in Umbrium?”

“I do not understand why you’re baring fangs at me, young man. You released me from my restraints, and I granted your wish of reaping the souls of that village. I was called forth by your bloodlust; though I may have been the catalyst, it was your will that was done.”

Riding the line between acceptance and denial, Ymir submitted in frustration to being the sole cause of the blood on his hands. “You’re right... I did wish for that. Rena died because of EVERYONE in that village... the knights who attacked and the villagers who were weak and complacent. They all deserved the judgment they received.” Ymir clenched his fists in anger thinking back on it.

Pestilence gave a slow round of applause. “You’re learning. No one is free of sin. They all deserved death; it was retribution for both their actions and inactions. I believe we should end today’s lesson here.” He stepped forward and pushed a decrepit finger against Ymir’s skull. “A parting gift.”

“Daaagh!” He collapsed to the floor, contorting in agony from the knowledge of Pestilence’s power being seared into his mind.

By the time Ymir had opened his eyes, he could see Ira and Lilith were just about to turn around to look at him. Time had all but stopped while he was in that void.

Ira tilted her head to the side, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” he replied as he pushed himself off the ground and picked up the tome that lay beside him, “I’m fine. I just tripped...”

A few hours had passed since then, as they stayed their course through the woodlands. As they moved forward, the scenery changed gradually; the plant life where they now were had grown to abnormally large sizes and made it seem like a completely different environment.

“What is this place?” Ymir inquired, his eyes scanning the dense thicket that now encompassed them.

Ira looked over her shoulder at the two of them, “The Shadow Wardens’ Grove.”

The dried leaves and overgrowth crunched under their feet with every step, nearly overshadowing the sound of running water in the distance. Each pace they took brought them closer to the source of that refreshing noise. They maintained their bearing, until finally...

Ira stopped, signalling the two behind her to do the same. “We’re here.”

Cutting off the path before them ran a breathtaking river, surging with clear water. The banks on either side were teeming with multitudinous species of herbs and shrubbery. Connecting each side was a wooden bridge of a grand design; proportionately voluminous and deep, the water would have been near impossible to navigate without it. On the opposite side of this span lay the outline of a majestically architected city, a semi-translucent barrier draping over it like a parasol of a violet tinge.

Ira continued toward the wooden span as if beckoned from the other side. Step by step she drew closer, recalling the last memories she had of this place.

“You’re a fool, Ira. The thought of bowing to a King not of this clan makes me sick.”

“Your ideals are no more than the whims of a stupid child!”

“If you continue chasing these ridiculous dreams, you will be excommunicated!”

Taking notice of the ground that waited beneath what would be Ira’s next footfall, Ymir’s expression instantly changed to one of urgency. In the same breath, he leaned his body forward and broke out in a mad dash toward Ira.

As her foot gently met the soil beneath it, a multilayered spell-circle lit up around her, glowing the same violet color of the barrier across the bridge.

“Welcome home, betrayer.” The words echoed throughout the river bank.