The next few minutes felt like a blur to Kyrik. Panic set in almost immediately, to the point where he wasn’t aware he’d stopped breathing until his lungs nearly exploded.

A murder, in Falmari!? Impossible!

The instant he regained his mind, he tried to call Methir, only to be blocked again. Hearts thumping still, he reached for the only other he had direct contact with; the archmage himself. After a few seconds, they telepathically connected.

“Kyrik, I am in the middle of-” An older – yet somehow youthful - voice answered with some annoyance before Kyrik cut him off.

“Someone’s been murdered, Jirmen!” Kyrik practically shouted in his mind.

“Impossible. The wards prevent murderous intent.” Jirmen answered with doubt.

“Then tell me why I’m standing over a body with a bone embedded into the spine!”

“I will be there in a second.” Jirmen’s tone changed from faint annoyance to one of urgency.

Crack! A flash of white appeared behind Kyrik and from it came a bipedal figure not unlike a shriker. Unlike them, he was canine in species with long black ears, brown fur, and a tail that had the end cut off. A lycon, a nearly extinct race as of five years ago. In his right gold-plated gauntlet, he gripped a long, bronze staff with a shimmering orb at the tip.

“Impossible.” Jirmen stomped up to the body, white robes and cape billowing from his rapid movements. “How did this happen?”

“I don’t know.” Kyrik answered nervously as Jirmen cast an anhk into the air that dispersed invisibly; an illusionary spell that would mask their presence as well as the body. “What are we going to do?”

Jirmen remained quiet, blue eyes locked onto the orb as his greying muzzle contorted in anger and bafflement. Raising his staff, a blue ankh burst forth and created a dome to shield outside eyes from spotting the bodies.

“I need to check the wards again.” Jirmen said. “Something must have drained them.”

“I can call the spirit.” Kyrik suggested. “I think it’s still inside; maybe it’ll help?”

“Do it.”

***

Lei snapped his fingers in front of Kyrik’s face, jerking him back into reality.

“By that look,” Lei said, “you’ve seen this before.”

“I have.” Kyrik confirmed. “But it’s impossible – the killer of the last one…she’s gone.”

“Ah. Saw to that yourself, didn’t you?” Kyrik could tell that he was grinning. “Maybe there is hope for you yet.”

The small dragon said nothing, stepping over to the corpse. Much like the last victim, she was young. He really didn’t like doing this, but he had to summon the spirit again. When Lei asked, he told him the plan, and he surprisingly stepped back.

The spirit was trapped in the body, Kyrik noted. Also like before. He began to grow concerned, but swallowed it to focus on the spell. He reared onto his hind legs as green energy churned in his fingers. A rune formed over the body, tendrils seeping into the body to gently pluck the spirit free. She came willingly and hovered over the body with confusion.

“I didn’t think necromancers came to this part,” She said before narrowing her eyes. “Wait, why am I-why did you take me from my body? Put me back!”

She didn’t know. The spell might as well have been a helpful claw to help her stand. Kyrik winced slightly and pointed down.

“You’re dead.” Lei answered bluntly before she looked. “You’ve been murdered, and you’re going to tell us what happened.”

Kyirk shot him a scathing look. The armored feline was unwavering in his stare, daring him to react.

“W-” The abysean looked upon her own body. She remained silent for a moment. “No…that’s…I was just walking. How did someone get past the wards?”

Kyrik averted his gaze. “What do you remember?”

“Like I said, I was simply going back to my room.” The abysean said. “I felt a sharp pain in my back and then I am suddenly…”

“You didn’t notice anyone following you?”

“No, I was alone.”

“Any enemies or someone you got into an argument with?”

“None that would do this – the wards are supposed to stop anyone with a killing intent anyway.” Her claws began to twitch. The spirit was beginning to fray; Kyrik would have to send her away soon. “Azulia would never allow this…”

“I see.” Kyrik’s morale began to diminish even further. “Well…if there is nothing else, I have to send you away now.”

“…Just like that, huh?” The abysean looked like she was ready to cry. “I was promised a death on a battlefield, not…this.”

If there was one thing he knew about abyseans, it was that honor and combat prowess reigned supreme. For the most part, abyseans were without an element, so to stand against the other races with such a crutch was telling. Being stabbed in the back, there was no pride in that. The armor of most abyseans had been designed so they would have to be facing their enemy. The only ones outside of their species they liked were the dragons in Skagvald, which held similar virtues.

“I’m sure no one would blame you for this.” Kyrik said reassuringly. “Judging from the scars on you, you’ve fought more than your fair share of battles.”

She remained quiet for a moment. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Besides, it’s not how you died that matters; it’s how you lived. Take that with you.”

With a reluctant nod, she allowed Kyrik to send her beyond. The other reapers will decide what to do with her, but he was confident she would find some sort of peace. Most abyseans – and some dragons, again from Skagvald – ended up in the third of the nine rings. Everlasting fields of combat, the finest drinks and food, the like.

“How is anyone supposed to be afraid of you?” Lei asked after she went. “You are positively adorable.”

Kyrik wasn’t sure if that was an insult or not so ignored it. “What do we do now?”

“Now? We investigate further. I have already alerted Azulia, but why let her have all the fun?” Lei’s steps echoed as he set off further down the hall.

Kyrik didn’t object to that, wanting to see for himself what had happened. His eyes ran over the environment critically; pillared halls, with rooms between each. How did no one notice she was dead? It wasn’t like something like this could go unnoticed in such a tiny environment. The only reason why it was never discovered before was because Falmari was quite massive and had many hidden alleys.

Wards didn’t take long to find, either. Invisible to anyone except for a keen magical eye, they flickered as if half powered. They were slowly restoring themselves, but whatever had taken them out had drained them almost completely. Again, it was one thing that Kyrik had seen before. His claw curled – this had to be a sick joke pulled by someone. But he never really told anyone here what happened; only Azulia knew, as she had assisted him in that…event.

Kyrik examined the bone. It was hardened by cartilage, sharper and stronger than any normal knife. This was different from before; the bone before was from an Orithas – said to be messengers of the damned, whereas this was from a dragon. But the resemblance was uncanny; practically the same area was stabbed. Death was instantaneous, and the body had to be disposed soon, for if the event were to truly repeat…this body would spring back to life, and very soon.

“Question.” Lei said from further down the hall. He had been beating down doors and demanding to know if anyone saw what happened. “What do you know about flesh golems?”

Kyrik lifted his head, muzzle crinkling in confusion. “That’s oddly specific. Why?”

“Curious.”

“Flesh golems are beings that are made from stitched together parts, sewn together with magic and thread. Powerful necromancers never make more than one, as they can be hard to control. They are also extremely resilient.” Kyrik moved to the other side of the body. He was tempted to grab the bone and take it for further analysis.

“About my size, you would say?”

“In most cases.”

“And you say more than one is a bad idea.”

“Correct.” Where was Lei going with this?

“Then explain this.”

Kyrik whirled around to question, only to find his answer stalking down the hall slowly. The base was draconic, but had the head of a gryphon – the last of the major species. Extra limbs and bone protruded from its back, of all different species. The flesh had begun to decay, vacant eyes searching.

From behind the monstrosity, another emerged.

A low laugh emanated from Lei as he held out his claw to form a blade from thin air. Crimson runes ran down the length, igniting as the sword solidified. Abyseans lacked an element, and so relied on conventional weaponry – the flesh golems were going to find out just how deadly they can be.

Lei was upon the first one in the blink of an eye, leaping into the air and slashing viciously. A thin line crossed the side of the first, widening rapidly after the blade ripped itself away. The second charged past Lei, focusing on Kyrik.

Kyrik had been prepared; this was not the first time he fought against one! As it charged, Kyrik reared onto his hind legs and summoned a bolt of sickly green energy. It collided with the chest and corroded the flesh, strands of it oozing to the ground. It didn’t stop the golem, but the movements were slowed.

Perfect chance for Kyrik to use his element to whip up a whirlwind. The vortex formed quickly and violently, stunning the golem long enough for multiple blasts in points of weakness. It ate away around the extremities, slowing movement more and more. It lurched toward him, Kyrik jumping back with a flap of his wings.

When he landed, Kyrik summoned his own weapon. A beautiful scythe, the silvery sickle glimmering in the dull light. A golden serpent twisted itself up the handle, the mouth opened to hold a sapphire. Kyrik didn’t design the scythe, but he certainly warmed up to the aesthetic. Yet the sight of it drew such a sense of unease and pain, it regretted summoning it. But this wasn’t the time for his personal feelings.

It cut into the head, driving straight into where the brain would be. Purple, spiritual energy radiated from the wound, flashing out of its eyes. The attack was meant to strike at the bonds that tethered the beast together rather than do physical harm, and to his surprise, it completely stopped the golem. With a gurgling roar, it collapsed with a heavy thud.

At this point, everyone decided to come out. Luckily, Kyrik had already hidden his weapon. What was unlucky, however, was the fact that there was a third flesh golem. As Lei was busy savoring his kill, it ran past him at lightning speed and charged the unprepared Kyrik.

Squeinch!

The flesh golem suddenly fell apart at the seams. The momentum sprayed the parts all over the hall, sliding into walls and splattering rotten blood in all direction. A claw landed at Kyrik’s, forcing him to jump backward and into someone.

“Are you alright?” Witherwing asked, lowering his arm. Along the length, holes opened where molten spikes had flung out and embedded themselves in the wall.

“Yeah.” Kyrik nodded. As he looked at the dragon, Kyrik noticed something off. His eyes…they were fiery orange now. The change of his eye color was common with him for some reason. Again, Kyrik had no idea why.

“Why must you ruin our play, Withers?” Lei strode over. “We had it handled.”

“I’m sure you were fine, but our young guest was not.” Witherwings said politely.

“It’s not like he can die.”

“What is going on here?!” Azulia’s demanded as she ascended the stairs, wings spread and landing heavily behind Kyrik protectively. “How did they attack!?”

“Wards were down.” Kyrik answered quickly. “Someone drained them.”

“Impossible.” Witherwings acted like he had been slapped. “I renewed them but an hour ago.”

“Evidently you didn’t do a good job.” Lei said rather loudly. Why did Azulia keep him again?

“Enough,” Azulia snapped at him. “Witherwing, check the wards again. Lei, you search the halls. I’m taking Kyrik with me. If any of you find anything, report to me at once.”

Kyrik had never seen her so angry. If he made any sudden movements, she might have attacked him if that bloodlust in her eyes was any warning. He wanted to investigate further, even if it meant working with Lei, but he didn’t protest. On top of that, his journey back to the library would have to wait.

“With me,” Azulia ordered.

They moved through the castle, which seemed to be reorganizing itself once again. Where she was taking him, he didn’t know. He almost didn’t want to.

“I recognized it,” Azulia said to him after a moment. “The moment I saw the scene. This was not a coincidence.”

“I thought the same.” Kyrik agreed quietly.

“But we both know the original perpetrator had been…dealt with.” She chose her words delicately. “Which makes me think that you are the target.”

“Me?” Kyrik tilted his head. “But you and I are the only ones here who knew what really happened!”

“Someone found out, then.” Azulia sighed. “I’m ordering a lockdown. No one is to leave and that means I cannot allow you to, either. Whoever this is might follow you.”

“Then I’m summoning someone who can help.” Kyrik said confidently.

She eyed him. “I thought you two weren’t talking.”

“The argument was minor and we can use an extra pair of eyes. Let’s not forget, she also assisted us.”

Azulia’s face turned unreadable for a moment. “Very well but I must insist on escorting you down there.”

Kyrik couldn’t tell her no even if he wanted to. If he were honest, being near her felt a bit…comforting. Knowing that he wasn’t alone in whatever was happening calmed him just a bit.

“Do you…” Kyrik decided to ask, “Get um…visions of that day?”

Azulia regarded him curiously. “Do you?”

“Sometimes.” Kyrik explained a bit of what he still saw. A church clouded by sickly green mist. A whole town in ruins.

Azulia’s face softened slightly. “You poor thing – someone so young should never been experiencing that.”

“According to Jirmen, I’m still processing it. It’s been months and I don’t know why it’s stuck.”

“I was in your position before.” Azulia’s voice was distant for a moment. “An event like that is not something easily gotten over. Sometimes, you never do.”