I watch as Andromeda opens the door for Natalia. Leaving Arilius and I alone in the office. I lean back into my seat, falling into deep thought. Just why does this entire case seem so strange. There are no official witnesses, and no evidence has been left behind. All we have are the bodies of the dead to go off of. It is like there is something is actively trying to keep us from solving it. Arilius rubs their eyes and sighs. They lean back into their seat and look out the window. What I would give to know is what is happening in their mind. Then an idea pops into my head. Most Acers have the ability to somewhat “commune” with the dead in the form of seeing how they died. But the downside of this is that you need to be at the location of where that person died, but in very rare cases, you can talk to them at the place of burial.

“Arilius, where did Helena die?” I ask them

Confused, they answer, “Why?”

“She is the most recent victim, and I need to look at the scene of the crime, and the records don’t have the exact location,” I tell them.

“What are you planning?” They ask me with their eyes narrowing at me.

“Nothing, I am just using the gifts I was given. But do tell me how many Acres in your possession have The Veilsight?” I lean in just as they are. 

“We have been unfortunate enough not to have anyone with The Veilsight, are you implying that you have it?” 

“Perhaps, but there is one other person I know that has it too,” I say with a smile, I know I am holding information, but their reaction is just too funny. “But that is beside the point. Where did Helena die?” I asked again.

They lean in closer to me, placing their hands upon their desk, “How many secrets do you hold, Acer?” 

I lean in closer to them and whisper, “Dinner first, General.”

They let out a big huff and leaned back into their chair, rolling their eyes in the process. But when they look at me, they let out a tiny chuckle and finally tell me, “In the forest outside the graveyard, there is no path, but there should be leftover investigation materials trailing to it. The corporals tend to get lost pretty fast”.

I jump to my feet to collect my things after hearing the location. But, before my feet could even touch the floor of the hall, Arilius called my name, “Jessica.”

My head turns to them, and now I’m curious about what they want to ask me.

“What happened to you and Talia?”

I smile at them, and all I can say is, “Another time.”

With my final words, I rush out of the building to the graveyard. We can finally get a slight lead after all these years, is all I can think. Before I can even think about it, I start to pick up speed, and I’ve found myself running through the afternoon market. All the stalls are open, and all kinds of people are walking around. I think I even see Asher and Andromeda together, strange. But, now is not the time to greet and question them. I have a mission to see through. Considering I am running through an active market, people start to take notice of me. Some are even bold enough to call out my name, some voices I recognize, but as I have stated before, I am going to my destination.

Before long I found myself in the graveyard. It is small but vast in some areas. I try not to think about it too much because sadly I have seen bigger in my time. But I walk down the path to the forest and that's where I can see the small trail left by the poor forgetful corporals. Ironically it is made of a bunch of sticks and stones, which must have taken a lot of time. They were all laid neatly to the point where I am pretty sure this is a memorial for the late General Helena. And when I arrive at my location my suspicions are correct, it is a memorial. In Noctius death is treated with so much kindness and the love of everyone, if you were good to the people the people would all do their best to take care of you whether it be in life or death. It truly shows here, there are candles and food offerings everywhere. I know most of these were her favorites. People who die unnatural deaths are always the saddest because their spirit still lingers until their business is taken care of, but until then the people will take care of them. But there is only one thing for me to do here, no matter how much I loathe it. I must use an ability I have long forsaken, sworn by myself never to be called upon again. But, as they say, drastic times call for drastic measures.

I still my body. I close my eyes and control my breathing. I steady my heartbeat and slow my pulse. It takes longer than I remember, I must be out of practice. As I concentrate on my inner thoughts, I notice as the hustle and bustle of the world around me slowly fades into nothingness. I am left with the inky void. I can see it in my mind's eye. A dark desolate place it is. I recall back to the instructions I was given oh so long ago. Keep calm. Emotions are nothing but distractions. Concentrate on moving around in the void. Feel for the telltale signs of her aura bindings. As I sit there with nothing but my own thoughts, I can feel as my psyche wanders around the void. Suddenly it is met with a presence, one I have not felt for a long, long time. The rush of colors and feelings that come with them are overwhelming, so much so that I can feel my body collapse. The air rushes out of my lungs as my legs crumple, and my temples smack against the floor. As my body heaves, trying desperately to bring air into my lungs, all I feel is a sharp, stinging pain.

When my strength finally retired I was able to look up and see a small string or chain bound to the spot at my feet. I can smell only faint traces of blood and aura patches. She must have died so painfully in order for those to appear. I begin to pull at the string, its long red wire wrapping around my hands. The whispers of the dead fill my ears with honeyed words for me to join them, but I block them out. The only voice I need is hers. I pull the string harder and more to me, and then I see her. Her smile carries such a heavy weight, I reach my hand out to her. She in turn takes mine. I close my eyes and so that even for only a short while my mind can intertwine with her. I brace myself for the final rush of emotions so that I may see through her eyes what really happened that night. Gods I wish you didn't have to die so painfully my friend, I promise you I will help you.