I don't know how long I had slept. When Rockscar Island passed, I didn't even notice the dawn. Something shook me awake—my breath caught sharply in my throat. For several seconds, panic consumed me before I could remember where I was.
"Hey! Hey, Vita!" A familiar voice called, filled with concern.
"Linn—Linn?" I asked, not realizing I had been crying until that moment.
In an instant, she pulled me into her arms, holding me tightly. Her warmth radiated from both body and soul. As she embraced me, I felt it—a strong, gentle force pulsing within her, more powerful than any soul I had ever touched. Even while alive, hers was vividly present to my senses.
"Yes, Vita, it's me. I'm here."
I trembled, numb and wide-eyed. I… just…
"Linn, I… I did something, and then… Linn, I…"
"Shhh, it's okay. We'll figure this out. But not here, alright? Let me take you downstairs, Vita?"
I finally looked around the room. The other children were watching me—some sitting, some standing nearby, all concerned. A few clung to Linn's coat, seeking comfort.
"…Big sister, are you okay?" one whispered. "You wouldn't wake up. We had to go get Linn. You kept…"
It wasn't real. Not in any way I could see, hear, or touch. It defied every concept of reality I knew. It passed through the floor, through the earth, through the dozen islands below… yet it never left me. With my new perception, I sensed it—it sensed me too. It coiled around my body, curious and idle like someone playing with a loose thread between their fingers. But it wasn't human. Its cold, careless touch masked its true intent. It found a soul—took it—and my soft friend died in my arms as the thing slithered back into the mist from where it came…
"Vita!" Linn called again, shaking me gently. "Hey! Wake up! You're safe! I'm right here. Breathe slowly, baby. Slow down, Vita."
Oh. I had been breathing too fast. I tried to focus on her words, to steady myself. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"There we go. Good girl. You're safe now, kid."
"…I'm not a kid anymore." I mumbled weakly. Linn smiled.
"Well there you are! That's the Vita I know. You're back with us?"
I nodded slowly, blinking away the fog in my mind. I was here, conscious—but not safe.
"…Yeah. Sorry."
"You don't have to apologize, sweetheart." She hugged me once more before standing. "You're okay now. I need to get back to work."
I swallowed hard.
"Okay. Uh… Linn? I think something might be wrong."
She puffed her cheeks, looking tense.
"Well, is this something that puts you in immediate danger, or can it wait a few hours? Because I really need to go."
Oh, of course she was busy. And even if it returned, what could she do? Nothing. So maybe it was better for her to leave.
"It can wait."
"Good, great." She nodded quickly. "Kids, Vita can make it downstairs on her own. None of you follow her. Vita, if you want to practice or whatever, go ahead—but don't do anything reckless until we've made sure it's safe, got it?"
I nodded.
"Got it."
"Good girl. See you later, kids!"
Linn rushed out, leaving me with the others. I took a shaky breath, fumbling under the blankets until I found poor Roscoe. I held him tight, rocking slightly before tucking him back into his nest of rags. He used to be my most treasured possession. Maybe someday he would be again.
"I'm not a kid," another child mocked in my voice.
The others laughed, and I flushed red with embarrassment. I threw the blanket at the troublemaker and stood abruptly, determined to walk off the horror of what had happened—even if part of me was just trying to escape the shame.
The maze of alleys was easy to lose myself in—not truly lost, of course; I knew every inch of this city. I wanted my thoughts to wander, to listen to my footsteps echo against stone, to drift wherever they led. Yesterday felt unreal, yet undeniably real. The power still pulsed inside me. I had to decide what to do with it.
I didn't have answers yet—but at least the walk was pleasant. I hadn't gone walking by choice in a long time. Malnutrition made movement exhausting. But yesterday's meal—whatever the healer gave me—left me full for once. Rich and delicious. Killing Gregor almost seemed worth it… Hmm. Probably shouldn't think like that.
Shhh.
A familiar sound reached my ears—soft, subtle. Dangerous. The kind of noise a street rat like me knows to avoid. A blade sinking into flesh, somewhere just beyond the next block. I should turn around immediately… Wait, I felt it—someone had just died.
…What a waste to let that soul slip away, right?
Before I understood why, I was already slipping toward the alley. Was this stupid? Probably. But there was a soul out there. Damn it, I wanted it.
This wasn't just necromantic instinct—at least not entirely. Consuming souls made me stronger. Stronger meant food, meant survival. I was done being stepped on, done starving. If I had to risk everything to rise above, so be it.
I reached the alley, peering cautiously around the corner. At its end lay three men—one clearly dead, lying on his back. The other two stood beside him: a short, plump man—not quite as fat as Gregor, but heading that way—and a tall, thin one wiping a wooden dagger on a cloth. Both wore ragged clothes, clearly not wealthy.
Unfortunately, their eyes were sharper than their blades. The fat one spotted me instantly.
"…Damn," he muttered. "Kid over there, Squeegs."
"Damn" fit the situation well enough. They were far from me, but if I couldn't outrun Gregor, these two would catch me easily. I had only come to retrieve the soul after they left!
"I didn't see anything," I squeaked.
"Oh yeah?" The tall one—Squeegs—replied. His voice dripped with slimy charm, the kind that made me want to bathe afterward.
"Then come out so we can see for ourselves."
"…I don't wanna. You'll stab me."
Squeegs chuckled, shaking his head.
"We won't stab you, no. Just need to make sure you don't run to the guards, right, Friggs?"
The shorter one nodded.
"I promise, kid. Come here and I'll give you a bite to eat."
I frowned. All criminals said that. Only Linn gave food without expecting anything in return. This one sounded kinder than the snake-tongued one, but there was a sharpness beneath his words, sharper than his knife.
"…I won't tell anyone. I steal stuff too. To hell with the guards."
They grinned.
"Come on, little lady. We're not regular thieves—we don't steal things." Squeegs said.
"You stole his life," I corrected, pointing at the corpse.
Friggs burst into laughter.
"She got you there, Squeegs! But seriously, girl, you gotta come here—or else."
I swallowed, nodding as I fully entered the alley. They might be telling the truth… but more likely, they wanted to lure me closer and silence a witness. I had no intention of becoming another nameless corpse in this alley. Power gathered in my hands—I was ready to rip out their souls if they lunged. They had knives and looked like professional killers. No leisurely fight like with Gregor. One chance. Surprise was my only weapon. Kill the thinner one first—he looked faster.
I approached slowly, feigning fear, avoiding their gaze. But nerves prickled along my spine. This could be my death. No—I wouldn't die. I would strike first. Watching their hands closely, I waited for movement…
"…This kid," Squeegs murmured to his partner.
"Yeah," Friggs agreed. "Street rats always tough, I guess. We won't hurt you, girl. Just wanted a good look at you. Mind lowering your hood, sweetheart?"
Damn, I was still too far to reach them. I truly hoped they were telling the truth. Cautiously, I obeyed.
"Mmm…" Friggs hummed. "Believe her now."
He reached into his grime-streaked coat and tossed me a piece of fried meat. Instinctively, I caught it—it smelled amazing. Then he hoisted the corpse onto his shoulder. I noticed the soul remained behind.
"If you want more food, you can come with us. Otherwise… nice meeting you, sweetheart."
"I'm not a sweet—" I grumbled, already biting into the meat. Juicy, delicious.
He gave a polite nod and walked off with Squeegs. I didn't stop them, savoring the meal. Tasty as it was, I certainly wouldn't follow two murderers. Who knew—they might be professional assassins. Besides… I had unfinished business.
As soon as they vanished, I carefully reached out and grasped the lingering soul. Part of me feared I'd grow to expect this treatment. Though tempted to consume it immediately, I stored it safely in my arm instead. I wanted to run tests.
I hurried back to the Shack, silently ignoring the other orphans and descending into the hidden cellar. I sat comfortably. Another human soul. Before doing anything reckless, I wanted permission.
Unfortunately, progress was slow. First, I tried speaking to it mentally—nothing. Spoke aloud—still nothing. I nudged it with my own soul, hoping for a reaction. Still nothing. An hour passed before I concluded: communication required a mouth. But if I created another obedient revenant like Gregor, what good would that do? "Hey, can I commit the worst possible sacrilege with your essence?" "Of course, Vita! Whatever you say, Vita! Anything for you, Vita!" Just thinking about it made me shudder.
Frowning, I gave up—for now. I tucked the soul away for future use. I had other experiments in mind, but they required Linn or another corpse.
I closed my eyes, continuing my meditation. There was something else to consider: soul perception. I could sense wandering souls easily—but living ones? Unless I touched them, I felt nothing. Frustrating. I thought I could do better.
If Rowan was right and Linn could perceive living souls without contact, I should be able to too. I focused, recalling the sensation when touching people, reaching out to feel the lifeforce of the children upstairs… but nothing! What was I missing?
Climbing the ladder, I convinced a child to sit still. I placed my hand on his neck, sensing his soul… small, faint, smaller than mine before I consumed Gregor's. Black with white specks like ink in water. I moved my hand to his back, feeling the soul through fabric—noticeably harder. The further I went, the weaker the sensation. At an inch, I sweated from concentration. Two inches, and I lost it completely. Ugh! What did Linn have that I didn't?
First, her soul was far stronger than mine.
…Maybe that was it. Or maybe not. I had another soul to experiment with, so I couldn't consume this one yet. Time to find Rowan.