The Soul Keeper

For a few seconds, no one made a sound. 

I could hear the sharp breath Vincent drew as soon as I showed myself. 

Erik blinked as he stared at me. His face was white as a sheet of paper. "What?" He mumbled, still holding his head. "No, wait." He stepped back and leaned on the column behind him for balance. "You're dead." He glanced at Asher, who had a smug smile on his face. "He's dead. You know he is. You were there when we found all that blood!"

Vincent slowly pushed himself up while Erik continued mumbling. "Is it really you?" He asked with a sheepish voice. "You –" He glanced at Asher. "He's not an illusion, is he? You're not tricking us, are you?" His voice trembled. I could hear his uneven breathing.

"It's really me, I'm not an illusion." I took a step towards him. The young man flinched and stepped back – he was very clearly scared. "It's really me, Vincent. I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I couldn't take that chance."

"Glad to see you well, Kai." Victoria sighed. "I was worried about you since the last time we spoke, but I'm happy to see my worries were unfounded." She softly squeezed Vincent's shoulder. "Sorry for not telling you earlier – Kai's alive and he's got a heap of information to share with you."

I nodded.

"Wait, you knew?" Erik asked wide eyed. "Why wouldn't you say anything?"

"I asked her not to." I answered before Victoria could. It was my request – it was only right that I explained the reason behind that decision. "I was trying to remain hidden while we worked on some stuff. I couldn't risk Aelith or the other Divines finding out that I was alive."

Erik blinked a few times. "But… Why?"

Now, the hard part had come. Having to explain everything so many times had started to take its toll on me mentally. I felt like I was reliving the moment of my death every time I spoke of it. The memories were vivid, still fresh in my mind despite the time that had passed since then.

"Because it wasn't the demons who killed me." I said, gathering my courage to speak. This time, it was more difficult because both Erik and Vincent were close to Alina and Joshua. Brothers and friends. How was I going to tell them that they had been betrayed, lied to, and used? "It was the Crimson Witch – the Divine Alina serves."

Silence followed as I looked both Vincent and Erik in the eye. "Joshua and Aline led me into a trap." I said as I extended my hand. A sword, with a metal blade as black as the night sky formed in my hand as all light seemingly dimmed. "I fought them, all three of them. I lost, and Alina thrust this sword into my heart." I pointed at the ground with my blade. "The Crimson Witch took away what power I had, and left me there, dead."

"No!" Erik shouted at the same time as Vincent shook his head. "They wouldn't do that – why would they?" The young paladin simply didn't want to believe me. I wasn't surprised, and although it hurt a little, I knew he just needed to hear the whole story.

So, I told them. Once more, from the very beginning, I told them the same things I told Victoria. Asher, Mona, and everyone else chimed in whenever they felt the need to, and eventually, by midday, we were done.

Erik asked for some time alone and left for a walk immediately after. Vincent seemed too shocked and too angry to do anything, so he just sat there by Victoria. Soon, one by one, the others also scattered around. Mona left for a nap out in the sun – the storm had passed by now – and Laura wanted to practice some spells, so she went to the riverside.

Lucius sat on the couch and began reading a book while Theresa went into the kitchen.

"I'll give all of you some time to think." Asher said with a sigh as he glanced at Victoria. "I know it's a lot to take in, but remember, the war begins in two days. We have little time. Too little time."

The elegant woman nodded. She was well aware of that, more so than Vincent and Erik, at least. With all of that said, Asher left for the library and I sighed. Everything was awkward now. 

"Kai," Vincent's weak voice startled me. "Can we… go for a walk?" He asked hesitantly. 

"Of course," I said with a forced smile. I glanced at Victoria, but she avoided meeting my gaze. She was awkward as well. It wasn't a surprise, but for someone who was as bad as me in most social situations, it was a source of anxiety.

I led Vincent outside, then towards the few trees by the river, not far from the building. We walked wordlessly for a while, then Vincent knelt by the water and splashed some water to his face. 

"Sorry," He said after a few seconds. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this."

I chuckled. "It's fine, no need to apologize." He was actually handling this much better than I expected him to. "I'm sorry about not telling you sooner though." Now that was on me. 

"No, I understand why you didn't. You probably shouldn't have even now," He added after a moment of silence. "We only made it here without Alina and Joshua knowing because Victoria convinced all of us that we were going on an errand. As soon as they notice we're not back in the evening, they will know something is up." He glanced at me. "Why did you take this chance?"

I fiddled with a few loose strands of hair as I leaned my back against the trunk of a tall tree. "Well," I said as my gaze wandered about. "I couldn't let you remain in Baile Chailce once the war began. It was simply too dangerous."

"Why though?" He asked. "You died because of my brother and our friend. Don't you feel any anger?"

I laughed. He was being silly. "What?" He asked with a slightly annoyed voice. "Come on, answer it?"

He was being really, really silly. "Of course I'm angry." I said as my gaze turned back on him. "There is so much anger and wrath pent up inside of me, you couldn't imagine." My eyes flashed purple as I raised my hand to my face. I felt the purple and black flames dance on my skin. "Neither could they, I don't think." I chuckled and Vincent's skin turned pale. "When I come across them, I won't hold back," I glanced at the pale young man. "If they push me into a corner, they will feel the heat of my flames."

The flames dancing on my skin disappeared and I glanced up at the few clouds in the sky. "But I won't hunt them," I added after a while. I could hear Vincent breathe a sigh of relief. "They're not worth the time I would lose. So, what happens to them is up to them." I smiled, though Vincent probably didn't find it to be a very reassuring smile. "What will you do if you come across them?" I asked after a moment.

The young man hesitated. "I don't know," He finally said. "He's my brother, Kai." He said, almost apologetically.

"He is," I agreed. "I…" I clenched my fists. "I would like to believe he was subjected to a spell cast by the Divines, similar to the one that young girl Elise suffers from." I my gaze focused on the ground.

"Really?" Vincent asked with a voice filled with hope.

"I would like to." I repeated. "I don't think so, but I wish I did." His shoulders dropped as I continued. "So, tell me, what will you do if you come across them?"

Vincent bit his lower lip. I could see how conflicted he was. I felt bad for asking – it was his brother after all. I knew I would never be able to answer if it was Aoife we were talking about. But I needed an answer. I needed to know whether I could count on him if push came to shove. 

"I can tell you what I would do." A voice we knew too well sounded from behind the trees. Vincent flinched and looked at Erik, who walked out into the open. The young paladin ignored Vincent and glared at me. "They are dead to me." He said, without skipping a beat. "I don't care what happens – no spell, no Divine, no life or death situation can excuse murder."

Vincent's eyes widened as I remained silent. I knew Erik was listening ever since we came here. He wasn't particularly good at being discreet after all, but I hadn't expected him to come into the conversation like this.

"But what will you do?" I asked once more. "They may be dead to you, but they are very much alive, and serving the Crimson Witch. What will you do if we meet them?" His answer wasn't enough. I needed conviction. I needed trust.

And I needed more wrath to fuel these flames of war.