“We’ve arrived,” Emil said as they walked through the front gate. As they entered the cemetery, Theo approached. He ordered it to stay by the gate and to stay ready. It was going to make sure to notify him if anybody entered the graveyard. But more importantly, it would make sure the cleric didn’t get out if he tried anything funny.

As the three of them passed by the tombstones and walked deeper in, Emil could feel the spirits around begin to stir. Flashes of lightning briefly illuminated each of the graves. Outside the cemetery, the rain, wind, and thunder had been almost unbearably loud. But now, even though it was just as stormy here, there was almost a kind of stillness. It was like the storm was slowly becoming mere background noise as they approached the center.

When it felt like they were at a good spot, Emil had them stop and let go of the cleric. His body fell into the mud, an action which must have caused enough shock to wake him up. When his face splashed into a puddle of dirty water, the older man immediately became conscious with a jolt.

“Where…” Hadwin said while looking around. He was clearly confused as to how he got here or where they currently were. The cleric squinted as he tried to make out their surroundings and see in the dark. When another flash of lightning cracked across the sky, Emil looked down at him and watched his eyes widen.

“We are currently in the town’s cemetery, the burial ground of most of the resident population. I would say that it’s the final resting place of everyone who lives here. But I think we both know that such a statement would do a disservice to some of your victims, the ones whose bodies were never recovered from the river.”

“So what’s the reason why you brought me here? Is your intention to simply kill and then bury me in this place, is that it? It would have been simpler to do it in my home. If you thought I would feel remorse by being here, then you are mistaken. I have no shame for following the way of my Order and the will of my goddess.” As the cleric made that declaration, Emil could see the ghosts of the dead children beginning to rise up from their graves.

“I thought we both said that more words were just a waste, and yet here were are. I know why I’m still talking, but I believed you mention that you were going to remain dedicated to your prayers. Oh well, if you’re willing to talk, then feel free to talk to them instead of me.”

“Them?” Hadwin asked. However, he wasn’t able to get anything else out. Emil had just given a silent order. From behind him, the undead mayor grabbed the older man and pinned him to the ground, his face smushed into the mud. So now Hadwin could be kept quiet and still, just for a minute.

Emil nodded to the ghosts as they gathered around. The children’s spirits formed into a group and stood in front of Emil. However, the cleric didn’t seem to be able to currently see any of them. Alice stepped forward from the rest, and stared down at Hadwin.

“This is the silver one, the person that killed us? I didn’t know him from his name when you came here before. But I remember seeing this man all the time. He would always tell us to be good children and told us all kinds of stories. And sometimes at the end, he gave us treats and toys. So why?” Alice said, her voice becoming filled with emotion.

The other spirits shook as she spoke, clearly becoming agitated. Emil gave her his hand. And when she took, he used that connection to communicate with her everything that he had heard. He didn’t spare any details, and let her know everything the mayor had explained to him.

As this was happening, Emil mentally asked her something in return. With his power, he could add energy to her and the other ghosts’ spirits. And with that temporary amount of extra power in their forms. Perhaps then the cleric would be able to hear and see them.

If she wanted to speak with Hadwin directly, then he could try and make that possible. But if not, then they could all watch as their killer’s fate was dealt out to him. What that would be was also their decision, as his victims. Emil knew what he wanted and was willing to do. But he was willing to go with whatever they decided.

When they broke contact, Alice went back to the group. She shared with them what he had told her, and they quietly spoke amongst themselves. After a little time, Alice approached him again. However, a smile was on her face as her expression seemed peaceful.

“Mr. Emil, we were all very sad and lonely. My mommy and daddy could never hear or see me, and now, they barely visit. Only a couple of times, have a few people seen me or could actually hear what I said. But when that happened, they always got scared and just ran away. But you listened to us. And when everyone else believed the lies about how we died, we were afraid that we would be stuck here forever, and never able to find the one that killed.”

There was a now soft glow beginning to surround her form. It extended from her, and surrounded the other ghosts as well. The area around them seemed to become misty as it filled the air.

“But you listened to our story and accepted our request. You never met us when we were alive, but you made a promise and kept it. We don’t have anything to say to that man. He is not sorry, but we don’t need him to be. Because are thankful to you, and trust that you will make the best choice.” Alice looked up at the sky, and Emil watched as she slowly began to fade away.

“Thank you, I think we can all finally go to sleep. Maybe when I wake up, mommy and daddy will be there too.” A tear rolled off her face, shimmering away in the air. She and the other ghosts slowly lost their shapes, as they steadily disappeared. Emil had done enough for them. They could now have their peace, and move on from this world. As the last of their spiritual forms faded away, Emil closed his eyes for a moment and looked inward. He made them a new promise, a silent one from his own heart.

Their souls would now be in the next life, and he did hope that it would treat them better than this one had. However, the pain and suffering they felt was something that should never have happened in a just world. So could the gods really be trusted with their souls and those of every human? It had been a deity’s commands that caused their death, and the hands of a cleric that delivered it.

When Emil was a young child, he had been taught the High Pantheon guided souls of every human to fair judgment, both those who followed them and those of other faiths. All were judged equally and without prejudice. Those who were good would spend their afterlife in peace and comfort. While others that committed evil would face eternal punishment. And then for the few who were deemed worthy, they would be considered as joining the divine court as lesser beings and serve under the gods. Even though he had never been the most devout, he did believe in that for effectively his entire life.

‘But even if they do treat the dead well now, who’s to say that will always be the case? If they decided today to make human sacrifice into law, it’s not as though anyone could go against them. Not when the monarchy of this kingdom are directly blessed by them, and as such could enforce their will across the entire nation. Alterum wishes to see their destruction, yes. But if even if I succeed in freeing that dragon and the war is won, then what? I doubt Alterum would simply call it a job well done, and leave it at that.’ Emil shook his head. He opened his eyes and looked at the tombstones surrounding him.

‘No, we can’t leave our fates to higher beings that looked down upon us from their high pedestals. I’ll build it, a kingdom of undeath where all can exist forever in this world without pain and fear. If possible, after the gods are gone, I’ll reclaim the souls of the dead from the afterlife and bring them back here. Even if Alterum gave me these powers to spread death and fulfill his own agenda, I can create a path of my own for humanity. But to that end, the old world and the corrupt elements within it must be removed.’

Emil looked down at Hadwin. He had the mayor lift the cleric’s face back out of the mud. Emil willed for the zombie to force the older man to his knees. When it did, he raised his hand and held his palm in the air in front of Hadwin’s face. Even if his goddess protected his spirit from Soul Manipulation, there were other things for Emil to try instead. After all, he had yet to use his two new abilities. And it seemed like this would be a good chance to give Unholy Fire Magic a try.

“Your victims were able to move on, just so you’re aware. They didn’t forgive what you did to them, but they trust me to enact your punishment. You don’t deserve it, but if you have any last words, I’ll give you the chance to say them before I end your life.”