As Chime and Tearin make their way back to town, Tearin speaks, but it is in a monotone voice. He doesn’t look up.
“I became a teacher so I wouldn’t have to look at this kind of carnage anymore. In all my years I have killed and bore witness to so much death and destruction. I thought I had put all that behind me and now this happens.”
When Tearin and Chime get inside the gates, the wailing of bereaved people reach their ears. This makes Tearin stop in his tracks. Chime puts her arm around him and gives him a bit of a hug. He just stands there. Chime says,‘This really isn’t your fault. Nobody could have predicted what that kid did. Should he have even been able to do what he did? Plus I don’t feel cursed.’
“No he shouldn’t have been able to do half the stuff he did. Not at such a young age. Now he will never reach his true potential.” Then he looks Chime in the eye and says, “Trust me you’re cursed and we’ll have to figure out what this curse does. I’m sure it’s a unique one.”
A chill ran up Chime’s spine when he says this. She then has visions of those things popping up randomly and chasing her for the rest of her life until one catches her and gives her the rag doll treatment. Even though it is a terrifying vision she pushes it aside for now and asks, “Should I be coming into town then? Might I be putting everyone in Soulfill at risk?”
“No, it will be alright for now but we will have to hurry and figure out what he’s done to you exactly. There are measures we can take to keep everyone safe. But we need to hurry and get back to Silva’s corpse.” Tearin completely breaks down when he says Silvas corpse. “So young: so young.
By now Chime is starting to feel like she could lose it. She keeps envisioning herself getting the rag doll treatment. Apparently they need to hurry back but the person she has to depend on right now seems to be having a complete mental breakdown right in front of her. Also they still have to face the destruction between the front gate and the school. She really is cursed and has no idea when those demons are gonna show up again. Yesterday her life was fine, normal and safe. At that moment words to describe her life failed her.
At this point Tearin’s young students show up. When they come around, Tearin starts to calm down some. A couple of them shoulder up to there teacher. They talk quietly but Chime could hear the students say things like “You’re exhausted sir.” and “It’s not that bad.” Then with a student under each arm Tearin starts making his way through the path of destruction back towards the school. A couple of Tearin’s younger students step up to Chime and with a, “Ma’am” offer their arms to her. She accepts the offer and the three of them follow Tearin back to the school.
“On our trip back to the school I was really surprised when everyone was so grateful towards us. Even the 2 families that lost loved ones. With tears in their eyes fresh from grieving… they thanked us for killing the demons. That’s when it hit me. Nobody realized that we were somewhat responsible for the demons being here in the first place. I was so glad Tearin wasn’t in a talkative mood. It could have been an ugly scene.
We finally made our way back to the school… back to Silva’s corpse. Luckily Tearin was starting to look and sound a bit steadier. Having his students around seemed to ground him help him focus on the task at hand. Tearin and his students made a circle around Silva’s corpse and bow their heads in a moment of silence. After that Tearin sent a couple of the younger students off to get some empty vials. Then Tearin turned his back to me and started talking to his 2 oldest students. He handed them something and pointed to Silva. Suddenly they had a look of horror upon their faces and began protesting strongly. That’s when Tearin said,“Stop! This has to be done and I can’t do it.”
The 2 students quit their protesting and looked down at their dead classmate with a different kind of sadness in their eyes. The young ones return quickly with the empty vials. Tearin spoke again to his students as a group. “This is not a lesson I wanted you all to learn like this, but learn it well or share his fate 1 day.” He pointed at the corpse. “This is why I’m so hard on you. This is what happens when you’re undisciplined. This is what happens when you’re unfocused.” Then he turned to the 2 eldest students and said. “Now do what has to be done.”
This next part makes me sick every time I think about it. The 2 students knelt down. 1 on each side of Silva’s head. One had an empty vial in his hand; the other a small dagger. The student with the dagger made a small cut on Silva’s neck right on an artery. The student with the vial stuck it right under the small incision and filled it up with Silva’s blood . In fact he filled up two and a half vials. I know I had a horrified look on my face when Tearin stepped up to me and said, “I’m sorry but it’s the only way. Come we have to hurry to the Alchemy Lab.” Over his shoulder he told his students. “Prepare the body for transport and get ready to go. We’ll be leaving soon.”
Once we were inside the lab. Tearin produced one of the vials of blood and set it on a table. Then he started hurriedly looking around the lab until he found a very small vial. He poured some of the blood into the small vial, corked it and sealed it with wax. Before the wax hardened he took a piece of string and tied the vial to the middle of it. Then he took each end of the string. Reached around my neck and tied them together: making a kind of Blood Necklace for me. I was completely grossed out and said,
“What is this gonna do and is it really necessary?”
He said, “Yes, it is more than necessary. That necklace is the only thing keeping the demons where they belong.”
I know I had a confused look on my face so he tried to explain.
I don’t have time to give you a years worth of Demonology classes so I’ll explain as best I can. Basicly as long as you have the blood of their summoner on you. They wont sense you exist anymore.
I’m afraid that’s as simple an explanation I can give. It’s a quick fix. For now this will keep everyone safe until I can fix this. During the walk back my students told me they found Silvas hiding spot. Apparently he was in a hurry and left a lot of things behind. My students will collect everything. I need to take it all back with me so I can figure out what Silva cursed you with. What he did was strange and unique. I’m not gonna lie to you. This could take a while… like a month or more. I’ll make you a couple of spare necklaces before I go. We will be leaving post haste. I think it’s best.
They managed to get out of town without indecent. About a month later a messenger showed up with a letter to me from Tearin. In the letter Tearin explained to me he had figured out the mechanics of the curse but still didn’t know how to remove it. However understanding how it worked, was at least something. I learned the demons would only come after me on the half moon. Because that was the day they were originally summoned. I was relieved I wouldn’t have to where that nasty ass necklace all the time. There was however, one piece of information sorely lacking in the missive. There was no mention of when he might could remove this blasted curse. The letter just ended in a P.S. Don’t lose the necklaces. That was over 3 years ago. The schools are still affiliated but it’s not the same. We’ve only had 1 faculty mixer since the event and it was poorly attended. When they send students over for field trips. The groups are very small now.
Just before entering town Mega says. “I’m sorry for whats happened to you but I have to ask. What happened today? Did you lose your necklaces?”
A look of embarrassment ran across Chimes face as she stammered to say “ Yeah Umm no I didn’t lose them there at home.
Megadan looks at chime rather quizzically now.
You see it’s like this. I …I got complacent. That was the first time I’ve had to deal with those things since the first time. I forgot the moon rose before sunset today. I knew I could pick some herbs and be home before sunset. Before I would have to put that damnable necklace on. My faux pas almost cost me my life. Thank you for helping me today. My father is the finest tailor in the area. He may show you his appreciation for coming to his only daughters aid.
As they rode threw the gate into Soulfill Megadan thought to himself. I was able to cut lose with my destructive powers today. I got a beautiful women riding with me on Matilda who is also cursed. I might get some new robes. I imagine she’ll feed me to. I still got my load of herbs to sell. Because we needed to get back here now so Chime could get her necklace. I’m ahead of schedule. Hmm all in all today has turned out to be less than half bad.
This episode ends with them entering Soulfill
figure out what the curse is
Make the blood necklace
P.S. Don’t lose the necklace