(17) Alive

The lonely ruins of Caer Darrow received a visitor, just as the sun began to touch the horizon, far away. With each small step upon the cold road, Annaliese could hear the whispers of the former tenants in their long abandoned homes. She knew the ghost's confusion, heartaches, such angers, their loneliness. It was an existence she had tasted for five years herself, and the sensitivity to their world lingered with her in this new existence, for however short it was.

But she had come here to change that, hadn't she? This was her life now, not Bastion's. Souls were freed, she was happy, did she not deserve to have more than the five years her tormentor had given? Or perhaps she knew she wanted more of this life, but all this time had been afraid to claim it? Perhaps the priestess could enlighten her.

Whereas Kiira had helped her to release her children's spirits when they were found, the Kaldorei was also almost entirely in tuned with the darker side of her magic--it was beyond her understanding to help when it came to the unique break between Anna's flesh and spirit, without severing the link entirely. Sweet Kiira--always wishing to help. Alas, she had found another avenue…

The pathway winded through the dilapidated houses, and lead to the figure at the end of the row, who stood, waiting. The woman smiled and bowed before Annaliese, her eyes unjudging, as always.

"I'm glad you came, Lady Annaliese. Come closer, closer dear," the priestess said. Anna knew her to be an advisor to Keruptis, or companion, she knew little of the woman. She wielded a steady balance between both Light and Dark magic though, as well as a presence that seemed to stretch beyond her apparent age. Annaliese could sense something…strange about the soul of the priestess. Such an old, old soul, unhidden, unburdened by the fear of mortality…

"I can help you, if you wish it, Anna. Your choice, entirely," she spoke softly, her fingers gliding against Anna's cheek as she turned the warlock's face up to study her. Annaliese nearly bolted--she could feel her fingers! Neither were they laced with magic, but plain, warm fingers, now holding up her chin. She gasped slightly, staring into the priestess' strange eyes, which swirled between different hues, never a constant color. She started to speak, but the priestess smiled, already sensing her thoughts.

"Oh yes, you are not imagining things. My touch is real. It has been a long time, hasn't it? Since you've felt the wind, or another's skin? The magic he snares you with is an illusion of touch, only, my dear--he cannot weigh over your soul, as I could."

Annaliese's eyes widened as her thoughts seemed to spill into this woman too easily, how quickly she could pluck Knath's face out of her mind. The priestess chuckled lightly, and released her .

"Mm, yes. He's handsome enough, I'd say. But that is another matter entirely. I know how to help you in your current situation."

The priestess summoned a ball of Light, which seemed to coalesce and twist, until it resembled Anna's form. A pulse of light beat at the center, a nimbus, faint inside of the form.

"Your soul is in a state of disconnection from the flesh, my dear. Which I am sure you knew, being what you have been. The one that drew your ghost back into your body did not have the ability to anchor it appropriately. I assume he was trying to create a construct, and as far as constructs go, they do not last very long without further tampering. A simple thing, to drag a soul into an unoccupied body."

The priestess stared for a long time at Annaliese with her swirling eyes, before manipulating the magical figurine again, turning it.

"…Interesting…" the priestess mused with a raised eyebrow, but did not move to elaborate her own thoughts. With a twist of her fingers, she made the nimbus of light in the form glow brilliantly, solidifying throughout each end of it, until it pulsed heavier, stronger.

"Your soul can be re-anchored to your body, if you wish it," the mender spoke gently. She smiled encouragingly and nodded. "You do deserve this, Lady Anna. I know that."

The woman breathed in deeply, and looked up into the night sky at the sparks of light, wondering if her children were there, looking down upon her. She smiled, imagining the smell of pine trees, comforting in its own way. Slowly, she nodded her consent, to which the priestess smiled wider. She took Anna's hands and squeezed them then, pulling her away from the wind bustling through the deadened village.

"They would want this for you, yes," came the priestess' whisper, and Annaliese knew this to be true. The gloom of the small village was chased away in the small corner of a house, as the priestess made the globe of light she held shimmer with its soft light. Annaliese found herself jittery, on edge--she was not so used to being so close to such a large mass of Light magic. Some of her Sisters and Brothers were even scalded with the presence of the Light, and it made her nervous. The priestess caught her wavering eyes with her own then, and smiled, her voice understanding, calming.

"Relax, Lady Anna. Just stand still, and close your eyes."

As she closed her eyes, Anna felt a surge of warmth flood her body as the priestess guided the globe of Light to her, and weaved it into her body with her hands. She gasped--nerves came to life suddenly, it was almost painful, the sense of feeling coming back to her after so many years of numbness. It was welcome, this flood of the physical…Anna buckled, trying to steady her breath.

"You'll have to get used to things, yes. You've spent so long disconnected. I am sure its an interesting sensation…" the priestess smirked, laughing softly beneath her breath, watching the woman straighten back up, completely overwhelmed by the feelings that rushed her.

"It is done then…?" Anna asked, her voice calmed finally. She was surprised to see the lady priestess already halfway down the road, strolling casually away from Caer Darrow.

"Yes, Lady Annaliese. Go and live," she said gently, her voice echoing through the ghost town. "Live like you've never lived before."