Walks All Paths: 2/16-23/97 (11/7/96)
Ruminations
Mother, I hope that I have not offended you. I have done this with the best of intentions.
To think of it is... strange. My concentration... wavers. I arose after Granddad left. I could not fall asleep again. When Renee woke, the day began. We sat around and talked, and then the power returned. Cab was ecstatic. She ran to the shower as soon as the water was warm. Eric was happy that he had light to read by. I was simply grateful that you graced me. I spoke to Mary while Cab was trying to discover more about "Crystal" and the staff. She was confused, and did not know the answers to her questions. So I asked if she would mind if I visited her in her dreams. She said that I was already in her dreams. She can be so sweet. I told her that I would come to see her if she would allow it, and she said that she would. If I have the chance, I will still do this.
Later in the day, Nicole arrived. I am certain that all of this area must know that we are here. We must tighten our defenses before it is too late. She explained what had actually happened to them. They had made a deal with a specter and had actually pledged their souls to it. They thought it was a game, and just for fun. Stupid humans, they should know better than to make deals with those from the deadlands. Even the Striders are leery of such. But the deal occurred, and now their souls are no longer of the spirit of life, but of the spirit of death. I did not know how to help her, but I could see that it did indeed rest in the Dark Umbra. Her body was reacting to this by falling apart. Indeed, she was a pitiful sight. I went to scout the Chantry for signs of this Specter, but I could find none. But if she was right about it visiting her every night, then it would not be long until it arrived.
Then Inspector Torres arrived. He wanted to question Daedelus, but Daedelus seemed angry about something. Eventually he let the inspector in and they talked. After Torres left, Kasee asked Daedelus what was wrong, and he said that he did not like being called a liar. Odd though, because we know that the story is at heart a lie.
Kasee heard something at the door and opened it, and we saw Torres carving something into the door. As it opened, he disappeared. We tried to find him, but he was not to be found. Then I remembered that I had left Mary with Nicole, so I went to check up on them. They were both crying, so I asked what had happened. Mary said that she was crying because Nicole was crying. I felt so useless, I had to find a way to help.
I reached the Umbra, and searched for a sign of Nicole. After a moment, I saw a beacon from her soul, crossing the shroud. I don't know why, but I tried to reach it, and I did! I grasped it, and it wounded me, assaulting my spirit. But I held fast and concentrated, pulling it from the deadlands into the living Umbra. But as it crossed, something happened. I think that while it was in the Dark Umbra that it was protected, but know that I had removed it, it was discorporating. As it oozed around me, I knew that it was killing Nicole, so I had to return it to her. Calming myself, I reached the realm again. The pain became intense, and I shifted forms to stave it off, but it was too much. I do not remember from then until I awoke.
Renee says that I grabbed Nicole, in Crinos form, and lifted her roughly, shaking her, and howled, loud and pained. Then her soulstuff flowed from me into her, and we both fell, unconscious. Evidently, I hurt her badly, and she needed healing, but Renee and Reuben were able to do so, somewhat. Kasee said that her aura changed, from being dim and dark to being pure white, the color of innocence. No one knows exactly what happened to me, but I feel it. My soul switched with hers, and is now in the deadlands. All things take effort, and my essence is slowly being drained. Raoul is coming over to help, thanks to Renee, and the others are trying to get answers from their mentors. I thank them. But it may do no good. I hope that it does, for I, like any Strider, do not look forward to the final death. But if that is the case, then so be it. My soul is pledged to you Mother. Your cause is my passion, your pain is my rage. If saving this soul means my death, I will accept it. Your wisdom is infinite, and by it I will abide.
Raoul is here, let this be resolved, one way or the other.
Tom Brady <tabrady@mindspring.com>
Last modified: Mon March 10 17:02:00 1997 by tabrady