Chapter 2: The Spirit

“Stop,” a tall man said before the doors. Davenn, Breta’s father. He was one of the town’s priests, wearing a dark blue priestly robe. He regarded Vivi with a scowl. “The church is a sacred ground. Filth is not allowed in.”

“Yes, I will clean my boots,” Vivi said. She grabbed a towel from her pocket and wiped down her boots before dipping them into a bowl of water beside the doors. Then, she wiped the boots dry with another towel.

Davenn stood there, looking unimpressed. “What are you doing here, Vivian?”

None of your business, Vivi thought. Two kids entered the church beside her. Davenn didn’t ask them a single question, letting them right through. Vivi had the urge to say something very stupid.

Instead, she said, “I just need to get examined. Examination day is the only opportunity to do that for free. Every teen is supposed to be allowed in.”

“My job is to stop trouble from arriving,” Davenn said. “I am only being realistic by doubting you.”

“I’ll wait in the back, and I won’t talk to anyone,” Vivi said. “I’m here to be examined. The rules say that you’re not allowed to stop anyone from being examined.”

Davenn sighed. Behind her, Bero and Jude were catching up to her. Vivi really didn’t want to continue the argument.

Luckily, Davenn stepped out of the way. “Don’t cause a scene, Vivi.”

She thanked him and quickly entered the church. God Ythar’s statue smiled down at her from behind the altar. The statue depicted him as a regular man, though unnaturally handsome and gigantic. The statue reached nearly to the roof. Vivi had been forced to kneel and pray underneath the statue many times after she’d done anything even slightly prohibited.

A group of five girls were gathered in a ring at the entrance. They all wore makeup and dresses. Not noble-rich gowns, but colored clothes nonetheless. The types of clothes that made them feel like they owned the world. Vivi received a quippy remark as she passed. She kept her head low, ignoring the group.

Examinations were being held away from the praying room, and inside the courtyard to the side. Vivi entered the cloister, finding the canopied courtyard crowded with suits and dresses. Nearly all of Fellwater’s teens were present, as well as a few parents who couldn’t trust their respective idiots to behave.

The glowing ether hunter stood in the very middle, on top of a platform alongside her ominous urn.

The woman was the new examiner. Serena Goldbridge. She was a regal woman with a true blessed surname. Her silver hair glowed, and her skin was twice as smooth as her age would normally allow. She wore a swordmaiden’s battle dress and a protective rain cloak. The dress alone likely cost hundreds of ether. A true ether hunter.

Beside Serena fluttered a blue translucent ether spirit. The spirit glimmered like a speck of light inside the thick fog of the surface air. In this form, the spirit looked like a gust of wind or a wisp of colorful smoke. Spirits, however, could choose their physical forms. The spirit sat on Serena’s shoulder, forming the shape of a winged girly elf.

The spirit smiled at Helena, the girl currently being examined. “Three hundred and sixty ether.”

“A respectable sum,” Serena said. “Thank you for coming.”

The words implied a dismissal. Helena bowed, then joined back with her group. She looked nervous.

Ollo Han’s Son entered next. He was a burly boy with the thick arms of a trained carpenter. Last Vivi had heard, Ollo was a few hundred ether in the positive. He had a nice future on the surface, though the spirits certainly wouldn’t choose him. Most children in their village were mediocre. Only one of them would be chosen to become an ether hunter. The bare minimum a candidate realistically required was ether in the high three digits and existing skills in combat.

If Serena truly believed one of them was worthy, the chosen one would form a tie with the loose spirit inside Serena’s special urn, becoming a spirit wielder. The process after that was too complicated for Vivi to care about, but she knew the gist of things. New spirit wielders were always recruited by hunting guilds or companies. In this case, the wielder would gain the “Goldbridge” surname, and they would sign a contract with Goldbridge to become a pawn of the most profitable business in the world—defending humanity from monsters.

While Ollo was being dismissed, Vivi forced her way past the crowd, pushing people out of the way. She received glares and insults, of course. The boys would give her hell for this stunt after the examinations were done. Vivi didn’t care. She wasn’t about to spend any more time watching than was necessary.

She walked right past everyone, directly onto the examination platform.

Serena’s smile fell. Her spirit tilted its head at Vivi, looking confused. Vivi stood as tall as she could, but her heart was beating. She wouldn’t get chosen, of course she wouldn’t, but she needed to make a good impression. For Grandpa, and their smithy.

“Go on, examine her,” Serena said.

The spirit complied. Its form changed back to the windy wisps. It fluttered around Vivi, examining every inch of her body. Vivi felt a tickle in her soul, until the spirit sat back on its owner’s shoulder. “Vivian Runeblessed? Runeblessed?” The spirit looked even more confused than before. “But… You aren’t blessed? How do you have a name?”

Vivi tried not to wince. She bowed as gracefully as her untrained self could manage. “Forgive my parents’ namesense. I am as embarrassed as you are. People call me Vivi.”

The spirit cocked its head. “Embarrassed? Why?”

“The girl’s name is fake,” Serena said with a sigh. “Her lineage isn’t blessed by Ythar. Her name was created through her parents’ imagination. Thus, it is fake. She bears no blessings.”

“Oh,” the spirit said, staring at Vivi with curiosity. “What a cursed little being.”

Vivi kept her head low with honest respect. As rude as the examiners were, Serena Goldbridge was an ether hunter. A living legend; a hero who defended the lower levels from monsters.

“Common names are meaningless either way,” Serena said. “We aren’t here to belittle her parents’ mistakes. Tell me, how much ether does her core carry?”

“She has minus one hundred thousand ether,” the spirit said nonchalantly.

Serena blinked. “Minus?”

“What, is that the wrong word?” the spirit asked. “She has a hundred thousand ether less than zero.”

“A hundred thousand?” Serena blurted out.

The spirit frowned and peered into Vivi’s soul again. “Negative hundred thousand, and on the dot.”

Serena watched Vivi in disbelief. Most likely, the examiner had never met anyone as thoroughly nailed to rock bottom as Vivi. Even the poorest of orphans were typically marked at a few ether in the positive.

“How is this possible?” Serena asked. “I have never seen debt beyond a few dozen ether.”

“I was born like this,” Vivi said. “Nobody knows how it happened.”

Serena looked doubtful. Any hints of sympathy on her expression were quickly evolving to an appalled scowl. “How old are you, girl?”

“Seventeen years, and one month,” Vivi said with a bow.

Serena gave her a look, then said what they were both thinking. “You have eleven months to live, then.”

Vivi made herself look confident. Serena didn’t appear totally evil. The hunter hadn’t called Vivi a cursed child like the rest. Perhaps she would hear Vivi’s proposal.

“I am sorry,” Serena said. “I can offer no help, lest you request me to end your suffering prematurely. The collapse of one’s soul is not a pleasant way to die.”

“I didn’t come to the examination unprepared,” Vivi said. “I came here to make myself useful.”

Serena furrowed her brows. “You will never become a spirit wielder. No spirit in the world would wish to live inside a core as deprived as yours. I cannot help you. Step aside, girl. The examinations must continue.”

“I don’t plan on becoming a hero,” Vivi said. “Anyone else in our village is more qualified to wield spirits. I wish to offer my skills in another profession. Please take a look at this.” From the hidden scabbard beneath her raincoat, Vivi pulled out her three-runed runesword. She lay it horizontally on her hands and showcased it to Serena.

Serena frowned. “A runesword?”

“Yes, it’s my creation. I am a runesmith of fifteen years,” Vivi said. Her heart raced, words heavy. She had planned to do this for a long time. Once she finally crafted a three-runed sword, Vivi knew her skills were good enough to make herself useful to the hunters. “I know runesmithing isn’t as popular as it used to be. The traditional outside-carved runeswords were surpassed by spirit blades long ago. However, my Grandpa and I have made a revelation.”

Serena didn’t look all too happy, but the look indicated Vivi could continue.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Inside-carved runeswords,” Vivi said. “Our runeswords use a new method that utilizes nearly a hundred percent of a wielder’s ether. The veins of our runeswords are not carved with lines on the surface of the sword. Instead, the veins are inside the sword. The new method ensures that close to a hundred percent of a wielder’s ether goes to strengthening the metal. The method is far more efficient than the ancient dwarves’ technique. I am certain my three-runed sword will rival the power of spirit blades.”

Serena’s spirit fluttered around the sword, staring at the circular runes on the surface sword. Serena herself offered a disgruntled scowl. “You seek employment, then?” she asked. “A useless hope. Runesmithing is a dead profession. A revelation or two will not bring the profession out from its grave. Nobody will pay a fraction for your work. If you were the best runesmith in the world, perhaps a history freak would keep you around as a novelty. But to earn a hundred thousand ether in eleven months simply is not going to happen. I am sorry, but you have wasted your time.”

“I am looking to survive,” Vivi said. “But I don’t ask you for a hundred thousand ether. I have just one request. Try my sword, please. Take a practice swing.”

Serena looked as if she had been insulted. “Get out of here, girl. You are dismissed.”

Vivi stood tall. “Please. I just need five seconds of your time. Try filling the sword with ether. You won’t be disappointed.”

Serena had a dismissive look on her face. “You heard me.”

Vivi’s throat felt heavy. What was wrong with this woman? Serena wouldn’t even try the sword out?

“I am also an alchemist, and I’m trained in the arts,” Vivi blurted out. She had spent a year’s worth of free time doodling and mixing ingredients, hoping she miraculously gained skills in a field that could possibly lead her to a life outside debt. “On top of runesmithing, I can brew tier three potions, and I can show you my sketchbook if—”

“Irrelevant,” Serena said. “Tier three potions sell for less than their cost. An alchemist must brew, at minimum, tier four potions in their sleep if they wish to earn enough to live. Art will bring you even less. You are dismissed, child. Get out of my sight before your bad luck spreads.”

Vivi gulped away the awful feeling in her throat. She had expected negotiations to go this way. Yet, this was the last chance she had. If the hunters didn’t want her, who would? The hunters were the only people with enough ether to save her life. “Please,” she pleaded. “I’m eager to learn any skill you teach. If you employ me, I will remain loyal for life. I will do anything you ask. All I ask is for you to try my sword. If you don’t like it, I’ll never come back.”

Serena sighed. Then, she performed something that made Vivi freeze on the spot. The hunter called her powers. The spirit flew as a wisp into Serena’s chest. Her body lit up with the glow of ether. A bright blue translucent sword formed in her hand. Her spirit materialized into a sharp blade.

With one effortless swipe, Serena cut Vivi’s runesword in half. The halves fell to the ground with clanks that stopped Vivi’s heart.

“You practice an outdated craft, dear,” Serena said, as if the result was only inevitable. “Spirit blades are far superior to any smithed blade. Snapping your sword was laughably easy.”

Of course it snapped; it wasn’t imbued with ether! Vivi cried in her thoughts, but was too shocked to speak out loud. What had just happened?

“Nobles spend large sums for the privilege of education,” Serena said. “There is no teacher in the world that will pay a hundred thousand ether for an apprentice. I am sorry, but you are useless.”

Vivi stood frozen, dumbfounded. She knew this was her last chance. If she couldn’t convince the hunters of her worth now, how would she ever earn a hundred thousand ether? The hunters wouldn’t come back in another year. By then, she’d already be dead.

“You are dismissed, child,” Serena repeated. Her words were emphasized with a deathly scowl.

Vivi sniffled back her tears. She had nothing else to argue with. She picked up the snapped pieces of her sword, then rushed out of Serena’s sight, her eyes facing the ground. Everyone was looking at her. Some snickered, though most were too shocked to say anything. The boys acted like proper men while wearing their fancy jackets and undershirts. Their usual barrage of insults would flow freely once the examiners were out of town.

Vivi slumped down by a column at the quiet-corner of the cloister. The examinations continued in the central garden underneath a rain-canopy. She buried her face in her knees, failing to keep her tears in. She wanted to run home and crawl in a hole, yet how would she explain this to Grandpa? The sword she had spent weeks crafting was snapped in half. Would Grandpa continue to house her, knowing she would die within a year?

He would, Vivi knew. Grandpa had always supported her, having raised Vivi after her real mother—whoever she was—abandoned her baby in a ditch. Vivi had been nameless and indebted when Grandpa found her. Neither red flag seemed to phase Grandpa.

Ever since then, Grandpa was seen as mad by the rest of the village. He became an outlier of society, just like Vivi. His obsession with runesmithing certainly bordered insanity. Perhaps it was the same madness that made him adopt a baby a hundred thousand ether in debt. The profession barely provided food to the table with a dozen hours of work every day, let alone covering Vivi’s debt.

Maybe if I ran from home to practice alchemy, Vivi thought, I’d have enough time to learn a profession that earned money. Maybe if I learned to brew tier four potions… But Serena had said her alchemy wasn’t needed. Who would pay a hundred thousand ether for a mediocre alchemist?

“Vivian Runeblessed, huh?” a mocking voice said from ahead. “We almost forgot how ridiculous your real name is.”

Vivi raised her head to find four boys standing over her. The one who spoke was Frien, a tall boy who spent most of his hours drinking stolen booze and causing trouble. Beside him stood Bero, Ollo, and Jude.

Their Insults weren’t anything out of the ordinary. Vivi looked away. Any other day, she would have had an insult prepared for this bunch. Yet, today she couldn’t bring herself to fight back. She wished to run off and never speak to anyone again.

Vivi’s lack of reaction seemed to piss off the boys. “Hmph,” Bero said. “Wasteful as usual. You’re as fragile as your sword, Viv. You’re lucky Ythar will be reaping you out of here in a year. The village will finally hold a celebration in your name.”

“I’ll buy that sword off of you for a couple ether,” Fren said with a grin. “I’d be glad to help out an unfortunate family business. Orphan business, should I say.”

“No, that’s too much,” Bero said. “A fraction is what we’ll offer. One tenth of an ether.”

“It’s not for sale…” Vivi muttered.

“Oh, is that how it is?” Bero grinned and knelt down and grabbed the hilt side of the snapped sword. “How kind of you; I’ll be taking it for free, then.”

Grandpa will want to melt that for the metals… Vivi thought. She stayed slumped as Bero awaited a reaction. Bero could have the sword for now; she’d only embarrass herself fighting four boys for it. She would simply have to retrieve the sword later from whichever ditch Bero threw it in.

Behind the boys, utter silence paused whatever insult Bero was about to throw. Serena was examining Tara Fellwater. The woman’s auburn hair was tied in a flower-adorned bun, face covered in make-up, wearing a real swordmaiden’s dress. Tara was the Chief’s daughter. The only girl in the village with a real surname, named after the village itself, and blessed by Ythar.

The group of boys forgot Vivi, staring as Serena’s spirit fluttered around Tara’s perfect body. Every boy Vivi knew had a crush on Tara, though their chances of courting her were as low as defeating her with the sword. Chief Fellwater intended for his daughter to become an ether hunter. Tara had no backup profession. Her future relied solely on being chosen by a spirit. With the Chief’s subsidies and training, the dream was almost inevitable.

After the examination, Serena offered a satisfied smile. She spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Tara Fellwater. You are the finest candidate I have seen in two years. 2350 ether. A remarkable sum, with the skills to add. Does anyone in this village carry better prospects?”

The village stayed silent.

Serena nodded. “In that case, we will skip the rest of the examinations. Tara Fellwater, you are chosen.”

The village cheered and clapped. Some were half-hearted and filled with jealousy, but everyone clapped. Everyone but Vivi, who hid slumped behind the boys. I’m dead… she thought. The curse will eat me alive…

Tara would leave the village within a week. Everyone who had a crush on her would have to find a new idol. Fellwater would hold one last farewell feast, during which Vivi would act as a punching bag for everyone whose moods needed repair. She’d sleep her wounds off in tears before getting back to work the next day, likely to craft yet another runesword that Grandpa knew would make them rich.

As the cheers calmed down, Serena twisted open the spirit urn. The final step before Tara could be called an ether hunter was to form a tie with the spirit. Vivi had seen the ritual done a dozen times before during the examinations of the previous years. Magical as it was, she almost didn’t want to watch.

She watched anyway. A red translucent, cat-like figure flew off from the urn. It floated like a feather for a moment before stretching with all pawns. It yawned audibly before its figure materialized into a solid, still translucent, spirit.

It stared at Tara, who smiled with that beautiful face of hers. The spirit didn’t look impressed.

“A piglet?” It asked. An annoyed boy’s voice. “You want me to form a tie with this runt?”

Serena raised her eyebrows. “She does not please you?”

The cat-spirit frowned, spinning around Tara’s body. “Don’t like her. Sooo don’t like her.”

Serena looked troubled, as if this had never happened before.

“I’m not forming a tie with her,” the spirit said.

“Please reconsider,” Serena said. “Ythar’s law requires spirits to choose the most competent fighter to defend humanity from storms. This human is the best choice by far. You are obliged to work with her.”

“Whaaat? That’s stupid!” the spirit said. “I’m not working with her. I think I should be allowed to choose for myself.”

“Ythar’s law—” Serena said, scowling, but was broken off when the cat-spirit took flight.

The cat flew to the closest boy in the audience and examined him. “Ugly,” it said, then flew to the next. “Even uglier. And you’re even worse! I hate all of you!”

Serena and her spirit ran after the spirit. The cat fluttered around and laughed, as if this was some game. It continued examining each and every villager, each time with an insult in hand. “Runt, too dog-like, smelly, weak, frail…”

The insults continued until the cat flew to Bero and Jude. It stared at the brothers with a frown. “Ew. Just ew. Disgusting. You two are awful.”

The two stood stiff in disbelief, uncertain what they could say. Arguing with a spirit was not a good idea. Everyone knew this. Even Bero and Jude were forced to accept the insults without any hopes of fighting back.

The spirit hopped over Bero’s shoulder, then floated by Vivi. Its orange eyes gazed into hers. Vivi blinked, heart racing. The cat gazed into her soul. “Now, this one is interesting.”

Soon enough Serena caught up. “No!” Serena said. “This child is a hundred thousand ether in debt. Both of you will be cursed for eternity. Your powers will be diminished to nothing.”

“Mhmm,” the cat said. Its whiskers fanned, as if in excitement.

The cat spun around Vivi in genuine curiosity. Vivi didn’t move a muscle, afraid to death of what was happening to her. She was prepared for an insult to come; laughter from the spirit before it chose Tara, after all. As Serena had said, a spirit should never choose Vivi. Spirits shared their powers with their wielders, drawing power from the human’s reserves. Vivi didn’t have any ether to compliment a spirit’s powers. She would be useless as an ether hunter.

The cat flew high, leaving Vivi. She breathed in relief. This was for the best. She did not wish to bear the responsibilities of a spirit wielder.

The cat, high in the now-rainy air, turned around. It dove head-first towards the ground.

Then its flight arched directly to Vivi’s chest. The spirit’s body dissolved into her raincoat. Her senses went black for a moment before feeling a new presence inside her head. It was as if something had invaded her brain.

“Cursed runesmith,” the spirit’s amused voice resounded directly inside Vivi’s head. “I choose you.”