Chapter 28: The Spirit’s Regret

Elias couldn't shake the details of the case from his mind as he ascended the stone steps leading to Elira's study in the Lantern base. The conversation with Jonas' mother weighed on him, the strange contradictions and unspoken truths gnawing at his instincts. 

His client's claims about Clara's reappearance, the abandoned house, and the mystery surrounding her death felt like pieces of a puzzle with missing edges. He needed more than a hunch—he needed perspective.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing Elira hunched over a desk cluttered with ancient tomes and glowing Veil-infused artifacts. She glanced up, her sharp blue eyes glinting with curiosity.

"You look troubled," she remarked, setting aside a Veil-inscribed tablet. "What's on your mind?"

Elias stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "I've taken on a case, and… it's strange, even by our standards."

Elira leaned back in her chair, gesturing for him to elaborate.

Elias recounted his conversation with Mrs. Hargrave. He described the young man's insistence that his deceased girlfriend, Clara, was still alive, the odd connection to the abandoned house, and the mother's desperation for closure.

When he finished, Elira's expression was pensive. "If Jonas is seeing Clara, there are two possibilities. Either he's being haunted by her spirit, or he's awakened as a Veilborn and is unknowingly using Spirit Communion."

Elias frowned. "Spirit Communion? You think he's communicating with her spirit directly?"

"It's possible. Veilborn abilities tend to emerge during moments of emotional or psychological stress," Elira explained. "But if that's the case, Clara's spirit must be tied to the mortal world by something significant. Regret, most likely."

Curiosity stirred in Elias. "How does that happen? How does a spirit linger after death?"

Elira stood and moved to a nearby shelf, retrieving a thin, leather-bound book. She opened it to a page filled with diagrams and annotations. "In mysticism, humans are understood as three parts: the physical body, the soul, and the spirit.

"The body is the host," she continued, tracing a diagram of a humanoid figure. "The soul is the energy source that keeps the body functioning and stabilizes the spirit. The spirit, meanwhile, is the collective consciousness, personality, and memories of a person."

"And when someone dies?" Elias asked.

"The soul returns to the cycle of rebirth, while the spirit is judged by the gods. But sometimes, a spirit doesn't move on. Regrets, attachments, or unfulfilled desires can bind it to the material world, using a conduit—a personal object tied to their life—to remain."

Elias leaned forward. "And that's how ghosts form?"

Elira nodded. "Yes. At first, the spirit retains its sense of self, but without a soul to stabilize it, it begins to deteriorate. Over time, it becomes malevolent, driven by instinct and lingering desires. During this process, the spirit unconsciously absorbs echoes from the Veil, becoming more corrupted and eventually transforming into an evil spirit."

Elias grimaced. "If Jonas's claims are true, Clara's spirit could be in the early stages of that process."

"Exactly," Elira confirmed. "If she's still coherent, there's a chance to help her pass on peacefully. But time isn't on your side."

"How do I handle something like this?" Elias asked.

"There are three approaches," Elira said, raising three fingers. "First, you can purify her conduit through a ritual invoking the name and domain of one of the Five Orthodox Gods. Second, you can use a pre-blessed purifying charm. And third, you can resolve her lingering regret and help her pass on naturally."

Elias arched an eyebrow. "And let me guess, you think I'll go for the third option?"

Elira smirked. "From what I've seen of you so far, yes. You're too compassionate to rely on brute-force methods unless absolutely necessary."

Elias chuckled dryly. "You could've saved us both some trouble by not mentioning that option."

"Where's the fun in that?" she teased. "But just in case, I'll teach you the basics of ritualistic magic. If the situation escalates, you'll need it."

Elira guided Elias to a separate section of her study, where a circular table was covered in Veil-attuned materials: candles, small vials of sacred oils, and chalk for drawing glyphs. A sheet of parchment displayed a diagram of an Arcaenic circle, its runes faintly glowing.

"Ritualistic magic is all about preparation and precision," Elira began. "Every phase must be executed perfectly, or the ritual risks failure—or worse, instability."

Elira gestured for Elias to step closer to the preparation table, her voice calm but commanding. "Ritualistic magic isn't about raw power or intuition like most Veil abilities," she began, arranging the materials with practiced precision. "It's a delicate art—one of control, preparation, and intent. Every step matters."

Elias nodded, taking in the array of items before him: candles, small vials of sacred oils, powdered minerals, and a bundle of Veil-infused chalk. At the center of the table sat a blank slate for drawing runes, its surface faintly shimmering with Veil energy.

"First, let's talk about the structure of a ritual," Elira continued. "There are three primary phases: preparation, invocation, and manifestation. Each phase has its own purpose, and missing even the smallest detail can lead to instability—or outright failure."

Elias folded his arms. "No pressure, then."

Elira smirked. "None at all. Now, let's start with the Preparation Phase."

Elira picked up a piece of chalk and held it between her fingers. "Preparation is about creating the foundation for the ritual. Think of it like building a house. Without a strong base, the whole thing collapses."

She knelt and began drawing an intricate diagram on the slate. The circular pattern was segmented with sharp angles and smaller concentric circles, filled with tiny runes. "This is an Arcaenic diagram," she explained. "It's the conduit through which Veil energy flows. The better the diagram, the more stable the ritual."

Elias crouched beside her, studying the diagram. "And these runes? What do they mean?"

"Each rune serves a purpose," Elira said, pointing to specific markings. "This one focuses energy. This one protects the caster from backlash. And this one amplifies the effects of the ritual. Every rune is tied to a specific intent, and they must be placed in harmony with one another."

She handed him a piece of chalk. "Your turn. Replicate this diagram."

Elias hesitated but began tracing the pattern on a blank section of the slate. His lines wavered slightly, and one of the smaller circles was lopsided.

"Not bad for a first attempt," Elira said, leaning over his work. "But see here?" She pointed to a crooked line. "If this isn't straight, the energy flow will destabilize. Let's fix it together."

She guided his hand, steadying the chalk as he corrected the line. "Precision is key. Take your time."

Once Elias had completed a passable diagram, Elira lit the candles surrounding the slate and uncorked a vial of sacred oil. The faint scent of lavender and something metallic filled the air.

"Next is the Invocation Phase," she said, her tone shifting to one of reverence. "This is where you awaken the Echoes of the Veil and align them with your intent. You'll use Arcaenic invocations to channel energy into the diagram."

Elias frowned. "Isn't that the tricky part? The whole tonal precision thing?"

"Exactly," Elira said with a nod. "Arcaenic isn't just a language; it's a resonance. Every syllable carries a specific frequency that interacts with the Veil. Get it wrong, and the energy becomes chaotic."

She recited a short invocation, her voice rhythmic and melodic:

"Solmara, Radiant Flame, bearer of unyielding light,

Through your fire, may this circle be pure.

Burn away the shadows, grant clarity and peace.

By your divine name, let this space hold your will."

Elias listened intently, repeating the words under his breath. "Solmara, Radiant Flame…" His pronunciation faltered on the last phrase, and Elira winced.

"Close, but not quite. Listen again." She repeated the invocation, emphasizing the tonal shifts. "Feel the rise and fall of the syllables. Let your voice resonate, not force it."

Elias tried again, this time matching her tone. The runes on the slate glowed faintly, a soft hum filling the air.

"There it is," Elira said, her lips curving into a small smile. "Now you're getting it. Keep practicing. With time, it'll become second nature."

Elira placed a small, unremarkable charm in the center of the diagram. "The final phase is Manifestation. This is where you draw Veil energy into the object or effect you're creating. Think of it as lighting a fuse—it's where all your preparation comes to life."

She knelt beside him, her hands hovering over the charm. "Focus your intent. What do you want this charm to do? In this case, let's aim for a simple protection spell."

Elias closed his eyes, concentrating. The air around the diagram grew heavier, and the runes began to glow brighter.

"Good," Elira said softly. "Now channel the energy. Imagine it flowing from the Veil, through the runes, and into the charm."

Elias extended his hands over the diagram, his thoughts clear. He felt a faint pull, like a gentle current, as the Veil energy responded to his intent. The charm glimmered with a soft, golden light before fading back to its original state.

Elira inspected the charm, nodding in approval. "Not bad for your first ritual. It's not perfect, but it's stable. With practice, you'll be able to handle more complex incantations."

Elias exhaled, wiping his brow. "That was… intense. But I can see why precision matters."

Elira chuckled. "Rituals are less flashy than direct Veil manipulation, but they're invaluable for indirect harnessing. Sometimes subtlety is the key to solving a problem."

"Like this case," Elias said, his thoughts returning to Clara. "If I can figure out her conduit, I might need to perform a purification ritual. I'll keep practicing."

As Elias finished the exercise, a soft chuckle echoed through the room. Startled, he turned to see Lenya emerge from the shadows, her usual smirk in place.

"How long have you been lurking there?" Elias asked, exasperated.

"Long enough to see you struggle with basic runes," Lenya teased.

Elira sighed. "Lenya, do you have a reason for interrupting?"

"I overheard your conversation about Clara's death," Lenya said, leaning against the doorframe. "If you want the official case files, I can help. I have… connections."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Connections?"

Lenya winked. "Let's just say the Office of Arcane Oversight owes me a favor or two. I can get you what you need."

Elira crossed her arms. "That's a solid lead. Start with the case files. If you can identify Clara's conduit, you'll have a better chance of resolving her regret."

Elias nodded, his resolve firm. "Thanks, both of you. I have some questions, but I'll ask Lenya later."

"Just don't forget what I said earlier," Elira added. "Time isn't on your side. If her spirit deteriorates too much, you won't have the luxury of resolving her regret."

Elias met her gaze, "I'll figure it out. One way or another."