Cervato - Girl On Fire (Part 1 of Cervato's Saga)

Resurrection - The Wraith

The farmer's fields were bathed in the waning light of the sunset, warm summer air rippling across the wheat, a rustling wave that passed over both of their forms shielded from sight. The sky was streaked with orange, purple, and magenta, colors staining the world above that served a perfect background for the person she adored as he smiled upon her. Lips brushed from her cheek until burying into her neck, warm.

"Return to the Lancastir Manor."

Saromire's voice sounded loud and clear in her head, drawing Cervato from her dream. The woman had been sleeping in her office, head rising from the desk as she took in her surroundings. A dark atmosphere signaling it was still late into the evening. While getting her bearings, his voice signaled louder, repeating the same phrase. And this continued only until she found herself at the front door of the Lancastir Estate in the dead of night.

That evening, she found herself meeting another family member of Saromire's. A cousin by the name of Jaxon. The man had nearly dismissed her entirely until Saromire revealed himself to the man, explaining he needed his help. Which progressed to a wild skritt chase through Divinity's Reach, searching for a drunken rogue by the name of Damon. A stolen ring in this man's possession was their goal, yet resulted in Cervato arrested and spending her evening in a cell with the con artist. Eventually, both of them being freed through miraculous fortune and going their separate ways.

When she returned to the Lancastir Estate, Jaxon revealed the actual ring that he'd procured from their target. More family members were home, for some unknown reason, but as Cervato began discussing with Jaxon the future of the ring, the world shifted around them.

Like a thief, the man appeared, dressed in sickly verdant and ebon shades, face masked. They introduced themselves as 'The Wraith' before stealing the ring they had worked so hard to obtain and disappearing. Of course, Jaxon, Collyn, and herself gave chase, battling the strange agent of darkness along the way until cornered.

There was something familiar about this Wraith persona. The way he stood. His movements. And despite every action she tried against him, he did not fight back, merely protected himself. Still, they were able to recapture the ring before the Wraith escaped.

As Cervato used her golden sword to crush the ring, it shattered, and the same aura revealed itself before melding within the blade. Saromire's words immediately rushed forward to all of them, speaking rapidly with question after question. They'd discovered the portion of his soul that held his curiosity. The Lancastir family members and Cervato were relieved after everything had been dealt with.

Collyn had asked Cervato if she'd be willing to take responsibility if the spirit within her sword was in fact, not Saromire. The woman agreed immediately, yet as she began her journey home...she wondered how truthful she had been. When he'd spoken of Saromire's marriage proposal and their engagement, her heart had frozen in place. Yes. She recalled the fragile memory of how she had ultimately failed Saromire emotionally. Reminding her of when he'd spoken with the woman known as Myra. That anger. That must have been where it stemmed from. The pain she inflicted on his heart and pride would always remain a subject she never could bring herself to talk about with anyone. The final kiss he had given upon her cheek days before the dreaded battle which claimed his life. So many regrets piled atop of her...yet Collyn stating he'd have been proud to have her part of his family, it at least made her feel a little better. Despite being secretly terrified of him, she knew Collyn was being sincere.

Returning to her home, she saw one of the lanterns lit outside. As if born anew, Cervato rushed towards the door, throwing it open and calling for him. "Kurai!" Yet their house was empty. Kurai wasn't there. Zen still left with her parents. The home was empty. It must have been another being courteous for her, yet the painful reminder she was alone pierced the poor woman as she sunk to her knees.

"...Kurai...where are you?"