Sanguine Halo

Chapter Three: A Mother's Love

Somewhere far away from the city hidden beyond the glades, lived a woman with her husband. Shemira was a good housewife while Niru, her husband worked for the hidden Lightbearer's society as a practitioner of medicine and alchemy.
They were happily married and when Shemira bore a son, their happiness both doubled.
One day, Niru left without a word and without him, things became tough for Shemira. Their son got sick and without Niru, she could do nothing but to wait for him to come back and heal their son. Eventually, their son died. Niru never returned and didn't even attend their son's burial.
Shemira, being the only one left behind, chose to stay at her son's side even if he is no longer living. She wept all day and night never stopping until her tears ran dry. Her body got thinner every day. She stayed without even eating anything or drinking water.
Their neighbors really got used to Shemira weeping by her son's tomb but however, for whatever the reason, one day... She disappeared. Rumors said she died... But others say that she came back as one of the Graveborns.

"Ehh... Fawkes, have you ever rode a horse before?" Mirael asked him as she turns the pages of a magazine that she was reading.

"Why would you ask that? You want to ride a horse?"

Mirael gave a long stare at him. He definitely knows what she wants and he's making her words fly back to her like a homing pigeon.

An abrupt knock on their front door ruined their peaceful afternoon.

"I'll get it." Mirael rolled her eyes and made an 'i'm watching you' gesture with her hand while facing Fawkes and getting the door open.

A messenger gave a mail to her and she signed the paper that he demands to sign and afterwards got the mail on her hand.

She opened the mail and sat beside Fawkes the mail read as...

Dear Demon Hunters,

We're from a village faraway from the acropolis that you live in. You could find us at the border between Acropolis and the Arcanists Union wall. We have a big situation here at our village. Spectres terrorize our homes every night. Please help us.

-May Violet (Village Chieftain)

"So, a chieftain sent us a message... What now?" Mirael was holding the parchment and she noticed Fawkes was already prepared.

"The Arcanists Union's border won't be reached by any other means of transportation except horses. Today's your big chance lady." Fawkes said. Mirael nodded and got prepped before they could go to the border.

They reached a town after a long bus ride where horses are sold for a cheap price.

"I really wanted to ride a horse. Thanks for giving me this chance."
She gave a smile to Fawkes but he pretends that he's not listening. Fawkes pulled off a pointy hat from his coffin and fixed it up in Mirael's head.

"Luck was just willing to come to you. You might want to put a hat on if you don't want your skin get burnt by the heat of the sun. Hiyah!" Fawkes saddled and Mirael followed him.

It was nearing dusk and they needed a place to stay. Since they're from the Acropolis, they are paying a staying tax of 500 silver coins.

"500 Silver coins? Oh no Fawkes. We ain't gonna continue this."

"Just get to the mission Mira. We're not just demon hunters, we're also BOUNTY hunters. We hunt, we get rewarded then we'll leave."

Mirael pouted and sat in one of the tavern's chairs as Fawkes talked with the inn's caretaker.