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LOCATION: THE WITCH'S HOME
CITY: MYRRINDEL, ALLOVIA
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 | TIME: 12:01 AM
The Witch was just preparing to get started with her work for the night when she heard voices outside her hut.
"They can wait," she muttered, as she prepared her flasks and potion bottles. She finished cleaning everything, dried her hands slowly, and walked to the door.
She found ten people milling about in the dark forest.
Two were tied to a tree. And two more were on the ground, bloody. Dead.
"What do we have here?" she asked. "Well, don't stand out there in the dark, come on in."
She stepped back to let the people in, then added: "Oh, and bring the bodies in. It will be crowded, but I don't need beasts sniffing around here while we're busy with whatever this is."
Brick huffed, and before anyone could give him a hand, he lifted one body over his shoulder and dragged the second inside.
The Witch pointed to a corner, and Brick set the bodies down. They landed so that they were sitting upright against the wall, facing the group as they walked inside.
The Witch giggled at Nina and Sienna's alarmed reaction, but tossed a blanket over the corpses to keep from distracting everyone.
Once they were inside, the Witch closed the door and latched it. She waved her hands and whispered an incantation.
When Grim looked at her questioningly, she said: "It's a little privacy spell. It'll keep nosy people from hearing anything."
The Witch turned to everyone, and addressed Flint first.
"Flint? What can I do for you tonight?"
She didn't seem the least bit bothered by the crowd or the dead bodies that had literally landed on her doorstep.
Flint cleared his throat. Grim and Brick shoved Nina and Sienna forward.
"This is Cormac and Silas Black," Flint said.
The Witch's eyebrow raised.
"They appear to have performed a ritual they learned from The Muted Cord to take over these two women's bodies, and infiltrate Earth," Flint explained.
"Interesting," the Witch said.
She stepped forward, leaning in close and peering deep into Nina's eyes.
Nina leaned back from the sudden invasion of her personal space, but Brick held her shoulders firm.
"Yes," the Witch said. "I can see it now."
She performed the same inspection on Sienna, and confirmed it.
"Silas Black here," Flint said, patting the possessed Sienna on the arm, "has a special ability. He can absorb curses, rituals and other spells, and release them at his will. Apparently he isn't affected by them while he holds them in his soul."
"Oh, really?" the Witch said, leaning in again.
She stared into Sienna's eyes again, then stepped back.
"I need some time with them," she said, "but I assume you wanted something more than just killing them."
She glanced at Brick.
"Or else you would have done that yourself."
Brick stepped forward.
"Is there any way to…" he fumbled with his hands. "To bring them back?"
The Witch stared at Brick for several long moments.
"I'll see what I can do. Everyone out of my workshop. Go to the other room and wait for me. Flint, stay for a minute."
They all did what they were told, and Flint stayed behind.
"Are you willing to let the big man pursue his vengeance in Allovia and the lands beyond? He could be a potent instrument of justice, as he's an unknown entity here."
Flint thought for a moment. Brick had displayed an unusual amount of loyalty to the Hollow Mantle Trevor Gant.
"Yes," he responded, "if he's willing to work within our mission system, I think we can work something out. Would you allow me a few minutes to discuss it with him?"
The Witch nodded. "I'll prepare the ritual while I wait."
She turned toward her workbench and began mixing chemicals and heating others, while Flint joined the others.
"Brick, I need to speak with you."
Brick stood and joined Flint in the hallway.
"What is it?"
"First, I want to temper your expectations. She won't be able to return the girls to their bodies, I'm afraid."
Brick looked down at the floor. His fists balled up, but then released.
"I didn't think so…"
Flint put his hand on Brick's shoulder. He had to reach upward over a foot to do so.
"Listen," he said, "I think you're a good man. And we could use your drive and strength. You've already taken an oath of confidentiality, and you know of the Umbral Thread. Our main mission is to protect the people of our planet, Evirond. But deeper than that, we focus much of our efforts on stopping The Muted Cord."
Brick nodded.
"They are the ones who sent the Brothers Black to Earth," Flint said. "They are the ones who are responsible for this. I can see the anger burning in your eyes. You're barely holding it in even now."
Brick looked up at Flint, and the aggression in his expression seemed to flare.
Flint held his hands up, palms out.
"I'm not telling you to quell the anger. I'd rather you keep it on a low boil. That way it lasts longer. Are you willing to work with the Umbral Thread to root out our enemies and stop The Muted Cord in this world and yours?"
The anger in Brick's eyes turned a little less red and more gray.
"Yes, Flint. I am willing. Give me a righteous outlet for my anger, and I will destroy mountains."
Flint nodded.
"Good. Once the Witch is done, you can get started any time. I sent you an invite through the System. Once you accept, you'll be able to accept mission assignments. These missions will take you beyond the borders of Allovia, and into the other kingdoms of Evirond. But I promise you will have a righteous outlet for that vengeance."
Brick shook Flint's hand.
"Any chance I can bring Trevor Gant with me? He's just as angry at those fuckers as I am."
Flint nodded.
"The invitation is already sent," he said. "You can explain it to him when you see him next. Now excuse me, I'm going to assist the Witch. We'll be out as soon as she's done."
Flint returned to the workshop, and the Witch was ready to begin.
She had tied the two possessed women down to benches, and was standing in between them.
She handed a small wooden bowl to Flint. The wood looked ancient, and felt warm to the touch, to Flint's surprise.
"Hold onto that," the Witch said. "The first ritual is to purge the brothers. The second is to recover what essence remains of the women. During that portion, you must catch what comes out of these bodies. Do not touch it, and do not fail me."
Flint nodded solemnly and stood ready.
The Witch closed her eyes and concentrated deeply.
Then, she opened them and began her ritual.