Chapter Text
Chapter 2 – Training and Transformation
Though it had been an easy choice, her training was not without struggle.
Late nights in the library studying texts had her tearing her hair out trying to keep all the nobility straight, memorizing the words of each distinct funerary ritual and ascertain the differences between the various sub-species of every herb used in each.
She was touched when her wisp would bring her extra parchment and ink when she ran out of room for her notes. Sometimes she’d find a little snack sitting on the corner of the table when it wasn’t there before.
If a book was especially difficult to reach, she’d be on her tiptoes and stretching as far as she could and her wisp would pull the binding out just enough for her to grasp it and pull it down. Even though their days of whimsical exploration were over, it still seemed determined to help her succeed at every task.
Magic and combat training were no less challenging.
Mara often found herself getting acquainted with the ground as she had not yet found the trick to getting out of the way of incoming strikes.
“You would think,” she grumbled to Wisp after a particularly nasty bout with one of the older students, “that after all those alley fights in the city, I’d be better at this part.”
Wisp simply jittered in amusement as she limped to the healer’s office.
“Oh you think it’s funny?”
The little ball of energy nestled in her arms, feather-light and tingly, trilling what Mara thought might be encouragement.
She sighed, “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Benedici’s face was delightfully aghast when I took him down with me. At least this time he wasn’t standing over me gloating.”
Wisp dimmed a little before chiming firmly.
Mara hummed in agreement. “I know, he’s a complete prick.”
Weeks of nursing bruises from poor timing lead her to seek out extra training sessions. When the instructors were busy, she recruited some of the skeletons to her cause, trading pickaxes for practice swords. A visiting spirit of Valor found the prospect engaging and heartily joined in, agreeing to live on in a recently interred army recruit who had died bravely in a battle against Orlesian trespassers.
It wasn’t perfect, but practicing in her spare time paid off and the first time she successfully dodged Valor’s aggressive swings, her confidence grew.
“You’ve successfully learned how to use your feet. Well done! Soon you’ll be conquering dragons!” said Valor, enthusiastically. Mara gave it a suspicious side-eye, uncertain whether it was a compliment or sarcasm, but it beamed back at her and joined the skeletons in clapping. Her wisp glowed brightly as it settled near her shoulder, its approval obvious.
Several more weeks of extra practice also gleaned a new trick when she discovered that if she pulled on the Fade just so, she could teleport a small distance away. She wasn’t skilled enough for a full Fade step, but her adrenaline fed into her magic enough when she had close calls that she could manage an extra few feet when she dodged. She found it gave her an edge against some of the more traditionally trained students, giving her opportunities to strike at their openings with less risk.
Every goal met only fueled her further. During training bouts, she always looked for moments to strike. Her opponents were her colleagues but she was going to WIN, no matter how many practices it took.
And always, her wisp would be floating nearby, watching. It became their little ritual after practice; Mara, all sweaty and breathing hard, would be met with a cup offered by Wisp. It was empty every time, which Mara found hilarious, but was grateful all the same. She’d fill it with water and drink, Wisp would take it back and hide it away until next time. Where it went every time was a mystery, and she half-wondered if it had a stash of empty cups sitting around somewhere in the Fade. That it had noticed her need for one after sparring was endearing.
Even after combat training ended, things were never boring.
Especially when her wisp started…changing.
Over time, she noticed her wisp was becoming more than just a small ball of light. When they were alone, off in some of the more remote areas of the Necropolis, it would grow tendrils, like veins of light, and Mara often caught it trying to mimic her gestures. She thought it looked more like a spirit than a wisp in these moments. And there were times when she could swear she heard whispers or saw concepts in her mind, forming a kind of communication between the two of them. It worried and fascinated her.
“Do wisps ever…evolve, Professor?” Mara asked one of her professors after a particularly interesting presentation.
He looked at her, lost in thought, before answering. “Well now, that is an interesting question! I would like to believe that wisps can become more than what they are. It’s commonly believed that wisps are a sliver of a thought that once was. Others posit a wisp is a demon that has lost its power; either it has existed in our world for too long without finding a true host or it has been destroyed.”
He began to wander the room, hands behind his back, as he pondered. “If wisps are indeed a sliver of thought, perhaps that thought can grow to become a memory? Then a series of feelings? Then, perhaps, a full-fledged creature? If it used to be a spirit or demon, it stands to reason that, like spirits, they could be drawn to those that reflect their former nature!”
Mara nodded absently, thinking out loud, “And maybe by being around their former nature, they could remember and then eventually return to or become themselves again?”
“What a marvelous thought!" The professor beamed, "Sadly, I don’t know of any instances of that happening, but surely it’s possible? For example, I’ve always believed my assistant is more than just his curiosity. He shows so much more awareness than many of my colleagues give him credit for!”
He motioned to one of the working skeletons but Mara wasn’t really paying attention. She had already formed a plan in her head and gathered her things.
Mara lead her wisp to a currently deserted area of the Necropolis. Mid-day meal would end soon, so she quickly washed her hands of the juice from the blood orange she’d saved from that morning. Its sticky sweetness had lingered on her fingers and she used the last of the water in her cup to wet her handkerchief.
"That’s better. Now.” She held out a hand, palm out and fingers spread. Her not-quite-a-wisp-anymore looked at it then at her and sent the concept of a question to her mind.
Mara nodded encouragingly, “I want to try something. Can you…make a hand? Like mine, I mean?”
The wisp reached with its tendrily arms and firmly wrapped three offshoots around her palm. It wasn’t unpleasant. Each tendril felt like cool water against her skin, tingling with energy.
Mara watched, fascinated, as three turned into four, then five offshoots, each climbing slowly up her fingers as though following a mold. It was strangely beautiful, seeing each tendril eventually form into a recognizable finger, mirroring hers.
Once it formed a full hand, Mara gave a little gasp as the wisp grasped her hand, holding it firmly. She giggled softly, pleased with the results and slowly shook her hand up and down. The wisp caught on and shook it vigorously. A little too vigorously as she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder from being pulled too hard. Mara winced and the wisp immediately let go and vibrated in alarm.
Hurt. Mara?
She froze for a second as she registered that, for the first time, she was hearing its voice clearly in her mind. It was hard to describe the sensation. The echoey words were quiet but, like an intrusive thought, came to the front of everything else. Hard to ignore.
Yet another development that had Mara in awe.
She chuckled as she reassured it. “I’m ok! Just be gentle, like this.”
Mara held out her hand again, but the wisp immediately returned to its ball form as several Necromancers walked around the corner.
One of them recognized her and called to her as they passed. “Ah! Ingellvar, I believe Myrna was looking for you. Some wisps have been scattering bones again.”
Mara sighed then nodded. “Thanks, I’ll take care of it.”
Yet another job to be done.
Once they were out of sight, Mara cupped her hands so the wisp could settle into them.
“What are you afraid of?” she asked, curiously. It never seemed to be anything but a normal ball of light, like every other wisp, around everyone else. It was only when they were alone that its other form would take shape.
The wisp scoffed indignantly. Or rather, Mara thought that’s what it felt. Non-verbal reactions weren’t as easy to understand.
“Ok. Not afraid. Then...why do you hide your...new...self?” She struggled to put into words the concept of what she observed.
Do not want. To become. Something I am not. Others may. Interfere.
Mara stared. That was more complex than anything she’d gotten from it before.
“I know many of my colleagues and professors would be very interested to track your progress in becoming….whatever this is. Maybe they could help?”
Do it myself. No one else, the wisp stated firmly.
Mara smiled softly, “You’re really determined to find out on your own?”
The wisp said nothing, but its glow seemed brighten.
She nodded. “I get that. I’ve never enjoyed others telling me what to do either.”
She released the wisp and looked at her hand, deep in thought as she realized, guiltily, her plan was exactly what the wisp didn’t want. If it was indeed trying to return to a previous form, then teaching it to mirror her was an unwelcome interference. She dipped her head and took a deep breath. “Sorry.”
The wisp silently bobbed about before she heard No. I...like what you be. Maybe I am. What you be.
Mara didn’t fully understand what it meant, but her heart warmed and her face flushed as she shook her head. “Only be what you are. Because I think you’re remarkable. I can’t wait to see what or who you become.”
The wisp glowed brighter and warmer and a few tendrils peaked their way out, forming a semblance of a hand.
Maybe I be... Yours.
And it carefully, tenderly, grasped her hand, lifting it up and intertwining their fingers. They stayed like that for the briefest of moments, before it dropped her hand and zoomed off, giddy with energy, off to do what, Mara could only wonder.
Clasping that same hand to her fluttering chest, she gazed after it, silently fiddling with her necklace, a tender smile forming at the corners of her lips. Once her heart slowed down, she spun and ran off to take care of the wayward bones, remnants of her smile still lingering.