A tired Zazi had asked as they and Ezio were walking a trail up a harrowing hill. The air was brisk, with a cool breeze rustling the fallen leaves and trees. The sun was a warm orange in the sky. It was quiet, only hearing the crows coo loudly.
Zazi trailed behind their master. They breathed heavily, with sweat trickling down their face. However, Ezio seemed unaffected by the hill. In fact, he looked as if he could go running up it if he wanted.
"Were you not paying attention at the village?" Ezio asked, even though he knew the answer to his question. "The town has been haunted by a spirit that lives up on this hill. The story goes that a woman who died of heartbreak after her husband's sudden death. Now, she haunts these lands and has gotten progressively more dangerous. Which is why I'm going to investigate."
"We're going to investigate!" Zazi corrected proudly. Ezio had made a habit of not including his pet when it came to his Deity Mage duties. There were too many dangers and unpredictability when it came to protecting Sorenson that he wouldn't want Zazi anywhere nearby.
"No, I am investigating. The only reason you are coming along is that I don't trust the locals." Ezio admitted. The town of Holmfirth was never known to be an accepting bunch. Though they had gotten better over the years; he wouldn't take a chance of leaving them there and something happening.
Ezio then turned around and stuck his index finger up in front of Zazi's face. "And let me make something perfectly clear. You will follow my lead in all of this. There will be no running off. No touching anything, and no talking to any spirits we may or may not one across. Am I understood?"
Zazi stayed silent, rolling their eyes as they didn't wish to acknowledge the lecture. They didn't feel as though they earned one. Swearing that they could be trusted. But, Ezio wasn't taking any chances. He grabbed them by their chin, pushing them up and looking them in their eyes. "Am I understood?"
His tone was spine-chilling, causing the fae to squirm in place. "Yes, Ezzy." They gave in, to which their master smiled and petted their head.
They continued on their journey up. Soon, they began to see a mansion peek its head over the horizon. It was dark, torn and battered over the years of mother nature rummaging it. Windows were broken. A garden with plants that had withered away. It was exactly what Ezio expected, and Zazi feared.
"W-w-well, this place is abandoned! Might as well go back to town! Job well done!" Zazi spoke with haste, wanting nothing more than to get away from this frightening house. But, as soon as they went to leave, Ezio grabbed hold of their collar and pulled them back.
"Scared, are we?" Ezio giggled, to which Zazi scoffed at the notion. "No! Just don't want to waste too much time up here if we don't have to!" Zazi came up with on the spot, getting a chuckle out of Ezio.
They walked up to the large house. Ezio was in front as Zazi hid behind him. The fae could feel the looming horror around the house. The eerie creaks coming from the swinging door nearly had sent Zazi into a panic.
"Remember what I told you, my pet. Stick-" Ezio reiterated but was cut off when he felt Zazi clinging to his arm. "Stick close! Got it!"
Admittedly, Ezio began to feel bad for them. He knew how scared they were and was angered that he couldn't figure out somewhere to place them so that he could do this alone. But, he had to relax. He could feel his fiery dragon festering as his temper rose. He did his usual breathing techniques. In through the nose, counting to three, then out through the mouth. Repeated over and over until he felt his temperament return to normal.
Soon, the two walked inside the house. The air was filled with dust and other particles. The foyer was wide, covered in various paintings and rugs. It may have looked nice if it wasn't for its rundown view. The once enriched rugs were now torn up with dirt and dust covering them. In fact, the entirety of the foyer was covered in the mess.
It was quiet, with only the rustling of the wind against the home making any sort of noise. Ezio's eyes were wide, looking out for anything that would point to the spirit's presence. He did this for every room they traveled in. This was more than both had anticipated, even with seeing how big the house was outside.
They had made it to the kitchen. It was the same as any of the other rooms. Torn apart and left to rot. Father time had taken its course on this once flourishing home. Ezio investigated around as Zazi stuck close. They listened to their master and kept their hands off of anything. However, that just meant their eyes continued to wander to keep themselves busy. And, it seemed a picture was what did the trick.
They walked over to the hanging picture on the wall. It was odd, as it was the only thing in the room that seemed unphased. No dirt, no tears, no nothing. It was like time had forgotten it. In the picture was a couple: a half-elf man and a human woman. The half-elf had long, silky black hair. He had a muscular frame as his arms were wrapped around the lady. Speaking of the lady, her hair was a long brunette. Divided into two long braids going down the front of her shirt. They both seemed happy. It was the only thing brightening this dismal home.
"What's the story on this place again?" Zazi asked, feeling as they had missed something. "Alaura and Levy Alister, a happily married couple a few hundred years ago. Levy came from the royal half-elven family that founded the kingdom of Verna. However, he found love in a peasant human and sought to give her the world. The world wasn't what she wanted, though. All she wanted was him. So, they moved to this town and built a house on the hill to live out their days happily. At least, that was their plan. But, fate had decided otherwise. Soon, the town wanted them gone, Levy specifically. They weren't too welcoming of half-elves. He refused, unwilling to be driven out of his home. So, the town took matters into its own hands. Storming their home and murdering him. Leaving Alaura, a widow with a broken heart. And soon, she died from it. Haunting the town ever since for what they put her and her husband through."
They sighed listening to the depressing story. A part of them felt bad for the angered spirit. She had her husband taken away from her in a violent, heart-wrenching fashion. They could only imagine how they would feel if someone were to take Ezio away from them. Just the thought of losing him nearly sent the fae into a rage.
"Hmph, sounds like they're getting what they deserve." Zazi stated, the anger festering in their voice. They always had an odd relationship with humans. Many of which were not so pleasant.
"Whether they are deserving or not is not our concern. Our concern is to protect those who cannot protect themselves." Ezio said flatly. Zazi just sighed, "Yea, you're right."
Ezio looked over to them, "Hey Zazi?"
"Your feelings are valid, okay?" he reassured them. They smiled, appreciating the need to do that.
Afterward, they went back to searching for the spirit. However, every room they walked into was the same as the last. They were beginning to think that there was no spirit whatsoever and that the townsfolks were just being paranoid. After much searching, there was only one room left: the master bedroom. They marched upstairs, watching their step so they don't fall through them. The room was in the back of the house down a long hallway.
They walked down it slowly. As they did, Ezio grabbed Zazi by their hand. He could feel something strange the closer and closer he got to the room. A chilling feeling, something Ezio hadn't felt often. Unless there were more elements at play.
Soon, they were right in front of the door. Ezio readied himself for anything behind it, while Zazi hid behind. The mage placed his hands on the large door before pushing it open. As it opened. a cool breeze slapped them in the face. A breeze that even gave Ezio goosebumps.
"Wh-whoa!" Zazi's teeth chattered together, creating a loud and fast clicking sound "Why is it colder in here than outside?!"
Ezio walked into the middle of the room, his eyes darting around the room. Out of all the rooms, this was torn up the most. However, it didn't look to be from anything environmental or over time. Pictures were shattered and ripped to shreds. There was no clear path to step. This looked deliberate. Like someone had done this in a fit of rage.
"I know you are here." Ezio said with the wind whishing against the window. There was no response or a sign to point towards a spirit being here. It was only that looming chill in the air.
"Your issue with this town is understandable. I cannot imagine how I would react if I was placed in your situation. But, those that had wronged you have now passed on. Their souls are resting, no matter if they deserve it or not. It's time your soul rested. You deserve it."
The mage's tone was soft. He didn't want this to end in a fight. He'd rather help the spirit find peace. Like an old friend guiding their other friend back from a difficult situation.
However, old friends are often the hardest to get through to. Moments after Ezio said his piece, a harsh gust of wind blew open the window. It was loud and abrupt, completely terrifying the chameleon enough for them to fall back on their bum. Completely knocking over a shelf of old jewelry on the floor. But, Ezio stood unfazed.
"Hmph. Give up this path of vengeance you still walk. This is your first and final warning." Ezio warned, his tone changing to match. He walked over to his pet and helped them back to their feet.
"Come on, Zazi. It's time to-" Ezio began to say, but Zazi was already running out of the door before he could finish. "Already way ahead of you!"
