We came to a dead end, with two doorways to our left and right, and a window just before us. My first thought was, great, there's a way out of here. But then I noticed something was wrong. Why is it dark? Pulling out my pocket watch and holding it up to Zoe's fireball light, I checked the time.

It’s only after noon. It's far too early for it to be dark already. "I don't think this is a real window," I said aloud, glancing at Zoe.

"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "How is that possible?"

I shook my head. "How is anything that's happened so far possible?"

My eyes went back to the Goblurin just behind us, but I already knew he had a different explanation. Oh no, what is it this time? 

Brannick grinned. "See? Even the house understands atmosphere!"

Covering my face with my hand, I shook my head. "Brannick, houses don't understand anything."

"This one does!" he said back, happily.

I looked back at the window. That's what worries me.

Glancing between the door ways, I narrowed my eyes. "Which way should we try?" I asked.

Zoe snapped her fingers, causing her fireball to get larger as one corner of her mouth curled. "Why don't we just blast down the window?" she asked.

"Hey! Don't you damage my house!" whined Brannick.

Shaking my head again, I ignored him. "Zoe, we don't even know what that would do. The house may even protect itself from your magic."

But before I could stop her, she reeled back and threw the fireball straight for the window.

But… nothing happened. The fireball seemed to vanish into thin air. Her eyes went wide as she stared back at me. "Kairine, tell me. What just happened?" she asked, her tone suddenly shaky. "Spells don't just vanish like that. What the Undergrave just happened?"

My mouth hung open as I examined the window myself, puzzling over everything. She's right. That's not normal. Not at all.

Brannick's face lit up. "Automatic fire suppression!"

Zoe turned toward him. "What?" Exactly my reaction.

"Your fireball vanished before you could damage anything!" he replied, almost hopping about. You are way too giddy about this.

She turned to me. "Can I kill him now?"

"No. I'm going to telekinetically throw him when we get out of here," I said, shaking my head.

He winced at the sound of that and he took a step back. Good. Now to figure out a way to get out of here. My eyes scanned the hallway. Turning my gaze back through the left doorway, I squinted. Just then, something disappeared through another doorway out of the corner of my eye. I shot a glance in that direction, but there was nothing there. Am I seeing things?

Slowly, I started into the room, motioning to Zoe. She followed close behind. My eyes remained locked, with the doorway on the left side of the room coming in. The floor boards creaked with each passing step.

"What is it?" asked Zoe, suddenly startling me as goosebumps appeared over my skin.

Gritting my teeth, I took a deep breath. "I don't know. I thought I saw something," I whispered back to her.

"Can you sense anything?"

Taking another breath, I shut my eyes, casting my mind outward. Pulses emanated from me throughout the room. Then to the rest of the house.

Then it came.

My eyes shot open as sweat beaded down my face. Shaking my head, I turned to her. "I. . . I don't know what that was just now," I told her in a soft voice. "It's hard to explain."

She raised an eyebrow as she gazed into my eyes. "The sister I know would never suddenly get scared like that," she observed. "What was it?"

My whole body trembled. "I really don't know, Zoe." I hesitated, biting my lips as I stared down at the floor. "It was like. . ." I paused again, glancing back up at her. "A dark foreboding presence."

"Foreboding?" asked Brannick as he gingerly stepped into the room. "Excellent!"

I scoffed as I stared at him. "How is that excellent?" Do I really want to know?

"That was exactly the vibe I was going for!" he replied, with a wide grin.

Shaking my head, I turned glare into his head. "Brannick, I can sense it," I said, gritting my teeth as I breathed deeply through my nose, catching a whiff of a thick musty stench at the same time. I raised an eyebrow as I gazed around the room.

"Even better! Immersive atmosphere!" responded the Goblurin, as a hop came to his step. You are insufferable.

"You didn't create it, idiot!" groaned Zoe.

But that did nothing to change his attitude as his grin widened further, displaying his sharp teeth. "Of course not! You can't manufacture authenticity!"

She turned to look at me. "What do you think?" she asked me, exhaling.

My gaze dropped to the floor as I remained silent, pondering this. Even as David and Fleur emerged through the doorway, I didn't look up at them. Fleur, noticing my expression, approached me. "Kairine? What is it?"

Not looking at her, I shook my head. "I can sense. . . something dark."

"Something dark?" David clenched his jaw. "Kairine, how could there be a Necro Spirit here?"

Brannick glanced between all of us. "What's a. . . Necro Spirit?" he asked.

My gaze rose to him. "They're dark spirits. Evil," I replied with a cool tone, gritting my teeth as my gaze returned to the floor.

"And there's one in my house?" he asked.

I only nodded. I can only hope he understands the gravity of the situation. Noralyn stirred from behind my hair. "I'm alright," I whispered. "Just bad memories."

Conspicuously, Brannick appeared to go quiet for a moment. Narrowing my eyes, I gazed up at him.

Then, "How rare are they?"

Blinking, I replied, "That isn't the important part, Brannick."

He raised an eyebrow. "It could be extremely important," he said.

I turned around to face him. "Brannick, they can kill people!" I exclaimed.

His expression faltered as he took a step back. His mouth opened, but for once, nothing came out.

I stared at him as the silence stretched between us. Then his brow furrowed.

“… How often?”

My hand rose to my face as I shook my head. Your lack of survival instinct also disturbs me. I gazed back to the doorway. Might as well try it, I guess. "Could you bring the rest of everyone in here?" I asked Fleur.

She nodded and went to poke her head out, motioning for people to come inside. As she did, Zoe looked at me. "Is it possible it's not really a Necro Spirit?" she said softly. "That it's just a dark ghost?"

She has bad memories of them too. I exhaled. "I suppose it's possible," I replied. She's right. We can't be jumping the gun on calling this a Necro Spirit until we know more.

Turning, I started for the other doorway, Zoe tagging close behind me, and Brannick close behind her. Everyone else followed as I clenched my teeth. My body trembled uncontrollably at the thought. I glanced back at her. I can’t let her know I’m scared. She’s relying on me.

The next room looked to be an old bedroom with a large bed in the centre of the floor, and a pair of nightstands to either side of it. Sitting against the wall facing it was a tall oaken wardrobe. It looked ancient as I approached it. The wood had clearly seen better days. Slowly, I tipped it open with my finger. Inside, several old, musty shirts and dresses hung in distinct groups. The shirts occupied the upper rack, while the dresses were arranged together along one side. It’s organised almost like I would. That’s weird. I narrowed my eyes as I glanced around the bedroom.

Over on the nightstand, I spied a photograph lying face down. I stepped over and picked it up. Zoe came up behind me, peeking over my shoulder. "What is it?" she whispered before her eyes went wide. "They. . . look almost like us!"

My bottom lip quivered as I nodded. In the photograph were two girls, younger than Zoe and I, but Quatrican just like us. The one on the left looked to be about ten, while her sister looked around seven. There they stood in the yard in front of this house, hand in hand.

"H. . . How is that possible?" Zoe asked me, as she took a step back, her eyes never leaving the picture.

"I don't know," I responded, placing the photograph down. Just then, I felt a wave of emotions wash over me. I froze and gritted my teeth. I took three deep breaths.

"What is it?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I felt remorse just now. Guilt. And also sadness."

Gazing around the room, I pursed my lips. "If there's anyone here, you don't have to hide from me," I called out.

Brannick raised an eyebrow. “What’s she doing?” Zoe bopped him on the head to shut him up.

“Hey!”

Zoe ignored him.

I smirked, and turned back to the room. "Please, speak with me. Maybe I can help you. I am a psion."

For a long time, the room stood quiet and still. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. The silence is unnerving.

Just then, Noralyn perked up, scurrying back from behind my hair, perching on my shoulder.

"What is it? Do you sense something?" I asked her.

I didn't have to wait for long for an answer, as suddenly a translucent figure appeared from the wall, staring back at me. She was only slightly taller than me, her hair longer and darker. She wore an old-style dress from several decades back, if I were to guess. She was stark white, her image so faint that I could barely make her out.

I smiled slightly as I bowed. "My name is Kairine Kamuya, this is my sister, Zoe," I greeted the figure.

The figure glanced between my sister and I with wide eyes. "You look just like them," she replied with a shaky, almost echoing voice.

Motioning to the photograph on the nightstand, I asked, "These two girls?"

Her gaze shifted between us again as she nodded. "Please, do you know where they are?" she asked.

Sighing, my gaze dropped to the floor. "I'm sorry, I don't," I responded softly. "Can you tell me their names? Maybe we can look."

"Kora and Imari Imuchi," she responded, my eyes widening as I stared at Zoe.

"What? What's going on?" Zoe asked me. I didn't know how to answer as I looked back at the spirit.

"M. . . Ma'am," I hesitated, biting down hard on my lip as Fleur and David stood at the doorway. I took a deep breath. "Kora was our mother's name."

At the sound of that name, Zoe's jaw twitched.

Her mouth dropped and she stared between us. Slowly, she approached me, looking deep into my eyes. ". . . Yes. You have her eyes," she whispered, her lips curling upward.

As she looked at me, her face became more solid, gaining more colour as she glanced between Zoe and me. "I can't believe it. My granddaughters. . . Where is your mother?"

I froze as the realisation hit me. Grandma. For a moment I could only stare at her. Then I swallowed. "At the risk of angering Zoe," I said, looking at her with soft eyes. "Mom passed over a year ago. It's just us now."

Zoe turned her back to me as she folded her arms. The spirit’s eyes narrowed. "Why is your sister so angry, if I may ask?"

I stared at my sister, a tear welled up in the corner of my eye. "Mom. . . hurt her," I murmured, my voice cracking. "We don't talk about it."

The spirit’s hand flew to her face as she turned to my sister. Then, her face fell to the floor as she hugged herself. "I am so sorry that she had to go through that," she whispered.

She shook her head, looking up at me. "Break the cycle."

Scrunching my brows, I glared at her. "What does that mean?"

Just then, the spirit shot her head toward the wall. "It's coming. Both of you need to be careful!" she sputtered as she began to back away. "Kairine, heed my warning. The spirit world is changing. Be careful in the days ahead!"

Before I could say anything, she was gone. "I didn't even get her name. . ."

"Who the Undergrave cares?!" Zoe spat, beginning to walk away. "Why'd you have to say that name again?"

"Zoe, I think that may have been our grandmother," I whispered.

She turned to look at me, her eyes wide. "H. . . How is that possible?" she stammered, shifting her stance. "Mom. . . lived here?"

"I don't know," I replied, looking down at the Goblurin. "Brannick, I don't suppose you know anything?"

He motioned to himself. "Me? No, of course not. That sort of thing was irrelevant when I bought the place."

I clenched my jaw. "Well, it's relevant now. When this is over, I want the contact information for the realtor," I responded, throwing up my hands as I turned my back on him.

"Kairine, what's wrong?" asked Fleur as she approached me.

Motioning to the photograph on the nightstand, I shook my head. She squinted as she walked over and picked it up. "The two girls are Kora and Imari," I told her. "Imuchi."

Her gaze shot up to me as I said that, her mouth dropped. "Your mother?" she questioned, looking back down at the photo in her hands. "I can't believe it."

"Can we please stop talking about it?" growled Zoe as she stomped toward the door, swinging it open. I felt the familiar knot of anger and pain in her, raw again at the mere mention of Mom.

"Zoe, stop!" I exclaimed, my pulse racing as I made a move toward her. "We have to stick together!"

She stopped, gripping the doorknob tightly in her hand as her gaze fell to the floor. Her face reddened.

I moved to her, gently resting my hand on her shoulder. "I know you can't forgive her. But don't you want to know?"

She turned to face me, clenching her jaw. "No, Kairine!" she hissed. "I don't want to know anything to do with that woman!"

"But Zoe. . ." I hesitated, biting my lip as I averted my gaze from her. She really is in so much pain. As curious as I am to know the truth, I have to respect her feelings. "Alright," I said finally, looking back at her. "I'll drop it. For you."

She stared back at me for a long time. Finally, David broke the silence. "I'd hate to ruin this tender family moment, but we should keep moving," he said, walking up to us.

I gazed at him, disturbed. David, for the Gods’ sake. . .  "Just minutes ago you were wanting to stay. What could have possibly changed your mind?"

He rolled his eyes. "You can be very convincing. It's actually kind of annoying."

Fleur and Brannick joined us. Fleur turned and motioned for everyone to follow. Taking a deep breath, I led the way through the door into the hallway beyond.

The hall was pitch black. Zoe sparked a flame in the palm of her hand, followed by David doing the same. But even with the fire light, it was almost impossible to see where we were going. I motioned everyone to walk slowly, as my footsteps creaked along the floor boards.

Just then, there came a sound from my right. I froze and slowly glanced in that direction. There, at the end of the hall, my eyes just caught a glimpse of a figure disappearing into a doorway. My body trembled. Instinctively, I reached for Zoe's hand. To my surprise, she clasped my hand back. I glanced at her. 

"I've got you," she whispered.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could. . .

"Are you dears lost?" came the voice behind me. I jumped back, backing up into the wall, my arm covering my sister.

There, standing in the pitch black hallway was a dark-skinned elderly woman. She looked back at us with a tender smile. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as Noralyn glanced at her, before hissing.

"Now, that isn't any way to greet an old woman, is it?" the elderly woman said, pursing her lips. "You, dear, really should keep your Mystimon on a leash."

I gritted my teeth tightly before answering her. Just who is she? And what is she doing in this house? "Her instincts are usually right. I've learned to listen to them," I muttered softly, as we inched our way backward. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

She frowned. "You still haven't answered my question. Are you lost?" she responded.

"My father always taught me not to talk to strangers," I replied, shooting a glance behind me. Fleur and David had backed everyone into the room we'd just left, and now David was inching his way toward us. "Are you lost?"

Her frown turned into a smile. "No. Are you? Perhaps I can help you."

Clenching my jaw, I shot a look at Zoe. But just as I glanced back up, suddenly, the woman was gone. I looked around, quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. "Where the Undergrave could she have gone?" asked Zoe.

Before I could answer, screams erupted from the room behind us. Grabbing my sister's hand, we bolted back. Fleur stepped back, directly into us as we arrived. "What is it?" I asked her.

She answered by raising a trembling hand. Her eyes were wide and her face contorted into an expression of sheer terror. "The kids. . ." her voice shook. "They're gone!"

To Be Continued.