Home

Sacha and I walked back home. It's been a couple of decades since my last visit, but with those damn wars happening one after another, I was too busy to come here. Even if I can be everywhere at once, my concentration can only spread so thin. We arrived at our cottage surrounded by Life’s various experiments that Sacha has been looking after all this time. She always had a preference for the stranger looking plants, but a lot of them have their uses, so she was at least practical about it. Not that it really matters when the whole planet has always been her backyard.

The cottage was small and covered with vines from the right side. Life’s side. We used a human spell to make the inside bigger than it actually looks from the outside. Humans can be quite clever when they want to be. The inside isn't really that different in a sense that the plants rule the entire right side of the house. She always loved being surrounded by them, so no wonder. And Sacha did a wonderful job taking care of them as always. My side simply remains neat and tidy as it was. The living room took a long time, but we eventually came to an agreement. A mix of plants here, a nice rug and fireplace over there.

I opened the door to Life’s room. Everything remains almost exactly as she left it. Her notes neatly piled atop of her books, the various beakers and containers she liked to use for all her experiments neatly piled in a corner, have long since been emptied of their contents(couldn't keep anything that goes bad), the bed that hasn't been used in a very long time(can be a struggle to keep the pests out, but we manage).

“You always take such good care of this place.” I smiled at Sacha. She blushed and put her fingers together. “I want the house to always be spotless for you and Lady Life, Miss.” She still keeps hoping that Life will return someday, even if she knows she won't. I can understand that, even I keep holding on to that naive belief, it's easier than admitting the truth.

A single blooming night lily stood out among the vines growing around her windowsill. I reached out and touched some of its glowing petals. It took a lot of tries before she managed to find a way to make it bloom forever and not turn to dust at my touch, but she did it. She wanted me to feel the flowers the same way she always did. Everything here connects to her, everything here is immune to my power. At least until…the day everything will come to an end. Sacha stood by the entrance and watched me as I kept reminiscing about the past. This isn't what I came here for.

I turned around and left the room. Sacha closed the door behind me and followed. I went to my room, empty as ever except for basic furniture, some books,bone beads and the small plant by the windowsill. I was never one for decorating, especially when I'm out of the house most of the time. Even the plant was my sister's idea, but I guess it does add some personality to this place. I took the beads and one of my spell books with me. One of the long lived humans is going to die soon. They always think they have the upper hand, not realizing that everyone meets me eventually. They only prolong the inevitable. I hope he at least enjoyed his life. So many of the long lived ones tend to die with the most regrets.

“I'll come back after I'm finished guiding a certain soul. Shouldn't take more than a day.” I told Sacha as I headed for the front door. “Do you have any special orders for me, Miss?”She asked with a serious look on her face. The ever-so-serious little protector. I patted her head and smiled. “You're already doing a great job and I'm proud of you, and I'm sure Life would be too.” She blushed at that and looked down at the floor.

I morphed into my human form, my hair done in a bun with a lily at the top, a small satchel at the hip, a more travel friendly ocher dress and leather boots. The bone no longer visible and covered with skin. The first couple of centuries were rough until I finally figured out how to take a human form. Wouldn't be able to make contact with living beings without it. My soul earrings are the one thing that stays the same no matter the form I take. The one and only gift from mother and the symbol of my oath to her. I opened the tunnel and left.

Guiding a soul that has overstayed its welcome is a lot more difficult than a regular one. I can't just leave it to one of my puppets, I always have to go there personally. While a puppet can gather regular souls without any issues, they don’t have enough mana to get rid of whatever barrier or other method was used to tie the soul to the body by force. Only my main body can do that.

I haven't seen this particular human in a couple of centuries. Given everything he had to give up to get those extra centuries, I hope he's been well. He's one of the few long lived ones, who doesn't frustrate me. Would be a shame if he died miserable. Although in hindsight, I guess having any more time wouldn’t make much of a difference, since it would be a year at best.

I eventually reached the other side of the tunnel and stood in the garden of a townhouse. Of all the places he could choose, he just HAD to choose this city. This damn city. Everything in this place reminds me of that bastard. No matter where I go here I will always be reminded of him. I sighed and made my way towards the entrance.