Humans are a sad race because of their leaning toward habit. They often ignore their own history and thereby give up their greatest strength—learning from their mistakes. Ironic that they have a powerful ability to adapt, grow, learn, and evolve. Still, they are doomed to repeat past mistakes and become their own worst enemy due to habit and complacency.

~Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Things

“Welcome you? Maybe, but that depends on why you are here.”

Caw-caw-caw!

The three-headed crow bobbed its heads as if laughing.

*We like this answer. Truthfully, we didn’t come deliberately seeking you. We were summoned by—* The supernatural creature turned one of its heads as if listening. *Well, we can’t tell you.*

“Then why are you here?”

*Your Shield trial.*

Crow paused at that, not sure what to say. There was an awkward silence, and he couldn’t really understand why this entity would have a place in his trial.

*We are confused, too. But, our bond cannot be denied, so while confused, we understand. Just never thought the primordials would use me to explain this to you.*

“Huh? Explain what?”

*The trial and the Shield. The trial is about you, and this is the only warning—err, hint, I’m allowed to give. Do not lie to yourself. The shape, focus, and power of the Shield are determined by how much its wielder knows about themselves. Also, how much of what they’ve accepted about themselves is true. Truth is equivalent to the Laws, is that not so?*

“I’m…what? Are these truths something I should know, or do I need to figure them out? I’m not sure what all that meant or what I’m supposed to do.”

*Ah, now I know why I am here. I do find irony amusing.*

“Care to fill me in?”

*As a Druid, I imagine you know about Alban Arthuan, or Yule as you now call it. The winter solstice also represents a time of death and rebirth. Have you ever wondered why your people like to tell ghost stories during a festive time? The ghosts of the past, present, and future visit during Yule. In truth, those ghosts are the Fae who come to help people see their true heart.*

“That is all fascinating, and other than the Fae part, I’m aware of all that. Why is it important?” Crow wasn’t sure where this was going, but he didn’t find the Sluagh so frightening for once.

*The irony is that the origins of those traditions could be said to be our origin as well. Sluagh-Sidhe of Brug na Boinne. The first part means the People of the Sidhe, and Sidhe loosely means a burial mound or barrow. We represent the vengeful dead, those who have not been interred. Brug na Boinne is the holiest burial mound in Tuatha De Danann. It is where we were supposedly conceived.*

“Supposedly?”

*Even we do not know. Originally, the Fae that visited the Draoidh during Yuletide came from this place and did so with good intention. They wanted to avoid creating vengeful dead, help people see their wrongs, and right them so that we didn’t take them. Not all Fae could maintain their good intentions. Seeing the way people were twisted and the wrong they did, they became vengeful. Those ‘ghosts’ became horror stories and reminders to do good. However, the twisted Fae, we believe we are them.*

Crow was at a loss for words. He knew of this long-standing tradition, and the Druid Order had three solemn gatherings. The first gathering talked about the past those they’ve lost—it was meant to be a time of self-reflection. The second gathering was to talk about the present. He always felt it was more like a gossip hour in which people talked about marriages, children, and things like that. The last gathering occurred the day after the Winter Solstice. It was to discuss plans for the future, for the Druid Order, the clans, and the individual. It was supposed to be a time to discuss change, growth, and the betterment of oneself.

“So you are my ghosts of Yule past, present, and future?”

*Are we really the three-headed crow? This is the irony, is it not? We were selected because of our origin, but in truth, you are the three-headed crow. This is your first challenge. Can you accept who you are? Let me be clear, that question isn’t just about being the three-headed crow. You have other identities, and you are similar to us. We are often what we need to be to maintain the balance of karma. You and us, we are tied together much more profoundly than you know.*

“I think I understand. I need to embrace my gift to see who I was, to understand who I am, and to find who I want to be.”

Caw-caw-caw. The three-headed Sluagh bobbed all its heads in agreement.

*Impressive. Succinctly put. We enjoy talking to the smart ones the best. Now you have your question and the path to the solution, so I must not linger. Besides, your friends are about to return.*

Crow found his connection to the Sluagh not as terrifying as he once did. The ghost aspect of their existence was something he could come to accept, but he knew that some of how he currently felt was because he couldn’t handle Sluagh’s true presence.

*You are right. We are only an astral projection. This… realm would collapse if we appeared in our true form.*

“Thank you for your guidance,” Crow said and bowed toward the entity with a fist over his chest.

*Do not worry, little sapling. We’ll meet again soon. Remember, the Shield is about discovering you. It is as complicated as you make it, but do not lie to yourself—it is the greatest injustice you can do to yourself. Also, we have discovered a target that we believe you can handle. We’ve buried it within your mind, and you can consider it as taking care of our first request. When you are ready, the information will appear. Before you question or doubt us, we abide by the rules we set. The target may appear saintly, but appearances are the first thing you need to learn to see beyond. We’ll even reward you, should you complete the task, so don’t fail us.*

With the Sluagh’s disappearance, he felt a burning in his soul. It wasn’t like Soul Burn, but as if he’d just experienced something profoundly important. The closest feeling he could equate it to was when he bonded with Lily.

Lily and Nin appeared at that moment, and Crow gave them an edited version of what happened. He refused to mention the Sluagh because he feared the calamity it’d bring to the two.

“What do you need us to do?” Nin asked.

“Watch over me. I need to do something, but I’m not sure how long it’ll take.”

“Alright, but can you afford to waste time here? Your food supply is limited.”

“Can I eat those worms?” Crow asked, but his bitter face screamed of the injustice.

“No. Their flesh is caustic and would devour you from the inside out,” Nin told him bluntly. Her body had no problem digesting it, but his weak mortal flesh would corrode.

Lily flew in front of them both, pointed at Crow, and used two wiggling fingers to straddle a single wiggling finger. It was so crude and strangely sexual in nature that Crow couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She stopped what she was doing and stuck her tongue out at him.

“I know what you want, but can Nin really tame one of those worm mounts?” Crow asked Lily but turned to look at Nin.

“I didn’t follow that weird presentation—wait, are you asking if we can capture one of those worms?” Nin asked, finally catching up to their weird gesturing game. “That… I don’t know.”

“Don’t beasts bow to dragons? Isn’t that inherent in your blood?” Crow wasn’t sure if he understood a dragon’s innate powers, but he felt that was one of them.

“They do, but that thing is different. It isn’t a true beast, as it lacks a Core.”

Crow almost slapped his head as he realized she was right. There was no crystal embedded on the thing’s head. While that didn’t hold true for every beast, it was true for the majority.

“Then what are your thoughts?”

“I can try, but Dragonfire is my only sure method of taking the pair down. If I just take out the rider, the worm will probably burrow. I’m not sure I have the strength to stop it. I’ll attempt it, but we found a cave nearby. I’d prefer if you hid there while I’m out hunting. Lily can guard nearby to warn you of any danger ahead of time.”

“We will follow that plan then.” Crow nodded. It was a crude plan, but in this situation, it was effective.

Seated in the cave, he prepared himself mentally. Reflecting on his past was simple since he had Sage’s Mind, but it sounded like he needed to use the past vision of his Witch’s bloodline power. Reminiscing over how he awakened the power, he found the way to his present sight with relative ease. He could easily scan the surrounding area with it, but this place was strange, and his vision kept distorting.

Slowly backing out of the present sight, he sought the other two sets of eyes. He wasn’t sure how long he remained in that meditative state, but gradually he realized his mistake. That bloodline power was hidden within his Spirit, not his Mind. It was like how he transitioned into his Soulscape. He needed to move his consciousness toward his Spirit, and only then would the Three-Headed Crow awaken. He could view the present so easily because it really did resonate with him at a subconscious level. It made transitioning into it effortless—as if he was always born to it.

Unbeknown to him, finding the Spirit within him took over five days. Once he mastered reaching his Spirit with the ease it took to transition to his Soulscape, he dropped out of his meditative state. He knew his body had reached a critical point. While mana could sustain him for a time, he still needed water and substance periodically. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes.

Nin entered the cave, but she was covered head to toe in wounds and blood. The clothes on her body were nothing but tatters, almost rags. Seeing that Crow had his eyes open and he was staring at her, she smiled and fainted. Her body fell forward like felled timber, and Crow shot forward, catching her before her face could slam against the stone ground.