Ashmir countryside - 7 years from present

The afternoon wind rustled peacefully through the towering trees of the forest just past the outskirts of town. Near ran his hand along one of the massive trees as he began to feel an all too familiar spiritual presence emanating from up ahead of him on the trail.

As he strolled into the isolated clearing, he was faced with a handful of headstones which appeared to be long since abandoned. Reserved for only the most influential and adorned citizens of the once thriving town, the private graveyard had seemingly fallen into ruin.

He glanced to his left where a massive tree with unusual purple leaves stood out from the ocean of green before continuing on. His stomach churned at the sight of the accursed tree, and the memories of fruitlessly attempting to cut it down for the last several months flooded back to him.

“This place still gives me chills,” Near sighed as he crouched down and wiped the debris from an unusually ornate white marble headstone featuring the image of the Goddess of wind, Iris.

“DISMAS SUTHERLAND

THE ASURA OF ASHMIR

A HERO TO THE END”

Near read before he felt a light breeze roll through the cemetery and sensed an ethereal presence resting over his shoulder.

“Damn kid, you look worse than I do...and I’ve been dead for 12 years...” A tired voice chuckled from behind him.

Near turned to face the towering, athletically built man before him. Loose black hair fell behind his lightly scared face, a black blindfold across his eyes forever masking his gaze. Black ink covered his bare chest in winding runic patterns, and his long black pants flowed down to his bare feet. The man's form seemed to flicker under closer observation, and a light blue aura radiated from the slightly transparent apparition.

Near held his hand to his head as a myriad of emotions washed through his entire being. Pain, regret, sorrow, they all blended together in a dull ache he could feel reaching out towards his soul. “Dismas, I can’t take it anymore. We’ve been training for months...I have to know what this all is. What the fuck is happening to me? Why am I the only one that can see you?” Near pleaded with the blue tinged specter of the fallen hero of old standing before him.

“I’m sure you already figured out Iris isn't like the other gods. People aren't granted her blessing...they’re born with it,” He began, his arms crossed. I’ve only known a handful of those that bear her blessing of wind, and I’ve never met someone else that bears her real gift...until you stumbled through my graveyard.

“How exactly are you even here right now?” The young adventure asked with a raised eyebrow.

“To remain in this plane, the spirit must be strong, and if their soul is incomplete, a tether is drawn that binds them to this realm,” Dismas revealed. “The stronger their spirit and tether the more firm their connection to the world of the living. It decays over time, but some can be seen, and others can interact with the world of the living if an Asura channels them.”

“A tether?” Near followed.

“It can be to a place, as I am to this graveyard...or even a person.” The burly man explained.

“Why do I hear these voices...feel their pain?” Near asked.

“You’re an Asura, and the voices...they’re the souls of the dead that never left, the remnants of those who have yet to gain solace.” Dismas signed solemnly. “Tasks unfinished, chances never taken, promises left unfulfilled, for one reason or another they never passed over to the other side. Don’t blame them for reaching out to you. Some of them have been alone for a long...long time.”

“How do I stop it? I can’t live like this anymore, it's getting worse by the day,” Near gasped desperately.

“I’m sorry Near...I thought I had more time to prepare you. As for how to stop it...you can’t. The only way out is forward...you need to control it, before it controls you, and when you do...an unimaginable power awaits you.” Dismas explained as he paced back and forth, a gentle breeze following his every step.

“Unimaginable power sounds unimaginably dangerous. My lifes already dangerous enough as it is, trying to hide this bles-this curse. I refuse to be a casualty of noble ambition, I’ll not be dragged into meaningless power struggles.”

“You don't understand, if you embrace this power, they won't be the ones giving the orders,” Dismas began, as he stretched out a hand and attempted to palace it on his shoulder. His hand passed through it and a worried expression crossed his face. “Looks like we don’t have much time left.”

“Well, then how do I control it?” Near begged.

“You can’t...not as you are at least. It's not like the other blessings, you must strengthen your body as well your soul...or it will rip both of them apart.” Dismas began. “These markings aren't for show,” he smiled as he ran a hand along the black markings across his entire torso. “Spirits grant them, and they allow you to control the gift.”

“You're a spirit now, why not just give me your markings?” Near asked.

“I wish it were that easy kid, this is ancient celestial shit,” He laughed. “Once the spirit offers its mark it can't be undone or passed on.” Dismas answered. “Good news is I know how to convince the spirits here to grant you their power.”

“Please by the love of the gods don’t tell me it's the tree,” Near pleaded.

“Of course It’s the tree,” He admitted with a pained expression.

“I thought you had me use it to train because it was so indestructible. What's so special about that damned thing anyway.” Near said, glancing over to the gigantic purple-leafed tree towering above the others at the edge of the clearing.

“Sherfield is drowning in some sort of cursed energy. A toxic miasma coming from deep within the ruins. It's been seeping out for years, and somewhere along the way this tree became a symptom of the corruption. It's been torturing the spirits of this graveyard, you cut down that tree...and you’ll get your first sigil.”

“I’ve tried for months, the thing won't budge.” Near lamented, running his hands through his hair.

“Have you been meditating daily with the technique I showed you?” He asked with a questioning expression.

“Yeah, but I can only hold it for so long,” Near confessed as a light breeze began to circle his feet, sending the leaves around him flying up into the air around them before settling down again.

“You're going to need to use the special technique we’ve been practicing, and it's going to take every ounce of power you have. Focus, and channel everything you have into one fluid strike to chop that giant bastard down.” Dismas instructed as he shifted his head towards the tree.

The young man nodded to his ghostly mentor as he faded into nothingness before walking across the grassy clearing to the foot of the massive tree and running his hand along its thick black bark. Marred by hundreds of scars, testaments to his previous training, the intimidating tree stood unimpeded. “Here we are again…”

He took a deep breath and glanced around him, ensuring he didn’t have an audience. He took his staff in hand and began twirling it around him as the surrounding leaves began to lift into the air. His aura shifted as his staff began to blur as it whipped around him, picking up speed. A smile crossed his face as he felt the power ripple through his body.

“Everything”

His eyes began to shimmer brightly as he dug his back foot into the ground for support and brought the staff around him for a final time. The gale swirling around him began ripping the very ground apart in large chunks as he began to groan from the strain while he poured everything he had into the whirlwind surrounding him.

“AHHHHHHH!” Near roared as he lunged forward and brought his staff across in a wide sweeping motion. The whirlwind condensed into a thin wave as it slashed through the air at incredible speed. His eyes opened wide as he watched the wave crash into the giant tree and cut straight through it as a dozen other trees began to collapse behind it.

A dark smoke billowed from the recently severed trunk as the tree crashed to the ground, shaking the earth as its cursed vapor faded into the sky above.

“I...I actually did it,” He gasped as he glanced down to see a small pool of red seeping through his bandaged arm.

The forest seemed to quiet as a flock of small white birds took off from one of the collapsing trees. The only sound he could hear was his panting breath as he barely kept standing by propping himself up on his wooden staff.

A tree branch behind him suddenly snapped with a soft crunch as he threw a quick glance over his shoulder to see Melione standing just a few meters behind him. “How could I have not sensed her?”

“I’ve waited a lifetime for you,” She breathed with a sigh of relief as she began slowly pacing towards him, her eyes brimming with hope, an emotion she was woefully unfamiliar with.

“You can't be here...can’t see...” Near choked out as his vision blurred and his knees buckled beneath him.

“What's going on, are you alright?” She asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder to try and steady him.

“Of course, I feel…just fi-” Was all he could muster before his legs collapsed and his vision faded to black.

The next thing Near knew he was on his knees, the cold earth sending a frozen shiver through his body. He took a frosty breath as he gazed up at a young boy standing right before him in tattered clothes.

“Thanks mister!” the young boy cheered before giving Near a pat on the head and skipping off.

“What...the fuck...”

His vision sharpened as he gazed around him to see a mirror of where he had just been, except now a biting chill ripped through his very bones and a small crowd of villagers surrounded him. Their blue, phantom-like shimmer shined brightly as they began to bow their heads in unison.

It was dark now, only the moonlight shined down on them.

He sensed a powerful aura walk up beside him as he glanced to his right.

“Perfect execution...apart from the whole blacking out part of course. That can’t be healthy, we’ll need to work on that,” Dismas remarked, looking onto the remnants of the destroyed tree.

“What is this place” Near began.

“The space in between” Dismas smiled as he walked around and pulled Near to his feet. “Time for the good part” He smirked as he put a hand on Near’s shoulder and a soft glow illuminated from it. “Let’s see what shape it takes.”

A moment later Near could feel an ethereal power radiating from his left arm as he glanced down to see a black substance swirling across his upper arm. Eyes wide with wonder he watched as it sank into his skin in the image of thick winding branches and twisted down his forearm. “Thank you,” He breathed as he admired the new marking.

“Any time kid, and about the girl…” the heroic specter began as he leaned in, his stoic features sharpening into a severe expression behind his blindfold. “I have a good idea where this path leads, and it’s a pretty dark fucking path. But then again, everyone’s only ever a few small choices away from being carved into legend.” Dismas finished with a smirk as he gave Near a hard push and his world faded before he hit the ground.

The next thing he could sense was a gentle heat pleasantly warming his face as he rested a hand beside him and ran it through a soft fur rug.

His head pounded, his body ached, but he felt...powerful. As if the veil had been frayed, and he was finally beginning to see.

“Well I’m not tied up in the back of a noble’s wagon getting carted off to Hyperion knows where...she hasn't burned me yet.”

His eyes opened to a crackling fireplace illuminating a simple wood cabin. He glanced down to notice his shirt, shawl and armor had been removed. He shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his loose white hair, surprised to find it damp.

His brow furled for a moment before a loud crack of thunder snapped him awake enough to start hearing the rain pounding the roof of the cabin above him.

He raised his left arm to see the bandage had been removed, in its place only a scar remained. Its presence almost entirely concealed by the twisting black tree branches now adorning his arm.

“You're heavier than you look,” He heard a feminine voice call from behind him as he twisted around to see a dimly lit cabin centered by the blond outcast. She wore a plain red shirt and pants, and an ominous shadow painted the wall behind her slender frame as she rested her arms on the back of a worn-out couch.

“No armor or weapons. She almost looks like a normal girl.” He noted with a sigh of relief.

“That makes two of us…” Near muttered as he fell back to the fur rug, exhausted. A moment later his balled-up shirt found its way to his face through a particularly hard throw. “Hey come on, I’m only joking, your light as a feather…” He smiled her way as he pulled the shirt over his head. “Thanks for taking me...wherever this is.”

“Old family hunting cabin outside of town. I couldn't let my darling get eaten by slimes now could I,” She smiled as she vaulted over the back of the couch onto a seat.

“W-what?” Near stammered with a confused expression.

“You need to take responsibility,” She breathed, her features sharp and unwavering as she leaned forward on the couch.

“Responsibility?” He choked out, a bead of sweat slowly sliding down his forehead.

“I was so close to the end...even If it wasn’t the one I wanted, it was the one I had chosen.” She began, her features cold and distant. “And now I’m here, back at the beginning...”

“The fire wasn’t an accident…” Near realized as a dark sensation ran down his spine.

A moment passed, the crackling fire and the pounding rain overhead the only sounds permeating the silence.

Near leaned up, eyes fixed on the woman. “What happened to you?”

“I had it all, and lost everything…and when you start off as the daughter of a countess it’s a long fucking way to the bottom. When I was in that abyss, I did the only thing I could…I fought, clawed my way back to life, or what was left of it. It was just never enough though,” She stated as she eyed him sharply. “That’s where you come in.”

“Me?” He asked.

“What I lost can never be returned, the scars never removed,” She breathed as her head tilted to the side revealing the brand on her neck. “You have both blessings don’t you, I saw you in the graveyard talking to yourself. But you weren’t were you? You were talking to an asura, Dismas.”

“I don’t think that was a guess...but how…” He pondered. “How could you possibly know that?”

“He may have been the Asura of Ashmir to most, but he was the Champion of Sherfield to me,” She said, barely containing a faded smile.

“Why haven’t you sold me out yet…” Near pondered aloud.

“All the money in Sherfield couldn’t get me what I need,” She said.

“What wou-” He began.

“You...” She quickly answered. “I have problems I need to resolve, debts that need to be paid...requests no reasonable adventurer would take…especially from me.”

“Why not just contract a gold or platinum, or go to the Duke of Sherfield?” He asked.

“Don’t you think I’ve tried, in case you forgot everyone treats me like trash because of this brand. Even if I could post a guild quest, all the high-ranked adventurers have their heads up a noble’s ass. They couldn’t care less about the problems in the countryside. As for the Duke...he’s been covering everything up for years, his only true objective is a seat in the capital.” She revealed, anger lacing every breath.

“I don’t know who you think I am. I’m just a copper ranker trying to keep a low profile until I’m strong enough not to have to keep looking over my shoulder.” He answered plainly.

She frowned as she eyed him with a mixture of disappointment and pity. “That day will never come, you don’t have the luxury of living that life anymore. It’s honestly a miracle someone else didn’t find you before I did. You don’t have any idea how to hide your aura, your power, it radiates off of you like smoke from a fire. It’s only going to get worse the stronger you get.”

“She’s right...It’s only a matter of time,” He thought to himself as he let out a knowing sigh.

“Follow me through this and I can guarantee you by the time we’re done, you’ll have enough power to choose whatever life you want. But most importantly, I vow that you will not die at my side.”

“She’s right about me not being able to stay in the shadows for much longer, but I’m just not convinced”

“Fine...but in the end, how much is the word of an outsider worth?” He challenged with a doubtful expression.

“Nothing...but a vow from a member of the De’Ryzle family...if the last 300 years were any indication, now that’s as good as gold.” The light from the flames behind him danced across her face, her convictions clear for all to witness.

“They aren’t just words...not to her...”

“Let’s say I believe you, what is it you actually intend to do with my help?” He asked.

“Save Sherfield, and everyone that calls it their home,” She replied plainly before mumbling something about vengeance and redemption.

“What was that last part?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Oh, were you also blessed by the Goddess of questions?” She quickly quipped back.

Near just chuckled as he rested back onto the rug.

“Let me ask you one now.” She said as she leaned forward. “Are you going to help me or what?”

The question hung between them as his world slowed, the downpour growing to a deafening deluge as thunderclaps crackled in the distance.

“The burning building, the tree, this girl. I’ve lived so long cloaked in fear...it just feels so fucking good to be alive again.” He thought as he met her gaze and gave her a confident nod.

“Get some rest, we have a long day tomorrow,” She breathed as a flair of hope returned to her eyes.