4 Chapter 4 The Psychic

Silas sat in silence after Ebony told her story, she sat there, eagerly waiting to see what he would say. His expression was almost impossible to read, all she could tell was that he was conflicted about something. "So…" Silas began. Ebony sat straighter. "Thanatos let you stay here… because he thinks you could prove your innocence..?" Ebony nodded, again, he had asked this question before while she was telling her story. Silas sat back in his chair, a hand up to his mouth, contemplating. "That must mean something, it is not usual for Thanatos to let someone stay in the world of the living, not for long at least, once he has shown himself to a spirit." "Wait, does that mean ghosts don't exist?" Ebony asked, it was slightly off topic but she was growing more curious about her state of being. "Well.." Silas began. "It is difficult to explain, some spirits stay in the word of the living, having suffered a tragic death or having unfinished business but most don't realize they are dead and Thanatos doesn't give them a chance for vengeance once they realize they passed. So yes they do exist, though some unknowingly. Although, Thanatos' job is to take spirits on to the afterlife. Spirits staying in the world of the living is sort of like Limbo or Purgatory. Some spirits stay here and are meant to stay here, some are here temporarily, others just exist and can't move on yet, others just pass through." Ebony nodded, she believes she understands what he's saying. "So, eventually, I'll move on to the afterlife?" "Mhmm, I believe so." Silas replied, sitting back in his chair, watching her with a contemplative expression. "Though, your case is very uncommon, in my studies I've never heard of Thanatos doing this, so there must be a very specific and, or, important reason why he left you here. I'll do my best to contact my god and goddess and see if they have answers, please, wait here." Ebony watched as Silas stood up and walked out of the room and down the hall.

After about five minutes, Ebony grew impatient, she stood up and followed down the hall where Silas went. She knew she couldn't be heard by normal people but she didn't know about Silas, so she walked on the heel of her feet, to try to avoid making noise. At the end of the hallway there were three doors, two of which were closed and one slightly ajar. Ebony peeked in and saw Silas sitting on his knees in front of an altar. There were candles, herbs, incense, some stones, a dagger and a number of other odd things all around a pentagram, just a simple right side up star in a circle, that was carved in wood. She barely could see it past Silas' kneeling figure. Silas was facing away from Ebony and he was still, not even saying a word, some incense was burning, along with some candles on his altar. She stood and watched him for a few minutes, waiting to see if he moved or talked. After a few more minutes she decided to leave Silas be and return to the living room, not wanting to disturb him to ask what he was doing.

As soon as she sat down, she heard the door down the hall open and footsteps returning. Silas reentered the room and sat back down across from Ebony, she could not read his expression, he crossed his fingers again and looked at the floor. "Well… I don't have a definite answer, although, I do believe part of the reason Thanatos let you stay here is because of how you died. My Goddess, Athena, has told me it is very unlike Thanatos to do this, since it is against his purpose, she believes Hades might have a dealing in this. As for my God, Odin, he believes you might have a higher purpose, maybe a gift similar to mine, that makes you special compared to other humans. However, I am not completely sure, it seems there can be many factors in this as to why Thanatos let you stay in this world." Silas finished and finally looked up at Ebony, who had a surprised look on her face but remained silent. "Athena also advised me that it would not be smart to let you wander around as you are, if I am to help you. It would look very odd to many, even given my gift, that I am talking to nothing." He paused for a moment and looked away towards the doorway, he looked deep in thought but his expression quickly turned to surprise. Ebony turned to follow Silas' eyesight and saw a man standing in the doorway. Only, it wasn't really a man, he had a mist around him and Ebony could see through him, just as she could herself. The man had a peppered beard that went down to his chest and wore a black button down shirt and dress pants, he also wore a long dress jacket that went down to his knees and that had a hood. The man held a black stained cane made of wood and had the same startling bluish-green eyes that Silas had. Silas shot up out of his seat and stuttered. "Grandfather..?" The older man smiled and nodded then turned and looked at Ebony, she didn't know what to do besides sit and stare in wonder. "Hello young lady, my name is Brom Fox, I am Silas' Grandfather." His voice was thick with age and wisdom, a sound, Ebony thought, would be what an old book would sound like if it could talk. The man, or Brom, walked over to Ebony and took her hand. The whole while Silas stood in shock, just staring at his Grandfather. "Tell me.." Brom began. "How long ago did you expire?" Ebony shifted a bit uncomfortable, the man seemed kind enough, but that just wasn't what she expected him to say first. "Uhh.. about 3 or 4 days ago.." Ebony looked over at Silas, who looked just as confused as he was. "Excuse me, Grandfather but.. May I ask why you're here?" Silas asked, but added quickly. "Not that I'm not happy to see you it's just… unexpected, it's been so long." Brom stood up from Ebony and chuckled. "Well, you know I've been watching you boy, and I saw that you both could use some help." "So does that mean you know why Thanatos didn't take me to the afterlife?" Ebony asked right away. Brom looked at her with a slightly perplexed expression, though he was still smiling. "Ah.. I do not, unfortunately. Although, I heard about your predicament with you being part of the afterlife dear." He then turned to Silas. "Go to the basement, to my old things, which I know you haven't gone through." At that statement Silas' ears went red and looked down. "In my things, there is a box, in that box is a life-like doll from the war and a book. The doll should be in good enough condition for her to inhabit while you both go on your adventure." Brom smiled down at Ebony. "The book will tell you how to do the ritual to let her spirit take it over, do not fear, you will not be tied to it forever and you will be able to move at will." Brom looked over at Silas again. "Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time in this form. Take care of her, good luck and goodbye. Both of you, stay safe." With that, Brom dissipated into a small glittering puff of smoke, with Silas slightly reaching out to where his grandfather once stood.