Chapter 35: Reflections Of The Past (Part VI)
He spent the rest of the day studying The Forbidden Art of Necromancy (For Scholastic Use Only!) carefully. It was going to take a lot of work to bring Vera back, but he read that he could communicate with her quite easily using a rather simplistic ritual. The next day, he gathered the materials he would need to perform it. The book warned that there were many dangers involved with the endeavor, but he was unconcerned. He did not care what risk he would have to take. He now knew that he could bring her back, and he had to act as soon as possible.
Once nighttime had arrived, he made his attempt. Carefully lighting several candles and positioning them to form a large circle, he sat in the middle and read the long chant aloud. Being rather gifted in the field of magic, he was successful on his first try. Voices soon flooded his head. He found the clutter to be extremely unpleasant. Following the book’s instructions, he closed his eyes and remained still, focusing his thoughts on Vera. Slowly and gradually, the voices faded one by one. Soon, only a single voice remained. At last, he had found her. His eyes glistened; the tears were impossible to hold back.
He apologized profusely for his inability to defend her, and went on to explain all that had happened since her passing. He told her that, with the aid of the book he had recently discovered, he would be able to bring her back. He expressed again and again his eagerness to resume their life as it was, feeling his days of darkness were at last coming to an end.
Vera’s reply, however, was not at all what he had expected. She told him that it had been her time to go, as tragic and unwanted as it may have seemed in the moment. She said that he would understand one day, and though she cared about him deeply, she wanted to remain where she was. She told him that it would be best for both of them if he just let go.
Refusing his pleas over and over again, she eventually apologized and ended the communication. He opened his eyes and sat in silence. What would he do now? He didn’t know. Hours passed. Finally, he got to his feet.
Then, something unexpected happened as he blew out the last candle. “Javan,” he heard. Hastily, he snapped his head around, attempting to find the source of the voice. But there was only silence. Perplexed and a bit frightened, he collected the book and left the room.