I hear my sister's voice telling me it's my fifth soul day. I smile, she is only one year old right now but I already know what her voice will be like, and so my system knows too. I always remember more than she does, a perk of reaching tier four in a previous life. Vancea has never lived long enough to remember our first lives, our love that was more than kin. Our lives as hybrids and lovers. It makes what we have now feel bittersweet.

  Our latest father and mother are in the atrium this morning. I greet them, they give me polite smiles. There is no real love between us, it's harder to form such after so many lives forming our personalities. We acknowledge each other and I'm grateful that they have returned me from my tapestry. That at some point I may do the same for them.

  “Are you ready to do more training, Sencea?” Father asks.

  “I am Fancel.”

  “You should be in one of our aura now, try to determine whose it is. No guessing now.”

  Hanviel treats me as a child. They understand from my current soul weight that I am more, but appearances color their perception of me. I don't admonish them for it, being an elf parent poses its own unique challenges. I turn my thoughts to the matter at hand. I focus as I remember doing so many times and I find the aura. My sister congratulates me with the skill. I smile.

  “It is yours, Hanviel.” She smiles.

  “Good, there will be times we will ask if you are inside an aura and whose it is.” Fancel falls into his instructor tone.

  Its common rearing for elves, aura afterall are the few things that can harm an elf soul. Should a presence subsume an elf, it can interfere with a return to one's tapestry. I need to reach competent to gain the ability to view my tapestry. I pass the task of watching for auras to my parallel mind.

  -----

  I dreamed of my life as a bowyer and fletcher. Gaining the fifty intelligence major boon has been a system dream. Acclimating my previous lives goes so much faster during the night if I can do two at once. I need to get that fifty perception boon to speed it up. Today is Vancea's fifth soul day. Time to make sure I'm who she loves the most.

  -----

  “So you're really going to be a barmaid again?” Vancea is laying about, not really interested in doing anything.

  “I am, I've even contacted the previous tavern owner I worked for.”

  “Aren't you afraid of overlapping the experiences?”

  I smile at that, I haven't told her that I already dreamed that life through. “Says the soon to be merc again.”

  “I'm quite certain that this life will be quite unique.”

  I wince at that, Vancea plans are rather awful, her time living through elf lives has warped her from the innocent maiden I once knew. She gained the indifference to death so many of our peers have. That I remember our child we lost from the tapestry is still my burden alone. I can only hope she gets to tier four soon and chooses more memories to impart.

  “Instead of a merc how bout you come with me, Meron could always use more help. You haven't been a barmaid yet. We could be the elven sister barmaids gaining ever greater tips”

  It's in vain, she is already waving me off. It won't be this life for tier four. I've tried to explain the need to progress further but she is aloof about it. Feels that when eternity awaits, it will happen when it happens. I didn't bother to explain the need to do it this life.

  “If you want to increase your fortune, you should come with me, human misery pays well.”

  I simply sigh and head out of the village. I think Meron said he was in Hilgurd.

  -----

  A life of a blacksmith and a guard this time. I get through a decent portion of my lives as I sleep in the caravan to Hilgurd. The perception minor boon has been cutting the time in half but there still quite a few years to get through.

  I go through the tavern doors and greet an old friend, “Meron, you shaved your beard, it looks to have removed a hundred years from your face.”

  The dwarf tavern keeper squints at me seeing if he knows me. He sees my ears, comes to a conclusion and makes his guess.

  “I thought elves only did a lark once before moving on, you're not looking for work again, are ye?”

  I smile, “That I am, I felt my lark was far too short and am here to do it proper.”

  He gives me a sad smile to that. I had been raped and murdered in his previous tavern.

  “I'm not sure I can handle it if you were to perish under my watch again. That your sister came and slaughtered the fools before bleeding out sitting on my bar stool, is a rather harrowing memory, ye ‘ken?”

  So that's how Vancea ended her previous career as a sword of justice. It's not like she has remembered it yet to relay it to me. I'm next to Meron, and I give him a hug.

  “Sorry about that, elf feuds can get messy. My sister is rather possessive and disregards lives. I'll be more careful this time.” I give him a smile.

  “Do you already remember?”

  I just give him a smile.

  -----

  Life is simple. I take up some basic enchanting to try to push levels. Who doesn't need a water rod. It is on that thought when my current patron asks a question that isn't how soon will the meal be ready.

  “I've been told that you are capable of water enchantments?” A pale black haired woman asks me. She has our town's new administrator sitting with her and two girls, one with blue hair, the other with black hair and blue streaks.

  “That I am.”

  “Do you believe it within your ability to set up some mana plumbing in our new estate. The previous owner did not bother with such amenities.”

  “I'd say I'm at the cusp of such skill, if you're not adverse to some trial and error, I can work on it in the morning after the adventurer rush.”

  “I am Marie, you have no doubt heard our [Lady] name.”

  I smiled, I was watching the ceremony that transferred the right to rule. Glorified tax collector. Marie does not introduce her children, nobility are protective and wary of compels. That it's the Maxwells I am dealing with makes their warriness greater.

  “Sencea.”

  -----

  “Whats it like being an elf.”

  Ambushed while working on the kitchen faucet.

  “Let me turn that around you, what is it like to be human, Barbain?”

  It didn't take long to hear their names, nor that the [Lady] enjoys her [Attendant] in a more personal way. The girl is deep in five year old thoughts, then she gives up and replies.

  “I dunno, I'm just me.”

  “There is your answer young one, I too, only know what it is like to be me.”

  She nods, I'm not sure she really understands. Her question satisfied, she wanders off.

  “That answer was misleading.”

  “Practicing your [Detect Falsehood] there, Cecelia?”

  She frowns at that, Cecelia likes to play at being a guard when I am in their estate. That she is forgoing the merchant or mage route is surprising but I guess the Maxwell house has plenty of scions to spare.

  “You didn't answer the question.”

  “You didn't ask me one.”

  Another frown, how does one describe the perspective of having lived a life as both an elf and hybrid. The hearing is different, the drinking both better and worse, depending on which portion of the process you're on. To age in one life and forever twenty in another. Perspective. I don't tell her any of this. She who will live one full life can't understand it. I simply smile.

  -----

  “Can elves really hear everything?”

  Barbain voice echoes down the well I am in. I'm carving a water pull enchantment that will also purify the water. It will cost the user a bit more mana to use but it will save the effort of getting pure water from the fountain. I devote a mind to the small girl and her curiosity.

  “It is true that elves' hearing is one of the greatest of the various races.”

  Dragons claim to be superior but they claim that for all their senses. Barbain murmurs something.

  “The word you said was flower.”

  There another murmured wow. She kept the ow portion going for quite awhile. I just smile at this.

  -----

  “You sure you want to have this faucet as just a create enchantment, and another to dispel. Most would just have the cessation of mana be the dispel.”

  “Most would waste mana channeling more magic water than they need.”

  Curt, as are most of my interactions with Marie. She is working on the toilet incinerator. She would trust no other to the task, the working needs more safety checks that I would feel comfortable implementing in a single working. I hear Cecelia and Barbain talking.

  “You sure you don't want to be a knight, Barbain? I'm sure mother will be fine with it.”

  “No, I'm going to be a mage and shoot lightning.”

  “Knights can use magic.”

  “They always force you into either life magic or dirt magic, if I want to sling mud I can do that already.”

  A harumph followed that statement. I smile, a lark as a magical knight could be interesting. A healing knight or a fortification creator. I continue my work in the rather cramped bathroom.

  -----

  I help cater a party for Cecelia becoming a [Junior Knight]. She'll be heading off to the capital to train tomorrow. A breastplate is presented from the local smith. Belna her name, she tips well and drinks plenty.

  They give speeches and then mingle with the upper crust. I just serve drinks with Meron. Barbain hovers around us hoping to partake in her first taste. That Marie and the [Lady] are both keeping an eye on her is more than enough reason to not indulge her.

  “Sencea, is it true that elves are all aura masters?”

  I just smile.

  -----

  There is crying in the tavern today. Cecelia has returned, six years earlier than expected. Both her mothers are here consoling her. Between the sobs, I hear her story. She apparently was having a bit of fun with life magic. Was caught and embarrassed by a potential lover. It resulted in a mental lock that explains why her arms are resting on her breasts instead of the table. Even as she is slouched over the table, burying her head into her arms. This led her to flee her knight order. She can't rightly fit into her breastplate anymore.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The next time I see her is when she is out on patrol. The breastplate on with not a hint of the earlier caricature, she is sporting the title of [Guard]. That she comes into the tavern in the evening looking mana deprived is all the confirmation I need of her solution. That she avoids the issue will further cement the change.

  -----

  Another catering, this time it's Barbain time to shine. The girl who always greets with a question has qualified at being a basic mage. She tells me how she'll miss us all even as she is sampling the wine.

  “Ah but you will be back for the town founding festival right. I'm sure you will see us there then, it's only a year.”

  She smiles at that, the growls out a recrimination. “A year of being someone's attendant.”

  Meron teases her, “Ah, but perhaps you will find love as you serve.”

  That Barbain looks at her mothers and blanches just adds to my laughter.

  -----

  I've finally made it through my first life. It has put me in a rather sour mood. Losing my child and then being tortured for a year before an execution can do that. Meron tried to give me the day off but I simply waved him off. It's been quiet the last few months, I have no reason to believe today will be any different.

  Cecelia has brought in a rather small girl into the tavern. I feel goosebumps crawl over me when her aura passes over me. It makes me want to ignore her. Cecelia motions the usual and I go to gather their fare. I only brought two dinners to them, judging that Cecelia must be humbling a thief or something. Vancea whispers to me. Not a thief then, what is [Voiceless]. When I bring their drinks over I see that Cecelia has given her plate to the urchin who is now deep into her meal.

  “I'll need another plate, and some water for the table.”

  “Aren't you being generous to a criminal?”

  “I gave my order.”

  I leave in a huff and come back with a plate and mug. The mug thuds loudly in front of the girl, she looks up realizing she must have missed something. My glare causes her to mumble her gratitude. I simply give a turn and leave her to her meal. That she fears I spat in her drink is rather astonishing, children don't generally suspect such. Her aura is strong as well. I look at her again and I see her tapestry. As a human she shouldn't have one, she is only level three. The tapestry itself is disjointed, as if the memories that weave it are out of order. Previous lives have witnessed such from time to time. It always means an inherited. They never live long, and the tapestry is always lost. I chose to ignore them for the rest of the night. Cecelia shows her anger by withholding my tip.

  -----

  “Our [Lady] would like to hire you to train our newest daughter.” Marie had come into the tavern after the lunch rush.

  “I was not aware that the Maxwell house had grown.”

  “She has only just entered our home, we need your expertise in aura control.”

  I grow suspicious at that, there is only one individual recently who has an aura. I was under the impression she had run away already. Cecelia was frantically looking for her only a few days ago. I heard the clink of metal in the pouch that Marie was offering, its gold coins. They are serious about this. Better to agree then risk Maxwell coercion.

  “I'll teach her what she needs to know, but only just that. If it is who I think it is, I have very little desire to stay in proximity to her.”

  “As long as she can learn to contain her aura, that is all the Maxwell house asks.”

  -----

  “O, it's the child who leaves her negative aura hanging around in taverns.”

  The child looks annoyed at that, then she gives me a curtsy

  “I must give my apologies, I am unable to control my aura, I'm hopeful that you can help me with that.” As an inherited, her maturity is more than her age. Like an elf child.

  Belna is not so polite, “Her aura from her title, Sencea, she is ten years old and has been living under it for four years. I demand some patience in the matter.”

  I take a moment to process Belna's explanation. Pariah auras aren't meant to be controlled and yet I have felt it fluctuate with this child's emotions.

  “You're paying me to teach her how to restrain a pariah aura? Your cruelty could shatter her soul.”

  “Nothing less can be expected of the effort to shape the young miss.”

  Nobility. I walk over to the supposedly ten year old girl, trying my best to hold my emotions steady while inside her aura.

  “Alright here how this is going to go miss . . .”

  “Sara”

  “Sara, I'll be teaching you how to retract your aura, as it is a pariah title aura, it's not as simple as turning it on or off. You won't be gaining the [Aura Control] skill, you would need an actual aura skill for that, and that is not what I am being paid to accomplish.”

  I turned to Marie waiting for her to decide to forgo the effort, Marie nod is disappointing but expected.

  “Instead the skill you are likely to earn is one that resists your aura.”

  “Why is that miss Sencea?”

  I sigh and continue. I'll need her to tell me what the aura actually does.

  “As a pariah aura, I'm sure you have seen it fluctuate before, perhaps when you were feeling?”

  She says one word, “Worthless.”

  I suck my teeth, “System take us.”

  I will Marie to beg off on this endeavor. My stare is only answered with a nod. Another sigh. I never heard of this aura before.

  “Right, when it feels heavier you're actually retracting your aura subconsciously, making it denser. See pariah auras don't grow or shrink in power they just change density, instead you're going to have to pull your aura into yourself to the point that none leaks out.”

  Her eyes widened at this. She understands where I am going with this.

  “You'll need to bear the entirety of your aura yourself.”

  Her aura gets denser around me, I can feel its insidiousness try to worm itself into me. I grab Sara's jaw and make her look at me.

  “I can feel your aura contracting due to your fear. Stop. You need to be calm while doing this. This must be a conscious effort, if you lose control while internalizing your aura your soul might snap and be lost. What is your mental fortitude and soul level.”

  She is looking around trying to find an escape from my question. She at least has been taught to avoid answering such, but right now is not the time.

  “I am being paid for my discretion, now out with it.”

  “It's alright, young miss” Marie gives Sara the permission she needs.

  “Thirty-one and sixty-two, respectively.”

  She has the soul major boon? That is shocking and rare. I've never heard of it making an unique pariah title. I give her the only advice I have.

  “Keep putting points to mental fortitude on level, ideally you'll want it higher than your soul, the potency of your aura is based off your soul.” I feel the aura get denser again, “Why are you getting emotional again?”

  “I gain three soul through my title per level.”

  Definitely the major soul boon then. That will only be a problem until she tiers up her race. Unless that title grows.

  “Then I suggest getting to level twenty so you can equip a second title that has a mental fortitude bonus. Enough, calm down, it's not as dire as you may think.”

  Belna interjects, “The fire, apprentice.”

  Sara goes and tends to the fire. She then grabs a bucket and heads out to the fountain with Marie. Leaving me behind with Belna.

  “I would ask you not to treat her so harshly, she is innocent and lost.”

  I raise my eyebrow to the smith.

  “I am not sure how you can stay sane inside her aura, even now I feel it nibbling on my tapestry.”

  “Bah, elves are always fearing for their souls, my people grow up in the presence of auras far greater than hers.”

  Children of dragons. I couldn't see how one would survive inside such an aura.

  “My apologies for questioning your resolve. It will become more unpleasant until it's fully within her. Keep an eye on her, it's possible for her aura to crush her soul.”

  She nods and goes back to her work.

  When Sara finishes pouring her bucket into the basin, I start again.

  “I'm going to stand where I sense the edge of your aura. Marie stand next to Sara, we need to do this slowly. If the aura retracts too fast you may need to shock Sara hard enough to snap her out of it. Alright Sara, start to pull your aura into yourself, you may focus on strong emotions as a crutch for now but steer clear of feelings of worthlessness itself. The goal is just to gain the resist skill. Now begin.”

  I can feel the aura ripple for a moment, then it starts to recede. I keep pace with it, staying at its edge. Its density gets more sickening. Suddenly it retracts past me.

  “Stop her!”

  Marie does not hesitate. She slaps the child, hard.

  “You lost control, young miss”

  The girl is in shock, she mumbles an apology.

  -----

  It took a few days but Sara finally manages to not require someone to break her out of her focus.

  “Sara, what is the exact wording of your title?”

  She is stoking the fire at the moment. She doesn't want to answer and asks me a question instead.

  “Do you want to know what it was originally or what it is now?”

  I raise an eyebrow to this, she has always been voiceless. She sighs.

  “I don't go around with the full title, better to avoid questions. You should see it now.”

  And I do, she is able to attach her pariah title to other ones.

  “Both, actually, this is rather curious.”

  She starts poking at the air as if she has a status screen.

  “Voiceless - gives off an aura of worthlessness, Title holder is unable to gain new skills while this title is slotted and is unable to mentally direct changes to one soul. One additional soul level when leveling up.”

  “And the other?”

  “Voiceless Tier 1 Adventurer - Gives off an aura of worthlessness. Title holder is unable to mentally direct changes to one soul. You are the lowest rung of an international organization. Complete requests and hunts to grow in fame and glory. One additional charisma and two additional soul when leveling up.”

  The soul increases based on how good the title is attached to. That's ridiculous. Most people avoid the the fifty soul major boon because the title they generally earn isn't all that powerful.

  The girl murmurs, “Stupid aura makes everyone think I'm worthless.”

  The girl gets zapped by Marie. It's spooky how fast Marie can be with that rod.

  “Young miss, the stat is to be referred to as presence not charisma. You give yourself away every time you make that mistake.”

  The girl rubs the spot she was hit. I will correct her, my last lesson to her.

  “The way it's worded, it actually makes anyone in your aura feel worthless, I mean yes they may understand that you're the one causing it and so the feelings get directed at you but fundamentally it makes them feel as bad as you do under the aura.”

  Sara eyes widen at this, she seems to have come to some new understanding.

  “With that said this is all I can teach you. The rest is up to you. If you come into the tavern with it leaking again I will be very cross, I don't need you bumming everyone out, they tip less.” I then recall her initial fear. “I will definitely spit in your drink.”

  She grimaces at that, I only smile.

  -----

  Cecelia is drinking far more than I have ever seen her. Belna is with her, their mood foul.

  “Might have to cut our guard captain off.”

  “Leave her be, she has lost a loved one.” Meron could always pick up on why someone was in their cup.

  Sara? It is the way of the inherited, to be prey for those who care not how they grow. When I deliver their next round, I join them for a while. The winter feels colder tonight.

  -----

  Summer reminds us that miracles can happen. I see Sara sitting with Cecelia and Belna. That she still lives is impossible and yet here she is. Her brother is with her, happy yet morose. She is both a reminder of the family he still has and why the rest is gone. I make sure to put extra portion of mashed potatoes for her. She looks like she needs more meals.

  I can't feel her aura anymore and yet her level is higher. How harrowing was her captivity that allowed her to progress. I look at her tapestry and am further disturbed. There is a portion crudely stitched onto her own. It's not disjointed like the rest but it is not Sara. I see another portion that is slowly weaving itself, also not Sara. I am perturbed by this but leave it be.

  -----

  Marie enters the tavern before the morning rush. That she is not dressed as an attendant is very peculiar. Meron engages her first.

  “Its a tad early for guests Marie, and you a tad under dressed.”

  “My apologies Meron for my lack of decorum, but I require Sancea's wisdom.”

  That she did not refer to her [Lady] shows just how flustered she is. I follow her back to the estate.

  I see her ears and I am in shock, they look like Vancea's. I look at her tapestry again. It has more stitched on amalgamations that look like they want to tear away. Her soul is rejecting them. All through her main disjointed tapestry are my sister threads. I suspect much, I ask in Quintarl?ne.

  “Why does your tapestry have the feel of Vancea?”

  She gives herself away with her expression.

  “Knew it, how did she die?”

  “She threw herself down the stairs after she entered my aura, it made her not care about her current life and she decided to go for a rebirth. She didn't realize she was inside my aura until after she was dying.”

  She died in Sara aura, and succumbed to it. That she talks as if she understands Vancea mind would mean…

  “You speak as if you know her thoughts.”

  Cecelia is positioning herself between us, she is ready to kill me if I make a move towards Sara.

  “I've just spent the last night reliving her last life.”

  “You ate her soul, explains the fingers and ears.”

  The child is staring at her hands now, guess she hadn't realized

  “Her liver and ovaries have changed too, is there anything you can tell us about those?”

  Do I really want to explain this, I see what [Identify] tells me and understand the road she is now on. It's for the best that she knows as much as she can. I feel the geas placed on me quake against my soul but I can handle it for now.

  “Her liver will process toxins easier, makes being a barmaid a breeze, no worries about intoxication, you said ovaries? Like more than one.”

  Barbain has moved next to Sara and nudges her. It's very unlike her to be quiet.

  “She possesses two ovaries, is that different from elvish women?” Cecelia is asking.

  “Ya, elves just get one, they release an egg yearly. They don't store a clutch like humans do, but make the egg over a year then release it. That she has two, well can you tell if they are both active.”

  Cecelia flicks a look to Marie then goes back to me and touches the girl side, her eyes green. Marie moves into my blind spot, not that it matters. Her steady breathing will change the moment she decides to act.

  “It seems her left one is active right now, the other appears dormant.”

  “Does that mean I'll have yearly bleedings instead of monthly?” She seems hopeful, I'm annoyed further.

  “Your uterus still seems human, so that will likely still follow the previous cycles, also it's probable that you will release an egg every half year, I will be monitoring to see when your other ovary activates.”

  That's a possibility in the making, the girl being discouraged might lead her to change herself further. We can't have that.

  “That will be to her advantage, elvish wombs are rather notorious for miscarriages. It took four years before Vancea could be reborn after I was.” And Hanviel was considered to be lucky to have been able to bring two to term in a decade.

  “You don't seem upset.”

  The audacity, I don't control my emotions. All I can see is her.

  “Do not misread my patience, you have removed a portion of my sister tapestry and may of shattered the rest. That I have not attempted to end your life is that it was her foolishness and arrogance that led to this.”

  She is frightened, this won't do. I take off my earrings and throw them to her feet.

  “You remember how to use those right, your [Identify] is listing you as a hybrid, you know what that means. I only have one request, to the one who devoured my sister.”

  She nods.

  “I want to die in your aura. I will lead my sister back into rebirth or join her in your tapestry.”

  What I don't say is that she will be our vessel for our rebirth.

  “I'll do it.”

  Cecelia turns to her, “No Sara, why?”

  Sara gives a sad smile that speaks of pain. Barbain has a frightened look and is backing away from Sara. Barbain heads to Marie. She is attempting to convince Marie to stop me. I wish I could smile at that. When Sara finishes her self serving explanation Barbain pales and Marie attempts to usher her out the room. Barbain refuses.

  Sara puts the earrings on, accepting our covenant.

  Biance intones to me, “Sencea, you will not physically harm Sara in any way.”

  I accept it onto my soul, truthfully I wasn't sure I would be able to approach Sara without it. The ancient geas that binds all elves demands her blood. I walk to Sara after Cecelia steps away.

  “Is there anything specific you must do for this.”

  “All I know is those who end their own lives in my aura cause me to relive their lives in my dreams.”

  “Simple enough, embrace me in my sister's doom, don't ever let them find you.”

  She is hesitating but I simply glare at her. She coats me in her aura, it is hungry and it pushes me down. But I have life times to draw on for strength, my tapestry will weave in hers but will continue on in my cycle. I will pull my lover with me, that we may be reborn again. That Sara will bear us. I fill my chest with water using my water mana core and rupture every organ I have. I lay at her feet dying. My last thought is an idle one. Will I forgive Sara enough to call her mother?