They say the dead can dance. Ruby Winchester knew all too well. She had seen the endless ranks defile Raieara during the corpse war. She had witnessed ghouls and daemons and wraiths topple empires time and time again. Despite all the horrors of war against time, one thing amongst their number scared her more than any other. The necromancers themselves. Centuries had passed and still she struggled to understand what could drive good men to become so cruel as to ensnare the dead in a web of lies. How could anyone deny life’s undeniable truth, that an end comes to us all?

“Whoever it was, it was clear they were not working alone.”

She sat opposite Lilith around a small black table. As was customary in Akashima, it was low and each of the sisters knelt on a large cushion. The black silk bore no adornments, save for blood red stitching and a tassel on each corner. Lilith dressed as simply as her ante-chamber, her only colour a soft pink blossom tucked under a hairband. Ruby knew it to be sakura, but could not recall its significance.

“I’m please you’ve decided to take action, sister. But,” Lilith set her tea cup onto the table and rested her hands softly on her lap. “What is it I can do to help?”

It had been months since the siblings had seen one another. When they last met, the troupe had sung a song that changed reality itself. They had spoken at length about the path they must take moving forward, and whilst Lilith had expressed her agreement at the time had since been riddled with doubts. Whenever the spirit-warder found herself called away from Akashima, Akashima soon called back.

“Lilith. I know your time here was hard. I can’t begin to know what you must go through with such burdens. But, of all of us, you are the most knowledgeable when it comes to the diseased. I’d like you to come to Raieara, help me quell this infestation before the rebuilding efforts these last few decades are jeopardised.”

Ruby had come directly to Lilith for help. She had not spoken to anyone, even Duffy who had been by her side in the woods fighting. Pretences left at home, she appeared before her sister in a simple white blouse and black laced corset, her travelling attire, and made no effort to hide the worry and concern on her face.

“I cannot abandon my responsibilities here.” Lilith cocked her head to one side, visibly considering the request and trying to weigh up risk and reward.

“I’d never ask you to. We’ll be gone for a week at most, any more and we will abandon efforts until more allies can be gathered.” Who those allies we be she had no idea. Ruby, for once in her life, relied utterly on the only person in the world she truly trusted with her darkest secrets and insecurities.

“Neko will join us. Let us find what haunts Raiaera.”