Contents
Chapter One
Overview
Lore returns to the catacombs with Bastian and Jerault to end the undying army raised through her Mortem. A corpse’s failsafe nearly kills Jerault, forcing Lore to channel Mortem and Spiritum at once with Bastian’s support, revealing new power and control. Shaken afterward, Lore sees her estranged mother, the Night Priestess, vanish into the dark.
Summary
Hungover and dreading the task, Lore prepares to reenter the catacombs with Bastian to lay to rest the villagers’ bodies animated by Mortem Anton drew from her. At the well, the Presque Mort observe warily; Gabe, now Priest Exalted, remains distant, and only Jerault volunteers to descend with them. Despite fear and guilt, Lore commits to the duty.
They climb down and navigate the tunnels. Bastian reassures Lore and flirts idly with Jerault, but urgency prevails as they reach the vault of corpses. The Mortem-lock Anton crafted is gone. Inside, the bodies lie silent on plinths, hands folded over eclipse scars. Lore enters her channeling state, perceiving Mortem as knots over each chest and Bastian blazing with Spiritum.
As Lore begins returning death to the first corpse, a built-in failsafe triggers: the corpse’s hand seizes Jerault’s throat, draining his life. Lore simultaneously pushes Mortem into the corpse while seizing Jerault’s fading Spiritum, routing it through herself and then through Bastian to strengthen it, keeping Jerault alive. Bastian physically breaks corpse fingers as Lore unpicks the Mortem knots and completes the laying-to-rest. The corpse settles into peace; Jerault survives, shaken and bruised.
Reeling from the unprecedented strain and exhilaration of channeling Mortem and Spiritum together, Lore flees into the corridor to steady herself. In the shadows, she glimpses her mother, the Night Priestess, who lifts a hand as if to reach for Lore before disappearing into the darkness, leaving Lore rattled and full of unresolved questions.
Who Appears
- LoreDeathwitch protagonist; lays undead to rest, channels Mortem and Spiritum simultaneously, saves Jerault, and glimpses her mother in the tunnels.
- Bastian ArceneauxSainted King-to-be; supports Lore, channels Spiritum to bolster Jerault’s life, reassures and protects Lore during the catacomb mission.
- JeraultPresque Mort monk and former lover of Bastian; accompanies them, is throttled by a corpse’s failsafe, survives with Lore and Bastian’s aid.
- Gabe (Priest Exalted)Distant and watchful at the well; once raged at Lore’s descent, now coldly observes, highlighting strained ties after past betrayal.
- Night PriestessLore’s mother; appears silently in the catacomb corridor and vanishes, hinting at unresolved family and cult entanglements.