Crowns of Nyaxia, #3
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone
by Carissa Broadbent
Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Mische discovers that Asar is not merely connected to death magic but is actively preparing a resurrection, forcing Mische to confront both the taboo of necromancy and Mische’s lingering devotion to Atroxus. By helping bless the final ritual element, Mische becomes more deeply entangled in Asar’s work despite fearing divine punishment.
The chapter’s major revelation is that Nyaxia’s underworld mission is not vague or symbolic: Asar and Mische are being sent to resurrect Alarus, the murdered god of death. This shifts the stakes from a dangerous journey to a divine upheaval involving Nyaxia, Atroxus, and the dead themselves.
Summary
Mische reacts with shock and conflicted fascination after realizing Asar is practicing necromancy. Asar treats the revelation as obvious and continues repairing the glyph circle, while Mische reflects that necromancy is universally forbidden among humans and vampires, feared as an offense against Nyaxia and as a dangerous violation of death.
Mische studies the resurrection circle and recognizes the complexity of the spell. When Asar uses the mental tether to pull Mische toward him, Mische resists and demands that Asar ask instead of compel. Asar is surprised but allows it, then explains that he needs Mische’s help to complete the ritual.
Asar identifies the five components required for resurrection: Body, Breath, Psyche, Secrets, and Soul. Four are already represented by items connected to the dead woman, including hair, a flute, a necklace, and a bloodstained blanket. Mische recognizes the necklace as a symbol of the Helianen, a sect devoted to Atroxus, and realizes the dead woman was also one of Atroxus’s followers.
Asar reveals that the woman’s name is Chandra and that she was a prisoner. Mische questions why Chandra was imprisoned, why Asar needs her revived, and why Asar wants two followers of Atroxus, but Asar refuses to explain beyond saying that redundancies matter in case one of them dies. Mische hesitates because helping with necromancy could cost Mische the restored magic Atroxus has just returned.
To limit Mische’s involvement, Asar gives Mische a candle and asks only for Atroxus’s blessing. Mische summons a small golden flame, though the act burns Mische again, and Asar places the candle in the final position of the circle. The moment deepens Mische’s unease because both Mische’s human faith and vampire instincts warn that Asar and Nyaxia’s mission is far more dangerous than Mische has been told.
Mische pieces together that Nyaxia is sending a necromancer into the underworld because Nyaxia wants someone brought back from death. Since ordinary necromancy would not require a journey there, Mische realizes the target must be extraordinary: Alarus, Nyaxia’s dead husband and the god of death, executed by Atroxus and the White Pantheon. Asar confirms the truth, correcting Mische that they, not just Asar, are going to resurrect Alarus.
Who Appears
- MischeConflicted Atroxus-chosen vampire who helps Asar and uncovers the mission’s true purpose.
- Asar VoldariNecromancer and Wraith Warden preparing resurrection magic for Nyaxia’s underworld mission.
- ChandraDead Helianen acolyte of Atroxus and prisoner whose resurrection ritual needs Mische’s light.
- AtroxusSun god whose restored flame lets Mische bless the candle despite necromantic taboo.
- NyaxiaGoddess behind Asar’s mission, seeking the impossible resurrection of Alarus.
- AlarusNyaxia’s murdered husband and god of death, revealed as the mission’s resurrection target.