[Are you serious?], I asked as I quickly stood up and cleaned myself off.
[Of course I am], Voxea said in a flat tone, [That sound you heard belongs to a majimonster called a Grim Shrieker. The first ones were created by a maji from the Tormented Souls Sisterhood, but it appears to have spread].
[First, the Tormented Souls Sisterhood? Second, what do they have to do with Grim Shriekers? ], I skeptically asked the maji(monster) in my head. I hope she's right about this, but I am still doubtful.
[The Sisterhood was a sorority of maji that were exclusively women. They were a rather creepy but interesting bunch with a perchance for necromancy, curses, cryomancy, blood magic and life magic oddly enough. Unsurprisingly, the monsters they created were similarly creepy and strange, that saw a lot of use in maintaining prisons, tombs and...other things], she said in a matter of fact tone.
[That's unsettling to know...and the Grim Shrieker?], I asked.
[The Grim Shrieker could be considered the Sisterhood's magnum opus, well the one they shared with the public at least. Making use of the gryphon template, they combined a potoo bird with a black cat and a lot of necromantic energy to create it. Making a screaming harbinger of death with a scream that could knock a person's soul from them], she exclaimed.
[That doesn't sound metaphorical].
[It isn't. The Sisterhood used their most powerful curses in creating the Grim Shriekers, in order to imbue them with the power of soul stealing and soul storing. Originally, Grim Shriekers were employed by the Sisterhood as a means of maintaining prisoners, having them scream out the souls and swallow them up. A person can't rebel or fight back if their soul is sealed away, especially inside of a monster], Voxea said grimly.
[Wait, swallowed?! That means Savina's soul could be -].
[Not quite! A Grim Shrieker is only able to digest the soul of the dead. Lavian has done a wonderful job of maintaining her health these past few years, but it's now or never my dear binding apprentice. If you want to save your friend, we have to go back now].
[Wait, what, why?], I said in quick succession. As much as I wanted to say yes, my heart still held reservations and fear about the whole situation.
[A soul can only last inside of a Shrieker for eight years at most and you're about to leave for that binder academy in the Imperial Capital in a few weeks. You and I have no idea whether or not you'll be back in time for next Monster's Night and we have no idea if the Grim Shrieker will still be here by then. We either have to bind it ourselves or at least hold it still long enough to extract the soul. Before you ask, I spent a year or two with the Sisterhood as an exchanged student. It was a great learning experience, but they still weirded me out], Voxea explained to me.
[And now we stand at a literal crossroad, Silvia. On the one hand, assured safety, you won't endanger yourself and your ability to attend the academy will be assured. But your friend will die. On the other hand, a risk of life and limb, facing off hundreds of angry majimonsters out for blood and you may very well become crippled or die. But you'll have a chance to rescue your friend and wipe clean the shadows in your heart. You only have enough time to pick one direction. Now what are you going to do]?
[...The answer to that question is rather obvious isn't it]?
[I know, but I just love being dramatic sometimes. Now, what are you going to do?], Voxea asked.
[I'm going to ditch this cart, I'm going to kick Rakka into a gallop as we ride towards the village, I'm going to kick that Grim Shrieker's mouth in, and I will rescue my friend]!
In a flash, I jumped off of Rakka and landed onto the cart, facing towards the village. I quickly recalled Rakka into his drajule, the hitch holding him to the wagon falling to the ground, and resummoned him in front of me. I mounted him once more and gave him a soft kick into the ribs. He let out a bellow and stood up for a bit before rushing down the path and back towards the town.
Wait for me a little longer Savina, I'm going to save you!
_________________________________________
Out of sight, out of mind, a small hummingbird made of lightning watched the young woman ride off on a giant elk made of fire and ice. After it saw her disappear over the horizon, it flew off towards a small brewery.