Theodore watched the memory unfold before him, captivated by the sight of the ghost's once-human form. She was beautiful.
Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, framing her pale skin and strikingly red lips. Her dark eyes were calm yet fierce, holding a depth that hinted at a life lived with purpose.
Yet it wasn't her beauty that stood out to Theodore. It was her hands.
They were rough and calloused, scarred from countless battles, and her arms bore faint marks that told stories of hardship and violence.
Theodore couldn't help but wonder. Was she a warrior? A mercenary?
As he floated, unseen, the scene shifted. The ghost,now a woman named Anita, he learned,stood at the edge of the village, her hands resting on her swollen belly. She was heavily pregnant, her form illuminated by the golden hues of the setting sun.
The children of the village laughed and played around her, and Anita smiled warmly.
"I hope my little one grows up and plays with all of you," she said, her voice soft and filled with hope.
Theodore felt a pang of sadness in his chest. She had a family, he thought, his heart heavy.
Just then, a man appeared in the distance, carrying a pile of wood on his back. He looked plain, with glasses and bright orange hair, but his face lit up with warmth when he saw her. Dropping the wood, he sprinted toward Anita.
"Anita!" he called, his voice filled with joy.
She turned and smiled, wrapping her arms around him as he reached her.
"Evan," she said, her voice soft with affection.
He kissed her forehead tenderly, his hands resting protectively on her shoulders. Theodore could see it in their embrace,these two were deeply in love.
The strange, disembodied voice began to speak again, soft yet laced with sorrow. "As you can see, Anita was once a beautiful woman with a kind heart.
But I know you have questions… Why the scars? Why the calluses? Let me show you."
The scene glitched, and the warm, peaceful village faded away, replaced by a blood-soaked battlefield.
Anita stood in the center of the battlefield, clad in armor. Her dark hair was tied back, her eyes sharp and unwavering. Around her, soldiers clashed violently, their cries of pain and rage echoing across the field.
Theodore floated above, watching in awe as Anita fought. Her movements were precise and lethal, her blade cutting through enemies with the skill of a seasoned warrior.
The voice continued, calm yet tinged with admiration. "Anita was born an orphan. With no family to protect her, she grew up hunting monsters to survive. Men mocked her, ridiculed her for trying to step into a world dominated by them. But she didn't care. She refused to let their scorn define her."
The scene shifted again, showing Anita standing tall among a group of armored knights.
"Through sheer will and unmatched skill, Anita became a warrior like no other. She rose through the ranks, earning the title of Commander in the Lawrence Territory, the only woman to ever hold such a position. She was the first woman to achieve the rank of seven-star warrior, a feat that even seasoned men could not accomplish."
Theodore's eyes widened in shock. That explains how she could fight Belial so well, he thought.
The voice grew heavier with emotion as it continued. "Anita's mastery of magic made her unstoppable. Her wood magic was so advanced she could manipulate entire forests to her will. But it was her sound magic that made her a legend. With a single scream, she could instill fear in thousands, breaking the spirits of her enemies. Because of her, the Lawrence Territory won six consecutive wars. She even helped the Dominick Kingdom, your great-great-grandfather's kingdom, secure its borders."
Theodore's heart ached as he realized just how extraordinary Anita had been. She wasn't just strong,she was brilliant, determined, and selfless.
The scene shifted again, this time back to the village. Anita had removed her armor, her once-fierce eyes softening as she stood beside Evan.
"Anita was perfect," the voice said. "Too perfect. The king himself wanted her to marry his son, to make her the future queen of the Dominick Kingdom. But Anita refused. She didn't want power or titles. She wanted freedom, and she wanted love. That's when she met Evan Freeman."
Theodore watched as Evan gently placed a flower crown on Anita's head, both of them laughing. The scene felt so peaceful, so fragile.
"Evan was a farmer in Daunt," the voice explained. "A humble man who studied potions to help his village. He wanted to create medicine so no one in Daunt would ever suffer from illness again. Despite being a commoner, he was kind, brilliant, and deeply in love with Anita."
Theodore could feel the love between them radiating from the memory. They were happy, he thought, his chest tightening. They didn't need anything else.
The voice continued.
"Anita fell in love with Evan. She gave up her titles, her power, and her position to live a peaceful life in Daunt. They married and moved into a wooden house deep in the forest. Together, they built a life of joy. Evan grew fruits and vegetables, and Anita protected the village from monsters. Their home was surrounded by flowers and raspberry bushes—Evan's favorite."
Theodore's thoughts drifted to the raspberry bushes he had hidden in. "That's why those bushes are still alive," he murmured. "Even in this cursed forest, they remain fresh…"
The memory lingered on the image of Anita and Evan tending to their garden, their laughter echoing in the warm sunlight. But as Theodore watched, a heavy sense of dread settled over him.
"This can't last," he whispered.
The voice replied, its tone now somber. "No, it couldn't. Happiness like theirs rarely lasts in a world as cruel as ours. And it was their love, their joy, that set the stage for the tragedy to come."
The scene began to fade, the warm light of the memory giving way to cold darkness. Theodore clenched his fists. He didn't know what had happened yet, but he could feel it,the weight of the sorrow that was about to be revealed.
"Anita's life, her happiness, was taken from her," the voice said. "And in her grief, she became what you see now. A monster. A ghost of who she once was."
Theodore's heart sank. "What happened to them?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Do you truly wish to know?" the voice asked.
"Yes," Theodore replied, his voice firm despite the ache in his chest. "Show me everything."
The light returned, but this time it was colder, harsher. Theodore braced himself, knowing that the truth would shatter the beautiful image of the life Anita and Evan had built.