The heavy wooden doors of the church groaned as they swung open, spilling pale winter light into the dim interior. The cold seeped in instantly, biting at exposed skin, but it was nothing compared to the chill that clung to Theo's bones.
He stepped forward hesitantly, his boots pressing into the snow-covered stone steps. Gregory and Lily flanked him, their expressions unreadable. Behind them, the church loomed in solemn silence, its towering spires lost in the swirling mist.
Father Emmanuel stood at the threshold, watching them. His aged hands rested atop his staff, his piercing gaze lingering on Theo.
"You've taken your first step, child," he said, his voice deep and steady. "But the path ahead is long, and the weight upon your shoulders has not lessened."
Theo met his eyes, feeling something unspoken pass between them. He didn't need to ask what the priest meant—he already knew.
"Will you—" Lily hesitated, looking at the priest with an uncertain expression. "Will you be keeping watch over us?"
Emmanuel inclined his head slightly. "I will do what I can, but tread carefully. There are eyes upon you that even my faith cannot deter."
Gregory scoffed, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "Lovely. Just what we need—more eyes."
A brief, humorless chuckle escaped Theo's lips. The tension was suffocating, but at least Gregory's dry remarks made it feel normal again. Or at least, as normal as things could be.
Emmanuel's gaze didn't waver. "Do not let your guard down. And Theo…"
Theo stiffened.
"Your ember has ignited. Keep it burning, or something else will claim it."
Theo swallowed, nodding before turning away. His parents followed, the three of them descending into the silent, snow-laden streets.
The Walk Home
The city was quiet, draped in a thick blanket of snow that muffled the usual noises. It was late afternoon, but the sky was already dimming, the sun struggling to pierce the heavy clouds.
They walked in silence for a while, their boots crunching against the frost-covered cobblestones. The cold wind howled between the narrow alleys, but inside Theo's chest, warmth still lingered from the trial.
Lily was the first to break the silence. "How are you feeling?"
Theo shrugged. "Fine."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. He felt… different. Not in a bad way, but as if something inside him had settled into place. As if a piece of him that had been floating in the void had finally found its way back.
Gregory exhaled sharply. "That's it? Just 'fine'? You just went through a whole spiritual ordeal, kid."
Theo glanced at him. "Would you rather I start crying?"
Gregory smirked. "I mean, it'd be entertaining."
Lily shot him a glare. "Gregory."
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
Theo shook his head, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. This was normal. This was how things were supposed to be.
But then… why did he feel like something was still watching him?
The Silent Watcher
As they passed through the narrow streets, Theo's gaze drifted upward.
Perched atop a crooked chimney, a raven watched him. Its sleek black feathers blended into the encroaching dusk, but its eyes gleamed with an eerie intelligence.
Theo's steps slowed.
The raven tilted its head, its gaze unwavering.
A chill—different from the winter cold—trickled down his spine. The bird wasn't just an animal. It felt… intentional. As if it had been waiting for him.
Gregory noticed Theo's pause and followed his gaze. "What? You see something?"
Theo hesitated, then shook his head. "No… just a bird."
Gregory frowned but didn't press.
The raven let out a soft, rasping croak before spreading its wings and vanishing into the swirling snow.
Theo forced himself to keep walking.
The unease stayed with him.
Home
By the time they reached the Lyncher mansion, night had fallen completely. The house loomed ahead, its once-grand structure weathered and worn. Cracks snaked through the stone walls, and the iron gate creaked as Gregory pushed it open.
The familiar creak of the floorboards greeted them as they stepped inside. The warmth from the fireplace did little to chase away the lingering cold.
Lily sighed, rubbing her arms. "I'll prepare something warm."
Theo shrugged off his coat and sat near the fire, staring into the flickering embers.
Gregory plopped down beside him, stretching out with a groan. "You know, Theo, you really had us worried back there."
Theo blinked. "Back where?"
Gregory gave him a look. "The trial. The whole 'soul being judged' thing."
Theo exhaled, his breath curling in the air. "I knew I'd be fine."
Lily glanced over from the kitchen. "Oh? You were that confident?"
Theo hesitated. "… No. But I decided to believe it anyway."
Gregory grinned. "That's the spirit. Or, well, at least the part that didn't get burned away."
Lily shot him another glare. "Gregory."
He shrugged. "What? The kid's already uptight enough. No need to make things heavier."
Theo didn't answer. Instead, he stared at the flames, his fingers tightening slightly.
Because despite everything…
Despite accepting his new life…
That raven's eyes still haunted him.
And something told him that the trial was only the beginning.