Anything But Memories

ludo Braved the forests, braved the stone Braved the icy winds and fire Braved and beat them on my own My memories. That was it, then. Ludo hovers before Delphine, a swathe of rags and a delicate, porcelain mask, and around her - like a light being snuffed out - the two girls crumple. No pomp, no fanfare. Their bodies lay motionless, still, and their souls rise as two bright spheres of light which whirl around the soul guide. "Then so be it," the deity says. "Learn to love your memories, Delphine Mountrose. And a word of advice, next time..." Ludo's voice drops, intimate suddenly, as if pressed against the shell of her ear. "Never come to a shrine empty handed." And then it is gone, the souls vanishing with it, leaving only small bodies behind. Ludo has taken the souls of Delphine's children. It has also cursed her for bringing no offering: Delphine will never forget Bryony or Acantha, or what she did to them. The memories will be forever clear.