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Wanting to get past the useless repetition of Weldir’s wants and wishes, since he’d been saying them for centuries, Nathair spoke with his hands. He wiped two fingers on top of two on his opposing hand and then touched the tip of his claws – knowing he’d understand.

The point, Weldir,he thought.

The sign language they’d created was unique. Nathair had been here for hundreds of years, and without his voice for much of it. Weldir hadn’t liked that he couldn’t speak with his own child, so they made what Weldir liked to call ‘Nathair speak.’

Nathair had no idea if he was speaking an actual sign language from a specific country, but doubted it, as he and Weldir created many of the gestures themselves. He also used his orb colour changes purposefully, since he didn’t have skin upon his face to mimic an emotion to go with them.

This, unfortunately, meant he couldn’t sign like a human.

“I want to preface this with the truth: I am unsure of what will happen, or if it will work,” Weldir started, holding up a clawed finger. “I also ask that you do not take this in the worst way possible, but I am choosing you to experiment with, as you have no earthly ties.”

Purposefully shifting his orbs to a dark yellow to signify his curiosity, he tilted his serpent skull.

Weldir noted it and then shook his head. “It is not that I care less about you. Aleron has Ingram, and they are not doing well apart. Should something go wrong, this gives me a chance to try again without damaging his soul. You have been here for so long that I wish the best for you as well, but...”

Nathair raised his hand to stop him.

He understood, and he also cared very little about whatever reasonings he had. He trusted in Weldir’s judgement, trustedthat if he put him in a dangerous situation, he had the best intentions.

He had no reason to think otherwise.

He refuses to let go of his guilt.It was not Weldir’s fault that he didn’t know destroying a Mavka’s skull would kill them. Yet, he always tried to make amends, while never being able to, since the only way was to bring Nathair back to life.

Nathair tapped his dominant index finger on top of his left wrist, telling him to hurry up.

“Fine. Here.” Weldir brought his chalky hands forward, and a skull materialised within his palms.

Cupping the lower segments of his jaw, Nathair lowered his torso to gain a closer look at his own skull.The last time I saw this, it was in pieces.It had once been harrowing to look upon it, but he’d gotten over it. Nearly two hundred and eighty years had passed, and he’d long ago accepted it.

He’d also forgiven Merikh, as neither had known what would happen. The truth was, Nathair could have been the one to kill Merikh had he ever grabbed his bear skull hard enough to shatter it. That journey of acceptance and forgiveness had been long, but one he made in the many years he’d been here.

Nathair pointed a claw at the multiple golden hairline cracks keeping it together, noticing it glittered in a way that was unnatural for ore.

“I asked Aleron to meet with the Gilded Maiden, and she offered me a fragment of her crown. In doing so, she has given me the ability to repair your skull. My theory is that I should be able to use her magic and my own to bond your soul back to your skull.”

Nathair pointed to the ground, then his sternum, before he moved his hand in a circle just in front of his skull. Then he fisted his hand and pulled it to his abdomen before pointing down to the ground.This is my skull. You kept it for this?

Nathair leaned back and folded his arms in thought.

“Yes. I held onto it in hopes I could one day bring you back with it.” Then Weldir peeked down at it as if inspecting it, his voice quietening as he said, “If it’s successful, I can then also return Aleron to his twin.”

Ughhh.Nathair dropped his head to the side in annoyance and audibly groaned.I have little interest in being returned.

His life here in the afterworld wasn’t too bad. Sure, there was no progress, but it was also peaceful. He rested, and he rather liked being lazy. Other than hunting, he did exactly what he’d done on Earth – which was nothing but sunbake. He had no need for goals, as he never truly had one to begin with.

Much had changed in the afterworld. He’d watched it grow, change, and form with every new soul Weldir consumed and drew power from.

It had once been dark in many places where no light or shadow could reach. Just a vast amount of nothingness. Nathair had watched it change into the bright world it currently was and had even helped partially shape it. He’d demanded lakes and waterfalls to play in, even if the water was false and felt unnatural.

If this helps the bat-skull Mavka, then I will assist.It was the only reason Nathair would agree to it. He’d feel guilty if he didn’t try, and then that would gnaw on his conscience like a scale ache.

He was tired of feeling guilty for his siblings’ sake, as he was quite aware of how his death had twisted Merikh into a spiteful being.

I can just be lazy in the living world as well.

“Lindiwe will be waiting for you when you come back to life,” Weldir explained. Seeing Nathair had easily been won, Weldir brought his detached skull closer. “Should you need anything, she will be there for you.”

As if he was putting on a hat, or perhaps a well-fitted shoe, the skull clung to his form as though it longed for its owner. There was no resistance. Although he didn’t look much different to himself, he instantly noted how his claw tips turned ghostly.