The Tales of Ghost Eater Setsuko of the Citadel

So you wish to know of Setsuko eh? Where do we begin? I suppose at the beginning. There's not much of that left, but I'm sure there's something. We should start with Setsuko's mother and father. They were both wizards, so it wasn't surprising when Setsuko and her sister started to show signs of magic.

Setsuko's mother was a Ghost Eater, as is she. As for her father? He was a wizard mad enough to consort with a Ghost Eater. Whether he was simply mad or madly in love is a matter of debate.

In either case, he did what he thought was best for his daughters. He left them in the care of their mother, who could keep them safe and teach the ways of the Ghost Eaters. Her father didn't have the stomach to stay and witness the process.

The ghosts would be drawn to Setsuko at some point. The magic was powerful, but it was death magic. It was a curse. When the ghosts sensed Setsuko's affinity, it would be a matter of eat or be eaten. Her father knew he would only be a hindrance to her training, as would his love.

Ghost Eaters have a hard time with love. They feel the pain of the dead and know that everyone they love will die.

Setsuko's father knew what he had to do. He told Setsuko's mother his intentions. She understood and told him never to return. So far, he has not.

Setsuko was six when her father left, and her mother began teaching the ways of the Ghost Eater. She was a rigorous teacher. She had a rule: no friends. No one but family. Collateral damage was a chore. If she caught Setsuko talking to an outsider, the punishment was severe.

As you can imagine, Setsuko never learned the ways of proper wizard society... or the ways of any society for that matter. All she had was her sister, under the ever-watchful eye of their mother.

But I've changed my mind. Let's not begin our tale at the beginning. Let's begin our tale in the present.

Entered by: 0xC4A6…5652