Harrow the Ninth

The atmosphere grows tense in the Mithraeum as the Resurrection Beast is only four months away. Harrow tries to train alone at night and contemplates her coming death. She is certain she will die, since her body cannot defend itself against the Heralds. After practice, Harrow wanders the halls and finds Duty in Cytherea’s tomb, cuddling her corpse. She flees and tells Ianthe, who is flippant about the situation and believes Duty is a necrophiliac. Ianthe begins to question Harrow’s mental health directly to her face.

Harrow’s 18th birthday passes without any fanfare. Meanwhile, Ianthe has made no progress with her replacement right arm. Harrow, worried due to Duty’s attacks, has warded and trapped her entire apartment. Thinking she is safe, she takes a bath. Duty attacks her while she is naked and completely defenseless, obliterating her wards without a thought. Harrow survives the ordeal and sends him fleeing by gouging his eyes out. The attack leaves her with trauma, as she has been robbed of the last place where she felt safe. Harrow talks to the Body, who agrees that she must kill Duty.