The moon loomed high in the sky, the light momentarily fading as the heavy clouds obscured its gaze, sending slicks of shadow over the monastery. After finding that no more activity arose within the confines of the cathedral, the trio decided to cross the great bridge. The winds were rather strong, whipping up hair and whistling as it rushed through the arches of stone. The loose gravel beneath their boots ground against the paves as the caws of ravens echoed from the great drop beneath them.

"Hmmm, curious…" Hubert mused, walking confidently along with the others, the fact that his hair was going wild with the wind did not seem to bother him, "I wonder how many lives have been lost over these walls," He said inquisitively, placing a hand on the stone wall, looking down at the cavernous fall that seemed to go on forever through the darkness.

"Many students have gone missing over the years – it's within the realm of probability that some may have fallen from this bridge."

"Or they may have jumped… perhaps even pushed by a scorned lover or jealous classmate… Maybe their spirits still walk among us, unable to move on."

"You said you didn't believe in them!" Lysithia yelled, trying to disperse the tension.

"I do not. It is not the hands of ghosts you need to worry about. The living poses a greater threat."

"Isn't house Vestra well known for its rituals and ceremonies for the dead?" Linhardt asked, "I'm surprised you aren't a believer after being raised with such things."

Hubert smirked to himself, "Where I grew up, there were many tales and legends about the spectres and creatures that moved within the shadows after dark…" His voice was low and foreboding.

Lysithia swallowed hard, feeling her hands go clammy, trying to be brave but inside begging for him to be quiet.

"Oh? What like?" Linhardt asked inquisitively.

She cursed him internally, contemplating whether they'd notice if she covered her ears. They walked out into the courtyard. The wind was rustling through the trees, whistling as it blew past the strong stone walls. Shrubs shivered through the squalls and leaves tumbled over their path, sounding like scuttling footsteps through the paranoia.

"One of my favourites was the one about the Pale Lady." Hubert spoke, voice whispering yet still dark and low, "She was the wife of a marquis who coveted her looks above all else in life. She even locked herself away, only going out after dark to avoid the sun. It became an obsession for her to stay looking youthful. So much so, that when any woman more beautiful than her came along, she would slaughter them, and bathe in her blood. Thinking it would renew herself." He paused, looking to Lysithea who was looking straight ahead, trying to maintain her composure. It seemed like his efforts were bearing fruit. "When she was finally caught, they tore off her face before executing her. Many people have claimed to have seen her – dressed all in white, skin as pale as the dead. She wails into the night, crying for her lost beauty. Searching for a nice… younger… woman… so that she may claim a new face."

"You just made that up, didn't you?" Lysithea scolded, "Quit trying to frighten me, Hubert!"

"Heh. Maybe I did… Maybe I didn't," he laughed menacingly.

Linhardt spoke over his laugh, "Even if it is true, I doubt they'd go through the hassle of removing her face first. Seems like a lot of unnecessary effort."

"Things were simpler in those times. It seems they believed she'd suffer, even after death, if they did such a thing."

They passed by the great doors to the training grounds, continuing down the path towards the lower living quarters.

"What did they do with her face?" Linhardt whispered curiously.

"They left it in the sun to dry, and age – "

"C - Can you stop!?" Lysithea hissed.

"Why…? Are you frightened?" Hubert mocked.

"If you've just followed us to feed off my anxiety - like some sort of… emotional vampire – then you can just leave!"

"Oh, I'm having too much fun to just leave," Hubert chucked.

"Ugh. If I die, I will personally come back to haunt you, Hubert!"

"Hmph. I daresay you would make quite the adorable spirit."

"Quit talking down to me!"

"Do you feel that?" Linhardt interrupted.

At first, Lysithea had thought it to be the evening breeze, but there was a distinct icy touch to the air. It trickled down her spine, making her body noticeably shiver. "It's... Freezing!" she stammered, watching her breath cloud in front of her.

The three of them stopped, all feeling the chilly presence. They looked ahead, seeing nothing amongst the gloom.

"Fascinating," Linhardt said, placing a hand in the air to feel the cold, "Isn't a drop in temperature a well-known phenomenon associated with apparitions?"

"… Forgive me," a meek, whispering voice mumbled from behind.

All three of the students jumped at the sound. Slowly turning their heads to behold the soul before them.

Dark, morbid eyes stared back, her face obscured by bangs, casting a gloomy shadow across her face. Around her was a haze of icy wind, it undoubtedly appeared to be a ghastly spirit. Lysithea squeaked in terror, grabbing Hubert to use as a human shield.

"Ah, Marianne." Linhardt said gently, "I see you've been training your magic. Would you mind lifting your head? You're scaring the others."

"Oh… yes… My apologies," she replied delicately, stating up straighter. The shade vanished from her face, her pale skin illuminated by the fleeting moonlight. "I-it seems I have some residual ice magic. Sorry for disturbing you, I was hoping to sneak past."

Lysithea fell to the ground in relief as Hubert composed himself.

"Would you care to join us? We are on a ghost hunt," Linhardt said.

"Oh…no. I'd only be a bother. I should head back anyway; I'll go the long way back as not to disturb you. Good night."

Lin bid her farewell and they watched as she gracefully walked back into the shadows.

"I never knew Marianne could be so terrifying," Lysithea mumbled, still sitting upon the grass.

"I feel the fool to admit it, but she would make a decent assassin. Not many can sneak up on me undetected." Hubert stretched out a hand, helping Lysithea back onto her feet.

"With people like Marianne walking around at night, it's no wonder that there have been rumours of hauntings recently," Lin said as they continued walking towards the Greenhouse.

Lysithea's legs were still shaking from their encounter with the woman. She became acutely aware that they were getting close to her quarters. "Well, it's been fun. But I fear I must retire to my room. There is a test tomorrow and –"

"Running away, are we? And here I thought you had a backbone," Hubert interrupted.

"Hubert!" She seethed.

"I must admit, I am a bit disappointed you'll be leaving us."

"Not you as well, Linhardt," she replied, feeling a bit torn.

A quiet scream then rang from afar, cutting them off. All three heads turned in the direction of the cry.

"W-what do you think that was?" She asked tentatively, feeling a chill run up her spine.

"I'm not sure, but it would be prudent to investigate. Someone may be in trouble," Hubert replied, his eyes narrowing.

"It sounded like it came from the greenhouse, let's go," Linhardt said as they picked up the pace.

Soon they found themselves at the entrance to the garden, though there was no one to be found. Lin and Hubert began ruminating on possible causes for the noise. Lysithia stood a few steps away; her eyes darting wildly around, terrified on being snuck up on again.

"It could have just been the wind…" the green-haired mage speculated, a hand to his chin.

Hubert stood with his arms crossed, "I have never heard wind make such a noise. Perhaps another student has noticed of our venture and is attempting to scare us."

"That's not beyond the realm of possibility. Though the only other person who knows is Marianne. I can't see her pulling such a trick."

"You're not actually considering –"

"G-g-g-g-guys?" Lysithia stuttered.
They turned to see her trembling. Her rosy eyes were wide, frozen with fear onto something behind them.

The mage couldn't believe what she was seeing. A woman, dressed in a white dress, the fabric billowing in the wind as she closed in on them.

"It's the Pale Lady!" She screamed. Her legs then moved on their own and she found herself sprinting away from the apparition. She heard hasty footsteps tailing her, followed by another shriek. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, taking refuge behind the wall to the market. She hunkered down low, hiding her head in her hands, covering her eyes. She felt the presence lurking before her, its shoes raking on the earth.

"PLEASE! DON'T TAKE MY FACE!" She wailed.

"Wh-what? Why would I do such a thing?! And who are we running from?"

The voice was instantly familiar. She peeked through her hands to find a purple-haired girl standing over her, shaking just as much as she was. "Bernadetta? Why were you chasing me?!"

"I thought you were running from something scary! I got nervous and followed you!" She replied timidly.

"But why are you dressed like that?!"

"Oh? This?" She said, ruffling the sides of her dress, "I made it myself. I'm far too embarrassed to wear it in public, so I thought I'd wear it whilst tending to the flowers."

"And… the screams?"

"I - I saw a bug," she replied shyly.

"Aren't you scared being out after dark?"

"Of course." She knitted her fingers tighter, fidgeting. "But it's the only time people aren't around! Plus, there are scarier things out there than ghosts, like Hubert…."

"Frightening, am I?" Herbert whispered loudly as he appeared from around the corner.

"WAHHHHHHHH!" Bernadetta shrieked, falling next to Lysithia and holding her close.

"You have no tact," Lin said, softly scolding Hubert. "Good evening, Bernadetta."

"W-wait, what are you all doing out at this time?" She asked, peeking from behind the young woman.

"We're ghost hunting," Lysithia explained with a sigh.

"It'd be terribly amusing if you were to join us," Hubert said with a smile.

"Wh-what? No! I'm terrified of ghosts!"

"What are you more afraid of? Ghosts… or me?" Hubert laughed darkly.

"You, you! Definitely you!"

"Then you definitely don't want to find out what I have in store for you if you don't come along."

"Ahhhhh! Alright! Fine!" Bernie squeaked.

"Hmmm…" Lin mused, giving the dark mage a curious eye. "You made up that story about the Pale Lady, didn't you?"

"How very astute of you," he smirked, "I admit, I saw Bernadetta skulking around before I bumped into you both. I saw no harm in spinning such a story just in case we happened across her."

"You are pure evil, Hubert!" Lysithia fumed, helping Bernie to her feet.