Chapter 4 – THE SUMMONING OF A SPIRIT
1994 Words
Vassago: Now I will tell you what you must do.
Lina: I won’t do anything. You will.
Vassago’s eyebrows knit slightly.
Vassago: I don’t understand?
Lina: The contract says that you will fulfill my wishes. Doesn’t it?
Vassago: Yes.
Lina: Then I want you to break the contract.
Silence followed. A pale shadow of a smile appeared on Vassago’s face.
Vassago: All right.
He had accepted it. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. I had expected him to refuse my request.
But the words that followed shattered my balance completely.
Vassago: But… you can’t get rid of me that way.
Lina: What do you mean?
Vassago’s voice lowered, as if his words were seeping into the walls.
Vassago: The contract states exactly this: “You will be given the ability to refuse what you do not desire. Ask of me whatever you wish. However, there is a price: until I regain the power I have lost, you will remain by my side and help me.”
His words pierced my mind like a blade. He was right. I had forgotten that part of the contract—those words.
A familiar smirk appeared on Vassago’s face.
Vassago: I’m sorry, Lina… but there’s no escape from me. Help me. I will reclaim my power, and then you’ll be free of me.
With the cunning of a devil, he had outplayed me. I had no strength left to resist. I was now part of this game. I had no choice but to help him.
Lina: What do you want me to do?
Vassago: Find a spirit board. And tomorrow evening, come to the abandoned mansion.
Lina: A spirit board?
Vassago: Yes. We will summon a spirit. But it must be the spirit of someone who knows you—and someone you are absolutely sure would never harm you.
Lina: Why? Why do we have to do this… why summon a spirit?
Vassago’s voice dropped to a whisper.
Vassago: I need to establish a connection with the other side. For that, I need the help of a spirit… and to summon that spirit, I need you.
Lina: You’re a demon. Wouldn’t it be easier to ask other demons for help?
The smile vanished from Vassago’s face. He looked away.
Vassago: They can’t help me. Only you can do this.
Lina: Why? You’re a demon just like them. You’re their friend.
He didn’t answer. He smiled again, but that smile couldn’t hide the sorrowful pain in his eyes.
I don’t know why, but the sadness in the demon’s eyes touched my heart.
Vassago: Focus on the task, Lina.
Vassago was a being full of secrets. I had countless questions about him—questions I knew I would never get answers to.
Vassago said his goodbye and slowly vanished before my eyes.
First, he turned into a shadow, then into something invisible—and finally disappeared completely.
The next morning, I had only one goal in mind: to find a spirit board. And I knew exactly where to find one.
Lina: Grandma.
Grandmother: Yes, dear?
Lina: Grandma, can you give me the address of your friend who’s a fortune teller?
Grandmother: Why? Are you planning to visit her?
Lina: I want to… have my fortune told.
My grandmother frowned. The knife covered in jam froze midair in her hand.
Grandmother: You’ve never been interested in fortune-telling. What’s changed all of a sudden?
I swallowed. My eyes drifted to the crumbs on my plate.
Lina: A friend of mine… wants to visit a fortune teller. She asked if I knew one, and I mentioned the fortune teller who came here last time.
My grandmother thought for a moment, then asked:
Grandmother: Are you going with her?
Lina: Just… for fun. I wanted to clear my head a little. And besides… she’s your friend. There’s nothing to worry about.
My grandmother sighed deeply.
Grandmother: She’s a good woman. I’m not worried about where you’re going. I’m worried because the Lina sitting across from me isn’t the one I know. You don’t believe in fortune-telling. You don’t find it entertaining.
I forced a small smile.
Lina: Don’t worry, Grandma. I’m just… bored here. There’s nowhere to go. I’m doing these things to pass the time.
She seemed convinced.
She wrote the address on a small piece of paper and handed it to me. At that moment, she held my hand and whispered:
Grandmother: If you’re going to have your fortune told, remember this. No matter what you hear, don’t take it seriously.
Lina: Okay, Grandma.
I said goodbye and headed toward the fortune teller’s house.
The fortune teller’s house stood at the end of the street, isolated from the others—a small, old stone house. There were no curtains on the windows; a dim light glowed behind the glass.
I knocked on the door.
When the fortune teller opened it, she examined me from head to toe. Her eyes searched for familiarity.
Fortune Teller: You’re Lina, aren’t you?
Lina: Yes.
Fortune Teller: Why have you come?
Lina: I need a spirit board.
Fortune Teller: And why would you need such a thing? This is not a game. If it opens doors you don’t understand, you won’t know what might come through.
Lina: Actually… it’s not for me… a friend wants it.
Fortune Teller: Why does your friend want the board?
Lina: She… she’s writing a book about supernatural beliefs. She needs it for research.
The fortune teller narrowed her eyes. I lowered my head under her suspicious gaze.
Fortune Teller: Really? Is this board truly meant for a story—or are you trying to speak to someone?
Lina: No, no. Just for a story. She’s never seen a spirit board before. She asked me if I could find one, and I thought you might have one.
Her eyes remained fixed on me, as if she were trying to read the lie from my face.
Fortune Teller: Some people wish to reach the dead because they cannot escape the living. Why do you want to speak to the dead?
My throat tightened, but I didn’t break character.
Lina: You misunderstood me. I truly only need it for a story.
She remained silent for a few more seconds, then sighed.
Fortune Teller: All right. But bring the Ouija board back afterward.
She went inside and returned shortly. When she handed me the board and three candles, her fingers brushed against mine. A cold, heavy feeling settled inside me.
Fortune Teller: Take these candles as well. Light them before summoning a spirit. The flame creates a protective barrier between you and the spirit.
Lina: Thank you, but… I—
She cut me off.
Fortune Teller: I’m busy. Go.
My answers had been filled with lies. I had no other choice. She clearly didn’t believe me—but she gave me the board anyway.
I returned home and waited for evening.
Once my grandmother fell asleep, I quietly slipped outside and headed toward the mansion.
The moon appeared only occasionally through the clouds, while the shadows of trees along the dirt road swayed like moving hands.
I walked silently. The spirit board and candles were in my hands. With every step, my heartbeat quickened.
My thoughts brought my fear to the surface with icy clarity.
I stopped for a moment at the door. Took a deep breath. Then pushed it open.
The door creaked loudly. As I stepped inside, the smell of smoke greeted me.
The dusty floor creaked beneath my feet. The silence inside was deep—uncomfortably deep.
Vassago was sitting in front of the fireplace. The firelight illuminated his face, making his eyes gleam. He slowly turned his head toward me.
Vassago: Welcome.
Lina: I didn’t know demons needed warmth.
Vassago: I don’t need it. The fire just… reminds me of Hell.
Lina: You lost your powers, not your wings. Why don’t you return to Hell? Or… can’t you fly without your powers?
Vassago: I can fly. But… I can’t go there.
Lina: Why?
His eyes darkened. Pain flickered across his face for a moment, then the familiar cold expression returned.
Vassago: Let’s summon the spirit.
I didn’t press further. Even if I did, I wouldn’t get answers.
We sat across from each other at the table.
Vassago lit the candles.
I placed the spirit board between us.
Our hands rested on the board. My heart was racing. My lips were dry. Even breathing felt difficult.
Lina: I’ll summon my grandfather’s spirit.
I glanced at Vassago. His expression had softened.
Vassago: Don’t be afraid. You won’t be harmed. Just think of your grandfather and say these words:
“O voice of the other world. Hear this call. Step forth from light or shadow and come to me.”
And if you wish to send him back, say:
“I asked my questions, you answered. The questions are over. I am closing the door. Return to the realm of spirits.”
I followed his instructions word for word—or tried to. My voice trembled as I called out to the spirit.
Lina: Voice of the other world… hear this call. Step forth from light or… shadows… and come to me.
And…
Nothing happened.
Lina: Maybe… I can’t do this.
Vassago: You can. Focus.
I took a deep breath and repeated the words.
The pointer on the board began to tremble. The air grew heavy. The walls seemed to breathe. Shadows danced in the dim light. In the silence of the night, something else was being born.
The pointer moved slowly.
A cold breath filled the room.
Vassago said nothing. His eyes were locked on the board.
My heart was pounding.
“L-I-N-A”
My eyes filled with tears. My hands trembled.
Lina: Grandpa… is it really you?
The pointer stopped at the letter “B,” then moved again.
“M-I-N-E”
Vassago: Ask him whether he’s in Heaven or Hell.
Lina: Grandpa… I… I want to ask you something.
The pointer froze. A heavy silence fell over the room. I closed my eyes and asked:
Lina: This being with me… Vassago… can I trust him?
When I opened my eyes, Vassago was staring at me in shock.
The pointer hesitated, then moved.
“D-E-M-O-N”
Lina: Yes, Grandpa. He’s a demon.
The pointer moved again.
“P-A-I-N”
My voice cracked.
Lina: What do you mean, Grandpa?
The pointer slid to the letter “T.”
“T-R-U-S-T”
Vassago closed his eyes. He exhaled deeply, then spoke in a threatening tone.
Vassago: Ask him! Heaven or Hell!
My hands shook. My grandfather’s spirit was still watching me.
Before I could ask anything, the pointer moved again:
“D-O-N-T T-R-U-S-T”
Lina: “Don’t trust.” Who shouldn’t I trust? You? Vassago?
The pointer stopped.
Vassago: Lina, please—end this nonsense.
Lina: What’s happening? What does my grandfather mean?
The pointer moved once more.
“R-U-N”
Fear stole my words.
Vassago: Lina… now! Say the words!
Lina: I asked my questions, you answered. The questions are over. I’m closing the door. Return to the realm of spirits!
The pointer stopped instantly. The shadows retreated. The room fell silent.
Vassago stared at the floor.
In that moment, I made a decision.
Lina: I don’t know anything about you. But I do know this—I’m not part of this game. And you… demon… I think you should return to Hell.
Vassago: You only need to do what I say!
Lina: No! I won’t! Never!
Vassago: I know you don’t trust me, but… believe me. I won’t hurt you. I’m not the kind of demon you think I am.
Lina: Yes. As far as I know, demons have horns and tails. But you look human—with wings.
Vassago said nothing. He stormed out.
Suddenly, the pointer moved on its own.
“H-E”
“I-S”
“L-Y-I-N-G”
- Writer
