A Soul to Keep

“To see one meant death was near. Not just for humans, but also the Demons, animals—everything.”

This line introduces the Duskwalkers from the human perspective. They are feared by all other creatures, which further demonstrates their “otherness” and the struggle that Orpheus has to understand himself and where he belongs.

“She had experienced her own family dying, and then had been treated as a disgusting outcast. She wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone, wasn’t allowed to look upon anyone.”

The cruelty of Reia’s treatment from the village is made clear in these concise lines. She was not treated as the victim of a tragedy but instead blamed and then shunned. Like Orpheus, she is “othered” and left in isolation.

“Your life is precious. I will try to make sure it does not end if I can.”

Orpheus assuages Reia’s fears about her safety while also providing insight into his character. Though he does not trust Reia, he is desperate for a companion and tired of the anguish of loneliness that he feels. Reia continues to think about this line later in the narrative as she sees the lengths Orpheus goes to in order to protect her.