"What have you done!?"

That was the reaction Selina got as she carried Fransica's body into the Altar room. She walked to the center, holding the priestess' limp body in both arms. She was careful to not move it too much as she walked. Once she was in the center of the room, she fell to her knees while observing the conditions of the other occupants of the room.

Valarie was furious, as expected. She was, unsurprisingly, the source of the initial outburst when Selina had returned. The Heroine had her weapons out and seemed ready to rush the Huntress down at any moment. Her teeth were grit, eyes burning with anger, and arms twitching in anticipation. The only thing seemingly stopping her from making an attempt on the Huntress life was the priestess' corpse between them.

Felix had his arms wrapped tightly around his wife. His eyes were filled with new-found fear and uncertainty. The hope he had when he first met the Huntress was still there, but it had been overshadowed by the prior emotions.

And then there was Spencer. The young man's mouth was agape, shock written all over his face. His skin had turned pale at the sight of Fransica's body. He repeatedly tried to avert his eyes from it, but they always found a way back to the corpse in the Huntress' arms.

All in all, the reactions were within Selina's expectations.

And that was not a good thing.

She gently laid Fransica's body down onto the cold floor. The priestess' shawl had fallen back over her face, shielding her features from the three onlookers. The warmth of the candles washed over Selina's back as she considered the situation and pondered on what Fransica had told her.

It was clear the woman had been driven mad. Observing the true nature of whatever it was that gave the Huntress her power had broken her mind. Which would explain why she had called the Huntress "Kin" to the things she described coming to this world. Things that could only be the Great Ones. As Selina had feared, they were still out there and had their sights set on this world. And, apparently, were waiting for her to "let them in".

But how? How could she possibly bring Great Ones to this world through her own actions? She had done everything in her power to keep the knowledge of the Arcane and Yharnam hidden from this world? Had she missed something or someone? Was the knowledge out there somewhere? Or was this something else?

And why her? Could they not reach here through their own power? And why this world? What do they want with it?

Questions added to an ever growing list.

However, like the others, they must be set aside for now.

For she had a troubling situation to explain,

And, oh, how she dreaded it.

"I killed Fransica."

She held up a hand just as Valarie began to lift her blade. For whatever reason, the Hero stopped in her tracks while Spencer and Felix both involuntarily backed away from the Huntress. Selina continued, "However! I had a reason for it. Fransica wanted to die."

Valarie scoffed, "And why should we believe what you say mon-

"What do you all know of Fransica's power?"

Silence reigned for a few moments. Spencer and Valarie shared a confused look. Eventually, the young mage took a shaky step forward, "We...we were told she could sense the Mana in others better than any Mage. That she could do so thanks to the Chief God's blessing. But, we were told nothing more than that."

"Then you didn't know of her shawl," the Huntress reached down and lightly gripped the edges of the white mask, "Or how her power was far more potent than you thought. How this kept her from being overwhelmed by her own power."

"Wait, didn't the Priestess remove her shawl during when Lady Cynthia was on the stage?" the two Heroes turn to the former scribe who was still holding his wife, as he struggled to his feet. He stumbled for a moment but eventually managed to take two steps forward on shaky legs, "And didn't she faint when she did?"

"Precisely," the Huntress confirmed, "And the result...was this."

She took in a deep breathe then removed the shawl. The Heroes gasped in shock, Spencer turning away with his hands on his mouth with his face turning a light shade of green. Felix and Valarie turned their heads away from the sight of Fransica's missing eyes. Selina quickly covered the Priestess face once more out of respect for the dead, and to prevent Spencer from losing his lunch.

Selina grabbed the Priestess' hands and held them up for all to see. She pointed at the fingernails, dainty but crusted over with a white and brown substance, "Whatever she saw compelled her to claw out her own eyes. She revealed the truth to me and then...asked me to do what I had to."

"You-you're lying," Valarie's voice shook as she tried to deny what the Huntress had said, "She-she would never do that. And even if she did, doesn't that just show how dangerous you are?"

Selina bowed her head to give Fransica's body a respectful moment of silence. Then she stood up just as Spencer turned back to the group. He was able to stop himself from vomiting, but still appeared sick to his stomach. Felix had managed to march his way to the group while carrying Tina bridal style in his arms.

The Huntress looked at the three gathered before her. She knew what she had to say, but the thought of it formed a pit in her stomach. Her mouth was turned down in a angry frown behind her bandana as she spoke, "Yes, but I never said it didn't. Fransica wanted me to kill her, to ease her pain. But that doesn't change what I have done. It won't wash away this or any other horrible act I have committed. That is not what matters right now."

"Excuse me?!" Valarie stepped forward until she and the Huntress were face to face. Her sword trembled in her grip as she confronted the taller woman, "It is not what matters? You kill a Priestess, reveal she had gone mad and mutilated herself, then you have the gall to tell us it doesn't matter?! How dare you say-"

"I do not say it lightly," the Huntress didn't raise her voice, but the force behind her words made the Heroine step back. She pointed behind the girl at the entrance to the room, "Right now, beyond those doors are people who will kill or capture all of us if we dawdle. If the circumstances were different, I'd allow you all to judge me as much as you wish. But if we do not move on, we will all be in danger. And I will not leave those two to be captured when they are so close to freedom. I swear on my life that they will get out of here, safe and sound."

Selina nodded towards Felix, causing the human's fear and uncertainty to quell. His eyes searched the floor for something, before he took in a deep breathe. He stepped forward until he stood next to the Huntress' right side. He swallowed as much of his fear as he could, refusing to meet Valarie or Spencer's eyes as he spoke, "I...I can't say I'm not afraid of Lady Cynthia. Nor can I say I completely believe what she says. But...but one thing I do know is this...,"

Felix was silent for a moment. Then his body stopped shaking as he steeled himself. He looked up at the two Heroes and said with conviction, "She was the first, and only, person who actually listened to me. When I was on my knees, about to be forced to watch as they killed Tina and I, she was the only one who stepped forward to defend us. I owe her not just my life, but Tina's as well. And...And I won't leave her side until that debt is paid."

Valarie and Spencer stared dumbfounded at Felix. Not only because of how the normally quiet former scribe said that to two Heroes of the Order, but because of how he decided this despite knowing Lady Cynthia for less time than either of them had.

Selina placed a reassuring gloved hand on the man's shoulder, "I appreciate your word, Felix. But perhaps you should save them until I actually get you to safety."

"Oh, right. S-sorry," Felix bowed his head to hide his sudden embarrassment.

Selina nodded, then turned her grim gaze back to the two Heroes, "I will not force you two to come with me. If you wish, I will even leave Fransica's body with you so that you may give her proper rites. The choice is yours."

"Well, clearly, we will not be coming with you. And you won't be going anywhere," Valarie took a step forward, "You will be answering for your crimes to Priestess Viola! Right, Spencer?"

When the young mage wasn't forthcoming with his answer, Valarie turned around, "Spencer?"

Spencer had a hand on his chin. His eyes were narrowed and his brow was furrowed as he contemplated something known only to him. Valarie walked over to her friend and gave him a light shake. She called his name again, which seemed to break him from his stupor. His furrowed brow remained as he locked his gaze on the Huntress.

"...Cynthia, can I ask you two questions?" Selina nods in response to the young mage. He met her gaze as he spoke, "What Priestess Fransica saw, your lack of Mana, and your ability to turn people back to normal, are they all connected?"

Selina felt her hair stand up on the back of her neck. She could already see where the boy's line of questioning was going. She kept her tone as neutral as possible as she answered, "I...I believe they are, yes. Why do you ask now?"

"Because, if your condition and powers do indeed come from the same place, and your condition truly did make the Priestess go mad then...," rather than finish his sentence, the young man turned his eyes towards the still sleeping Tina.

Felix followed the mage's gaze, eyes slowly widening as the realization dawned on him. He turned to the Huntress for reassurance, which he received quickly. Selina shook her head, "Spencer, while that is is a valid concern, it will not happen."

"But what if it-"

"It will not," Selina interrupts the young mage's question, "And if it does...then I promise, I will find a way to fix it. Even if it costs me my entire life. I might not have the right to say that considering what I did to the Priestess. But, still, I...I wish to at least make sure these two people are happy by the end of this."

Spencer nods his head, "The second question is, why did you destroy the Mamono Camp? Yeah, it threatened Vinvers and the Order, but I think you've made it abundantly clear that you don't care much for the Order. And you didn't really have any deep connections to the city. If you wanted, you could've waited until it was dark and left. Why didn't you? Why did you put yourself in so much danger to defend a city of strangers."

Selina answers with no hesitation, "To defend the innocent. Both human and Mamono. I care not for allegiance to a single side. If one were threaten me, those I care for, or those who simply wish to live their lives together in peace, then I shall strike them down."

"Those words...do you see yourself a Hero?" Valarie asks, incredulous at the Huntress' proclamation.

"No. Not the one that you speak of, nor the one that I speak of. I am merely a person who wish to use the skills she has to try to make life better for others. No more, no less."

Spencer is silent for a moment. The tension in the air raises as everyone waits to see what his reply will be. He sighs and shakes his head, then looks up and smiles at the Huntress, "Alright then. Get going."

"Spencer! Why?!" Valarie is quick to question her friend, "Why are you taking her side? Has she..has she really convinced you to turn your back on m-I mean, on the Order?"

"Val, no. I'm not taking her side here," Spencer turns to his friend, "Being honest, I don't even know if I can trust her anymore. I have only known her for...it hasn't even been a week has it?"

He directs the question at Selina who shakes her head. Valarie responds, "Then why let her go? We should stop her and give her over to our fellow Heroes."

"No, Val, we shouldn't. Because while I don't know if I can fully trust her, I do know one thing: She wants to help people. She wants to save those who can't save themselves. And isn't that exactly what we as Heroes want to do?"

"But...but this, all of this, is her fault," Valarie waves her arms at the ceiling, "Ever since she came here things have just been falling apart. This Church is in crisis, our friends are fighting each other out there, and one of our venerated Priestess lies dead by her hand. I don't understand how...how we can just let her go. I don't understand why...why you're choosing her over me."

"Valarie lis...wait...what?" Spencer's mask of calm shatters at his friends words. The Heroine, realizing what she said, immediately places her hands over her mouth. But the damage is done and Spencer is already stepping closer to her, "What did you just say?"

"N-N-Nothing!" Valarie waves her hands in front of her, "Nothing at all! Forget I said anything!"

"No! You said something! Something important and-"

"Ahem," the two Heroes go quiet as the Huntress interrupts them. Selina places her hands together and says, "Valarie, do you believe I'm trying to steal Spencer away from you?"

"N-N-Yes!" the Heroine shouts to the ceiling. The answer makes Spencer take a step back while the Huntress' takes off her hat and runs a hand through her hair. She sucks in a breathe of frustration while Valarie continues, "Yes! Alright! Ever since you came he's been acting strange. He goes out to eat with you, meets with you without telling me, is talking about leaving the Order, and...and...I just know you're trying to take him away!"

Spencer's mouth hangs open in complete shock. Felix looks between the three other occupants with complete confusion on his face. The Huntress is trying to calm herself and hold any annoyance or anger she has a bay.

Before she can answer the Heroine, knocking is heard from the entrance to the altar room. A voice calls through the door, "Hey! What's going on in there!? We heard someone yelling!"

The Huntress was the first to act. She grabbed Felix by the arm and said, "We need to go, now!" She pulled the man along before he could protest, making him almost lose his grip on his wife. He manages to reorient her in his arms, while trying to keep up with the rushing Huntress.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Halt! Stop-"

"Val, let them go! We need to stay here!" Spencer grabbed Valarie by her hand to stop her from rushing off to catch the fleeing Huntress.

"Why? Afraid she'll leave you behind with me? That would be such a problem wouldn't it?"

"No, cause I'm not going with her! And we need to stay here, so someone can explain why one of the Priestess is stone dead on the floor," he waves a hand towards the aforementioned body. Then his expression begins to soften, "Besides, Valarie, I would never leave you all alone."

Valarie pauses, her expression shifting to one of confusion but also hope. She turns to her friend and says, "Really? But didn't you-"

"I said I think we might not need the Order to be Heroes. I never said I would leave you behind. I could never do that to you. Because...because...," a lump suddenly forms in Spencer's throat as he realizes what he's about to say.

"Because...," Valarie repeats, her voice filled with expectations and hope.

Spencer fidgets on the spot. His palms start to feel sweaty, his knees get weak, and he's suddenly very aware of how pretty Valarie's face is. As well as how he's currently holding her hand. For one moment, he thinks about simply letting her hand go and pretending nothing happened. But then he remembers what Cynthia had said. About how if he could overcome his fear of death, then he could overcome this fear.

And...she was right.

He's had to stand his ground against someone who nearly cut him in half. Granted, that was the very person who gave him this advice, but maybe that was the point. If he was able to overcome that then why was he so scared of confessing to Valarie? Especially since, in a way, he only managed to survive thanks to her? What is telling her his feelings compared to almost being split in half by a saw blade?

Spencer took a deep breath, counted to five, then looked up at Valarie with as much courage as he could muster. He tightened his grip on her hand and spoke with zero uncertainty, "Because...because I love you."

The moment Spencer gave his confession, the doors to the altar burst open. The two Heroes turned to see the form of Priest Galoran stomping into the room. Behind him followed an entourage of five Heroes who quickly swept the room for any opposition. The Priest walked until his eyes locked onto Spencer, then Valarie, until finally settling on the corpse behind him.

His face went pale with shock. Then his eyes narrowed with supsicion and anger. He looked up and spoke with barely restrained fury, "Tell me what happened. Now."

----------------------------------------

"Lady Cynthia, are you sure we're going the right way?" Felix asked as his feet slapped against the cold stone floor of the hidden passageway. His breathing was getting heavy but he used what was left of his energy to keep his burning legs moving.

"It is the path that Priestess Fransica told me to follow. And it is the only path forward," Selina answered, hand lantern holding steady against her hip as she moved through the darkened passageway. Her eyes shifted between the darkness in front of them and the people she was escorting to ensure they were still behind her. Her words seemed to placate the man, as he simply focused on keeping up with the Huntress.

They rushed passed the black stone walls and wooden support structures. Dust and pebbles would fall from the roof every now and then. Selina would quicken their pace whenever she saw one, pulling Felix closer as they traveled. Eventually, they reached what they suspected was the end of the pathway. They crossed under an arch in the roof that led to a large circular room. Looking up Selina could see they had entered from the southern part of the room. To the west and east were two other archways that likely led to other sections of the Church.

And directly in front of them, across the center of the room and up a flight of ten stairs, was a single pair of double doors with a wooden bar across the handles. Felix felt all his fatigue leave him at the sight of the door. A hopeful smile split his face as he looked down at his sleeping wife, "We're almost out, Tina. Just a bit further."

Selina, however, didn't feel the same sense of optimism. The shape of the location, the fact that they hadn't been harried the entire way...nothing ever went this smoothly for her. She told Felix to stay close while she slowly made her way towards the center of the room.

Selina's instincts kicked in the moment they reached the edge of the circle.

"Back!" she pulled Felix back just as an arrow fell right where the two of them once were.

"Damn it, I missed!" Selina and Felix's gaze was drain to their left...to see a group of two Heroes and three Knights with weapons raised and ready for battle.

And leading them was Priestess Viola.

The Priestess hadn't changed much since the last time the Huntress saw her. She still wore the low cut nun habit, and still had her hair freely flowing around her shoulders. Her eyes were the same crystal blue, still just as sharp and with a cynical glint to them as she stared at the Huntress. The main differences were her black skirt (which only went down to her upper thighs, of course), and the glowing red scimitar held in her right hand.

The three Knights stepped forward and held shield out in front of them to block any easy access to the Priestess. The Heroes stepped around the knights left and right sides to better get at Selina. To the left was a female Heroine armed with a bow. She had a "wild" aspect to her. She moved with an arrow in her teeth and kept herself low to the ground. Her outfit was as open but surprisingly more sensible than any the Huntress had seen so far. While she only wore a metal bra on her chest (which was surprisingly modest when compared to almost every other woman the Huntress had met at this point), she actually wore shorts rather an a skirt. Though it was short enough that her legs were completely bare.

So, not completely sensible.

"As expected Serena," the one who moved to the right said as she moved as well, "Could you at least pretend to be competent in the presence of Priestess Viola." This one wore clothes that reminded Selina of noble she spot from alleyways, walking down the streets with expensive umbrellas over their heads. The long, frilly, light blue dress actually went all the way down to the girl's ankles and even her arms were covered up. Too bad the dress clearly wasn't designed for her breasts size. The Huntress swore it was like she wanted the last button on her shirt to fly off every time she took a breath.

"Can it, Shelly! I don't need your crap right now!" Serena answered her fellow Hero despite the arrow clenched in her teeth. She swiftly strung the projectile and aimed it at the Huntress.

"Try not to miss this time, sweety."

"I won't if you-"

"Enough you two. Your bickering brings embarrassment upon the Order in front of this Heretic," Viola's words instantly silenced the two's bickering. They became laser focused on the Huntress while Viola pointed the end of her blade at her, "Now then...Cynthia the Heretic. You stand charged of your existence being an affront to the Chief God, turning loyal servants of the Order to a False Faith, and assisting criminals in their escape attempt. Your punishment is to be captured, imprisoned, and eventually executed for your crimes."

Her judging gaze and blade moved to Felix, who did what he could to hide Tina's body behind his and the Huntress', "As for you, traitor, your sentence is also execution. However, it will be carried out immediately. Along with your traitorous wife. Seize them!"

Viola raised her scimitar and her soldiers advanced. Rather than bother fighting when escape was so close at hand, and less effectively as she would have to defend the ones she was escorting, Selina grabbed Felix by the arm. She easily pulled the human along with her in a rush for the exit. Another arrow flew their way, aimed a bit in front of them to ensure it hits. The Huntress didn't mind at first, letting the projectile embed itself in her left shoulder. She had taken worse and the arrow did little to slow her down.

At least, that was until green vines exploded from the shaft of the projectile.

Selina grit her teeth to stop herself from crying out in pain. The vines forced their way into her arm and down into her left leg. She could feel them crushing her bones and trying to grab hold of her trachea.

"Go!" she shouted to Felix, throwing him forward as she fell to one knee. She had managed to clear half the distance to the staircase that led to escape. She hoped the stumbling human could make it, while she brought her free right hand up to her face. She grabbed the glove in her teeth and yanked it off, grabbing one of the vines in her naked palm. Fighting through the pain she recalled the feeling she had when she drained Kogero and tightened her grip on the vine. Within moments the vines that had made their way into her throat froze in place, before withering away to nothing.

Selina got to her feet just as the Knights leaped at her prone form. She rolled away from all three of their slashing attacks, equipped the Beasthunter's Saif, and knocked Serena's next arrow out of the air. She soon found herself locked into combat with the Knights and Serena. The humans would move in and attack from melee keeping the Huntress one place. Meanwhile, the Heroine would fire enchanted arrows at the Huntress whenever there was an opening. Ones that exploded into fireballs, more of those vine arrows, and even some that created a shockwave of slicing air.

Under normal circumstances. The Huntress would've been able to defeat them easily.

But she wasn't trying to kill any of them.

She was just trying to keep them off Felix. Which was difficult, but not too much for her. The Knights were still human. Their attacks were easy to dodge, block, or parry. And while Serena maybe a Hero, the Huntress was wise to her tricks. She could easily hear where the arrows were coming from and then knocking them out of the air. Or grab them and drain the Mana from them before they went off.

However, they weren't the ones she was worried about.

It was the two she had lost track of.

"Gah!" her head swiveled and face contorted with dread at the pained sound of Felix's voice. He had almost made it to the stairs, but had been forced onto his back by the other Hero and the Priestess, Shelly and Viola. Viola was on Felix's left, standing over him with her scimitar pointed down at him. while was currently standing on his right with...is that an oversized meat cleaver?

Yes, that is an oversized meat cleaver in her hands.

That's she's wielding as a weapon.

...Perhaps this place was as crazy as Yharnam.

"No, no, no~," Shelly's sing-song voice came across as menacing rather than cutesy, "You're not getting away. Naughty ones need to be punished."

"Ple-please," Felix scrambled to his feet and pulled Tina as close as he could manage. He bowed his head in an attempt to protect his wife, "If you're going to hurt anyone, hurt me! Just leave Tina alone! I beg you!"

Grimacing, Viola brought up her foot and placed it on Felix's bowed head, "How disgusting. Even now, you choose to side with the Mamono rather than repent for your actions? Scum. The world will be better off without you. Shelly, on my mark."

Viola lifted her scimitar, fire bursting onto the blade's edge.

"Yes, Priestess," Shelly did the same, her weapon's shadow falling over the kneeling man.

"No!" the Huntress threw the Knights off her with a single wide sweep of the Saif, knocked Serena's next arrow out of the air, then made a mad dash for Felix.

"One," Viola began the countdown.

Her battle had forced her far to the eastern side of the circle. The distance between where she was and Felix's position was large.

"Two."

Half way there. The Huntress put her all into the sprint, even throwing her weapon to the ground to go faster. Another arrow pierced her right shoulder, causing her to stumble. She quickly regained her footing and kept running ignoring the fire beginning to emit from the projectile.

But even with all her energy put into the sprint she knew she wouldn't make it...not at her current speed.

She pulled the Old Hunter's Bone from her cloak. She had no idea if the tool would give her the burst of speed she needed...but...

"Three."

Her eyes shot open. Time seemed to slow down as the twin weapons of the Order Agents began to fall upon Felix and Tina. Briefly she was aware of more humanoid figures appearing from the entrance she and Felix had just come through. But she paid them no mind.

There was but one thing that held her focus.

She crushed the bone in her hand just as the arrow exploded.

"CYNTHIA!" Spencer howled as the area where Cynthia, Felix, and Viola were was covered in black smoke. With him were Valarie, Galoran, and the five Heroes the Priest had brought. They all watched with baited breath along with Serena and the Knights as the smoke slowly but surely cleared.

When it had finally dissipated, the newcomers gasped in horrified shock while Serena hollered in triumph.

Selina had managed to get there...just in time to take both Viola and Shelly's attacks to the back.

Felix stared up in horror at the Huntress' still form, standing above him with her arms held out to both sides as blood fell from the massive "X" shaped wound on her back.

Viola, smiling with pride, let out a triumphant laugh, "Well, that certainly saves me some trouble. With the Heretic gone, all the traitors will surrender to their fates! Shelly! Deal with the other traitor."

"At once, Lady Vi-"

Shelly didn't get to finish.

Because the Huntress naked fist collided with the center of her face.

Shocked gasps escaped from all present as, with a loud crack, Shelly went flying through the air and into the walls of the chamber. She hit the earthen walls hard enough to be embedded in them. Her eyes stayed open for but a moment. Then her head lolled to the side as she lost consciousness.

"Shelly!" Serena readied another arrow, "You'll pay for-"

Something flew just underneath her arm, glinting in the darkness of the chamber.

Next thing she knew, her arrow had fallen to the floor.

When Serena looked down, her mouth went wide at the sight of her cut bow string. She turned around and saw a throwing knife laying on the ground. She threw her bow away and prepared to get the Knights to move in with her...but soon found herself surrounded by Galoran and his five Heroes.

"Do not move, Serena," the old Priest said, "We do not wish to hurt you."

"You traitors! You'd help someone who hurt one of our own!"

Galoran and his Heroes said nothing. Surrounded and outmatched, Serena fell to her knees along with the Knights who threw their weapons down.

While that was occurring, Selina had knelt to Felix's level and was patting his shoulder, "Are you unharmed?"

"Y-y-y-yes. B-b-b-but...how are you-" Felix was at a loss for words. If anyone else, even a Hero, had taken a blow like that-

"You should be dead," Selina let go of Felix and stood up at the sound of Viola's voice. She turned to regard the rapidly retreating Priestess. Viola had stopped five steps away from the Huntresss, "That attack was...it should've hit deep enough to kill a Hero or even a high level Mamono."

It was true. Anyone who could see the Huntress back right now, would be able to see the barest hint of ribs poking out of her skin. From her back fell not just blood, but sliced up parts of her inner organs. Mostly cut off circular bits of intestines that Felix did his best to avoid as he stood up on shaky legs.

If it were anyone else, they would be dead.

But, Selina is not just anyone.

"What, what are you?" Viola asked in a trembling tone.

Rather than answer, Selina took a step towards the Priestess.

"St-stay back!" Viola held up her blade, "I-I am a Chosen of the Chief God! She protects me from all your machinations! This sword was enchanted by her own Valkyries to be able to cleanse all evil! You cannot-"

With a single quickened step Selina was in front of Viola. She grabbed the woman's scimitar in one naked hand. Fire exploded onto the edge of the blade...then went out as quickly as it came. In an instant, the blade turned to dust in Selina's hand.

Before she could act, Selina grabbed Viola by the neck.

And then she began to drain her.

Viola scratched at her tormentor's arm, eyes bulging and body flailing in terror as she tried to escape. Her face grew paler with each passing second. Even her eyes began to lose their luster and the spark of life within them.

"Cynthia, stop," Spencer walked over to Selina, holding up his hands to try to placate her, "That's-that's enough. Put her down...please."

Selina was about to ask the mage why she should let the woman live...but didn't.

Because she had an answer.

She wasn't going to be like this anymore.

And besides, having the life scared out of her would be punishment enough.

With a grunt Selina let Viola go. She hit the ground with a thump, body twitching and sobs coming from her in short burst.

Selina ignored everyone else, put her gloves back on, then held her hand out to Felix. With a calm yet tired voice she asked the former scribe, "Shall we go?"

Felix swallowed the spit in his throat. Then nodded. He grabbed the Huntress hand, and the three of them began to make their way up the stairs.

"Hold, Cynthia," Galoran called out. Selina stopped halfway up the stairs. Seeing this, the old Priest asked, "Spencer and Valarie told me this when I saw the body but...I must know. Did you...did you really murder Priestess Fransica?"

Everyone in the room held their breath. Heroes and Knights all watched Selina with eyes pleading with her that it wasn't so. Some because they wanted to believe in her. Others because they didn't want to believe that one of their Priestess was dead.

To spare them, Selina could've lied.

But, as Spencer and Valarie knew, the Huntress was no liar.

"Yes, I did."

Gasps of shock and disgust echoed through the room. Three of Galoran's Heroes prepared to go after Selina, but the Priest held up a hand to stop them. He took in a deep breath then spoke, "Then I, as Priest of this Branch of the Order, hereby banish you from our holy grounds. Regardless of your reasons or your abilities, this crime is far too great to ignore. If you are ever seen in an area owned by the Vinvers branch of the Order, you will be captured and imprisoned for however long it takes to atone for your sentence."

Galoran made this declaration with confidence and anger. But, deep beneath those emotions, Selina could sense the regret the man felt. Regret that he was banishing the one person he believed could give them an advantage in this war. That, despite taking her side, he was still losing her.

In some ways, she pitied him.

But that pity only went so far.

"Understood," was all she said. Her and Felix continued up the stairs until they were almost at the door.

"He-Cynthia," Selina stopped one last time. She turned towards the one person she didn't expect to hear her name from...Valarie.

Valarie stood next to Spencer with one hand held against her chest. She looked down at her friend. Spencer looked up into her eyes. He smiled, took her hand in his, and nodded.

She returned it then looked back towards the Huntress. Her lips trembled as she spoke, "I-I still cannot forgive you for everything you have done. Nor can I forget all the times you blasphemed against the Order. Nor your crimes...but...thank you for this."

Her and Spencer lift each others hands up for her to see. Immediately, the Huntress understands what they are trying to tell her.

She stands there at the threshold of the door, grabs her bandana and hat, and takes them off.

For the first time since they've met, Spencer and Valarie see the Huntress' bare smile.

"You are most welcome. Until we meet again, Spencer and Valarie."

Selina lifts the handle off the door, pushes it open, and then she and Felix are gone.