Three days later, in the VIP lounge of the Highgrove Vineyard…

Flames dance slowly in the dark, swaying on the wicks of scented candlesticks. Fancy tall glasses of red wine stand beside plates of lobster shells stuffed with lobster meat smothered generously with grated cheese, breadcrumbs, and a rich, creamy, golden gravy.

Only the best of the best for Anna and me, the Vineyard management said! Nothing less! The wine in our glasses apparently comes from vintage reserves stored in the cellar (of what remained after imps tore up the place) for decades before we were born. Oh, and the lobsters! They’re fresh from the Crystal Sea, shipped to the Isle of Spirits in enchanted boxes stuffed with ice crystals to keep the crustaceans as fresh as the day they were caught.

It’s pretty lavish, I’ll say! But the Vineyard management said it was the least they could do for us after saving them. They’re still not exactly sure what happened, but they had seen what we had done for them while held in the grip of the Shadow Fiend’s Mind Control. We were their one bright spot of hope while they lay trapped and unable to act within their own bodies, their saviours. Eh, I’ll take it!

We spent the last two out of three days with the Warrior, Roderic Sinclair. Anna and I did our duties as members of the Order of Selene, praying for Rae and Celia, consecrating and interring what remained of them into urns to be sent to their hometowns for their final rites. It was the least we could do. No one deserves to die at a Demon’s hands.

He thanked us and left after that. Didn’t want to stay a moment longer on the Isle. He took the first boat back to the mainland to return to his hometown – a fortress town close to the frontier of the Iron Mountains, known as Lyse. He said his Pa’s the resident innkeeper, and that we’re always welcome at his door should we ever find ourselves there.

Good grief. I know and remember that place, and the nightmarish, beyond fucked-up horrors beyond its walls. Goblins, Orcs, Hobgoblins… and Castle Ferrous, to name a few. I’m glad he offered his door to us since, in time, Anna and I will indeed find ourselves in Lyse once more, seeking Castle Ferrous for the Lesser Shard of the Iron Lord. But for now, we wished him well.

On the third day, we convened with Lady Iris. She was already well aware of the incident at the Adventurer’s Guild, and my fellow Healers and Paladins of the Order had informed her of what had happened. Now, the Order has Healers and Paladins out and about in patrols across the Isle to keep the town and the surrounding outskirts safe. Just in case. And also, privately, what’s next for Anna, that I might better prepare her for the coming oblivion.

Hmm. I hope that dead Shadow Fiend was the last of them. Otherwise… fuck. It’s still so early into my adventure to be running into demons. I still wanna live my best life with Anna, preparing her with all I know while time permits it. But I don’t think it’ll be that way anymore. Just a gut feeling, is all.

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Sighing deeply, I pick up my wine glass by the stem, emptying it in a single gulp before reaching for the bottle to refill it. Gotta say… this is pretty strong stuff, compared to the convenience store beer I’m used to back home. I’m not one to drink much or often… but it’s always nice to crack open a cold one with a friend every now and then.

But between that first glass and the second I’m helping myself to right this moment… I can’t help but think of the Shadow Fiend’s essence and the secrets laid before me as it faded away. Mind Control. Evil fucking shit, surely… but then, where did it go? I didn’t even get the chance to put my foot down and say no.

I look at Anna. She’s picking at her food, not really eating much of it. She's been hella quiet, too. Her mind seems to be somewhere else. Lost in thoughts, all alone.

“Anna?” I ask gently. “You okay?”

“Umm…”

She picks at her food some more. Her wine glass is half-full, and I refill it for her. As I do that, she looks at me forlornly.

“I was thinking about what I saw in that Imp Master’s Greater Illusion… and umm…”

I take a sip of my wine, my eyes on hers. She does the same, drinking deeply and emptying her glass. Of course, I refill it for her again. It’s the last of this bottle of ours, unfortunately.

“I was in a world of ice and snow, lying in your arms, Arisa. I was in great pain… and you were crying… for me. I fought against the pain to reach for your cheek to comfort you… and as I did that, everything turned to black.”

“Anna…”

“Was that what happened in the end, Arisa?” Anna asks quietly. “How it ended between us, in your timeline, in Arcadia.”

I nod solemnly. Maybe it’s the wine fucking with my head. But I can feel tears going down my eyes, down my cheeks. It hurts to cry. Hurts to remember. It really does.

“Arisa…”

“You gave your life up to save mine, Anna…” I say quietly. “It’s a sacrifice I’ll never forget. It’s why I’m here again, with you.”

“If that’s what happened… if that’s why I was in such pain in that dream… I’m glad I did what I did! And I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

“Why?”

“You’re my Healer, Arisa. That’s why! And umm… I understand how you feel now, back on our first meeting. For that, and everything you’ve done for me, I’ll always do my best for you!”

Oh, Anna! If you’re willing to do this for me… I have to be stronger for you. I can’t be crying like a little bitch! And so, I won’t. I’ll put these feelings of mine away, somewhere safe and hidden, and push myself harder every day, just as I push you past your limits to become the best of the best!

“It won’t come to that ever again. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure of it,” I say confidently, wiping away the last of my tears with a silk napkin. “I’ll make you so strong, we’ll fuck up all the demons of Arcadia without breaking a sweat!”

“I’m looking forward to it! But umm…”

“Yeah?”

“What’s next for us? More training?”

“Nope! I spoke to Lady Iris privately after evening prayers last night… and she said that your time has come. You’re gonna become a fully-fledged Paladin!”

“Really!?” Anna exclaims as her eyes light up with joy. “Oh my…”

“She did! It’s the last thing we gotta do before we head for Sharmarli to get started with our Prophecy,” I explain with a cheeky wink. “It’s supposed to be a surprise for tomorrow’s morning prayers… but oops! It’ll be our little secret in the meantime, alright? So, be sure to act surprised when she drops the news!”

“Okay!”

“Good! And now…”

Our eyes fall collectively upon the lavish spread laid out for us. Together, with her hand upon mine, we say our words of grace to Rinnah. For this meal, for our safety, and for those we can save in the coming days. Prophecy or not, it shall be so.