Battle in the Cathedral’s gardens…

Okay, couple of extra goons with the big guy. We got this!

The quartet of Lightsworn raise their glowing staves up high and unleash a barrage of Holy Fire upon us. Arcing high over the massive, plated shoulders of the Dullahan, the flames rain down upon us from the ceiling with the fury of a meteor shower.

“Get behind me, Anna!”

With an outstretched hand facing the oncoming flames, I put up a Spell Ward, protective runes glowing brightly in white and blue. The bolts of Holy Fire explode harmlessly upon my magical barrier, splashing off onto the ground in flames that burn orange and gold on the grass.

In the next five seconds or so, another barrage of Holy Fire comes crashing down on us. I do the same thing with my Spell Ward, keeping us safe as the world burns. Another six or so seconds later, that fiery radiance comes for us once again. Same response from me, of course! And we remain unscathed.

But from all that fire and fury… I’m thinking that the quartet of Lightsworn have to take time to recharge their staves every time they try to nuke us into the ground. Holy Fire does require quite a bit of Mana, especially when launched our way with such intensity! So, that’s what we gotta work with!

“Stay close to me…” I instruct Anna as I breathe deeply and focus, my eyes on the Dullahan and the Lightsworn behind it, the latter charging up another volley of Holy Fire with our names on it. “When we get close, feint the Dullahan before we go all in on those stupid Mages.”

“Okay!”

We advance across the garden slowly but surely, with me putting up Spell Wards whenever the Lightsworn launch a wave of Holy Fire at us. It’s manageable, and we’re keeping a good pace. As soon as we reach the halfway point of this stretch of grass and greenery burning radiantly all around us, the Dullahan lets out a sound like the shifting of metal plates, raising up its massive shield, placing itself front and centre to ward off our approach.

“Now, Anna!”

With a wave of my hand and a whispered prayer, without breaking my stride, I bestow my Divine Blessing on her as we charge forward. With Ascalon resting on her shoulder, she rushes at the Dullahan, winding up a brutal swing with her claymore. But just as the big bad Monster of holy metal readies itself to intercept her charge with its shield… she and I sharply veer off to the side, passing its flank before it can adjust its defensive position to stop us as we rush directly at the Lightsworn quartet.

“In you I trust, Rinnah…” Anna whispers, her gaze fixed upon our targets. “Blessed is your wisdom… teaching me to fight…”

The Lightsworn raise their fiery staves once more, collectively unleashing a massive gout of Holy Fire on Anna and me like a flamethrower cranked to overdrive. Once more, I bring up my Spell Ward, matching their Mana with my Mana, braving the brunt of the flames alongside Anna as she charges in furiously. And as we get in close, Anna executes each Mage, one after another, in a flurry of wide guillotine strokes, shattering their spectral forms into wisps of light that fall away like glass shards that fade away into the ether.

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We’re not out of this yet, though. The Dullahan is still going strong, even if it’s a bit slow in adjusting to us when we outflanked it. Much to my surprise, however, it casts aside that heavy shield, wielding its mace with both hands like a two-handed warhammer. Immediately, it winds up its weapon, focusing solely on Anna alone.

“Let me not be ashamed, Rinnah… let not my enemies triumph over me…”

Holy sparks fall upon Anna and the Dullahan as their weapons clash, each bringing all of their might to bear against the other while the silver light of Sanctuary forms beneath her feet. They’re evenly matched, but she’s losing ground, bit by bit even as she fights tooth and nail to stay on her feet.

She can’t keep this up for long. But that’s where I come in, at the turn of the tide! With an outstretched hand, I fire off a single, concentrated bolt of Holy Fire at the Dullahan’s plated torso. It ain’t much good against a holy Monster, but with all of its strength and focus locked into its clash with Anna, the impact of my magical projectile crashes into it with enough force to stagger it for the briefest of moments. Just enough time for Anna to counterattack!

With a single, sundering blow in a wide, brutal, fiery arc, Ascalon reduces the Dullahan to scrap metal. Only then, as those once living armour plates crash into a heap on the ground, does Anna finally take a knee, blood spilling down from her lips.

“Anna!”

“Was this trial just as difficult in your timeline, Arisa…?” Anna asks wryly, grimacing painfully while the white and blue light of my Heal mends her wounds, as I kneel by her side. “Those glowing Mages were a surprise addition… weren’t they?”

“Yeah. It’s supposed to only be that Dullahan with the big shield,” I answer warmly as I continue working my magic on her. “It’s meant to test a Healer and Paladin’s thinking and teamwork. Looks like they've dialed that test up by quite a bit, eh?”

To that, Anna cracks a toothy, slightly bloody smile. By now, my Heal has taken away most of the pain, restoring her lifeblood and easing her muscles once strained from that intense exertion just minutes ago. She’s still a little bloody, but it’s just bloodstains from a battle fought and won with style, grace… and overwhelming power!

“You were amazing back there, by the way! You know that, right!?” I add cheekily. “When you clashed head-on with that Dullahan… that was seriously badass!”

“Oh! Really now…”

“It’s damn well true, and that smile and hand on your cheek tells me you know it! No need to be shy! You’re Paladin material for sure.”

“I believed in us, Arisa…” Anna answers demurely, her smile sweet like sugar. “With you around, anything’s possible.”

“With you around as well, everything’s possible. We’re a team, remember? You said so yourself!”

“Arisa…”

I remember the first time we did this, Anna. It was hard enough flanking that stupid Dullahan. But we emerged victorious after a little trial and error and some elbow grease. And now… we’ve done it again! Together. Even with these little changes.

“We still have the rest of the Cathedral waiting for us,” I say as I offer her a waterskin and a Mana Draught from our little pack of supplies. “But first, you’ll need these – drink up!”

“Okay…”

“Woah! Easy there… slow down!” I exclaim, patting Anna gently on her back as she finishes both beverages in record time. “Careful, slowly… or you’ll choke!”

Unfortunately, she didn’t take my advice. But at least she’s not gasping desperately for air, so there’s that. I can only shrug my shoulders as I help myself to a Mana Draught too. And uh… damn! These things taste so damn good.

“I’m glad I can keep up and protect you, Arisa…” Anna says with a weary smile. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“Same here. Always.”

Reaching into our supplies once again, I get napkins for the both of us. I lean over, just a little bit, gently wiping her mouth and chin clean.

“Oh, Arisa… you don’t have to do that for me! Umm...”

“Don’t stand on ceremony! It’s the least I can do for ya, after all that intense fighting you’ve done, coupled with all that sweet-talk just for me,” I answer warmly, as Anna’s cheeks turn rosy red. “Anyway... you ready to get going?”

Still blushing, she nods shyly. I rise to my feet and offer her my hand, getting her back up on her feet. We gather up our supplies and move onward, into the cloistered hallway leading into the interior of the Cathedral of the First Saint.