Fifteen minutes later…

Just had a ham and cheese sandwich, crustless and cold like it was straight outta the fridge. It really hit the spot! Dispelling magic really does work up an appetite! And so does fighting up close with a massive sword, because Anna’s having two!

Mm-hm! I’d easily go for another one of these sandwiches right now, but we gotta keep moving. There’s still one more trial to go before Saint Alyssa herself. Literally, a trial by fire with a Phoenix – a holy construct Monster brought forth from a tempest of wind and flame, fiery wings blazing hot with the fury of the heavens. Hot stuff. Easy enough for us, I’ll say! But then, there’ll be some changes waiting for us yet again, surely.

Meh. Eyes on the prize, either way! We pack up our supplies quickly and get back up on our feet, Anna leading the way forward, as is proper.

“So, umm… what do we have to do in the next trial?” Anna asks, her stride unbroken and her eyes focused on the path ahead. “You said it involves a Phoenix, right?”

Oh, yeah. It’s an obstacle course of fire, if I remember it as it was in the previous timeline. Places to hide behind… Fireballs to dodge… the whole nine yards, and then some extra. Can’t say I’m too thrilled about doing this again.

“Yep. There’s gonna be lots of lots of fire, and it’s on me to keep us safe,” I tell her. “The previous trial tested your mastery of Sanctuary, so this trial…”

“It tests your mastery of Spell Ward?”

“Right on! Well, that’s the idea. There’ll be places and safe spots to take cover and recuperate some Mana. But given how things have turned out so far…”

“Umm… you think they’ll change it up somehow?”

“I’d be surprised if they didn’t,” I answer, smiling wryly as we stand before doors emblazoned with fiery runes of Enochian. “It’s alright, though. You got me!”

“And you have me as well, Arisa,” Anna answers warmly. “We’ll get through this together!”

The doors slowly swing open, inviting us in. It’s only been a few hours into this Dungeon so far, but I’d like to think that we’re quite used to this by now. This fuckery, I mean. The world itself may rise against us… and we’ll make it wish it never got outta bed in the morning. That’s my solemn vow and promise, in all of this.

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

The trial of Natasha, the Burning Soul…

Ornate bookcases form sections and aisles close to study areas with oaken desks and chairs neatly pushed in. The entire arena’s a splitting image of the library back home in the Chantry of Eternal Light.

Well, nearly! It’s quiet. But also, too quiet. Lifeless. No Arcane Familairs, no Paladins or Healers studying… no Librarian too. Nothing but silence and books. He’d love to be here.

Did I say lifeless? I sense a great deal of Mana nearby. It’s the Phoenix, surely.

“Arisa…”

“Feel it too, eh?” I state expressionlessly, while Anna clutches Ascalon tightly. “Get ready.”

“You think you are ready… having come this far, wielding Frozen Light…”

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That presence of Mana is getting stronger. Warmer, too. That’s odd – the Phoenix is supposed to be waiting at the other end of the room. But it’s nowhere to be seen.

“I am to test your mastery of Spell Ward, Healer. And I shall, in the only way I know…”

“Where are you?”

In response to my question, the entire room erupts in a furious storm of wind and fire, burning away all the bookcases and desks meant to serve as safe spots. Anna and I would’ve gone up in flames too… but my Spell Ward, covering both herself and me within the safety of a runic dome of white and blue light, as I raise my hand up towards the ceiling, keeps us safe from the flames. It’s still really, really hot, though! I’m sweating buckets.

“I am everywhere in this shared space of ours, Healer…” the Phoenix answers, its voice echoing wind and fire throughout the arena. “For this is a world of wind and fire, where I am mistress of all…”

“So this is what’s different…” Anna remarks worriedly as she looks upon the fires that rage all around us, where the safe spots had once been. “Arisa…”

“I got this, don’t worry. Stay close to me. This is barely taking any Mana.”

The Phoenix lets out a shrill cry like that of bemused laughter for a Monster of wind and fire.

“We shall see, Healer… we shall see.”

“Fuck around and find out!”

Four Fireballs, each the size of a boulder, surge towards us from each end of the burning room, fiery tailwinds accelerating their flight. I reinforce my Spell Ward with more Mana, my hands clutching Elizabeth tightly as my staff empowers my magic. The flames crash into my anti-magic barrier simultaneously, a cross of fire burning outward with us in the eye of the storm.

Good grief. It’s not just me this time… it’s very, very hot in here! The heat from all this fire is a little overwhelming, I’ll admit. Just a little! I could use a glass of iced water right about now. Or a Heal! Just as I’m thinking this to myself… Anna channels her Heal on me, silver light relieving the heat burning hot in my lungs. I’d thank her for the pick-me-up, but there’s no time nor energy to talk.

“Ashes to ashes…. dust to dust.”

I weave more and more Mana into my Spell Ward, fending off violent gusts of wind and searing bolts of fire falling down upon us like a meteor shower. Elizabeth’s wings glow white and blue, empowering my Spell Ward further with each bit of Mana expended, while Anna does her best to Heal me, keeping my strength up despite the blistering heat. Even as the elements of wind and fire combined assail us repeatedly with increasing intensity, wind stoking fire and fire empowering wind to a fever pitch, a blazing Hurricane of wind and fire unending.

Even so, I don’t let up! But despite my best efforts, cracks begin to appear upon my Spell Ward. I’m spending more and more Mana, faster and faster… to maintain my barrier. It’s the only thing keeping Anna and me away from a fiery doom. And by our efforts combined… my Spell Ward holds firm. Weathering the storm… keeping us alive… if only for a little bit longer. Each second feels more precious than the last. Hotter, too.

Eventually… the storm of wind and fire abates. The arena’s still engulfed in flames, but we’re not being actively attacked by a blazing storm of elemental magic anymore. If so… damn! Never thought I’d ever feel relief while standing right smack in the middle of a burning room, but then, I suppose there’s a first time for everything!

“Fucking hell…” I utter out loud, my hand aching a little as I maintain my concentration upon my Spell Ward, refusing to let down my guard. “Is it over?”

“Umm… I think so?” Anna answers worriedly. “But then, I wouldn’t…”

“Yeah. I feel ya. There’s no knowing what’s gonna happen next.”

“You expect a surprise attack?” the Phoenix’s voice echoes throughout the room, its tone noticeably subdued this time. “That is beneath me. However, you are right to be on your guard. And I should allay your concerns.”

Drawing power from the flames still burning all over the arena, the Phoenix manifests before us, its flames a dazzling pyre of red, gold and orange, its wings burning warmly.

“Did we pass?” I ask as I lower my hand, the magic of my Spell Ward fading away. “That was pretty intense, I’ll admit. Even for me!”

“Yes. You are both worthy of meeting my Mistress,” the Phoenix answers serenely, bowing its head as its flames fade away into the ether. “It has been decades, perhaps centuries, since I last exerted myself to such an extent. Rest, and when you are both ready… she awaits.”

It’s just Anna and me now. Oh, and a world of ashes. It smells like burning in here. Oh, Rinnah…

“Here, Arisa…” Anna whispers gently as she places a Mana Draught in my hands. “Don’t drink it all too quickly, alright?”

“Heh. Like you?”

“Umm… maybe…”

Good grief. An ice-cold Mana Draught never tasted better. Oh, sweet fucking Rinnah! That’s some fucking good stuff! So good, that while Anna sips hers slowly, I help myself to another! I’ll need all the Mana I can restore before our final trial, after all!

It’s gonna be our curtain call, soon enough. With Saint Alyssa, the First Saint herself. Rinnah willing, Anna and I will make it through, like we did the first time around. Changes be damned. Rinnah willing…