Dawn, in the antechamber to the Sepulchre of God…

Luxury everywhere. It’s pretty, and I’m a bit sleepy. But I gotta focus! Eyes forward, small steps at a time. One foot before the other, calmly. Easy-peasy.

“My, my! You’re getting better with every step, Arisa!” Anna exclaims enthusiastically, her hand firmly holding on to mine to keep me steady. “Look at you go!”

“Of course! You shouldn’t expect any less from your Healer!”

Good grief. We spent so much of last night walking back and forth together, that Anna can now stand in my presence without blushing herself deliriously or getting a nosebleed! For my end of things, on the other hand… I’m still working out some kinks! Like keeping myself steady when I speed up, to name one off the top of my head. Thankfully, these shoes are a lot more comfy than they look! Oh, and I haven’t hit any doorways yet. That’s a good sign, surely!

I’m getting better and better at walking in these accursed heels, though. One step at a time, little by little. My stride’s just fine (mostly!), and I feel amazing! I daresay that Anna and I look amazing as a pair. As a Healer and Paladin. Together, we’re black and white. Yin and Yang. Ebony and ivory… you get the idea!

My hand feels a lot lighter now, though. My fingers are free to dance, and there’s just… air between them. Huh. Okay. I wasn’t expecting that!

“Anna…”

“Over here, Arisa!” Anna hollers playfully, smiling when I see her dutifully standing aside, having stopped the hand-holding a few steps back. “You’re doing great!”

“Hey, I don’t think I can…”

“Yes, you can!” Anna exclaims authoritatively as she walks over and puts herself a couple of steps ahead of my current path. “Come over to me, won’t you?”

Good grief. I don’t like the idea of being stranded. I think I got this, though! She’s doing this for my own good, after all. I can’t possibly have training wheels forever. And so… here I come!

Oh, wait! Before I take even one step forward… what were her tips again? Oh, right! ‘Roll the weight of your foot from your heels. Small steps. Don’t rush. Lean back a little to keep your posture straight. Walk heel to toe.’ Heh. Easy enough!

“How about it, Arisa? I’m waiting for you!”

“When I get over to ya, Anna…” I tease, maintaining my composure as I gaze upon the dread expanse of floor between us. “You’ll owe me a kiss!”

“Deal!”

Slowly, carefully… as gracefully as I can do it… my heels click softly upon the carpeted floor, one small step at a time. I roll the weight of my foot from my heels, and I lean back a little to keep my posture straight and steady as I walk heel to toe. The first step is the hardest, but after that… the next one’s much easier! The next step… even more so! One after another, I get closer and closer. That eventually…

“Oh, Arisa…” Anna says, smiling warmly at me as I make that final step towards her. “You did great! That stride was so cool and so graceful…”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Hey now, aren’t you forgetting something?” I offer playfully, tapping my lips. “Y’know…”

With that warm smile, Anna reaches for my cheeks, holding them gently. She tiptoes slightly, softly planting my reward squarely on my lips.

“Anna…”

“You’ve earned it!” Anna declares sweetly. “I’m proud of you, Arisa.”

“I’m proud of you too. You overcame your fear of my new outfit last night, remember?”

“That’s true…”

“Yup! We’re both winners! Anyway… it’s nearly time,” I state as my gaze falls upon the Ecclesiarch’s door. “Ready to become a fully-fledged Paladin?”

“Yup!” Anna exclaims enthusiastically. “Let’s go!”

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

In the Sepulchre of God…

Lady Iris stands before us, nodding approvingly at our arrival. It’s going to be a private ceremony. Just the three of us with Rinnah as divine witness.

“You have returned triumphant, Lady Ishii and Anna.”

In the previous timeline, I was kneeling alongside Anna. We had an official ceremony in the prayer hall at the break of dawn, as is custom for the Order of Selene. Back then, one timeline ago… there weren’t any demons on the Isle of Spirits. Now, everyone’s on high alert, even if there’s nothing more than that Shadow Fiend and its minions. Can’t ever be too careful or sure of anything, I suppose.

“We went in there and did our best,” I answer confidently. “Despite everything.”

“Yes, Lady Alcadeias agrees. I am very proud of the both of you. Especially you, Anna,” Lady Iris says, smiling warmly. “You did well despite facing odds far beyond your station.”

“I kept Arisa in my thoughts and actions. That’s what kept me going, Mom…” Anna answers wistfully, taking a moment to smile at me. “I promised I’d keep her out of trouble… and I did!”

“Indeed. You have faithfully served not merely one but two Healers. That is beyond most Paladins, even Lady Claire.”

“Second Mom…”

“She would be most proud of you if she were here today with me. And now, we make this official. The Holy Grail, please.”

I watch on, my face wreathed in smiles as Anna steps forward. Her pace is steady, her black cloak gently shifting as she kneels and bows her head dutifully, offering with both hands the Holy Grail to Lady Iris, Her Mom… and in this moment, as ordained by the ancient customs… the Ecclesiarch of the Order of Selene.

“By my divine right as reigning Ecclesiarch of the Order of Selene…” Lady Iris proclaims as she accepts the Holy Grail, letting it crumble to shimmering dust in her delicate hands, which, in turn, she uses to anoint Anna, touching her on the forehead. “I name you Paladin of Selene. By the ancient words of Rinnah…”

She recites a chant in Enochian, bringing her hands together in prayer as they begin to glow with golden radiance from the divine words of the gods. With those hands glowing golden, she places them on Anna’s shoulders, wreathing mother and daughter in holy light.

I can’t help but frown. I know what’s happening, after all. This is the ritual performed by the Ecclesiarch upon a worthy Paladin, that bestows upon the latter the divine knowledge of Divine Intervention. That spell. I know that it’s part of the traditions… of the ceremony… that it’s gonna happen. And yet, I… nevermind. Just… don’t mind me!

Oh, but there’s one more spell for Anna to learn this day! It’ll be right after this – a silver lining in a sea of gloom for me, Rinnah willing.

“Arise anew, Paladin…” Lady Iris declares as the wings of light unravel from both her and Anna. “How do you feel?”

“I feel stronger. I feel… amazing! Mom, I…”

Slowly, steadily, Anna gets back up on her feet. Immediately, with tears glistening in her eyes, she embraces Lady Iris tightly.

“I love you, Mom. Thank you for everything…”

“Life has not always been kind to you…” Lady Iris states warmly as she hugs Anna in turn. “But now, you stand before Lady Ishii and I as an equal. Congratulations.”

“I did my best, like you always said to!” Anna exclaims, smiling first at Lady Iris and then at me. “Two out of the three most important people in my life are here counting on me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

“Excellent. And now, as a fully-fledged Paladin of our Order, you are ready to learn one more spell. Our final gift to you for the days ahead, Anna.”

“Yeah!” I add joyfully as I brush off my melancholy. “You’re ready to learn Exorcism!”