Later that afternoon, at the Chantry courtyard after lunch…

Butterflies with colourful wings flutter gracefully around blooming flowers. Early afternoon sun’s nice on our skin, bright and warm like the light of hope!

Oho! Is it just me, or is the air around here fresher than usual!? Just feels a little bit different in a good way, is all! The birds, the flowers and shrubs… it’s all so good and nice and pretty!

Good grief. I’ve been feeling like this ever since Anna and I had our little private ceremony with Lady Iris. While going down the steps from the Sepulchre, my feet and my stride have also been feeling a little bit lighter! Why, it’s almost like there’s a skip in my step while I’m going merrily along in these fancy high heels! It’s really quite wonderful!

Sitting under the shade of our favourite tree, high heels set aside, I exchange smiles with Anna as she lies on her back, relaxing on the soft grass, her head resting on my lap. I daresay we look pretty damn good in our fancy getups, and it’s oddly nice and cool out here despite the mid-afternoon sun. It’s colder than usual, to be honest. I’m not sure why.

We could be studying in the library right now, brushing up on a Libram or two. We usually are at this time of day. But no! Not for the rest of today! We’re savouring the many joys of this place while we still can, because the ship that’ll take us across the Silent Sea to the Holy City leaves tomorrow, at the break of dawn. It’ll be a while, many, many long whiles, before Anna and I ever get to bask in the shade of the great tree above us, rest on the soft grass, and admire the flowers. If we ever do.

In the previous timeline, we didn’t. It all came to an end in Arcadia, in the sacred heart of the World Tree. Not this time, though – we’ll see my Prophecy through and find a way back to Nisha, back to the Chantry and Lady Iris. This, I swear. After that… whatever happens, happens.

Meh. Don’t mind me. I’m just… ruminating. Thinking. I do feel a little… restless. Like, if I could go right now, I would! Because I’m thinking about what’s gonna be out there, waiting for us. I don’t think things are gonna be the same on the mainland, if the Isle is any indication. And I gotta see it for myself to really know what we’re gonna be up against! But we’re also stronger, better, smarter! Wiser. It is what it is, I suppose.

“Arisa, your eyes…”

“Eh? What about ‘em?”

Slowly, Anna raises a hand towards my cheek, feeling it with her fingers. I bow my head and let her do it, taking a deep breath as I feel her gentle caress.

“They look a little weary. You didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Kinda, yeah.”

“Did you dream of the Demon Lord again?”

“Yeah, I did,” I answer solemnly, smiling good-naturedly. “It’s been a bit rough. Just a bit!”

“Did my suggestion work? You know, umm… thinking of me when you’re confronting the Demon Lord! Oh my, it does sound a bit strange, saying it out loud like that…”

“Yeah! It worked! And I felt a lot better while staring down the bastard while keeping you in my thoughts. Thanks, by the way.”

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“No problem!” Anna exclaims, her eyes lighting up with joy. “I’m always happy to help!”

“Yup. You’re doing good! Keep at it with that sweet smile of yours, alright?”

“Arisa…”

“I mean it!” I assert as I take her hand away from my cheek, grasping it firmly with both of mine. “I’m glad you’re here, Anna. I love you so fucking much.”

“Me too, Arisa… I love you too.”

We smile at each other. I take her hand and kiss it like I’m some kinda Prince from some sappy love story. And maybe Anna and I… maybe we are in one of our own. If so, I don’t mind it at all! At this moment… part of me wants to remain like this with her for the rest of our days, relaxing in the gardens and doing everything we’ve been doing together. Just a thought!

“Oho! But how about you?” I ask with a cheeky grin. “Hey, it’s my turn to do a surprise eye inspection, so let me see those eyes of yours!”

“Oh! Umm…”

I gaze into her eyes lovingly, staring deep into those green irises as she keeps them open and wide for me. Gotta say, she looks a little weary. Just like me. I think I know why!

“Well… I think I only slept for an hour or two…” Anna remarks sheepishly, her other hand on her cheek. “I was so excited for the ceremony, and I kept tossing and turning in my bed…”

“It happens. I felt that way too before, so I feel ya!”

“But what about now? About last night, I mean. Did you feel the same way I did, participating in the same ceremony again?”

“Not so much excitement or anticipation… but rather, pride!” I exclaim happily. “You’re my ace student, Anna. My pride and joy! Under my guidance, you kicked so much ass! I couldn’t be prouder or happier if I tried.”

“It really is all thanks to you, Arisa!”

“And thanks to you as well, for listening to me and doing your best!”

“We’re a team. The best there is!”

“Yeah. It’s been real, Anna. Being here with you again in the Chantry… doing everything again, changes or not… I’m glad. I really am!”

“I’m just happy to have you here, Arisa.”

“Me too! We’re gonna take the mainland by storm, just you and me!” I declare loudly, hand on my chest. “You’re my Paladin, so I’ll be counting on ya to keep me safe!”

“I’m looking forward to it!” Anna exclaims enthusiastically, nodding sweetly as I smile endearingly at her. “And I’m honoured to be yours! But umm…”

“Yeah?”

“What’s our plan to get the Lesser Shards? Mom said there are seven of them – one of them in the Holy City, and six more across the mainland?”

“She’s right about that. We’ll need all seven of them to enter Arcadia.”

“Where to then, after the Holy City?”

“Hmm…”

I cup my chin thoughtfully while Anna looks at me with a sweet and warm smile. I’ve thought about this at length, mostly at night while I toss and turn in bed. That maybe, just maybe, I oughta change up the order of my journey. Y’know… like, go south instead of north, west instead of east. Going off the beaten path. It would be interesting, if anything!

But then… between everything else changing… I’d rather stick to what I know. I think it’s easier to make sense of things if I keep Anna and myself on the same path we traversed in the same timeline, even as they change before my very eyes. Not to mention that the first two dungeons after Sharmarli (Castle Ferrous, and Dagon!) have affairs that I want to resolve as quickly as possible… if only to ease the thoughts in my head of what could’ve been. Of what should’ve been, if I was stronger and better prepared.

I’ll tell Anna the last bit of what I’m thinking, when the time is right. No point stressing out about it now! Not when we’ve yet to meet the Oracle, or even step foot into the Holy City! As I’m fond of saying… one thing at a time!

“I was thinking I’d retrace my steps from my timeline,” I say, smiling reverently. “We’ll head northwest from Sharmarli for Castle Ferrous. After that… Dagon to the north! It’s what Lady Iris recommended, y’know… back then.”

“It sounds like a plan that Mom would devise!” Anna exclaims, nodding approvingly. “She’s always very ordered and structured in her way of doing things. One task after another, till there aren’t any more left!”

“So, you’re good to roll along with it?”

“Yup! It does sound like a solid plan to me!” Anna states confidently. “Oh! Before I forget, I’ve been meaning to ask you something!”

“Anything for you. Ask away!”

“Since we’re headed to Sharmarli first,” Anna asks innocently, her eyelashes fluttering demurely. “What’s it like there? You know, umm… in your timeline!”

“Well, based on what I remember…” I answer playfully, smiling as she too, smiles at me. “It’s an amazing place to be! It’s got everything you could ever want! Hell, how do I even begin? But I’ll try to do it justice, just for you!”